Meet the staff at The Center for Eating Disorders.
Harry A. Brandt, M.D.
Director, Center for Eating Disorders
“Our central focus is on eating disorders,” says Dr. Harry A. Brandt. “Our professional staff and unit is specifically designed to help a patient with an eating disorder recover, regardless of severity or complexity."
Throughout his career, Dr. Brandt has regularly focused his vast psychiatric experience on eating disorders, having previously directed the Eating Disorders Unit at the National Institutes of Health, and the Center for Eating Disorders at both Mercy and St. Joseph Medical Centers.
“I think what makes our program unique,” Dr. Brandt says, “is the fact that over the years we’ve gathered people from multiple disciplines. They‘ve been able to develop treatments that draw from many areas, including psychiatric care, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition, activity therapy and body image treatment.”
In addition to his duties at the Center for Eating Disorders, Dr. Brandt takes on a variety of speaking engagements and nationally recognized research projects. Participating in the difficult process of healing patients, however, remains Dr. Brandt’s true passion.
Steven Crawford, M.D.
Associate Director, Center for Eating Disorders
Dr. Steven Crawford is uniquely qualified for his role at the Center, where he has filled leadership roles for 15 years. Throughout his entire career, his focus has been on providing the best care to patients with serious eating disorders.
When he’s not treating eating disorders, he’s teaching other physicians about them and engaging in groundbreaking research. He serves on the faculty of University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he teaches medical students and trainees how to identify eating disorders. He also serves as a lead investigator in federally funded research grants.
Dr. Crawford’s experience with eating disorders stretches all over Baltimore, from Sinai to Mercy Hospitals, University of Maryland Medicine to St. Joseph Medical Center. He sees his specific role at the Center for Eating Disorders as “helping to knit the whole eating disorder program together so that every patient who comes in has a master treatment plan which maps out that individual’s goals.”
Teamwork is crucial. “It’s important that we all speak the same language to patients, so they can begin to move forward on their own.”
Psychiatrists
Laura Gaffney, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Gaffney graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1995. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Maryland in 1999 after which she did a one-year fellowship in eating disorders at the Center for Eating Disorders. She is board certified in General Psychiatry. She has been with the Center for Eating Disorders since 1999 and currently provides psychopharmacology and psychotherapy on an outpatient basis.
Elaine Koukoulas, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Koukoulas obtained her medical degree from The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in 1998. She completed the University of Maryland, Sheppard Pratt Residency Program in Psychiatry where she was Chief Resident at Sheppard Pratt in 2002. Dr. Koukoulas has been affiliated with Sheppard Pratt since graduating from residency, previously having served as the Medical Director of the Trauma Disorders Partial Hospitalization Program. Dr. Koukoulas is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry. She joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2007.
Tracy Kuniega-Pietrzak, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Kuniega-Pietrzak attended the University of Maryland Medical School from 1997-2001. She completed a residency in adult psychiatry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and stayed at Brown for her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship where she was chief resident. At Brown she developed an interest in both eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and participated in the POTS II research study for OCD. She is board-certified in adult psychiatry and has been with the Center for Eating Disorders since 2006.
Jill Midthune, M.D. .
Psychiatrist
Dr. Midthune graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Goucher College in 1985. She graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1989, and completed her psychiatry residency there in 1993. Dr. Midthune is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with certification in psychiatry. Dr. Midthune completed a two-year fellowship in eating disorders at Mercy Medical Center, and has worked with the Center for Eating Disorders in various roles since then. In addition to meeting with individual patients in the program, she currently oversees and coordinates one of the two Intensive Outpatient Programs and has specific experience in working with treatment resistant patients.
Mamata N. Mysore, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Mysore graduated from JSS medical College in India in 1999. She completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry from 2000-2004 at the Medical College of Virginia/ Virginia Commonwealth University and a subsequent fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Maryland from 2004 to 2006. After completing a fellowship in Eating Disorders in 2007, Dr. Mysore joined the staff at CED as an Attending Psychiatrist. She is Board certified in Adult Psychiatry. Her specialty is in Psychodynamics and Comprehensive Treatment of Eating Disorders in Adults and Children/Adolescents.
