Mary Dobson
MA, LMFT, CEDS, CSTS
Psychotherapist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Certified School-Based Therapist, Certified Shame-informed Treatment Specialist
Mary Dobson began her psychology career in research with the CT Women’s Health Project at Yale University, where she co-authored published work on the influence of prenatal depression and attachment on adolescent and young adult women in Psychology of Women Quarterly. After completing a Master of Arts (Psi Chi, Phi Beta Kappa), in Marital and Family Therapy, Ms. Dobson pursued post-graduate studies at Fairfield University and was among the first nationally awarded a novel certification in systemic school-based behavioral health intervention services, making her a unique asset as both a healthcare provider and educational consultant to children, teens, parents, and school districts.
With a career spanning two decades across four levels of care on the front lines of eating disorder prevention, identification, treatment, and advocacy work, Ms. Dobson is one of a select group of practitioners nationwide to have received and held the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist credential through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She dedicated two terms as President of the Connecticut IAEDP Chapter. As part of her commitment to advancing eating disorder education across disciplines, Ms. Dobson has formally supervised, mentored, and trained countless clinicians, physicians, and educators on data-driven, HAES-informed, evidence-based best practices in eating disorder care.
Ms. Dobson also served as the founding regional director of a leading national behavioral health corporation’s East Coast operations.
In 2016, Mary Dobson launched LIFT Wellness, a best-in-class behavioral health specialty group and boutique eating disorder treatment center. She has since shepherded LIFT through many phases and multiple expansions, including extending service lines to NY, MA, PA, VA, DC, FL, GA, TN, CO, and TX. The LIFT Wellness team, which features a deliberately crafted cross-section of specialists in respective areas (psychiatric, dietary, testing, coaching, and evidence-based talk therapy modalities), was curated by Ms. Dobson to easily accommodate the myriad needs of a modern family. By blending specialty providers under one unified roof, LIFT has fulfilled a need for families seeking straightforward and seamless care. Utilizing a systemic lens, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a patented treatment planning format that draws from native supports and collateral contacts, LIFT recently commemorated two thousand outpatient clients successfully served.
In 2022, Ms. Dobson initiated the rigorous process of designing and credentialing a new intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization program. LIFT Teen and Parent Wellness Centers, her licensed outpatient psychiatric clinic, intensive outpatient program, and day program for mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, will open its doors in January 2024 on LIFT’s Westport campus. Ms. Dobson has announced her newly forged partnership with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, having secured the prestigious hospital as the medical director. Teen and Parent Wellness Centers will provide tailored services in a small milieu to youth ages 10–18, and will accept insurance. An adult counterpart to the pediatric program launches Spring 2024.
Ms. Dobson maintains a clinically diverse caseload, acts as a weekly contributor and subject matter expert to media, and serves as a regular keynote on areas of clinical interest. In 2023, Ms. Dobson was awarded the Women’s Innovator Award through Westfair Business. Ms. Dobson is dedicated to program pioneering and developing healing spaces with the highest quality psychiatric, dietary, behavioral health, medical, and psychopharmacological interventions, deliverable to children, teens, adults, and families.
