Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Faculty and Staff
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Walter H. Kaye, M.D.Director, Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program "Anorexia nervosa has the highest rate of death of any psychiatric illness. We are now beginning to understand why people develop these disorders, and we are using this information to develop more effective treatment." Dr. Walter Kaye was recruited to the UC San Diego faculty from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he was research director of the eating disorder program, and where he received a NIMH senior scientist award. Dr. Kaye’s current research is focused on exploring the relationship between brain and behavior using brain imaging and genetics, and developing and applying new treatments for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. |
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Terry Schwartz, M.D.Clinical Director, Eating Disorders Programs Terry Schwartz is the Clinical Director of the UCSD Eating Disorders Programs. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in working with eating disorders, as well as providing Eating Disorders treatment trainings at multiple university and county facilities. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCSD Medical School. From 1997 through 2005, she served as Associate Medical Director at UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services, and Medical Director for the UCSD Co-Occurring Disorders Program. She continues to be actively involved in the training of psychiatry residents, psychology interns, and other trainees. From 1999-2004, she served as chairman of the San Diego County Mental Health “Psychopharmacology of Co-Occurring Disorders” Committee. She received her MD from the University of California, San Diego, in 1993, and completed her residency in psychiatry at UCSD. She has been named by San Diego Magazine (voted by peers) as one of the Top Doctors in San Diego. |
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Mary Ellen Trunko, M.D.Medical Director, Adult Programs Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Dr. Mary Ellen Trunko has worked with the UCSD eating disorders program since its inception, and has been involved in planning and development of services, delivery of patient care, and supervision and teaching of junior staff members. As assistant clinical professor and medical director, Dr. Trunko performs comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, handles medication management, coordinates primary care and other medical services, and educates patients and their families on physiological, medical and psychological aspects of eating disorders. She also runs an outpatient practice that includes individuals with eating disorders as well as those with general psychiatric needs. Dr. Trunko is board certified in both psychiatry and internal medicine, an unusual combination that is highly relevant to the understanding and treatment of eating disorders. She has used this specialty knowledge to advise primary care providers on the care of eating-disordered patients through presentations and consultation. She has written review papers and clinical case reports on pharmacological interventions for eating disorders. Dr. Trunko earned her MD degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, and completed separate residencies in internal medicine and psychiatry at UCSD. |
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Danielle Haber, M.D.Assistant Clinical Professor Dr. Danielle Haber has worked in the UCSD Department of Psychiatry since 2002 and as Associate Director of the UCSD OCD Program since 2008. She joined the UCSD Adolescent Eating Disorders Program in early 2012. Dr. Haber has more than 20 years of experience as a child and adolescent psychiatrist and has had a special interest in eating disorders throughout her clinical career. Dr. Haber is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSD and participates in the teaching and supervision of psychiatry residents. She is board certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Haber performs psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and provides the psychiatric input to the team of clinicians working with the Adolescent ED patients. She continues to maintain a focus on psychodynamics, biological psychiatry and on evidence based treatments. She recently completed a three year training program in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. In addition to her work with the adolescents in the UCSD ED Program, she has a private practice of psychiatry in San Diego. She received her MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY and completed both her Psychiatry Residency and her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at UCLA. |
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Benjamin Maxwell, M.D.Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Maxwell recently joined the UCSD Eating Disorder’s program as a Child Psychiatrist seeing patients at the Med West unit of Rady Children’s Hospital and the UCSD outpatient program in La Jolla. He is involved in delivery and continuity of patient care at both locations. He also serves as clinical supervisor to junior staff members. Dr. Maxwell is a graduate of the UCSD Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship. He completed his General Psychiatry residency at University of California at Irvine and received his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Texas. Dr. Maxwell’s clinical interests include treatment of eating disorders and psychiatric care of patients with chronic medical conditions. |
