| Susan Albers, PsyD Susan Albers, Psy.D, is a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital. She specializes in eating issues, body image concerns and mindfulness. After obtaining her masters and doctorate degree from the University of Denver, Dr. Albers completed an APA internship at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana and a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University in California. Dr. Albers conducts mindful eating workshops across the country. She is the author of 50 Ways to Outsmart Mindless Eating (2011), 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, Eat Drink and Be Mindful and Mindful Eating 101. Her work has been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Family Circle, Prevention Magazine, Family Circle, Prevention Magazine, Self, Health, Fitness Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Susan is also a Psychology Today and a contributor to Huffington Post. www.eatingmindfully.com. | |
| Judith Banker, MA, LLP, FAED Judith Banker, MA, LLP, FAED, is the founding and executive director of the Center for Eating Disorders, a non-profit support, treatment and education organization that has served the southeastern Michigan since 1983. She is a fellow and Past President of the Academy for Eating Disorders and serves on the advisory board of F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Eating Disorders Treatment.) Judith has lectured internationally on the prevention and treatment of eating, weight, and body image disorders and has published several chapters and journal articles on research-practice integration in the field of eating disorders, psychodynamic theory and practice, and the caregiver experience. | |
| Mary Bartlet, PhD Dr. Mary Bartlett is an LPC and trainer for the American Association of Suicidology. She is the Suicide Prevention and Risk Consultant at Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. | |
| Michael Berrett, PhD Dr. Michael Berrett is a licensed psychologist, and CEO, Executive Director, and Co-founder of Center for Change, in Orem, Utah. He has been the Chief of Psychology at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, the Clinical Director of Aspen Achievement Academy, and on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). He has been treating those suffering with eating disorders for 25 years. Dr. Berrett is co-author of many professional journal articles and several books and book chapters including the APA bestseller “Spiritual Approaches in the Treatment of Women with Eating Disorders. He is a nationally known speaker, presenter, and clinical trainer. He and his wife Karen and are the parents of eight wonderful children. Dr. Berrett has dedicated his life to helping our youth navigate life’s journey with style, grace, and serenity. | |
| Mardie Burckes-Miller, EdD Mardie has spent more than 35 years teaching health education at the college level and more than 20 years in the field of eating disorders. She is currently a professor in health education and director of the graduate Eating Disorders Institute Program, a 15 credit training program for health and mental health professionals at Plymouth State University. She has been coordinator of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the Plymouth area for the last 13 years. She has coordinated four eating disorder conferences. Mardie is a trained Body Reflections facilitator for a peer led body image program, as well as a Wellness Coach. She has presented more than 100 lectures nationally and internationally on a variety of wellness issues, and a variety of topics within the field of eating disorders, eating disorders outreach and education, males and eating disorders, obesity prevention and eating disorders, and athletes and eating disorders. She was inducted as a Fellow in the international organization, the Academy of Eating Disorders for her significant contribution to the field of eating disorders. She lives in Holderness, NH with her husband, two dogs, and horse. | |
| Deb Burgard, PhD Deb Burgard, PhD, a psychologist specializing in eating disorders and sexuality, is one of the founders of the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, and creator of www.BodyPositive.com. Deeply interested in both stigma and body image, and how people find ways to cherish the bodies they were taught to distrust, she uses these lessons in her clinical work with people suffering from various forms of body estrangement. She co-wrote Great Shape: The First Fitness Guide for Large Women in 1988, and contributed to several major anthologies, including Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders, Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders, and The Fat Studies Reader. She co-chairs the HAES SIG for the Academy for Eating Disorders and co-authored its “Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs.” She serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) and the Advisory Board for NAAFA. | |
| Deb Burgard, PhD Deb Burgard, PhD, a psychologist specializing in eating disorders and sexuality, is one of the founders of the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, and creator of www.BodyPositive.com. Deeply interested in both stigma and body image, and how people find ways to cherish the bodies they were taught to distrust, she uses these lessons in her clinical work with people suffering from various forms of body estrangement. She co-wrote Great Shape: The First Fitness Guide for Large Women in 1988, and contributed to several major anthologies, including Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders, Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders, and The Fat Studies Reader. She co-chairs the HAES SIG for the Academy for Eating Disorders and co-authored its “Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs.” She serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) and the Advisory Board for NAAFA. | |
| Dena Cabrera, PsyD, CEDS Dr. Dena Cabrera has been on staff at Remuda Ranch Treatment Centers for over 11 years and is the Director of Educational Outreach. She is an expert in treatment of eating disorders and Axis II pathology. | |