Jeanne Serafin, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Jeanne Serafin obtained her medical degree from Simmons College and completed her psychiatric residency at Harvard Medical School in 1988. Dr. Serafin has 20 years of clinical experience in psychiatry. She spent 5 of those years treating patients with eating disorders in her private practice as a psychopharmacolgist. She also served as the attending psychiatrist at a private eating disorder residential setting and as the medical director and eating disorder specialist for a non-profit health plan. Dr. Serafin has a focus on mindfulness- based stress reduction and has taught mindfulness-based stress reduction at a general medical center and at an infertility clinic. Dr. Serafin joined the Center for Eating Disorders staff in 2008. In addition to seeing individual patients for psychopharmacology evaluations and follow-up, she also leads a mindfulness-based stress reduction group for families and caretakers of individuals struggling with eating disorders.
Stephanie Walsh, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Walsh completed her medical training in 2001 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX where her first introduction to the treatment of Eating Disorders took place. This sparked an interest which has become the driving force in her career. Dr. Walsh completed two years of residency training at Georgetown University in 2003 including work at Fairfax Hospital in Northern VA, Georgetown University Hospital and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Washington D.C. She began training at the Center for Eating Disorders with Dr. Crawford at the St. Joseph Medical Center during residency with the University of Maryland Department of Psychiatry from 2003-2005. Upon completion of her residency in 2005, she pursued a Fellowship in Eating Disorders with the CED. After a year at Baltimore Washington Medical Center as Medical Director of the Partial Hospital Program, Dr. Walsh returned to the Center for Eating Disorders. She currently works in the Admissions Department performing the psychiatric evaluations and administrative functions related to the admissions process, while also helping to orient patients and families entering the hospital programs.
Psychologists
Kim Anderson, Ph.D.
Director of Psychology
Dr. Anderson is a licensed clinical psychologist who has focused her career on treatment for individuals with eating disorders. She has published scientific articles and chapters on eating disorders, trauma and associated problems. She developed and directed the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program at the CED which has been adapted to inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient settings. Dr. Anderson also directs the training of the post-doctoral fellows at the Center. She provides individual and group psychotherapy, supervision to developing psychologists, supervision of clinical research, and lectures on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Anderson has been with the Center since 1989.
Sharon Cannon, Ph.D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Cannon received her doctorate in clinical psychology in 1992, from the University of Nebraska, where she trained as a generalist with a specialization in adolescent and young adult issues. She worked for 16 years in the outpatient psychology department of Omaha's Children's Hospital, counseling adolescents, adults, families, and groups. She has an extensive background in working with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, and difficult life transitions. Dr. Cannon joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008 as an outpatient therapist. She is also currently providing family therapy in conjunction with the Center’s current NIMH-funded research study on effective therapies for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa.
Sarah Hubbard, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Hubbard is a clinical psychologist in the outpatient department at the Center for Eating Disorders. She earned her Ph.D. from American University in 1999 and has been with the CED since 2000. She specializes in individual psychotherapy of adolescents and adults with eating disorders. Working from a ground of relatedness, she utilizes cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and psychodynamic approaches in treatment. She has a special interest in Integral Psychotherapy, and has written academically about how to organize and unite competing approaches of psychotherapy into a coherent whole. Dr. Hubbard has been very involved in research at the CED, where she managed the National Institute of Mental Health-funded genetic research study of anorexia nervosa in families. In addition, Dr. Hubbard facilitates educational in-service trainings for the outpatient staff and provides supervision.
David Roth, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Roth is a clinical psychologist in the outpatient department at the Center for Eating Disorders. He has dedicated his career to the treatment and research of eating disorders, and has presented over 500 lectures and published over 20 articles and chapters on the subject. He provides individual, couples and group psychotherapy. As the Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, Dr. Roth also trains developing psychiatrists. He has been with the Center since 1997.
Irene Rovira, Ph.D.
