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Maria Christina Stewart, Ph.D.
Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Stanford University School of Medicine

Dr. Stewart has been committed to promoting mental health in children, adolescents, and adults since she herself was an adolescent. Her early passion inspired her to develop a program of training in cutting-edge, scientifically-based approaches to provide you and your family with the best care.

Dr. Stewart completed her graduate training in clinical psychology (with a specialty in working with children, adolescents, and adults). Most recently, she received specialized training in working with children and adolescents with eating disorders, depression, and autism spectrum disorders through two post-doctoral clinical and research fellowships at Stanford University School of Medicine. She also completed a pre-doctoral clinical internship in clinical and community psychology at Yale University School of Medicine, where she trained in the treatment of mood, anxiety, eating, and behavioral disorders. Dr. Stewart completed her doctoral degree at the University of Hawaii, where she focused on clinical, cultural, and community psychology, and her undergraduate degree at Wellesley College.

On a more personal note, Dr. Stewart grew up in the United States and Europe, has lived in six states in the United States (for academic training), and currently lives as an expat in Europe. All of this travel has led to a strong interest in culture and how it impacts us, an understanding of what it means to be an expat at all ages, and a desire to support others in their personal and family journey - wherever they may be.

Specialized Training

Dr. Stewart completed specialized graduate and post-doctoral training in eating disorders at Stanford University School of Medicine, Harvard University School of Medicine, and Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Her commitment to providing the best care inspired her to complete an additional post-doctoral fellowship in eating disorders at Stanford University. Here she became certified in Family-Based Therapy (FBT, also known as “Maudsley”) for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). She also received specialized training in providing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, one of the premier centers for cognitive behavioral therapies. Dr. Stewart has served as a therapist on multiple randomized control trials (RCTs), where she provided both FBT to adolescents and CBT-E to adults. Additionally, Dr. Stewart has been trained in Adolescent-Focused Psychotherapy (AFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Stewart additionally taught and conducted research on eating disorders at Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Hawaii, and she has published peer-reviewed journal articles in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, European Eating Disorders Review, and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Dr. Stewart has expertise in working with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children, adolescents, and adults utilizing cognitive and behavioral strategies as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She completed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) training in treating OCD with exposure and response prevention (ERP) - the most effective treatment for OCD. Dr. Stewart also has extensive experience treating OCD when it co-occurs with other disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Dr. Stewart received specialized training at Stanford University working with children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum as well as their parents. She provides support to families to increase language development in young children and manage obsessions, compulsions, anxiety, and picky eating within the Autism Spectrum context.

Having lived in Silicon Valley and Zurich, Switzerland, Dr. Stewart has had the opportunity to work with top executives from start-ups and Fortune 500 companies and consult on parenting and relationship issues. She also provides guidance on managing anxiety and uncertainty within the workplace.

* Please note that although Dr. Stewart has been trained in clinical psychology and specific treatments, the consultation services that we provide herein are neither psychotherapy nor professional medical or mental health advice, and they are not a substitute for psychotherapy or for meeting with a professional medical or mental health provider. We do not diagnose or treat a medical or mental health problem or disorder with these services. As such, they are not likely to be reimbursable by your health insurance.