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Christina Wierenga, Ph.D.Assistant Professor Dr. Wierenga is an assistant professor and licensed clinical neuropsychologist at the UCSD Eating Disorders Program. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology, neurorehabilitation, and clinical neuroscience from the University of Florida and completed an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at UCSD in biological psychiatry and neuroscience. Dr. Wierenga’s clinical practice has focused on children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of psychological and neurological disorders. She sees patients in the eating disorders program for family based, individual, and group treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS. Her research focuses on treatment development and brain functioning in ill and recovered adolescents and adults with eating disorders. She uses innovative functional neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods to examine the neurobiology of eating disorders. Dr. Wierenga is also actively involved in training graduate students, interns and postdoctoral fellows. |
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Joyce A. Adams, M.D.Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Joyce A. Adams, MD is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics with the UCSD Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. She has been a full time faculty member in Adolescent Medicine at UCSD since November, 1994, and has developed a special interest and expertise in treating children, teens, and young adults with eating disorders. She has been named in “Best Doctors in America” 4 times since 2005 and was named “San Diego’s Best Doctors” in 2011. Dr. Adams regularly attends workshops on eating disorder medical management at the annual meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) and teaches at local conferences adolescent eating disorders. She is a member of SAM’s Special Interest Group on Eating Disorders, and participates in listserv discussions on issues in medical management. Dr. Adams has been involved in evaluating and treating patients with eating disorders for the past ten years. Prior to the opening of the Medical West Medical/Behavioral Unit, she admitted 4 to 5 patients every year to Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, if they meet the criteria for medical hospitalization. Medical care includes monitored re-feeding, and cardiac monitoring. She developed a protocol for assessing and monitoring patients who are dehydrated, seriously malnourished, have very low resting heart rates or orthostatic changes in pulse or blood pressure. Dr. Adams also provides medical assessments and follow-up for patients who need those services prior to beginning the Intensive Family Therapy program at the UCSD Eating Disorders Program and those patients in an outpatient program who become medically unstable. |
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Kerri Boutelle, Ph.D.Psychological Services and Training Director Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Dr. Kerri Boutelle joined the UC San Diego Faculty from the University of Minnesota, where she was the Director of a child and adolescent eating disorder and obesity program and created and researched treatments for children who are overweight. Dr. Boutelle has been working with youth and young adults who have weight or eating related issues for over 12 years. Dr. Boutelle is the Behavioral Director of the Weight and Wellness Clinic, a clinic for youth (and their families) who struggle with their weight, and leads parenting groups and provides individual and family therapy. Dr. Boutelle also sees patients in the eating disorder program for family based and individual treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS. Dr. Boutelle's current research is focused on parenting children to reduce weight, parent and child skills for reducing binge eating, and epidemiological studies regarding adolescents who have been successful in weight loss. |
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Leslie Karwoski Anderson, Ph.D.Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Leslie Karwoski Anderson is a clinical assistant professor and director of the DBT program at the UCSD Eating Disorder Program. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas, and completed her clinical internship at Duke University Medical Center. Before coming to UCSD, she held a clinical faculty appointment at the University of Washington and was a staff psychologist at the DBT Center of Seattle. She runs DBT groups for both adolescents and adults with eating disorders, and sees patients in the eating disorder program for family based and individual treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS. Her research interests are in treatment development, evaluation, and outcomes. |
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Rebecca Bernard, Ph.D.Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Rebecca Bernard is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD and the Program Director for Medical West, the inpatient medical/psychiatric unit at Rady Children's Hospital. Dr. Bernard received her doctorate in clinical psychology from West Virginia University, completed her internship at Sharp Health Care, and completed her post-doctoral training at Stanford University. Before joining the team at UCSD/Rady Children's Hospital, she was on the clinical faculty at Stanford University and then worked as the Program Director for the children's residential program at the San Diego Center for Children. Dr. Bernard provides individual, family, and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults on the Medical West unit who have comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions. These include patients with anorexia, bulimia, and EDNOS as well as patients with a variety of medical conditions who also have psychological symptoms or diagnoses that are impacting their well-being. Dr. Bernard's research interests include treatment development and outcome research. |
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Julie Trim, Ph.D.Administrative Director of Adult Day Treatment Program Dr. Julie Trim is a clinical psychologist at the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Program. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Arizona State University and completed her internship from UCSD’s Counseling & Psychological Services. Dr. Trim has treated eating disorders in inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization (PHP) settings and plans to continue to specialize in eating disorders. |