Senior Psychologist
Dr. Rovira joined the Center for Eating Disorders in September 2006. She currently provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy for patients in the Inpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs. She comes to the Center with experience as a provider at a private group practice in Long Island where she worked with children, adolescents, adults, elderly, couples and families coping with a variety of psychiatric disorders. She also has experience working with child and adolescent victims of trauma and abuse at the Child Protection and Development Center at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. Dr. Rovira received her BA from St. John’s University, her MA from Teacher’s College at Columbia University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from Hofstra University, all in New York. She is currently providing family therapy as part of a treatment outcome study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Mindy Lais, Psy.D.
Coordinator, IOP Program
Dr. Lais provides intensive evidence-based group therapy as coordinator of the intensive outpatient program at the Center for Eating Disorders. Dr. Lais earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford and she completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Perry Point VA Medical Center. She joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2003 as a post-doctoral fellow working with the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs and currently oversees the Center’s Intensive Outpatient program. Her areas of specialty include eating disorders and trauma.
Mental Health Counselors
Eva Geer, M.S.
Mental Health Counselor
Eva Geer received her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College in 2007. She completed a one-year externship at the Center for Eating Disorders from 2006 to 2007 and subsequently began working full-time as a mental health counselor on the inpatient unit and partial hospitalization program. Eva is currently working toward her LCPC.
Lisa McCathran, M.S.
Mental Health Counselor
Lisa McCathran received her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2008. She completed a one-year externship at the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008. Subsequently, Lisa began working full-time as a Mental Health Counselor in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs where she provides individual and group therapy. She is currently working towards her LCPC.
Niccole McGowens, Psy.D.
Mental Health Counselor
Niccole McGowens has a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on family and children, from the Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology located in San Francisco, California. Niccole’s expertise range from working with children to seniors with various mental/behavioral health concerns, including individual, couples, and group therapy. She completed an internship at Friends Hospital working with Eating Disorder patients and subsequently worked there running therapeutic groups. In 2008, she joined the Center for Eating Disorders staff as a Mental Health Counselor. Her responsibilities consist of providing group therapy and individual therapy and she also provides training to externs/interns. Niccole’s research interests include the effects of eating disorders, including obesity, on the African-American population.
Individual, Group and Family Therapists
Dina Wientge, LCSW-C
Sr. Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dina Wientge has been a part of the Center for Eating Disorders staff since 1998. She received her Masters in social work from the University of Maryland in 1994, and she trained at Johns Hopkins University focusing on women’s health issues. As senior social worker at the Center for Eating Disorders, she supervises and trains the family therapy staff. Dina specializes in family therapy and eating disorder treatment. She is a family therapist for the multi-site international anorexia nervosa research study for adolescents funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).As a field instructor; she has trained students from the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Alabama. Dina is a State of Maryland Board-approved supervisor.
Sarah Blake, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker and Outreach Coordinator
Sarah Blake obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland in 1994 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. Over the past thirteen years, Sarah has worked with eating disorders in a variety of settings, providing individual, family and group therapy. In the beginning of her tenure at the Center for Eating Disorders, she worked as a community outreach and admissions coordinator. In addition, Sarah was the study manager for the Center for Eating Disorders’ multi-site study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health,The Genetics of Anorexia. Currently, Sarah works as an outpatient therapist at the center, in addition to providing outreach and public relations assistance to the center.
Craig Boas, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Craig Boas received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Connecticut in 1995. Prior to joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2009, Craig worked in multiple inpatient and outpatient settings in a variety of roles, including time as a family therapist with the Center for Eating Disorders in 2005. Craig's current focus is in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Before rejoining the Center for Eating Disorders staff in 2009, Craig provided treatment at the Retreat at Sheppard Pratt where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of DBT as one of the core treatment modalities. Craig currently works in the Center's outpatient department providing individual and family therapy and facilitating several outpatient DBT groups.
Megan Colletta, LGSW
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
Megan Colletta earned her Master of Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008 with a specialization in community mental health and a research focus on the efficacy of family treatment for trauma and eating disorders. Prior to joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008, Megan trained at the National Center for PTSD. She studied structural and strategic models of treatment and currently provides family therapy for patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at the Center
Shannon Gilheany, LGSW
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
Shannon Gilheany graduated from Salisbury University in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2008. Shannon is currently certified as a LGSW and is working towards her LCSW-C. During her undergraduate and graduate programs, Shannon specialized in aging and elderly mental health issues. She joined the CED staff in 2008 as a family therapist. In addition to working with adolescent and adult patients in family therapy, Shannon also leads several groups in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Anne Hastie, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Anne Hastie received her BA from Goucher College and her MSW from the Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. She began her career at Sinai Hospital’s inpatient psychiatric unit and later moved to its outpatient clinic, working with patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses. Anne was in private practice for five years before joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 1998. In her current role, Anne provides individual therapy to patients on an outpatient basis.
