Monika Peterson, clinical psychologist at Spectrum Psychology & Wellness

Expertise:

  • Eating disorders
    • Binge eating
    • Dietary restriction
    • Body weight
    • Shape concerns
  • Compensatory behaviors
    • Purging
    • Overexercising
    • Laxative abuse
  • Other areas of focus
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Relationship concerns
    • Grief/loss
    • Career concerns and adjustment issues
    • Stress management
    • Life transitions

Monika Peterson, Ph.D

Clinical Psychologist

eCounseling Profile

Dr. Monika Peterson obtained her undergraduate degree summa cum laude in Psychology at Arizona State University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Brigham Young University with an emphasis on eating disorder treatment. She completed a one-year internship at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City, the fifth largest community mental health center in the country. While residing in Utah, Dr. Peterson completed numerous psychological and psychosexual evaluations for the Fourth District Juvenile Court.

After graduation, she relocated to New Mexico and completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at The Samaritan Counseling Center prior to enjoying an active private practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. She also served as the Clinical Director of Adolescent Programs at The Eating Disorders Institute of New Mexico. As lead adolescent psychologist, she conducted therapy groups and offered meal support as part of the intensive outpatient treatment program at The Institute. Additionally, she contributed to the development of the program curriculum. As one of the few psychologists in the state specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, she spoke publicly to academic, medical, and mental health groups. She has presented and published research in eating disorders and has earned the Outstanding Early Career Psychologist Award given by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. She is a certified eating disorder specialist (CEDS) as recognized by The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

We are excited Dr. Peterson decided to return to the desert to continue her work in Arizona. Her current work focuses on eating disorders including binge eating and dietary restriction, body weight and shape concerns, and compensatory behaviors including purging, overexercising, and laxative abuse. Other areas of focus include depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief/loss, career concerns, adjustment issues, stress management, and life transitions.

She approaches psychotherapy primarily from a cognitive-behavioral framework. She believes that identifying the unique relationships between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors allows patients to consider if the modification will lend to increased life satisfaction and enjoyment.

She is a member of The American Psychological Association, The Academy for Eating Disorders, The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and The National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

Expertise:

  • Eating disorders
    • Binge eating
    • Dietary restriction
    • Body weight
    • Shape concerns
  • Compensatory behaviors
    • Purging
    • Overexercising
    • Laxative abuse
  • Other areas of focus
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Relationship concerns
    • Grief/loss
    • Career concerns and adjustment issues
    • Stress management
    • Life transitions

    Please note that our office does not prescribe medications; however, we would encourage and appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with your prescribing physician.

    Dr. Peterson sees patients 18 years and older.

    Dr. Peterson sees patients at the MESA office.

    Insurance Accepted

    Dr. Monika Peterson accepts the following insurance:

    • AHCCCS plans: Mercy Care Plan, Arizona Complete Health, Molina Complete Care (formerly Magellan Complete Care)
    • Aetna
    • Aetna-Banner
    • Most BlueCross/BlueShield Plans
    • Cigna/Evernorth
    • HMC HealthWorks (formerly APS Healthcare)
    • Humana
    • Managed Health Network (MHN) / Health Net
      (including AHCCCS/Medicaid)
    • Mercy Care Plan AHCCCS/LTC/Advantage
    • Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care (MMIC)
    • TRICARE
    • TriWest

    We are happy to assist you in filing your insurance claim as a courtesy to you. However, please note that knowledge of your insurance contract and its limitations are not our responsibility.

    Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. If you would like utilize out-of-network coverage through your insurance provider, we will provide you with an insurance superbill to assist you in filing a claim with your own individual insurance carrier.

    For more information about Insurance, Rates and Payment, please click below.