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Anne Clarkin, L.C.S.W.Therapy Director of Adult Day Treatment UCSD Department of Psychiatry Anne has been working with eating disorders for over 25 years. She has designed and directed both inpatient and outpatient eating disorder programs in San Diego hospitals and has specialized in treating adults, teens and families dealing with eating disorders in private practice. Anne has written a chapter on the treatment of eating disorders for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, a nursing textbook. Anne is working in the Day Treatment program at UCSD. |
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Liana Abascal, Ph.D., MPHAdministrative Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program Dr. Liana Abascal is a clinical psychologist and the program manager of the Adult Intensive Outpatient Program at the UCSD Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Program. She is a graduate of the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and completed her clinical internship at the UCLA Semel Institute. Since 2000, she has been involved in both research and clinical work related to chronic disease prevention and management especially related to diabetes, obesity, and eating disorders. |
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Roxanne Rockwell, M.A.Administrative Director of Adolescent Services Department of Psychiatry Ms. Rockwell is the Program Director of the UCSD Adolescent Eating Disorders Services in the Department of Psychiatry. She has been training in the evaluation and treatment of eating disorders and pediatric obesity since 1999. She is currently an advanced doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University. Her clinical and research work focuses on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and obesity across the lifespan. |
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Scott Matthews, M.D.Assistant Adjunct Professor After receiving his M.D. from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Matthews completed internship and residency in psychiatry at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and was Chief Resident at UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services in his final year of residency. He then completed formal research training in functional brain imaging in UCSD’s NIH-funded Fellowship in Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience. Dr. Matthews is currently Lead Psychiatrist on the Polytrauma Support Clinic Team at Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), and former Chief of the Consultation-Liaison Division of the Psychiatry Service at VASDHS. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD, Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, an active member of the American Psychosomatic Society (APS), and a former Co-Chair of the APS Program Committee. Dr. Matthews’ research program focuses on using neuroimaging methods to increase understanding of the structural and functional neural correlates of normal and abnormal cognitive and emotional processing. His most recent research focus is using structural and functional neuroimaging in veterans exposed to combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to identify how blasts disrupt brain structure and function and increase risk of MDD. Dr. Matthews is also an active collaborator on funded projects investigating the neural correlates of pain processing and anticipation in individuals with MDD as well as the brain basis of cognitive and emotional symptoms in individuals with eating disorders. In addition to his research and administrative duties, Dr. Matthews is actively involved in teaching residents and medical students and providing clinical care to individuals with mental disorders. |
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Ursula Bailer, M.D.Visiting Associate Professor Dr. Bailer joined the UC San Diego faculty as a Visiting Associate Professor in 2009; |
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Vikas Duvvuri, M.D., Ph.D.Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Dr. Vikas Duvvuri is a physician-scientist with both a clinical specialty and a research focus in eating disorders. He received undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Biology with Honor from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from Stanford University School of Medicine and an M.D. from UC San Diego School of Medicine. He completed a research-track Psychiatry residency from UC San Diego School of Medicine, where he was Chief Resident. He is the Psychiatrist in charge of the NIH-funded RIAN study for the treatment of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa. Under the guidance and support of Dr. Kaye, he is establishing a research program to identify molecular networks and brain circuits altered in eating disorders, that will serve as targets for novel treatments. To study molecular networks that confer risk for eating disorders, he uses custom bioinformatics methods on human genetic data and to better define changes in the function of brain circuits, he uses pharmaco-fMRI and neurophysiological measures. He has previously mechanistically tested human findings from the serotonergic system in a preclinical model and hopes to apply this to upcoming human data. |
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Sarah Archer, M.A., MFTSarah Archer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with adolescents, teens and their families for over 8 years. Sarah began as a Therapeutic Behavioral Coach providing in home behavioral modification services for at risk youth. Upon graduating from University of San Diego Sarah transitioned to Children’s Hospital providing treatment for children ages 3-18 and their families. There she worked with a variety of diagnosis such as Depression, Anxiety ADHD, ASD as well as co-occurring disorders such as Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders. Sarah recently joined our team in May 2011 and will be providing clinical treatment at the adolescent/teen Day Treatment Program. |