Carolyn M. Hoffman, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Carolyn Hoffmann began working at the CED in 2008 as a family therapist. Carolyn earned a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Social Work in May 2003 and completed her undergraduate studies at Towson University where she earned a B.S. in Women’s Studies in 1994. Prior to joining the CED she worked at the Baltimore City Detention Center/Central Booking where she provided mental health services to adults and adolescents. Carolyn brings great experience treating diverse populations in a wide range of settings such as the Department of Social Services, Early Head Start pilot program, and a psychiatric day hospital program. She currently provides family therapy to patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Linda Roberts, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Linda Roberts is a licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver in 1995. She joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2005 as a family therapist. Linda has over ten years of experience in individual, family, and couples counseling. Prior to joining the Center for Eating Disorders, Linda worked in an independent practice setting in Florida. She is currently developing and facilitating the Emotions Focused group. This method is based on empathic response, attachment issues, and an intense focus on emotions. It is designed to support patients in acknowledging, understanding, and processing their emotions.
Lisa Silk, LGSW
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
Lisa Silk obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland in 2008 where she specialized in mental health and substance abuse. Lisa provides family therapy for patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at the Center for Eating Disorders. She joined the Center in 2008 with a special interest in working with addiction and currently facilitates the intensive substance abuse track.
Carrie Stephens, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Carrie Stephens graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2001 with a Masters degree in Social Work. Since that time, she has worked in a variety of hospital settings with experience in both individual and family counseling. Carrie joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2007 where she currently provides family therapy for patient in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Frances Warner, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Frances Warner earned her MSW from the University of Maryland. She has worked in a variety of psychiatric settings including adult outpatient and inpatient and child outpatient treatment. From 1989-1991, Frances received training in object relations therapy from the Washington School of Psychiatry. In 1992 she spent a year as a Clinical Associate at the Tavistock Centre in London, England. Currently she is an advanced candidate in psychoanalysis with the New York Freudian Society. Frances has been with the Center for Eating Disorders for the past 6 years, joining the full time staff in 2005. She currently provides individual therapy for patients at the Center’s outpatient department.
Research Coordinator
Courtney DiLallo, MFT
Research Coordinator
Courtney DiLallo graduated in 2003 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. In 2007, Courtney graduated from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, with a Master of Science in Education and her degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She interned for the Institute for Individual and Family Counseling at the University of Miami. She also interned for the Substance Abuse Family Program at South Miami Hospital in Miami, Florida. In 2007, Courtney began working for the Center for Eating Disorders as the Research Coordinator. She is currently recruiting families for the national research study: Family therapy in the treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa. In addition to her research duties, Courtney provides individual and group therapy for adults on the inpatient unit.
Admissions & Outreach Coordinators
Kate Clemmer, MSW, LGSW
Community Outreach Coordinator
Kate Clemmer earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2005 with a focus on Management & Community Organization and a specialization in Child, Adolescent & Family Health. Before joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008, Kate provided school-based therapy to adolescents and families in Baltimore City and coordinated a multi-school health education and prevention program. As the CED’s Outreach Coordinator, Kate currently facilitates trainings and workshops in the community, provides outreach to individuals interested in the Center’s services and helps to coordinate the Center’s annual community events. These events include an annual Symposium for health professionals, the “Love Your Tree” Body Image and Poster Campaign, and National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Kate also facilitates the Center’s community support group for individuals with eating disorders and their friends/family, held on Wednesday Evenings at Sheppard Pratt Hospital.
Talya Nack, M.S.
Admissions Coordinator
Talya Nack received her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola College in 2006. After completing a one-year externship at the Center for Eating Disorders inpatient and partial hospitalization programs in 2006, she began working full-time as a Community Outreach and Admissions Coordinator. In addition to coordinating the intake and admission of patients into the Center’s treatment programs, Talya also leads a weekly family education and support group in coordination with the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. She is currently working toward her LCPC.
