Info
Professor of Psychology
Christina Tortolani
I am a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). I received an M.A. from Boston College and Ph.D. from Northeastern University. I also completed a pre-doctoral internship at Dartmouth Medical School, and trained as a postdoctoral fellow at the Providence VA, Brown Medical School. As a licensed psychologist, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults within various settings and levels of treatment, utilizing evidence-based treatment models. My current research focuses on the treatment of pediatric eating disorders. Before joining Bryant, I served as an Associate Professor and Clinical Director within the Mental Health Counseling Program at Rhode Island College.
Degrees Awarded
Ph D, Northeastern University
MA, Boston College
BA, Villanova University
Ph D, Northeastern University
MA, Boston College
BA, Villanova University
Selected Publications
Egbert, A.,Irizzary, B.,Lualdi, E.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, D.,Goldschmidt, A., A Qualitative Assessment of Provider-Perceived Barriers to Implementing Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa in Low-Income Community Settings, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2024.
Dunbar, E. P.,Pribble, C.,Cueto, J.,Goldschmidt, A. B.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, A. A., Multi-electrolyte disturbance and supplementation in severely malnourished hospitalized adolescents with restrictive eating disorders, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Petitto Dunbar, E.,Pribble, C.,Cueto, J.,Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, A., Refeeding Syndrome in Adolescent Patients with Anorexia Nervosa , Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C., The Parents Aren’t Alright, Either: Commentary on Wilksch, 2023 “Toward a more comprehensive understanding and support of parents with a child experiencing an eating disorder” , International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Accurso, E.,Petitto Dunbar, E.,Egbert, A.,Donaldson, A., Adapting family-based treatment for delivery in the home: A novel approach for improving access to care and generalizability of skill acquisition, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Egbert , A.,Brick, L.,Elwy, A.,Donaldson, D.,Le Grange, D., Implementation and outcomes of home-based treatments for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Study protocol for a pilot effectiveness-implementation trial, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2022.
Tortolani, C.,Goldschmidt, A.,LeGrange, D., Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders in Novel Populations and SettingsRoutledge, Routledge, 2021.
DerMarderosian, D.,Chapman, H. A.,Tortolani, C.,Willis, M. D., Medical Considerations in Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2018.
Tortolani, C.,Amper, L., 35. Stronglinks: An Arts-Based Program Exploring Urban Ethnic Adolescent Girls' Experiences, Coping and Relationships, Journal of Adolescent Health, 2012.
Tortolani, C.,Mehlenbeck, R.,Nassau, J.,DerMarderosian, D.,Houlihan, E., Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Versus Eating Disorders, Journal of Adolescent Health, 2010.
Zimmerman, M.,Francione-Witt, C.,Chelminski, I.,Young, D.,Tortolani, C., Problems Applying the DSM-IV Eating Disorders Diagnostic Criteria in a General Psychiatric Outpatient Practice, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2008.
Didie, E. R.,Tortolani, C.,Walters, M.,Menard, W.,Fay, C.,Phillips, K. A., Social Functioning in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Assessment Considerations, Psychiatric Quarterly, 2006.
Egbert, A.,Irizzary, B.,Lualdi, E.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, D.,Goldschmidt, A., A Qualitative Assessment of Provider-Perceived Barriers to Implementing Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa in Low-Income Community Settings, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2024.
Dunbar, E. P.,Pribble, C.,Cueto, J.,Goldschmidt, A. B.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, A. A., Multi-electrolyte disturbance and supplementation in severely malnourished hospitalized adolescents with restrictive eating disorders, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Petitto Dunbar, E.,Pribble, C.,Cueto, J.,Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Donaldson, A., Refeeding Syndrome in Adolescent Patients with Anorexia Nervosa , Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C., The Parents Aren’t Alright, Either: Commentary on Wilksch, 2023 “Toward a more comprehensive understanding and support of parents with a child experiencing an eating disorder” , International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Accurso, E.,Petitto Dunbar, E.,Egbert, A.,Donaldson, A., Adapting family-based treatment for delivery in the home: A novel approach for improving access to care and generalizability of skill acquisition, Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023.
Goldschmidt, A.,Tortolani, C.,Egbert , A.,Brick, L.,Elwy, A.,Donaldson, D.,Le Grange, D., Implementation and outcomes of home-based treatments for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Study protocol for a pilot effectiveness-implementation trial, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2022.
Tortolani, C.,Goldschmidt, A.,LeGrange, D., Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders in Novel Populations and SettingsRoutledge, Routledge, 2021.
DerMarderosian, D.,Chapman, H. A.,Tortolani, C.,Willis, M. D., Medical Considerations in Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2018.
Tortolani, C.,Amper, L., 35. Stronglinks: An Arts-Based Program Exploring Urban Ethnic Adolescent Girls' Experiences, Coping and Relationships, Journal of Adolescent Health, 2012.
Tortolani, C.,Mehlenbeck, R.,Nassau, J.,DerMarderosian, D.,Houlihan, E., Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Versus Eating Disorders, Journal of Adolescent Health, 2010.
Zimmerman, M.,Francione-Witt, C.,Chelminski, I.,Young, D.,Tortolani, C., Problems Applying the DSM-IV Eating Disorders Diagnostic Criteria in a General Psychiatric Outpatient Practice, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2008.
Didie, E. R.,Tortolani, C.,Walters, M.,Menard, W.,Fay, C.,Phillips, K. A., Social Functioning in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Assessment Considerations, Psychiatric Quarterly, 2006.
Teaching Interests
I have dedicated much of my career to teaching and training graduate students, interns, residents, and fellows in psychology and psychiatry. Prior to Bryant, I taught graduate students in the Mental Health Counseling Program at Rhode Island College (RIC) while also maintaining a small private practice. In addition, I have worked closely with Brown Medical School’s training program, supervising and providing clinical teaching to psychology and psychiatry residents with a focus on integrated, team- based care for medical/ psychiatric illnesses such as pediatric eating disorders. Drawing on my clinical experience, I try to help students understand the nuances of treatment and their roles as helpers and healers, while also sharing the deep passion I have for my work.
I have dedicated much of my career to teaching and training graduate students, interns, residents, and fellows in psychology and psychiatry. Prior to Bryant, I taught graduate students in the Mental Health Counseling Program at Rhode Island College (RIC) while also maintaining a small private practice. In addition, I have worked closely with Brown Medical School’s training program, supervising and providing clinical teaching to psychology and psychiatry residents with a focus on integrated, team- based care for medical/ psychiatric illnesses such as pediatric eating disorders. Drawing on my clinical experience, I try to help students understand the nuances of treatment and their roles as helpers and healers, while also sharing the deep passion I have for my work.
Research Interests
My research efforts, which include several grant funded projects, center around training interdisciplinary clinicians and helping to increase access to evidence-based interventions for pediatric eating disorders. I often describe my research as taking science developed in “ivory tower” settings and bringing it into “real- world” clinical settings. As part of this work, I regularly partner with community organizations around program development, training, and expert consultation.
My research efforts, which include several grant funded projects, center around training interdisciplinary clinicians and helping to increase access to evidence-based interventions for pediatric eating disorders. I often describe my research as taking science developed in “ivory tower” settings and bringing it into “real- world” clinical settings. As part of this work, I regularly partner with community organizations around program development, training, and expert consultation.
Professional Memberships
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals- RI Chapter
The Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine
Academy of Eating Disorders
American Psychological Association
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals- RI Chapter
The Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine
Academy of Eating Disorders
American Psychological Association