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University of Rochester : School of Nursing
Mary Tantillo, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAED, CGP
Mary Tantillo, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAED, CGP

Bio

Mary Tantillo is widely recognized for her clinical work and research related to the treatment of eating disorders. She has devoted more than 30 years to providing care and support to patients and families coping with eating disorders across the spectrum of clinical settings.

She has conducted research to evaluate an innovative relational/motivational approach to understanding and treating adults with anorexia nervosa through the use of multifamily therapy group. She has also implemented prevention approaches that encourage partnerships among parents and school personnel to create home and school environments that foster wellness and reinforce positive body image.

Tantillo directs the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED), one of three comprehensive care centers in New York State, which works to better coordinate care and services for patients and families and improve outcomes.

She is the founder and former CEO and president of a non-profit eating disorders partial hospitalization program for adults and adolescents, The Healing Connection, Inc., an affiliate of the WNYCCCED. She is a fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) and past AED board member. Her special interests include women's mental health, family-based treatment, and group treatment, especially multifamily therapy group treatment for eating disorders.



Awards

Hilda & Preston Davis Foundation
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2014

John Romano Award
Mental Health Association of Rochester, 2012

Association for Creativity in Counseling Research Award 2011
Association for Creativity in Counseling , 2011

Meehan-Hartley Award for Public Service and Advocacy
Academy for Eating Disorders, 2010

Richard C. Palermo Quality Award
St. Joseph's Villa, 2009

Monroe Community College Alumni Contributing to the Community Award
Monroe Community College , 2008

Woman of Influence in Health Care
Girl Scout of Genesee Valley, Inc. , 2005

Fellow, Academy for Eating Disorders
Academy for Eating Disorders, 2003

Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Research Award
Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon xi chapter, 1996

Annual Outstanding Nurse Award for Excellence in Patient and Family Nursing
University of Rochester Medical Center, Dept of Nursing, 1984

Nazareth Alumni Association Award
Nazareth College of Rochester, 1982

Excellence in Nursing Award
Monroe Community College , 1980

Publications

  • Tantillo, M., Starr, T., & Kreipe, R. (2019). The recruitment and acceptability of a project ECHO(R) eating disorders clinic: a pilot study of telementoring for primary medical and behavioral health care practitioners.. Eating Disorders. PMID: 30829141 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2019.1580125

  • Tantillo, M., Marconi, M.A., Rideout, K., Anson, E.A., & Reifenstein, K.A. (2017). Creating a Nursing Student Center for Academic and Professional Success. Journal of Nursing Education, 56 (4), 235-239.

  • Maine, M. D., Samuels, K.L., Tantillo, M. (2015). Eating Disorders in adult women:Biopsychosocial, developmental, and clinical considerations.. Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/21662630.2014.999103.

  • Tantillo, Mary, Sanftner, & Hauenstein, Emily (2013). Restoring connection in the face of disconnection: an integrative approach to understanding and treating anorexia nervosa, Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research and Practice. , 1 (1), 21-38. DOI: 10.1080/21662630.2013.742980

  • Sanftner, J. L., & Tantillo, M. (2011). Body image and eating disorders: A compelling source of shame for women. In R. Dearing & J. P. Tangney (Eds.), Shame in the therapy hour. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.. .

  • Tantillo, M. (2011). The Patient-Family-Clinician-Researcher Quest for Quality. In J. Alexander & J. Treasure. , 485-496.

  • Tantillo, M., & Kreipe, R. E. (2011). Improving Connections for Adolescents Across High-Intensity Settings for the. In D. Le Grange & James Lock (Eds.), Handbook of assessment and treatment for, 199-219.

  • Sanftner, J.L. & Tantillo, M. (2010). Measuring Perceived Mutuality in Women: Further Validation of the Connection-Disconnection Scale.. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 5, 344-357.

  • Tantillo, M., Sanftner, J. (2010). Measuring Perceived Mutuality in Women with Eating Disorders: The Development of the Connection-Disconnection Scale.. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 18 (2), 100-119.

  • Tantillo, M., Sanftner, J.L. (2010). Mutuality and Motivation: Connecting with Patients and Families for Change in the Treatment of Eating Disorders. In M. Maine 7 D. Bunnell, &B. McGilley (Eds.) Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice. London, UK: Elsevier, 319-334.

  • Tantillo, M., McDowell, S., Anson, E., Taillie, E., & Cole, R. (2006). Combining supported housing and partial. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 17 (5), 385-399.

  • Tantillo, M. (2006). A Relational Approach to Eating Disorders Multifamily Therapy Group: Moving from Difference and. , Families, Systems, & Health, 24 (1), 82-102.

  • Tantillo, M., & Kreipe, R. E (2006). The impact of gender socialization on group treatment of eating disorders. Group: The Journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, 30 (4), 281-306.

  • Tantillo, M. (2004). The therapist's use of self-disclosure in a Relational Therapy approach for eating disorders. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 12, 51-73.

  • Tantillo, M. & Sanftner, J (2003). The Relationship between Perceived Mutuality and Bulimic Symptoms, Depression, and Therapeutic Change in Group.. Eating Behavior, 3 (4), 349-364.

  • Tantillo, M., Nappa Bitter, C., Adams, B (2001). Enhancing readiness for eating disorder treatment: A relational/motivational group model for change.. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 9, 203-216.

  • Tantillo, M. D (2000). Short-term relational therapy for women with bulimia nervosa.. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 8 (2), 99-122.

  • Tantillo, M. (1998). A relational approach to group therapy for women with bulimia nervosa: Moving from understanding to action. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 48 (4), 477-498.

  • Tantillo, M. (1994). Ricoeurean hermeneutics: Its application in developing a contextual understanding of human experience. In P. L. Chinn (Ed.), Advances in methods of inquiry for nursing. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc.. .

Projects