Amy Scott, LCPC
Admissions Coordinator
Amy Scott joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008. She earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Towson University in 1998 and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Her previous professional experiences include working in the Acute Admissions Unit of the Maryland Correctional Institutions and providing outpatient therapy to children within the foster care system. As an admissions coordinator, Amy responds to referrals and coordinates the admission of individual patients into the outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and inpatient programs at the Center.
Admissions Nurses
Paula Goldberg, R.N.
Admissions Nurse
Paula Goldberg received her R.N. in 1977. She was a Senior Clinical Nurse at The Johns Hopkins Eating Disorder Unit for 15 years and Coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Movement Disorders Center for 5 years. Paula has been with the Center for Eating Disorders for 11 years, initially as the Community Outreach/Admissions Coordinator, and currently as the Admissions Nurse. She is active in nursing staff orientation and education. Additionally, Paula heads the Center for Eating Disorders’ Multicultural Task Force.
J. Sue Henry, R.N., M.S., C.P.S.
Admissions Nurse
J. Sue Henry received her undergraduate education from Rutgers University and her Master of Science from the University of Maryland. She is a Certified Prevention Specialist and is presently in the process of obtaining certification in holistic nursing. Prior to joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2006, J. Sue worked in a variety of capacities in the community health and addictions field. She is currently an Admissions Nurse, working both in the outpatient admissions department and on the inpatient unit helping patients to transition into treatment.
Discharge Coordinator
Jennifer Trombetta, MS
Discharge Coordinator
Jennifer Trombetta received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College in Maryland in 2006. She joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2005 working as the Discharge Coordinator. Currently, Jennifer manages discharge planning, identifies appropriate community resources for discharged patients, and provides the patients with education on relapse prevention.
Registered Dietitians
Samantha Lewandowski, MS, RD, LDN
Nutritional Care Coordinator of Outpatient Services
Samantha Lewandowski received her BS in Nutrition from the University of Delaware and her Masters in Health Promotion Management from The American University. Samantha brings a variety of areas of expertise in clinical nutrition and a strong background in wellness and health promotion to her position at The Center for Eating Disorders. Her previous experience includes providing clinical nutrition services at a long term care and rehab facility and providing health promotion services for an employee wellness program. Samantha joined the CED staff in 2006, and her main role is working one-on-one with patients in the outpatient setting. As Nutritional Care Coordinator, she also supervises the outpatient nutrition staff and coordinates nutrition-related programs within the outpatient department, including community outreach related to the Center’s nutrition services.
Jill Seewagen, RD, LDN
Inpatient Nutritional Care Coordinator
Jill Seewagen received her BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech and completed her Dietetic Internship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Prior to joining The Center for Eating Disorders in 2005, Jill provided group and individual counseling through Wellness Education and Community Outreach programs. In her current role at The Center, Jill conducts nutrition education classes, assists patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs with menu planning and provides individual nutrition counseling for patients and families. In her role as the Inpatient Nutritional Care Coordinator, Jill oversees all nutrition related aspects of the inpatient unit, develops up-to-date nutrition class materials and communicates with the kitchen managers to ensure meal satisfaction.
Florence Adetunji, MA, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Florence Adetunji received a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University in 2003. She later completed her graduate studies in Food Studies at New York University in 2008. Florence brings with her a variety of areas of expertise in food production and clinical nutrition. Her previous experience includes working as a community dietitian and patient advocate for terminally ill patients, and as a clinical dietitian in an acute care hospital and outpatient clinic. Florence joined the staff at The Center for Eating Disorders in 2009, and she provides menu education, nutrition groups and meal support for the patients in the inpatient and intensive outpatient programs.
Sarah Ganginis, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Sarah Ganginis received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed her Dietetic Internship through Bowling Green State University in Ohio where she received a graduate certificate in Nutrition. She is currently working toward her MS in Nutrition Education at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and has previous experience working as a clinical dietetic technician in a hospital setting. Sarah joined The Center for Eating Disorders staff in 2007 and works primarily with patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. She conducts nutrition education classes, provides individual counseling for patients and their family members, assists patients with meal planning and provides ongoing assessments of patients’ nutrition needs.
