Staff Psychologist
Eating Disorders Center
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Harper is a staff psychologist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring psychological concerns. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her graduate research focused on the role of interpersonal perception in symptom presentation and recovery processes in eating disorders.
During her pre-doctoral internship at UT Southwestern, Dr. Harper provided treatment to children and adolescents at the inpatient and partial hospitalization levels of care at Children’s Health Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders. She also provided therapy to adolescents and adults at Southern Methodist University Counseling Services and taught Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills groups for adults in an outpatient community clinic. After obtaining her doctoral degree, Dr. Harper completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Eating Disorders Center at EBTCS, where she received specialized training in Family Based Treatment (FBT), Adolescent-Focused Therapy for anorexia nervosa (AFT), and cognitive-behavioral approaches, including CBT-E and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive-Intake Disorder (CBT-AR).
In addition to her expertise in eating disorders, Dr. Harper has experience working with a diverse range of individuals with various psychological concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotion dysregulation, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As a clinician with a research background, she uses current research evidence to inform treatment and ensure high quality clinical care. She approaches therapy relationships with warmth and authenticity and works collaboratively with her clients to tailor evidence-based treatment to their unique needs, goals, and values. Her approach is neurodiversity-affirming and aligned with Health at Every Size.
Dr. Harper is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and American Psychological Association (APA). She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington and is able to see clients in several other states on an as-needed basis through the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).
PUBLICATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION
Harper, J. A., Palka, J., & McAdams, C. J. (2023). Interpersonal attribution bias and social evaluation in adolescent eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 31(2), 258-270.
Hagan, W. S., Mericle, S., Hunt, B., Harper, J. A., Palka, J., Pelfrey, S., McAdams, C. J. (2021). Qualitative patient experiences from the Self-Blame and Perspective Taking Intervention (SBPI) for eating disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(127).
Brodrick, B., Harper, J. A., Van Enkevort, E. A., & McAdams, C. J. (2019). Treatment utilization and medical complications in a community sample of adults with anorexia nervosa. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 981.
Harper, J. A., Brodrick, B., Van Enkevort, E. A., & McAdams, C. J. (2017). Neuropsychological and cognitive correlates of recovery in anorexia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 25(6), 491-500.
Xu, J., Harper, J. A., Van Enkevort, E. A., Latimer, K., Kelley, U., & McAdams, C. J. (2017). Neural activations are related to body-shape, anxiety, and outcomes in adolescent anorexia nervosa. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 87, 1-7.
