Olivia Wons, MS

Olivia Wons

Undergraduate School
American University

Graduate School
Drexel University

 

 

Interests & Career Goals

My primary interests are studying and using third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., acceptance commitment therapy and mindfulness-based interventions) to treat eating disorders and mood and anxiety disorders. Coming from an athletics background, I have also developed interests and experience in using cognitive behavioral- and mindfulness-based interventions to help athletes improve sport performance and address mental health concerns (e.g., trauma, injury, depression, etc.) that impact sport performance. I aspire to pursue a career in an academic medical center where I can obtain a clinically focused role while remaining involved in clinical research and teaching. Throughout my career, I hope to continue to develop expertise in treating athletes with eating disorders.

Favorite Pastimes

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, cooking, exploring new restaurants and neighborhoods, spending time at the beach, walking my dog, swimming, running, and golfing.

Why I Chose Duke

I chose Duke’s Adult CBT program due to the emphasis placed on receiving a breadth and depth of evidence-based training experiences in my interest areas and beyond. I was also drawn to the ample opportunities to expand my skill set and improve my ability to integrate clinical research into patient-centered clinical care. I am particularly excited about the opportunities to gain further training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based interventions while in service of Durham’s diverse population. Finally, I am eager to further my training in a multidisciplinary setting and learn from the accomplished staff at Duke.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of maladaptive exercise in non-athletes and athletes with eating disorders. I am particularly interested in developing novel treatments to treat maladaptive exercise and promote adaptive exercise more effectively in both athlete and non-athlete populations with eating disorders. I am also interested in using multimodal assessment (i.e., subjective and objective measurement of exercise) and ecological momentary assessment to further the field’s conceptualization of exercise behavior in eating disorder populations. My research interests in exercise assessment have also led to an interest in exploring wearable fitness tracker reactivity in eating disorder populations.  

Grants

  • Graduate Student Research Grant, North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. Awarded to support the scholarly activities of graduate student members of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. Amount: $2,000
  • WELL Center Meritorious Student Research Award, Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science. Awarded to support the scholarly activities of graduate students in the Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science at Drexel University. Amount: $500

Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science - Drexel University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (2019-present)

  • Research Foci: Enhancing treatment outcomes for individuals with eating disorders. Acceptance-based and digital health treatments. Evaluating mechanisms of action in behavioral treatments.
  • Deliver semi-structured clinical interviews and assist in running study assessments. Contribute to manuscript and grant preparation. Assist with treatment manual development.

Clinical Research Coordinator, Neuroendocrine Unit and Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program - Massachusetts General Hospital (2017-2019)

  • Research Foci: Assessing the neurobiology of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.
  • Organized study administration, led participant recruitment, and coordinated main study and follow-up visits. Performed structural and functional fMRI scans, ran MatLab and Presentation paradigms, and used Biopac equipment to collect heart rate variability and skin conductance data during fMRI scans. Conducted sensory performance assessments, including Sniffin’ Sticks Test, Regional Taste Intensity Test, and 6-N-Propythiouracil (PROP) Test. Managed data collection and organization and ran statistical analyses. Contributed to manuscript and conference presentation preparation.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Section on Growth and Obesity - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development

  • Research Foci: The relationship between eating behaviors, weight gain, and associated health conditions among children and adolescents.
  • Coordinated study administration, including study questionnaires and cognitive tasks. Assisted with test meals, data entry, and DEXA scans. Managed participant scheduling and recruitment. Contributed to conference presentation preparation.

Dissertation

A Novel Outpatient Augmented CBT Treatment Approach for College Athletes with Eating Disorders

Master’s Thesis

Characterization and Assessment of Change in Adaptive and Maladaptive Exercise and Total Objectively Measured Physical Activity Over a 12-Week CBT Treatment for Individuals with Transdiagnostic Binge Eating and Restrictive Eating