Hannah Huguenin MS, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Hannah Huguenin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics with a minor in Chemistry from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. She received her Masters degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. During this internship, Hannah completed a rotation on an acute care eating disorder unit at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City. She has been with The Center for Eating Disorders since 2008, and provides individual nutritional counseling for the outpatient population. In her role at the Center, she provides ongoing support to help patients decrease eating disorder behaviors, meet their nutritional goals and improve their relationship with food through nutrition education.
Courtney Perkins, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Courtney Perkins joined the Center for Eating Disorders after completing her undergraduate education at Virginia Tech in 2007, and most recently her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland Medical Center in the spring of 2008. With her background in medical nutrition, Courtney guides patients towards an understanding of nutrition as an important component in health and well-being. Currently, Courtney focuses on providing outpatient nutritional services, including individual nutrition counseling and working with patients in the Intensive Outpatient Program.
Michelle Poling, MS, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Michelle Poling received her Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in Virginia, completing programs in both Dietetics and Media Arts & Design. She received her Masters of Science degree in Health Care Policy & Management from Stony Brook University in NY, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. Michelle's previous experience includes working as a clinical dietitian in a large hospital setting and providing menu planning and nutrition education for patients at a long-term substance abuse rehabilitation facility. Michelle joined the Center for Eating Disorders staff in 2008, and she currently provides nutrition counseling, assessments, and education for individuals and family members in the inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient programs.
Expressive Art Therapists
Julia Andersen, MA, ATR-BC
Sr. Art Therapist and Coordinator of Expressive Therapies
Julia Andersen received her Masters degree in art therapy from The George Washington University and has 14 years of experience in the field. She worked at Mercy Center for Eating Disorders, the Center for Eating Disorders at St Joseph’s, and continued as part of the Center’s staff when it became the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in 2005. She is currently the Expressive Therapy Coordinator, supervising the art therapists and dance movement therapists employed with the Center. Julia developed the body image treatment program including specific assessments and techniques to treat body image distortions in adolescents and adults. She also supervises graduate art therapy students from George Washington University and serves as the President of The Maryland Art Therapy Association, serving 200 art therapists in Maryland.
Recently published in "Creative Arts Therapies and Eating Disorders" (2008, Stephanie L. Brooke), Julia was an editor for the chapter on the use of the body tracing technique. She also created the ‘Love Your Tree’ body image campaign based on feminist writer, Eve Ensler’s play, "The Good Body". The campaign promotes a healthy body image through outreach efforts at ArtScape, the free public art festival, and a call for posters from Maryland students, in response to the statement, "Like a Tree My Body is..."
Erin M. Alfree, MA, ADTR
Dance/Movement Therapist
Erin Alfree is a dance/movement therapist and has been working at the Center for Eating Disorders since 2007. She primarily works with the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs conducting groups and individual sessions in movement therapy to address body image concerns. In addition, Erin leads stress management groups to help patients build skills in managing somatic and emotional anxiety. Erin completed her master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She recently earned her advanced credentials (ADTR) from the American Dance Therapy Association and is currently working towards State Licensure (LCPC).
Amanda Bechtel, MS, ATR, LCPC
Art Therapist
Amanda Bechtel joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2006, having previously worked with eating disorder patients at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin. She received her Master of Science degree in Art Therapy from Mount Mary College in 2006. As an Art Therapist at the Center for Eating Disorders, she uses specialized body image treatment to correct distortions and explore body image issues with adolescents and adults. She also provides art therapy services for the intensive outpatient program and on an outpatient basis.
Kelly Thomasson, MA
Art Therapist
Kelly Thomasson earned her bachelors degree in psychology from Georgetown University in 2001 and her Masters degree in art therapy from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 2005. She joined the Center for Eating Disorders inpatient staff in 2008 with three years of experience providing art therapy to patients in a wide range of settings, including a residential treatment center, a pediatric medical rehabilitation program and in a forensic psychiatry program. Kelly has developed specific interventions for using art therapy in the treatment of substance abuse. Her responsibilities at the Center for Eating Disorders include facilitating art therapy groups, conducting individual art therapy sessions, and completing body image assessments.
