Dr. Joy
Dr. Joy Zelikovsky, Psy.D., CEDS-S, M.S.C.P., M.A., M.Phil.Ed., M.S.Ed
Licensed Psychologist | Eating Disorder Specialist-Supervisor | Clinical Educator and Consultant
About Dr. Joy
Dr. Joy Zelikovsky is a psychologist, educator, and clinical leader dedicated to transforming how we think about eating disorders, ethics, and authentic care. With almost twenty years of experience across clinical practice, teaching, and professional leadership, she helps therapists and treatment teams navigate the gray areas of practice with confidence, curiosity, and compassion.
As the founder of Nourish The Heart Counseling and Shoreline Eating Disorder Center, Dr. Joy leads with equal parts science and soul, offering specialized eating disorder treatment, testing, and clinician training. She is also the founder of JEDPRO, the Jewish Eating Disorder Professionals Conference, fostering culturally responsive care and community among providers.
As full time teaching faculty at Antioch University, and an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford, Dr. Joy teaches clinical psychology, psychopharmacology, and ethics, inspiring future clinicians to think deeply and practice with integrity. She also hosts It Depends, a podcast bringing humor, honesty, and humanity to the real conversations behind clinical work
My Approach
I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, and the often-complicated relationship people have with food, movement, and their bodies. Whether you are struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, chronic dieting, emotional eating, or simply feeling exhausted by years of body dissatisfaction, therapy can provide a space for healing, understanding, and meaningful change.
I believe recovery is about far more than changing behaviors. Eating disorders often develop as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, life transitions, perfectionism, anxiety, trauma, or a desire for control during difficult times. Together, we will work to understand not only the symptoms you are experiencing, but also the factors that may be keeping you stuck.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in both compassion and clinical expertise. I work from a Health at Every Size® (HAES®) and weight-inclusive perspective, integrating evidence-based treatments while honoring each person's unique experiences, identities, values, and goals. I believe meaningful change happens when people feel truly seen, understood, and supported.
Many of my clients come to therapy after previous treatment experiences have not fully addressed the complexity of their eating disorder, body image concerns, or co-occurring mental health needs. I recognize that recovery is rarely linear, and I strive to create a therapeutic space that is nuanced, individualized, and responsive to the unique challenges each person brings.
My experience spans multiple levels of eating disorder care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), outpatient therapy, and consultation. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented nationally on eating disorders, ethics, harm reduction, and weight-inclusive care, and I continue to train and supervise clinicians specializing in eating disorder treatment.
While eating disorders are a primary area of focus, I also work with individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, perfectionism, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and major life transitions. Because eating disorders rarely exist in isolation, I take a whole-person approach that considers all aspects of your emotional well-being.
My goal is to create a therapeutic space where you feel understood, respected, and supported. Healing can occur at your own pace, and recovery is defined not by rules or perfection but by greater freedom, flexibility, self-trust, and connection to the life you want to live.