I'm a licensed psychologist (PSY#27903) holding a Clinical Professorship at Stanford University and a private practice. I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from PGSP/PAU and completed my generalist clinical psychology internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I also completed a 2-year NIH-funded post-doctoral research fellowship in at the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders. I've held research positions at UCSD Eating Disorders Center for Research and Treatment and Stanford University WEIGHT Lab. Post graduate, I trained extensively in couples therapy under Dr. Don Baucom, the founder of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy.
I’m both a generalist and specialist. With extensive training in the biopsychosocial model and the delivery of evidence-based practice , I am well-equipped to support individuals with a wide range of challenges. My specialized expertise includes eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety and mood disorders, crisis intervention, and relationship issues. Having worked across all levels of care, including outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient programs, I am adept at supporting individuals with mild to more extreme challenges, and knowing when a higher level of care is needed. I am committed to providing trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, gender-affirming, and culturally competent care, and I continually seek ongoing education in mental health.
As a research-practitioner, I have developed and evaluated prevention and treatment programs, including protocols for delivering therapy in both individual and couple-based formats, either in-person or online. Most recently, as lead principal investigator, I piloted virtual reality based cue exposure therapy (VR-CET) and emotion regulation protocols for binge eating. I’m privileged to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team at Stanford Psychiatry’s Virtual Reality & Immersive Technology Program, where we work on innovating and evaluating the use of virtual and augmented reality technology in real-world clinical settings. My ongoing research directly informs my clinical practice, and vice versa.
Teaching and mentoring the next generation of clinicians and researchers is important to me to ensure the community has ongoing access to high quality care. I teach graduate-level psychology courses at Stanford University, serve in leadership roles within the Academy for Eating Disorders, and provide consultation to fellow practitioners. I am a member of the California Psychological Association (CPA), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS).
I’m deeply passionate about helping others and feel honored to connect with and (hopefully) positively influence each client who comes into my life.
On a personal note, I’m a proud academic mom to two wonderful girls. I enjoy spending time with my family, my rescue dog Clover, and friends. I love hiking, backpacking, traveling the world, and reading.
Academic Positions
Clinical Professor: Stanford University (2025-present) CA
Clinical Associate Professor: Stanford University (2021-2025) CA
Clinical Assistant Professor: Stanford University (2017-2020) CA
Clinical Instructor: Stanford University (2016-2017) CA
Clinical Assistant Professor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013-2015) NC
Honors & Awards
Chairman’s Award for Clinical Innovation and Service, Stanford University (2022)
Best Professor Nomination, Golden Apple Award, PGSP/Stanford PsyD Consortium (2016, 2018)
Clinician Scholarship Award, Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) (2015)
Global Foundation for Eating Disorders (GFED) Scholar (2013-2015)
OTCF Award (for service and dedication to the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012)
Martin S. Wallach Award for Outstanding Clinical Psychology Intern of the Year, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2011)
Early Career Investigator Travel Fellowship Award, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) / Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) (2009)
Top Fundraising Award, National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) (2009)
Superior Research Award, American Psychological Association (APA) (2008)
Fellowship Award, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (2006 – 2008)
Publications
>30 research publications; > 5 book chapters. Below are selected peer-reviewed publications or book chapters. Click "Publications" above for a link to PubMed indexed manuscripts. (Key: co-first authorship; * co-senior authorship)
Runfola CD and Safer DL (2024). The role of eco-anxiety in the presentation of bulimia nervosa: A case report. Journal of Eating Disorders, ePub ahead of print.
Malighetti C, Schnitzer CK, YorkWilliams SL, Bernardelli L, Runfola C,** Riva G,** Safer DL** (2023). A pilot multisensory approach for emotional eating: Pivoting from virtual reality to a 2-D telemedicine intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Medicine, e-Pub ahead of print.
Matherne CE, Watson H, Fassnacht D, Ali K, Zerwas S, Peat C, Runfola C, Levine M, Marcus M, Zimmer B, Moessner M, Crosby R, & Bulik CM. (2022). An exploratory investigation of predictors of outcome in face-to-face and online cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review.
Malighetti C, Schnitzer C, Potter G, Nameth K, Brown T, Vogel E, Riva G, Runfola C, & Safer D. (2022). Rescripting emotional eating with virtual reality: A single case study. Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine.
Nameth K, Brown T, Bullock K, Adler S, Riva G, Safer D**, Runfola C**. (2021). Translating virtual reality cue exposure therapy for binge eating into a real-world setting: An uncontrolled pilot study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(7):1511. PMID: 33916374.
Dickens CE, Safer DL, Runfola CD, Gibbs E, Welch H, Sadeh-Sharvit, S. (2020). The offspring of parents undergoing weight loss surgery: A systematic review. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 16(6): 806-815. PMID: 32334972.
*Brown T, *Nauman ER, Adler S, Bohon C, Bullock K, **Safer DL, & **Runfola CD. (2020). Through the looking glass: Bringing virtual reality cue-exposure therapy for eating disorders from clinical trials to clinical practice. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Sadeh-Sharvit S, Sacks MR, Runfola CD, Bulik CM, & Lock JD. (2019). Interventions to empower adults with eating disorders and their partners around the transition to parenthood. Family Process.
