Lindsey Ricciardi
’01 MA Clinical Psychology, ’05 Doctorate Clinical Psychology
College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year
Lindsey Ricciardi has devoted her adult life to a singular noble mission: Uplifting those who suffer from eating disorders and related concerns while striking down the associated psychological and social stigmas.
She’s done it as a UNLV student (graduate and doctorate), a postdoctoral fellow, a licensed clinical psychologist, a clinical eating disorder specialist, a business owner, and through various leadership positions with the Nevada Psychological Association (including serving as president).
Suffice it to say, Ricciardi has done much to advance her mission wearing each of these hats. However, it’s quite likely her greatest impact has come via yet another role: part-time instructor.
Since 2007, Ricciardi has been prepping the next generation of clinical psychologists as an adjunct assistant instructor/practicum supervisor with UNLV’s department of psychology. Think of it as an experienced general leading the next wave of eating disorder specialists into an all-important — and often misunderstood — battle.
And now for the dash of irony: The whole instructor thing? It pretty much happened by accident.
“My first experience teaching courses at UNLV was through my graduate assistantships, which is how I supported myself through graduate school. So there wasn’t a lot of choice in the matter,” Ricciardi says. “Thankfully, I found that I really enjoyed teaching. There is a tremendous need for more providers and clinicians who understand and can treat eating disorders, so there is great value in providing this knowledge to emerging therapists.”
In addition to her teaching obligations at UNLV, Ricciardi has worked as a clinical psychologist/instructor in an interdisciplinary private practice since 2007. She has provided specialized therapeutic interventions to teens and adults, as well as designed and implemented educational classes and workshops for community and health services professionals seeking to learn more about how best to treat eating disorders.
All this while operating her own clinic, the Eating Disorder Institute of Las Vegas, which she founded in 2019.
“I have personal experience through both sides of my family with regard to psychological concerns such as addiction, PTSD, anxiety and mood disorders, ADHD, autism, and eating disorders,” Ricciardi says. “During my undergraduate studies in Maine, I worked as a peer educator at the counseling center and also joined an undergraduate research lab, where I was drawn to the science behind our understanding of psychology. I’ve been fascinated by the concept ever since.”
What went into your decision to pursue your master’s and Ph.D. at UNLV?
At its core, my decision was about family memories made in Las Vegas throughout my first 21 years of life. After my parents divorced, my father and his side of the family lived between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, so I spent many summers with my family on the West Coast.
These trips always included a road trip to my grandmother’s small Las Vegas apartment. We would spend our days at the community pool, which was like a tropical oasis for someone like me who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Maine. Playing games and eating homemade Italian dinners with my grandmother, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and their friends are memories I will forever cherish. Combined with how unique and exciting this city was, I wanted to live here.
Beyond that, I had become interested in health psychology and learned about the work being done by UNLV psychology professor Dr. Marta Meana. It has been 25 years since I had my phone interview with Dr. Meana, yet I still vividly remember that call. After our initial conversation, I knew I wanted to work with her. So when I received the offer letter to join the very first clinical psychology doctorate cohort at UNLV, I accepted without hesitation. I was thrilled.
When did you know for certain that you made the right choice to become a Rebel?
I was certain right from the beginning. Very quickly I felt a sense of community and friendships with my peers and faculty throughout the department.
In terms of my academic pursuits, I knew I was on the right path when I started doing qualitative research exploring the perceived psychosocial aspects of weight loss surgery. It was at this point that I began to learn about weight stigma, sizism, yo-yo dieting, disordered eating, diet culture, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, as well as the role of trauma and food scarcity in eating pathology.
At the time, I knew I wanted to learn more about the psychology of eating and body image.
What have you gained from your experience as a UNLV instructor?
To teach, you really have to know your stuff, so I was forced to dive deep into many psychological concepts. I was also humbled many times upon recognizing how much I didn’t know and needed to learn in order to teach well. When I had the opportunity to provide clinical supervision to therapists in training, that’s when I truly thrived.
Teaching keeps me current and humble. It helps me to understand the ways in which younger generations are experiencing this world, as well as the profession of psychology. It also helps me understand the salient issues that impact their lives and our patient’s lives.
One of UNLV’s core missions is to help students cultivate a sense of self-determination. Describe a moment when you had to rely on self-determination.
Early in my career, I opened an interdisciplinary practice with my husband, who is an internist and fellow UNLV graduate. One thing we quickly learned: Although we had obtained behavioral health and medical degrees, we had learned nothing about how to run a business. We were in practice for seven years, but struggled a lot financially. We were barely able to pay ourselves, which is tough when you’re supporting two young children.
We ultimately made the difficult decision to close that practice. Even in that moment, I still knew I wanted to serve this community and specialize in eating disorders. So, with all the knowledge I gained from that “failure” and a whole lot of support, I decided to open my own specialized practice. That ultimately led to the creation of the Eating Disorder Institute of Las Vegas.
When you look back at your time at UNLV, both as a student and instructor, what are you most grateful for?
My experiences at UNLV the past 20-plus years have truly taught me the power of connection. I don’t think people from afar realize the sense of community we have here. Living and working in Las Vegas, I get to stay connected to brilliant colleagues and friends in an amazing community. I could not have created the business and life that I have today if not for the support and wisdom of my UNLV tribe.
And what’s your message to today’s Rebel students?
I would tell Rebel students to honor your dreams, trust your intuition, and don’t be afraid to lean on your tribe — through the ups and the downs. If a plan doesn’t work out or you’re struggling, reach out. Connect. Share. Be open. Learn. Grow. Don’t let shame or embarrassment hold you back from asking questions and seeking help.