Publications

  • Wons, O., Lampe, E., Patarinski, A. G., Schaumberg, K., & Juarascio, A. (2023). Change in adaptive and maladaptive exercise and objective physical activity throughout CBT for individuals with eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 28(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-023-01566-z
  • Wons, O., Lampe, E., Patarinski, A. G., Schaumberg, K., Butryn, M., & Juarascio, A. (2022). Perceived influence of wearable fitness trackers on eating disorder symptoms in a clinical transdiagnostic binge eating and restrictive eating sample. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01466-8
  • Srivastava, P., Felonis, C. R., Clancy, O. M., Wons, O. B., Abber, S. R., & Juarascio, A. S. (2022). Real-time predictors of body dissatisfaction in females with binge eating: an ecological momentary assessment study. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27(4), 1547-1553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01296-0
  • Lampe, E. W., Wons, O., Taylor, L. C., Juarascio, A. S., & Manasse, S. M. (2022). Associations between fear of weight gain and exercise in binge-spectrum eating disorders. Eating and weight disorders: EWD, 27(6), 2121–2128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01361-2
  • Srivastava, P., Lampe, E. W., Wons, O. B., Juarascio, A. S., & Manasse, S. M. (2022). Understanding momentary associations between body dissatisfaction and exercise in binge-spectrum eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01371-0
  • Srivastava, P., Parker, M. N., Presseller, E. K., Wons, O. B., Clark, K. E., & Juarascio, A. S. (2021). A closer look at homework compliance in behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa: does homework compliance in between-session period prospectively predict session-by-session change in bulimia symptoms?. Eating Disorders, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2021.2014666
  • Stull, M. R., Harshman, S. G., Kuhnle, M., Wons, O., Misra, M., Eddy, K., ... & Thomas, J. J. (2021). Olfactory Performance in Youth with Full and Subthreshold Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 5(Suppl 1), A630. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1285
  • Wons, O. B., Michael, M. L., Lin, M., & Juarascio, A. S. (2021). Characterizing rates of physical activity in individuals with binge eating disorder using wearable sensor technologies and clinical interviews. European Eating Disorders Review, 29(2), 292-299. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2811
  • Thomas, J. J., Becker, K. R., Kuhnle, M. C., Jo, J. H., Harshman, S. G., Wons, O. B., Keshishian, A. C., Hauser, K., Breithaupt, L., Liebman, R.E., Misra, M., Wilhelm, S., Lawson, E.A., & Eddy, K. T. (2020). Cognitive‐behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Feasibility, acceptability, and proof‐of‐concept for children and adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(10), 1636-1646. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23355
  • Aulinas, A., Marengi, D. A., Galbiati, F., Asanza, E., Slattery, M., Mancuso, C. J., Wons, O., Micali, N., Bern, E., Eddy, K.T., Thomas, J.J., & Lawson, E. A. (2020). Medical comorbidities and endocrine dysfunction in low‐weight females with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder compared to anorexia nervosa and healthy controls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(4), 631-636. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23261
  • Kambanis, P. E., Kuhnle, M., Wons, O.B., Jo, J., Keshishian, A. C., Hauser, K., Becker, K. R., Franko, D., Misra, M., Micali, N., Lawson, E. A., Eddy, K. T.*, Thomas, J. J.* (2020). Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with full and subthreshold avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(2), 256-265. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23191
  • Liebman R.E.*, Coniglio K.A.*, Becker K.R., Tabri N, Keshishian A.C., Wons O.B., Keel P.K., Eddy K.T.**, Thomas J.J.** (2019, November). Behavioral inhibition moderates the association between overvaluation of shape and weight and non-compensatory purging in eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(1), 143-148. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23195
  • Harshman, S. G., Wons, O., Rogers, M. S., Izquierdo, A. M., Holmes, T. M., Pulumo, R. L., Thomas, J. J. (2019, August). A Diet High in Processed Foods, Total Carbohydrates and Added Sugars, and Low in Vegetables and Protein Is Characteristic of Youth with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Nutrients, 11(9), 2013. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092013
  • Thomas, J. J., Wons, O. B., & Eddy, K. T. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Current opinion in psychiatry, 31(6), 425–430. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.000000000000045

In Preparation

  • Wons, O., Boda, S., & Juarascio, A. The Characterization and Relationship of Exercise Behaviors, Dietary Intake, and Eating Pathology in Endurance Athletes with Bulimia Nervosa Spectrum Disorders.
  • Wons, O., A., Schaumberg, K., Butryn, M., & Juarascio, A. Change in Amount and Type of Adaptive Exercise Over a 12-Week CBT Treatment for Individuals with Transdiagnostic Binge Eating and Restrictive Eating.