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Kristie Bergmann, B.A.Kristie Bergmann is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University. She is currently working as a behavior interventionist for both the FRESH and ROC studies. Additionally, she is a third year practicum student at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program and provides individual and group therapy to adults with eating disorders. Her research interests include DBT as an intervention for adolescent weight loss and clinical interests include treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and EDNOS. |
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Gina M. Bongiorno, MA, IMFTherapist Gina M. Bongiorno is a full time therapist with the Adult Day Treatment Program at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Clinic. She obtained her Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego, where she was the recipient of the Award of Distinction, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of San Diego and a consultant for trauma-informed care. Gina’s clinical expertise is in the treatment of trauma and eating disorders, as well as severe mental illness, substance use and grief. Gina has specialized training in EMDR, dialectical behavior therapy, couple and family therapy, and motivational interviewing. |
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Amanda Bischoff-Grethe, Ph.D.Assistant Adjunct Professor Dr. Bischoff-Grethe is an assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry. She received her Ph.D. in Computer Science with a focus upon Computational Neurobiology from the University of Southern California. She is particularly interested in the brain's response to reward and punishment and how it relates to cognitive processing. Her research focuses upon brain function in adolescents and adults with eating disorders using functional MRI, DTI, and other morphometric methods. |
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Marilyn J. Brown, M.A., IMFMilieu Therapist Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Marilyn Brown currently works as a full time milieu therapist in the Adult Day Treatment Program at the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment Program. She obtained her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at National University in San Diego, obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois in 2003 and is currently a registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. She has over two years of experience working with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders as well as specialized training and in dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, self injury behaviors, motivational interviewing, and couples and family therapy. Her clinical interests include eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and women’s issues. |
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Jacquie Corvan, M.A.Alliant Practicum Student Jacquie Corvan is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University. She is currently working as an interventionist for the FRESH study. Additionally, she is a practicum student at Rady Children’s Hospital conducting short-term individual/family therapy for co-morbid medical and psychiatric conditions, specifically eating disorders. Her research interests include prevention and interventions for children who struggle with weight and incorporating evidence based treatments within medical settings. |
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Emiley Dailey, L.C.S.W.Therapist Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Emily Dailey is a licensed clinical social worker who has specialized in DBT for over 6 years. She has worked with individuals, groups and families. Emily graduated from University of Southern California and did her clinical internship at Harbor UCLA’s DBT outpatient program. She has treated eating disorders in residential, intensive out-patient, and partial hospitalization. |
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Michelle Dempsey, M.A., LMFTTherapist Michelle is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with the Adolescent Day Treatment Program since December 2010. With over 8 years of clinical eating disorder and co-occurring treatment experience, Michelle has worked with both adolescents and adults at the residential and outpatient levels. Past experience also includes working as a Counseling Coordinator and Facility Manager at an residential facility in Los Angeles County. Michelle obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2008 from Antioch University (Los Angeles), and Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from UC Santa Barbara. Michelle currently provides individual, group, and family therapy for the Adolescent Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Program. |
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Sarah Gillis, Ph.D.Post-doctoral Fellow Dr. Sarah Gillis recently joined the UCSD Eating Disorder’s program as a post-doctoral fellow at the Med West unit of Rady Children’s Hospital. She conducts individual, family, and group therapy for both eating disorder and pediatric patients. Dr. Gillis is a graduate of the University of WI-Milwaukee’s Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology. She recently completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Dr. Gillis’s clinical interests include the psychosocial effects of children and adolescents coping with chronic medical conditions, medical stabilization of eating disorders, and family based interventions. |
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Carmen Pat, B.A.Office Manager Eating Disorders Program As the office manager, Carmen Fang provides a full range of administrative support for the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program. She works closely with the program staff and is the point person for all scheduling, records management, and information about our various programs. |
