Why Research Matters at SunCloud Health
Behavioral Healthcare is a constantly evolving field, and we are continuing to discover more depth of understanding about psychology, treatment effectiveness, neuroscience, and more. By staying aware of the newest and most relevant studies, we can ensure our treatment model and clinical approach is evidence-based and backed by the most up-to-date research. This supports our ability to provide measurable outcomes for our clients and deliver real results in their recovery journey.
Our Recent Publications
SunCloud doesn’t just stay informed on the latest research: we contribute to it. Our research and leadership team actively develops research papers that not only impact care for our patients, but moves the behavioral health field forward as a whole. As specialists in integrated treatment for addiction, eating disorders, mood/anxiety, trauma, and co-occurring substance use, we focus on these diagnostic areas in our research efforts.
Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Multimorbidity
Response from Dr. Kim Dennis and Dr. Timothy D. Brewerton featured in JAMA Article
Ultra-processed Food Addiction--Relevance to Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Comorbidity and Metabolic Syndrome.
By Kim Dennis and Timothy D. Brewerton
In the evolving landscape of mental health diagnostics, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) stands as the cornerstone. While it is far from a perfect tool, its revisions shape clinical practice and legitimize acceptance of mental health conditions that affect large numbers of patients. Without an accurate diagnosis, patients will continue to experience undue stigma, misdiagnosis, and poor prognosis.
Consensus-based clinical and research recommendations for use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the context of eating disorders: A modified Delphi study. World Psychiatry.
By Keshen, A., Koning, E., Allison, K. C., Amaro, A., Bartel, S., Belliveau, P., Boniferro, L., Brar, S., Butalia, S., Bulik, C. M., Chao, A. M., Couturier, J., Dennis, K., Dixon, L., El-Ziftawi, D., Gao, C., Gamberg, S., Goldstone, A. P., Dalle Grave, R., ... Wnuk, S. (in press)
PTSD, complex PTSD and the dissociative subtype of PTSD in patients with Eating Disorders.
By Timothy D. Brewerton, Cindy Nguyen, Nikki Bishop, and Kimberly Dennis
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation are associated with eating disorders (EDs) and serve as markers of higher severity and comorbidity. However, the role of complex PTSD (CPTSD) and the dissociative subtype of PTSD (DPTSD) in EDs remains relatively unexplored.
First do no harm: the impact of assessing for ultra-processed food addiction on dietary restraint in patients with and without eating disorders during residential treatment
By Kim Dennis, Cindy Nguyen, Nikki Bishop, Dean Bilenker, and Timothy D. Brewerton
Ultra-processed food addiction has been gaining increased popularity and scientific study over the last two decades. Despite a large body of research examining how to characterize and identify food addiction, treatment studies remain scant. Whether it represents a valid clinical condition, related to yet distinct from eating disorders.
Food Addiction Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment: A Protocol for Residential Treatment of Eating Disorders, Substance Use Disorders and Trauma-Related Psychiatric Comorbidity
By Kimberly Dennis, Sydney Barrera, Nikki Bishop, Cindy Nguyen and Timothy D. Brewerton
Food addiction, or ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA), has emerged as a reliable and validated clinical entity that is especially common in individuals seeking treatment for eating disorders (EDs), substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring psychiatric disorders (including mood, anxiety and trauma-related disorders). The clinical science of UPFA has relied on the development and proven reliability of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), or subsequent versions, e.g., the modified YFAS 2.0 (mYFAS2.0), as well as neurobiological advances in understanding hedonic eating. Despite its emergence as a valid and reliable clinical entity with important clinical implications, the best treatment approaches remain elusive. To address this gap, we have developed and described a standardized assessment and treatment protocol for patients being treated in a residential program serving patients with psychiatric multi-morbidity.
Dismantling the myth of "all foods fit" in eating disorder treatment
By Timothy D. Brewerton, Kim Dennis, David A. Wiss
We call for a reevaluation of the long-standing dogmatic nutritional principle that “all foods fit” for all cases of eating disorders (EDs) and its corollary, “there are no bad foods” (for anyone ever) during ED treatment. Based on accumulated scientific research, we challenge these ideologies as outdated, confusing, and potentially harmful to many patients. We review the evidence that indicates the folly of these assumptions and show there are a variety of exceptions to these rules, including (1) food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, (2) religious and spiritual preferences or doctrines, and (3) the ubiquitous emergence and widespread availability of ultra-processed foods leading to the potential development of addiction-like eating and a higher prevalence of various medical and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as higher mortality. This evidence supports a nutritional psychiatry approach that should be integrated into (rather than dissociated from) ED treatment research and practice.
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Presentations
Brewerton TD, Bishop N, Nguyen C, Dennis K: The Integration of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction Diagnosis and Treatment into A Combined Eating Disorder – Substance Use Disorder Program. International Society of Addiction Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, September 5-8, 2024 (symposium presentation).
Brewerton TD. Eating Disorders, Complex PTSD, Dissociative Subtype of PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation 43rd Annual Conference, Portland, OR, March 30, 2026 (oral presentation).
Brewerton TD, Nguyen C, Bishop N, Dennis K. Ultra-Processed Food Addiction: Association with Substance Use Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Trauma Related Disorders in Treatment Seeking Adults. College on Problems of Drug Dependence 2026 Scientific Meeting, Portland, OR, June 13-17, 2026 (oral communication).
About our Research Team
Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS
Chief Medical Officer, CEO and Co-founder
Timothy D. Brewerton, MD, DLFAPA, FAED, DFAACAP, CEDS-SProfessor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Cindy Nguyen
Research Coordinator
