Stephanie Knatz Peck: Novel and innovative treatment for eating disorders

Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck is a clinical psychologist and researcher at UCSD who develops novel interventions for eating disorders. She translated neuroimaging and genetic findings into Temperament-Based Treatment with Supports (TBT-S) for anorexia nervosa. She was co-investigator on the first clinical trial of psilocybin for anorexia nervosa and consults for Compass Pathways, developing psychological support models for psilocybin therapy. She also founded BrightMind Therapy, an outpatient practice for children and adolescents. Her work integrates clinical practice, neuroimaging, genetics, and observations to create targeted treatments for treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck, Ph.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her career uniquely bridges clinical practice with innovative research, focusing on developing and evaluating novel psychiatric interventions, particularly for eating disorders. Dr. Knatz Peck's research journey began at the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Center, where she skillfully translated complex neuroimaging and genetic findings into practical, innovative treatment approaches for anorexia nervosa (AN). This work culminated in the development and manualization of Temperament-Based Treatment with Supports (TBT-S), a groundbreaking behavioral intervention for AN. In recent years, Dr. Knatz Peck has expanded her research into the promising field of psychedelic-assisted therapies. She served as co-investigator on the first clinical trial evaluating psilocybin treatment for AN, marking a significant milestone in eating disorder research. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a senior clinical consultant for Compass Pathways, where she leads training initiatives and plays a crucial role in developing psychological support models for psilocybin therapy across various psychiatric conditions. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Knatz Peck founded and directs BrightMind Therapy, an outpatient practice providing evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents. Her comprehensive approach seamlessly integrates clinical practice with rigorous research, utilizing neuroimaging data, genetic findings, and hands-on clinical observations to develop targeted interventions for treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions. We are privileged to have Dr. Knatz Peck share her invaluable insights and experiences with our readers in this Genomic Press Interview.