| Ralph E. Carson PhD, BHS Ralph Carson, R.D. B.S., B.H.S., Ph.D., is a nationally recognized clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Dr. Carson is a frequently requested speaker on a variety of nutritional topics for medical groups, pharmaceutical companies, universities, athletic training camps and corporations. He has a successful clinical practice as well as being a faculty member of the University of Alabama at Huntsville for over 20 years. Dr. Carson is also a nutritional advisor to numerous university athletic departments including the University of Tennessee National Basketball Champion Lady Volunteers. Dr. Carson received his B.S. from Duke University, his B.H.S. in pathology (Cum Laude) from Duke University Medical School, and his Ph.D. in nutrition (Phi Kappa Phi) from Auburn University. Dr. Carson currently manages Oprah Winfrey’s web page on eating disorders and is the consultant for Pine Grove’s eating disorder program, The Women’s Center | |
| Theresa Chestnut, MSW, LCSW Theresa initially earned her undergraduate degree in Family Life and Community Services from Kansas State University and later completed her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Kansas. Theresa has been on staff at Castlewood since 2000 and has held various positions: Primary Therapist, Program Director and currently as the lead Eating Disorder Therapist. Theresa has also been on staff for the Menninger Clinic and she has over 15 years experience in lecturing on college campuses and to psychiatric professionals about the signs, symptoms and prevention of eating disorders. Currently, Theresa serves on the board for the Binge Eating Disorder Association | |
| Jeanine Cogan, PhD Jeanine C. Cogan, Ph.D. is the founding Executive Director and current Policy Director of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action. Her policy career began in 1996 when she was awarded the James Marshall Public Policy Fellowship. In1998 she received an additional highly competitive policy award form the American Psychological Association (APA) as a Science Congressional Fellow where she worked for a Member of Congress. In this role, she conceptualized and wrote a federal bill, the Patient Freedom of Restraint Act, which led to the promulgation of new regulations. In 2000 Dr. Cogan was awarded Fellow status in a division of APA for her outstanding contributions in psychology and public policy. In 2004 she received “Wings of Hope” from Ophelia’s Place for inspiring others to make a difference through advocacy. She was the National Honoree for her efforts in educating Congress about eating disorders in 2005 from the HEED Foundation. | |
| Carolyn Coker-Ross, MD, MPH Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is a nationally known author, speaker, and expert in the field of Eating Disorders, Addictions, Obesity and Integrative Medicine. She is the former head of the eating disorders program at Sierra Tucson. She is currently in private practice in Denver, CO and is a consultant for the dual diagnosis eating disorder program at The Ranch, near Nashville, TN. She is the author of “The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook.” | |
| Carolyn Costin, MA, Med, MFT Carolyn Costin, Med, MFT, has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders and exercise addiction for over the past 30 years. She is the founder and Clinical Director of Monte Nido, Monte Nido Vista and Rain Rock Residential Treatment Centers and the Eating Disorder Center of California. Carolyn’s books, The Eating Disorder Source Book, Your Dieting Daughter, and 100 Questions and Answers About Eating Disorders have helped professionals and the public in understanding and treating eating disorders. | |
| Shannon Cutts Shannon Cutts is the author of “Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back” and Executive Director for MentorCONNECT. www.mentorconnect-ed.org. | |
| Janna L. Fikkan, PhD Dr. Fikkan is Assistant Director of Health Psychology at Duke Integrative Medicine and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include applying mindfulness and acceptance-based treatment approaches to the full spectrum of eating and weight-related disorders. She is also interested in how interventions that promote self-acceptance can assist individuals in achieving health-related goals. Dr. Fikkan’s research has focused on understanding how body image and disordered relationships with food are maintained over time and how they interfere with the adoption of long-term health-promoting behaviors. She is also interested in exploring the stigma associated with body size, particularly as it disproportionately affects women. Dr. Fikkan received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Vermont and is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of North Carolina. | |
| Sunny Gold Sunny Sea Gold is a former binge eater and author of the new book FOOD: THE GOOD GIRL'S DRUG: How to Stop Using Food to Control Your Feelings. After recovering from a fifteen-year battle with binge eating disorder that began in her teens, Gold founded HealthyGirl.org, a support site for girls and young women who binge or emotionally overeat. She is also a journalist, having served as the health editor for both Seventeen and Glamour magazines, and now as deputy editor at Redbook. She can be reached at sunny@healthygirl.org. | |
| Esther Kane, MSW Esther Kane, MSW, Registered Clinical Counselor is a Family-Systems oriented Eating Disorders Psychotherapist in private practice in British Columbia, Canada. She has written three self-help books for girls and women: “It’s Not About the Food: A Woman’s Guide To Making Peace with Food and Our Bodies” (www.itsnotaboutthefood.net), “Dump That Chump”(www.dumpthatchump.com), and “What Your Mama Can’t or Won’t Teach You”(www.guidebooktowomanhood.com). At the age of 39, she has over 17 years of solid recovery from BED. She is a well-known inspirational speaker and role model for women in Canada and appears regularly on TV, radio, and in print. | |
| Kathy Kater, LICSW Kathy Kater is a psychotherapist and internationally respected author, speaker, and consultant who has specialized in treatment and prevention of the full spectrum of body image, eating, fitness and weight-related problems for over 30 years. Frustrated that progress in understanding these problems has not been matched by effective prevention; Kater authored Healthy Body Image: Teaching Kids to Eat and Love Their Bodies Too!, published by the National Eating Disorders Association in 1998. Updated in 2005 to more fully respond to concerns about rising rates of obesity, this primary prevention curriculum was among the first of its kind to demonstrate significant measurable improvement in weight-related attitudes and reduced risk factors for disordered eating in pubescent children. Healthy Body Image is recommended by the USDH Office of Women's Health in their BodyWise information packet for educators. Kater’s work promotes health as a value vs. size as a goal. | |