Gibbs EL, Runfola CD, Dickens C, Welch H, Safer DL, Sadeh-Sharvit S. (2019). Parenting after weight loss surgery: A conceptual model and two case reports. Family Process
Weber DM, Fischer MS, Baucom DH, Baucom BR, Kirby KS, Runfola CD, Matherne CE, & Bulik CM (2018). The association between symptom accommodation and emotional coregulation in couples with binge eating disorder. Family Process, 58(4): 920-935.
*Runfola CD, *Kirby JS, Baucom DH, Baucom BRW, Fischer MS, Matherne CE, Pentel K, Bulik CM (2018). A pilot open trial of UNITE-BED: A couple-based intervention for binge-eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, , 51(9): 1107-1112.
Zerwas SC, Levine MD, Watson HJ, Hofmeier, SM, Hamer RM, Crosby RD, Runfola CD, Peat CM, Shapiro JR, Zimmer B, Moessner M, Kordy H, Marcus MD, Bulik CM (2017). CBT4BN: A randomized controlled trial of online chat and face-to-face group therapy for bulimia nervosa. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 86(1): 47-53.
Hofmeier S, Runfola CD, Sala M, Gagne DA, Von Holle A, Brownley KA, & Bulik CM. (2016). Body image, aging, and identity in women over 50: The Gender and Body Image (GABI) study. Journal of Women & Aging, 29(1): 3-13.
Baker JH, Runfola CD (2016). Eating disorders in midlife: A perimenopausal eating disorder? MATURITAS, 85: 112-116.
Runfola CD (2015). Eating disorders in women midlife and beyond: Assessment and treatment challenges. Counselor Magazine, 2015(4).
*Kirby JS, *Runfola CD, Fischer MS, **Baucom DH, **Bulik CM (2015). Couple-based treatment for eating disorders. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Special Edition, 23(4): 356-65.
Runfola CD, Allison KC, Hardy K, Lock J, & Peebles R. (2014). Prevalence and clinical significance of night eating syndrome in university students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(1): 41-48.
Runfola CD, Von Holle A, Ålgars M, Forsberg S, Hoffman L, Bentley M, Hodges E, Mazzeo S, Zucker N, & Bulik CM. (2014). NURTURE: Development and pilot testing of a novel parenting intervention for mothers with histories of eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 47(1): 1-12.
Runfola CD, Thornton L, Pisetsky EM, Birgegård, A, Bulik CM (2014). Self-image and suicide in a Swedish national eating disorders clinical register. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 55(3): 439-449.
Runfola CD (2014). The Body Project: A Dissonance-Based Eating Disorder Prevention Intervention, Updated Edition-Programs That Work, by Eric Stice, Paul Rohde, and Heather Shaw, Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 22(3): 275-277.
Runfola CD, Von Holle A, Peat CM, Gagne DA, Brownley KA, Hofmeier SM, Bulik CM (2013). Characteristics of women with body size satisfaction at midlife: Results of the Gender and Body Image (GABI) study. Journal of Women & Aging, 25(4): 287-304.
Runfola CD, Von Holle A, Trace SE, Brownley KA, Hofmeier SM, Gagne DA, & Bulik CM. (2012). Body dissatisfaction in women across the lifespan: Results of the UNC-SELF and Gender and Body Image (GABI) studies. European Eating Disorders Review, 21(1): 52-59.
Filson JMW, Runfola C, Ulloa EC, & Hokada A (2010). Does powerlessness explain the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(3): 400-415.
Book Chapters
Runfola CD & Utzinger L. (2020). Utilizing Alternative Caregivers and Support Persons in Treatment. In C. Tortolani, A. Goldschmidt, & D. Le Grange. Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments for Eating Disorders for Novel Populations and Settings: A Practice Guide. Routledge.
Runfola CD, Adler S, Safer D. (2018). Binge-Eating Disorder. In J. Lock. Treating Eating Disorders: An Evidence Base for Practitioners. American Psychiatric Publishing.
Feldman T, Runfola CD, & Lock J (2018). Feeding and Eating Disorders. In T.H. Ollendick, S.W. White, & B.A. White. The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Oxford University Press.
Runfola CD, Baker, JH, & Bulik CM (2017). Mid-life Onset Eating Disorders. In L Anderson, S Murray, & W Kaye. The Handbook of Complex and Atypical Eating Disorders. Oxford University Press.
Runfola CD (2017). Eating Disorders: Lifespan Perspectives. In A. Wenzel (Ed.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. SAGE Publications.
*Kirby JS, *Runfola CD, Fischer MS, **Baucom DH, **Bulik CM (2016). Couple-Based Interventions for Adults with Eating Disorders. In S Murray, L Anderson, & L Cohn. Innovations in Family Therapy for Eating Disorders: Novel Treatment Developments, Patient Insights, and the Role of Carers. Abingdon: Routledge.
Runfola CD, Root TL, & Bulik, CM. (2012). Behavioral and Molecular Genetics of Night Eating Syndrome. In LD Lundgren, KC Allison, & AJ Stunkard (Eds). Night Eating Syndrome: Definition, Assessment, and Treatment. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Runfola CD & Peebles, R. (2011). Night Eating Syndrome in Adolescents. In Y. Latzer & O. Tzischinsky (Eds.) Associations Between Eating and Sleep in Adolescents. New York, NY: Nova Sciences Publishers, Inc.