Jennifer J. Pells, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
My Locations
About Me
I specialize in behavioral interventions for obesity and weight-related concerns including management of type 2 diabetes, binge eating, and adhering to lifestyle changes that promote healthy, long-term weight management. Like many health conditions, managing obesity often requires a variety of medical, surgical, and behavioral tools and supports, and I work closely with the bariatric surgery team to prepare patients for surgery and support them through their post-surgery process. I enjoy working with individuals in a non-judgmental, proactive manner to help identify and overcome obstacles that may be interfering with healthier behaviors and develop individualized strategies that help them be consistent and successful. Areas of particular clinical and research interest include binge eating, prevention and management of weight relapse and regain, and addressing psychosocial concerns (e.g., stress, mood symptoms, anxiety) that frequently co-occur with obesity.
- Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychology 2025
Call for an Appointment
Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
- Somers, Tamara J., James A. Blumenthal, Farshid Guilak, Virginia B. Kraus, Daniel O. Schmitt, Michael A. Babyak, Linda W. Craighead, et al. “Pain coping skills training and lifestyle behavioral weight management in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled study.” Pain 153, no. 6 (June 2012): 1199–1209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2012.02.023.
- Pells, J. J., A. L. Stout, M. M. Rodriguez-Diaz, C. A. Quigley, and G. J. Musante. “Brief intensive lifestyle intervention leads to rapid diabetes improvements.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 6, no. 2 (March 1, 2012): 178–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827611405281.
- Pells, J. J., A. L. Stout, and G. J. Musante. “Expanding stepped-care for obesity: Overview and evaluation of an intensive treatment program for adults.” Obesity and Weight Management 6, no. 3 (June 1, 2010): 146–51. https://doi.org/10.1089/obe.2010.0311.
- Quigley, Chandra, Nancy Freeman, Janice Mills, Jennifer Pells, and Anna Stout. “Changes and Correlations with PreDx (R) Diabetes Risk Score Following Brief Residential Behavioral Weight Loss.” In DIABETES, 60:A225–A225. AMER DIABETES ASSOC, 2011.
- Quigley, Chandra, Jennifer Pells, and Gerard Musante. “BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FOR ALL: IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BMI >= 50 SEEKING BEHAVIORAL WEIGHT LOSS.” In ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 41:S26–S26. SPRINGER, 2011.
- Pells, Jennifer, Anna Stout, Michelle Rodriguez-Diaz, and Gerard Musante. “Rapid Improvements in Hemoglobin A1c and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors During Intensive Lifestyle Intervention among Individuals with Obesity and Type II Diabetes.” In OBESITY, 17:S280–S280. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2009.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.