Book Chapters

  • Wons, O., Lampe, E., Boyajian, L., Patarinski, A.G., Juarascio, A. (2022). A Research Approach to Self-Report and Objective Measurements of Physical Activity in Eating Disorders. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V. (Eds), Eating Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67929-3_58-1
  • Juarascio, A. S., Srivastava, P., Felonis, C.F., & Wons, O. (2022). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for
  • Eating Disorders. In Twohig, M.P., Levin, M.E., & Petersen, J.M. (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. (Chapter 12). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Poster Presentations

  • Wons, O., Lampe, E., Pitts, A., Juarascio, A.S. (2021, September). Differences in Exercise Motives Between Individuals with Binge Eating Spectrum Disorders that Engage in Adaptive Exercise and Maladaptive Exercise. Poster presented at the Eating Disorders Research Society Conference, Boston, MA.
  • Wons, O., Michael, M., Juarascio, A.S. (2020, November). Characterizing Objective and Maladaptive Physical Activity in Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder. Poster presented at the 54th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Srivastava, P., Felonis, C., Wons, O., Juarascio, A.S. (2020, November). A naturalistic examination of the dual pathway model of binge eating using an ecological momentary assessment approach. Poster presented at the 54th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Srivastava, P., Felonis, C., Wons, O., Juarascio, A.S. An ecological momentary approach to examine intra-individual variability in body dissatisfaction and its association with binge eating. Paper presented at the American Psychological Convention, Washington D.C, United States.
  • Wons, O., Michael, M., Juarascio, A.S. (2020, June). Characterizing Rates of Physical Activity in Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder Using Wearable Sensor Technologies and Clinical Interviews. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders. Sydney, Australia.
  • Srivastava, P., Clark, K. E., Parker, M., Felonis, C., Wons, O., & Juarascio, A.S. (2020, June). A closer look at homework compliance in cognitive behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa: Does homework compliance in between-session period prospectively predicts a decline in symptoms?. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, Sydney, Australia.
  • Kambanis, P. E., Kuhnle, M., Wons, O. B., Jo, J., Keshishian, A. C., Hauser, K., Becker, K. R., Franko, D., Misra, M., Micali, N., Lawson, E. A., Eddy, K. T.*, Thomas, J. J.* (2019, November). Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with full and subthreshold Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Poster presented and awarded Graduate Student Poster Award at the Obesity and Eating Disorders Special Interest Group at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2019 Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA. *Co-senior authors. 
  • Wons, O.B., Keshishian, A., Jo, J., Becker, K., Cooke L., Misra, M., Lawson, E., Bryant-Waugh, R., Eddy, K., Thomas, J., Micali, N., (2019, September). High Parent-Child Concordance in the Assessment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Inter-Rater Reliability of the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview. Poster presented at the Eating Disorders Research Society Conference, Chicago, Il.
  • Jo, J., Keshishian, A.C., Becker, K.R., Wons, O.B., Breithaupt, L., Hauser, K., Rogers, M., Misra, M., Eddy, K.T., Lawson, E., Micali, M., Thomas, J.J. (2019, September). Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is Impairing Even Without Low Weight, Nutritional Deficiencies, or Dependence on Supplemental Feedings. Poster presented at the Eating Disorders Research Society Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Wons, O.B., Keshishian, A., Loeb, K., Thomas, J.J., Eddy, K. (2019, March). Parent-child concordance in child eating-disorder pathology Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and Parent Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, New York, NY.