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Lauren Gomez, M.S., MFTiMilieu Therapist/Psychiatric Technician Lauren recently joined the UCSD treatment team as a Milieu Therapist/ Psychiatric Technician. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and received her B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University. Lauren has worked with individuals with eating disorders in various settings over the past three years. Previously, Lauren interned at Starlight Community Services while providing individual and group therapy to at risk youth, as well as individual and couple therapy at San Francisco State Psychology clinic. Lauren’s interest in working with eating disorders began during undergraduate while volunteering at an eating disorder treatment facility. Lauren currently provides group therapy to adults with eating disorders in the Adult Day/Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program. |
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Danielle Gonzales, B.APracticum Student Danielle Gonzales is pursuing her Psy. D in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. Currently, she is a third year practicum student at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program and provides individual and group therapy to adults. Her clinical experiences include substance abuse, addiction, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. Her clinical interests include Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing as her primary theoretical orientation within eating disorders and substance abuse populations. Danielle also serves on the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA) Graduate Student Committee as Student Liaison. |
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Emily Grenesko-Stevens, M.A.Psychiatric Technician Emily received her master’s in psychology in 2008 from San Diego State University. She began working for the UCSD ED Program in April 2009 as the Neuroimaging Research Manager. Emily transitioned from the research program to become a part of the Adolescent Treatment Team in April 2012. As a Psychiatric Technician, Emily provides therapeutic support to the adolescents and their families. She is interested in using her background in science and her understanding of the neurobiology of eating disorders to inform treatment practices. |
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Heather Halford, B.A.Administrative Assistant Heather graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2012 with a B.A. in psychology. She currently provides administrative support to all clinical and research staff, as well as clients and their families, at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment & Research Center. Her interest in eating disorders treatment developed through her studies at UCSD, and she intends to pursue further education in the field. |
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Meg Harney, M.A.Therapist Meg is a therapist with the UCSD treatment team and has been working with eating disorders in both the clinical and research setting for over five years. She is pursuing her PhD with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is completing her final year of training in San Diego. She obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri, Columbia and earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She has specialized training experiences in cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and motivational interviewing. Meg's clinical interests include eating disorders and trauma specifically, and women's mental health more broadly. She currently provides individual and group therapy with adolescents in the Adolescent Day Treatment Program. |
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Anna Harper, B.S.Diet Tech/Nutrition Assistant As the diet tech/nutrition assistant, Anna prepares meals and snacks for the adult and adolescent patients. As a member of the nutrition staff, Anna works closely with the registered dietitian to ensure that each patient meets his or her individual dietary needs and provides specialized meal support throughout the day. Anna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences from San Diego State University where she was an active member of the Student Nutrition Organization and an officer of the Culinary and Food Science Club. Her interest in working with eating disorders developed through various classes, volunteering, and work experiences. |
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Kelly Hinds RDRegistered Dietitian Kelly received her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Cum Laude from the University of Missouri Columbia. Since 2001, Kelly has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders at the inpatient, residential & outpatient levels of care. Working in clinical & intensive care at Scripps Health for five years, Kelly gained extensive knowledge of special medical complications experienced by patients with eating disorders and pre-existing conditions that may impact their current health & nutritional status. Kelly frequently speaks in the community to promote healthful, balanced eating has been a guest lecturer in classrooms at UCSD and Alliant International University. Kelly also lectures professional groups, psychiatrist, physicians and other dietitians on recognizing & treating patients with eating disorders. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and San Diego Dietitians in Eating Disorders Group. She is also a Board Member for the San Diego Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. |
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Zoe Irvine, B.A.Staff Research Associate Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Zoe Irvine is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University. Her research focuses on the development of a neurocognitive profile of eating disorders. She has been associated with the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Program since 2009 when she began as an intern and then segued into her Master’s research. She is currently working as an imaging study coordinator, which entails participant recruitment, screening, assessment, and assisting in scanning using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. |
