RPsych (Registered Psychologist)
- Highest Academic Graduate Degree: PhD
- Gender: Female
- CRHSP Reg. # 04516
- NSBEP Reg. # R0219
Dr. Joanne Gusella has been practicing as a registered psychologist in Nova Scotia for over 35 years.
She received her Ph.D. from Queen’s University in 1986. She treats children, adolescents and adults using individual and family based treatments. Prior to working in Private Practice, Dr. Gusella worked on the Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and then started the specialized outpatient clinic for the treatment of eating disorders at the IWK Health Centre. She assumed the role of Team Leader to this Outpatient Clinic for over 25 years.
Dr. Gusella has expertise in helping youth and adults to manage anxiety, depressed moods and stress. She also helps people understand their emotions, assert their needs and enhance their connection with others.
Dr. Gusella has a specialty in the area of eating disorders, using Family Based Therapy to treat children and adolescents; and individual approaches to treat adults with eating disorders. Her main therapeutic approaches include Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, and Family Based Therapy (Maudsley).
Dr. Gusella is an Assistant Professor with Dalhousie Psychiatry. She is also a representative on the Nova Scotia Eating Disorder Treatment Network, whose mandate is to enhance evidence-based services to individuals who seek treatment for an eating disorder. Her research has involved the development of tools to assess motivation, and progress in therapy, as well as research on the outcomes of family based approaches with youth with eating disorders.