About
Dana James, MS, CDN, CNS, is a Columbia University-educated, triple-certified nutritionist who is also trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. Dana believes that physical symptoms are not disorders but hormonal imbalances precipitated by misguided beliefs and maladaptive behavior as people seek to feel worthy and validated.
Dana believes that people are resilient and capable of healing themselves. Her goal is to help them see this pathway.
Dana received her initial nutrition training in orthomolecular medicine at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), London. ION is one of Europe’s most prestigious nutrition training establishments with Nobel laureate, Linus Pauling, being a founding patron. She graduated summa cum laude in 2007.
Dana’s first clinical hours were at the Brain Bio Center, an outpatient facility for mental health disorders. It was here where she first witnessed how powerful nutrition was in moderating brain chemistry. Her client cleared up her food-induced depression in 3 weeks!
Dana is also a functional medicine practitioner trained through the Institute of Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Dana exceeds any medical health professional with her insight into the complex relationship between food, metabolic issues, and emotions.— Marianna Aloia
Dana graduated from Columbia University’s Physicians and Surgeons with a Master of Science in Medical Nutrition.
Her dissertation explored how childhood shame can influence weight gain, not only through emotional eating, but also through changes in cortisol, the gut microbiome, and inflammation, all of which influence weight gain independent of eating behaviors.
Understanding the importance of psychology, Dana trained at the Beck Institute in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is regarded as the gold-standard treatment for altering erroneous thoughts and behaviors which can lead to anxiety, depression, and over-eating.
In 2018, Dana published her first book, The Archetype Diet, which became an instant best seller on Amazon in both Women’s Health and Eating Disorders. The book explores how a woman’s physical symptoms are connected to hormonal imbalances, which have their roots in how she derives her sense-of-self. Does she identify herself with her achievements, physical appearance, giving to others, or being different? Each archetype has her own jewelry box rich in healing modalities from re-balancing food to movement, mantras, breath work, scents, flower essences, and mind tools.
Dana is my nutrition spirit guide.— Melanie Smith
Dana has worked with over 15,000 people and reached many more through podcasts, tv appearances, speaking engagements, and on retreats.
She has been featured in Forbes, New York Times, Vogue, Elle, Goop, Time Magazine, Daily Mail, The New York Post, New Beauty, Shape, and Harper’s Bazaar. She also appeared on the Today Show, GMA and PBS.
Dana’s professional affiliations include:
• NY State Certified Dietician and Nutritionist (CDN)
• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
• Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM)
• British Association of Nutritional Therapy (BANT)
• American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
She continues to learn through mentorship programs and continuing education programs. Her most recent education was in environmental medicine, specifically focusing on mold and mycotoxin exposure.
Dana’s one-one consultations use a combination of functional medicine, nutrition, psychology, and her stellar intuition. She addresses both the tangible and intangible – food and feelings; science and spirituality; conscious and subconscious thought.
James has a pretty kick-ass background in functional medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy.— WELL AND GOOD NYC