  • Wons, O.B., Pulumo, R., Izquierdo, A. I., Asanza, E., Misra, M., Eddy, K., Lawson, E.A., Micali, N., Thomas, J.J. (2018, November). Olfactory Performance in Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Poster presented at the 52nd annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Washington, D.C.
  • Keshishian, A., Becker, K., Wons O., Asanza, E., Pulumo, R., Misra, M., Eddy, K., Lawson, E., Micali, N., Thomas, J. (2018, November). An examination of co-occurring psychopathology among three Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder profiles. Poster presented at the 52nd annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Washington, D.C.
  • Wons, O.B., Pulumo, R., Izquierdo, A. I., Asanza, E., Misra, M., Eddy, K., Lawson, E.A., Micali, N., Thomas, J.J. (2018, October). Olfactory Performance in Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Poster presented at Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Day, Boston, MA.
  • Thomas, J.J., Becker, K.R., Wons, O., Keshishian, A., Liebman, R., Pulumo, R., Asanza, E., Wilhelm, S., Misra, M., Lawson, E.A., Eddy, K.T. (2018, October). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (CBT-AR): A Pilot Study Demonstrating Feasibility, Efficacy, and Acceptability. Oral presentation presented at the annual Eating Disorders Research Society conference, Sydney, Australia.
  • Becker, K.R., Plessow, F., Wons, O., Keshishian, A.C., Germine, L., Breithaupt, L., Micali, N., Lawson, E., Eddy, K.T., Thomas, J.J. (2018, October). Does Heightened Attention to Detail Differentiate Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?. Oral presentation presented at the annual Eating Disorders Research Society conference, Sydney, Australia.
  • Becker, K.R., Mancuso, C.J., Asanza, E., Plessow, F., Izquierdo, A.M., Slattery, M., Wons, O.B., Pulumo, R.L., Eddy, K.T., Thomas, J.J., Misra, M., Lawson, E.A. (2018, March). Differing Release of Ghrelin and BDNF around a Standardized Meal in Girls and Young Women with Low-Weight Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Compared to Anorexia Nervosa.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, Chicago, Il.
  • Mi, S.J., Kelly, N.R., Stojek, M.K., Mehari, R.D., Grammer, A.C., Wons, O.B., Brychta, R.J., Chen, K.Y., Marwitz, S.E., Shareef, F., Romano, S.E., Pomeroy, J., Bernstein, S.B., Courville, A.B., Broadney, M.M., Brady, S.M., Tanofsky-Kraff, M., Yanovski, J.A. (2017, November) Children’s Sleep Duration, Metabolic Syndrome Indices, Body Composition, and Energy Intake. Poster presented at the annual meeting of The Obesity Society, Washington, D.C.
  • Kelly N.R., Mehari R.D., Grammer A.C., Mi S. J., Bernstein S.B., Courville A.B., Radin R.M., Brady S.M., Broadney M.M., Olsen C.H., Shank L.M., Cassidy O.L., Marwitz S.E., Wons O.B., Shareef F., Romano S., Tanofsky-Kraff M., Yanovski J.A. (2017, August) Validation of a Cognitive Fatigue Paradigm in a Pediatric Sample. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Mehari R.D., Radin R.M., Kelly N.R., Stojek M.K., Mi S.J., Grammer A.C., Wons O., Romano S., Courville A.B., Bernstein S.B., Brady S.M., Broadney M.M., Marwitz S.E., Shareef F., Tanofsky-Kraff M., Yanovski J.A. (2017, March) Heart Rate Variability (HRV) With Eating Among Youth With and Without Obesity and Loss of Control (LOC) Eating. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Symposium, Boston, MA.

Oral Conference Presentations

  • Wons, O., Juarascio, A. Change in Amount and Type of Adaptive Exercise Over a 12-Week CBT Treatment for Individuals with Transdiagnostic Binge Eating and Restrictive Eating. International Conference on Eating Disorders. June 1, 2023.

Invited Talks

  • Wons, O. Sports Psychology and Behavioral Health. Guest lecture in Special Topics in Education: Identity Development of the Student-Athlete. Undergraduate Course, Rutgers University. September 12, 2022 and January 30, 2023.
  • Wons, O. Mental Health and Identity in Sport Psychology. Guest lecture in Special Topics in Education: Identity Development of the Student-Athlete. Undergraduate Course, Rutgers University. November 28, 2022.
  • Wons, O. and Juarascio, A. Personality Disorders. Guest lecture in Abnormal Psychology. Undergraduate Course, Drexel University. February 26, 2020.