Occupational Therapists
Joan Chipman, MS, OTR/L
Coordinator, Occupational Therapy
Joan Chipman earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 1981. She has chosen to spend the majority of her professional life doing clinical work. Initially, Joan worked with persons recovering from neurological disorders including stroke and traumatic brain injuries, and she helped them create more fulfilling lives through working, volunteering, driving and living more independently. For the past decade, Joan has provided occupational therapy to individuals dealing with emotional struggles in an attempt to help them discover their meaningful selves in the midst of their chronic illnesses. Since joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2007, she is particularly energized by the new challenge of helping individuals with eating disorders pursue tasks such as cooking, grocery shopping, socializing, recreating, gardening, and other healthy leisure pursuits. Through experiences in Occupational Therapy, Joan aims to help individuals build confidence in their roles other than that of an eating disorder patient. The mission statement of the OT department at the Center for Eating Disorders is a strong guide: “Through the use of purposeful activity, the Occupational Therapists at the Center for Eating Disorders empower individuals to acquire valued, healthy, age appropriate roles.”
Amy Caslow, BS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Amy Caslow graduated with her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Elizabethtown College in 1989. Prior to joining the team of occupational therapists at the Center for Eating Disorders, Amy worked in a variety of psychiatric settings providing occupational therapy services to individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. In addition to providing individual and group services to patients, Amy has been instrumental in incorporating occupational therapy techniques into the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at the Center for Eating Disorders.
Shannon Gorder, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Shannon Gorder received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her prior experience includes treatment of acquired brain injuries, pediatric sensorimotor development, community mental health &reintegration, and job-readiness programming. Since joining the Center for Eating Disorders in 2008, she has applied her knowledge in sensory integration theory to individual and group therapy sessions with eating disorder patients. Currently Shannon is designing a research study to determine salient trends of typical sensory preferences within the eating disorder population. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults in both the inpatient and partial-hospitalization settings to increase sensory awareness, leisure development, role performance, & social skills.
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Robin Ciotti, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Ciotti joined the Center for Eating Disorders in 2007 after completing a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at George Mason University. Her professional foundation includes exposure to a wide range of diagnoses while providing psychotherapy and psychological evaluations to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at GMU teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. Her pre-doctoral internship at Community Reach Center in Thornton, Colorado, was focused on providing treatment and crisis intervention to individuals with serious and persistent mental health problems. As a post-doctoral fellow at The Center for Eating Disorders, she currently provides group and individual therapy to patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Kristin Grasso, Psy.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Kristin Grasso is a second-year postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology in the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Center for Eating Disorders. Dr. Grasso completed her pre-doctoral internship at West Virginia University – Charleston Area Medical Center and received her doctorate in 2007 from The Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology. While working toward her doctorate, Dr. Grasso completed specialized research focused on body image, and she has worked with adolescents and adults with eating disorders throughout her training. At the Center for Eating Disorders, she currently provides individual, group, and family therapy to patients in the IOP, utilizing interpersonal, cognitive- behavioral, and dialectical behavioral approaches to treatment.
Cara Jacobson, Psy.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Jacobson is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt where her responsibilities include providing individual and group therapy to patients with eating disorders. She did her Clinical Psy.D. work at Loyola College in Maryland and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Pace University Counseling Center in New York City. Her interests include Interpersonal and Dynamic psychotherapy and she has special interests in attachment theory and working with the college-aged population. She has served as an adjunct faculty member for McDaniel College, where she taught the course, Family and Couples' Therapy. Her research interests include understanding the factors that longitudinally maintain romantic relationships.
Catherine Sullivan, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Sullivan is a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Eating Disorders where she provides individual and group psychotherapy for patients in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Dr. Sullivan received a B.A. from Boston College, her M.A. and Ed.M. from Teacher's College at Columbia University, and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She comes to the Center with experience working with college students at the University of Maryland's Counseling Center and providing therapy to adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse. She completed her pre-doctoral psychology internship at Springfield Hospital Center where she worked with patients with severe mental illness.