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Angela Klein, Ph.D.Psychologist Dr. Klein is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher for the UCSD Eating Disorder Program. Dr. Klein earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri. She completed her predoctoral internship at the University of South Carolina Counseling and Human Development Center and her postdoctoral residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Klein’s research focuses on treatment outcome. She has implemented and directed adaptations of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for eating disorders, evaluating the effectiveness of the adapted DBT through a series of studies. She has also been active in eating disorder prevention projects and grant-funded randomized trials, with primary therapist roles for investigations of motivational interviewing combined with cognitive behavioral interventions and elements of DBT combined with acceptance and commitment therapy for self-harm. She is especially interested in acceptance-based treatment with diagnostic variants of eating disorders in “real-world” settings. In addition to her research involvement at UCSD, Dr. Klein practices at the DBT Center of San Diego. |
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Stephanie Knatz, Ph.D.Post Doctoral Fellow Stephanie Knatz is a postdoctoral fellow at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center. She currently conducts the clinic’s week-long Intensive Multi-Family Therapy Program and works within the adolescent day treatment program, providing individual, family, and group psychotherapies. She specializes in family based treatments and behavioral parent management training. In addition to her clinical work, she is also involved with conducting research in eating and weight issues and is involved with our clinic’s efforts to develop and improve current treatments for eating disorders based on neurobiological findings. Other research interests include pediatric obesity and emotion regulation in bulimia nervosa. |
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June Liang, Ph.D.Post Doctoral Fellow Dr. June Liang is a post-doctoral fellow at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program. She completed her clinical internship at the UCSD/VA Psychology Internship Program and received her Ph.D. from the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. Her research and clinical experience includes parental involvement and culturally competent assessment and treatment in mental health services for youth with various psychopathology. Dr. Liang is currently involved in providing individual and group therapy to patients with eating disorders. |
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Tiffany Nakamura, MA, PCCIMilieu Therapist/Psychiatric Technician Tiffany recently joined the UCSD treatment team as a Milieu Therapist/Psychiatric Technician. She graduated with a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Asian American Mental Health from University of San Diego. She received her BA in Psychology also from the University of San Diego and previously interned at Urban Corps of San Diego providing individual and group counseling for at risk young adults. Her interest in eating disorders began in undergraduate and has continued through her graduate program. Tiffany currently provides individual, family, and group therapies to adults with eating disorders in the Adult Day/Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program. |
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Suzanne NormanCook Suzanne helps prepare nutritious and balanced meals for patients. She has 12 years experience cooking in an institutional setting. She is currently pursuing her associates degree in culinary arts at Grossmont Community College. She enjoys the "made from scratch" and "fresh" approach to food that the clinic strives for. |
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James Melrose, B.A.Staff Research Associate Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program James Melrose graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor's degree in psychology. He began working with the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program shortly after graduating. He has been working on fMRI studies for the past 3 years, and is interested in studying the neurobiology of eating disorders. |
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Jessie Menzel, M.A.Therapist Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program Jessie is a psychology intern completing her final year of training to earn her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of South Florida. She obtained her Master of Arts from the University of South Florida in clinical psychology and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Jessie is working as a therapist with the UCSD treatment team has been working with eating disorders in a research and clinical setting for over 5 years. She has specialized training experiences in cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, exposure and response prevention, and motivational interviewing. Jessie’s clinical interests include OCD and anxiety in eating disorders and the use of evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. Her research interests include developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment and prevention programs for eating disorders, obesity, and body image disturbance. She currently provides individual, group and family therapy for the Adult Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Program. |
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Alyson Merchant, M.S., IMFIntake Coordinator Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program As Intake Coordinator, Alyson works with to facilitate families coming into the adolescent and inpatient programs. She is skilled at understanding the particular needs of families and will help answer any questions or address any concerns for clients coming into our program. Alyson feels it is her primary concern to help identify individual needs and coordinate care to meet those particular need. Alyson received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Mount St. Mary’s College. Over the last five years, Alyson has been passionately working in the behavioral health field focused on developing community relations and admissions. |
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Christi Middlesworth, B.A.Intake Coordinator Christi Middlesworth brings knowledge and understanding of the complex experience eating disorder patients and their families live with, to her role as intake coordinator. With a B.A. from the University of Oregon and a background in communication, she offers a compassionate welcome to UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment Center's programs. Christi draws upon her experience as a social worker and mental health professional, and has worked in field of eating disorders recovery for over five years. She believes it is every individual's right to be treated with kindness and respect. When Christi is not at work, she is enjoying the wealth of outdoor recreation activities found in beautiful southern California. |
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Erin Parks, Ph.D.Post Doctoral Fellow Dr. Erin Parks is a postdoctoral fellow at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center. A graduate of UCSD/SDSU's Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Parks specialized in neuropsychology and conducted neuroimaging research of child development. She currently conducts the clinic’s week-long Intensive Multi-Family Therapy Program and works within the adolescent day treatment program, providing individual, family, and group psychotherapies. Dr. Parks clinical and research interests include cognitive sequelae of eating disorders, cognitive rehabilitation, family based interventions and treatment development. |
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Helena Machaj Ramadan, M.S., R.D.Registered Dietitian Helena joined the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program in the fall of 2012. Originally from the East Coast, Helena graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in English. After deciding to pursue a career in nutrition, Helena earned her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at Loma Linda University. During her time at Loma Linda, Helena served as the president of the Nutrition Council Student Association and was awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Student award by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As an RD at UCSD, she works with the adult day treatment and intensive outpatient programs. One of her passions is to teach others about nutrition, and she is thrilled to be sharing her knowledge with this patient population. |
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Heather Rodriguez, B.A.Alliant Practicum Student Heather Rodriguez is pursuing her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University. She is a third year practicum student at the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program and provides individual and group therapy to adolescents in the Adolescent Day Treatment Program. She came to the program with 3 years of experience working with at risk adolescents, as well as, eating disorder prevention programs. Her clinical interests include treatment and prevention programs for eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma. |
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Erica Sales, LPNLicensed Practical Nurse Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program |
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Danica Torres, RN, B.S.NRegistered Nurse Danica Torres, Registered Nurse joined the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Program in December 2010. Her career as a nurse includes acute care experience and experience with adults and adolescent eating disorder patients in residential, inpatient and partial hospitalization settings. At UCSD, she attends to the medical needs of the patients along with assisting the physicians to coordinate care throughout the patient’s treatment process. |
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Laura Torres, B.S.Staff Research Associate Laura Torres graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's degree in psychology. She began working with the UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program as an undergraduate research assistant. Currently, Laura is working as the treatment study coordinator for the multi-site study comparing two different family therapies for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. |
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Emily Whipple, B.A.Psychiatric Technician Emily received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She came to the program with experience treating eating disorder patients in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings. As a Psych Tech at UCSD, she works with the Adolescent Day Treatment program to assist with needs of the patients and their families, along with assisting the clinical staff to coordinate care throughout the patients' treatment. |
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Cathy WhitneyAdministrative Assistant Cathy has been part of UCSD Psychiatry Department since 2001. She began last year with our UCSD, Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program as an Administrative Assistant. Recently she has started working mainly for the Adolescent Program helping with any administrative duties the therapist and staff need. |
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Christina VizcarraInsurance coordinator As the insurance coordinator for the Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program, Christina helps patients and their families verify insurance coverage for the IOP, IFT and Day Treatment programs. At our clinic she serves as the point of contact for all insurance related questions, such as patient financial responsibility and coverage information. |
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