| Chenese Lewis BEDA Ambassador & Spokesperson Chenese Lewis is a sought after keynote speaker, expert commentator, and a positive body image and self esteem advocate. She is the current President of the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Ambassador of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and made history by being the first woman crowned Miss Plus America in 2003. Her unique story and prestigious career have been featured by countless media outlets such as Dr. Phil, The Insider, and Figure Magazine. As a plus size model she has modeled for many companies including Torrid, Kmart, and served as the celebrity face for Sizeappeal. As a keynote speaker she lectures at national workshops, seminars, and universities around the country including the University of California, Davis “Celebrate Your Body Week” and the commencement speaker at The Art Institute of California in Hollywood. Chenese’s unique perspective as a plus size woman and role model enables her to connect to real women across the country. It’s no wonder PLUS Model Magazine called her "A leader in the curvy revolution! | |
| Bronwyn Marmo Bronwyn Marmo is the Associate Producer of the new groundbreaking documentary The Inner Weigh™, a compassionate film that shows us the answers to our health and body challenges lie within. Bronwyn is also the Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of The Food Is A Lie: The Truth Is Within. After decades of battling with her food and weight, she is now living free of binge eating disorder, food addiction, and body image distortion, by God’s grace, one day at a time. In 2001, Bronwyn founded Blessed Beyond Belief, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering anyone searching to make peace with their body, weight, and food. She currently facilitates retreats, conducts seminars and workshops, and speaks to groups across the country. Through her Success Coaching program, she also assists clients in reaching their natural weight without the use of diets or drugs. www.LoveTheBodyYouHave.com | |
| Michelle May, MD Michelle May, M.D. is the founder of the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Workshops and Facilitator Training Program and award-winning author of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. | |
| Melissa McLain, PhD Melissa McLain has served as the Clinical Director of Oliver-Pyatt Centers since 2008. She has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders. She received her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern California. She completed her pre and post doctoral training at the University of California. Davis as an eating disorder specialist and multidisciplinary team coordinator in their counseling and psychological services center. Dr. McLain has presented nationally on eating disorders, cultural issues related to food and self-care. | |
| Amanda Mellowspring, MS, RD, LD/N Amada Mellowspring is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietician and serves as the Director of Nutrition Services at the Oliver-Pyatt Centers of Miami. Amanda has worked as a leader in nutrition services in a variety of treatment settings for eating disorder recovery including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, college health, and private practice. Amanda currently serves as Co-Chair for the Behavioral Health Nutritionists workgroup developing Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for dieticians working with the eating disorder population through the American Dietetic Association. Amanda is nationally recognized author and speaker on the topics of Orthorexia Nervosa and nutrition in the treatment of eating disorders. | |
| Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, FAED Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, FAED, CEDS received her specialty training in Psychiatry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital where she served as Chief Resident. She has held faculty positions at NYU, Albert Einstein School and University of Nevada School of Medicine. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt is the Founder and Executive Director of the Oliver-Pyatt Centers. Her book Fed Up! The Breakthrough Ten Step No Diet Fitness Plan, written to prevent dieting and disordered eating has been featured in a wide variety of national publications. She is the former Advocacy Chair for the Academy for Eating Disorders, a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She is a co-author of the AED Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs, and is a frequent lecturer on the subject of eating disorder treatment, prevention and advocacy. She also serves on the Board of Directors for IAEDP and BEDA. | |
| Amy Pershing, LCSW Amy Pershing LMSW, ACSW is the Founding Director of Bodywise, a comprehensive outpatient BED recovery program with offices in Ann Arbor, MI and Annapolis, MD. She is also the Clinical Director of The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, which offers an outpatient program for anorexia, bulimia, and related disorders. Pershing serves as a board member for BEDA, and is the 2011 BEDA Conference Chair. She has written and lectured extensively on using psychodynamic psychotherapy and an Internal Family Systems paradigm in clinical work with BED, and provides training and supervision for clinicians nationwide. Pershing has served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Michigan and as a consultant on BED and weight issues to the University of Michigan's Body Image Task Force. Pershing also speaks nationally on the use of the HAES model in BED treatment. She resides in Ann Arbor. | |
| Rochelle Rice, MA Rochelle Rice is a nationally recognized speaker and educator. She is the author of Real Fitness for Real Women (Warner, 2001) and The Overweight Client: Size-Sensitive Training, Programs and Environments (Desert Southwest Fitness, Inc., 2008). She dedicates herself to empowering women of size by connecting the body, the mind, and the heart through focus, movement, and breath. She holds a Master’s Degree from NYU specializing in Plus-Size Exercise and has been working passionately with the plus population for the past 15 years. She is a graduate of the CHRIS Technique (Cellular Harmonizing Regenerative Integrative System) and works with the Health at Every Size paradigm. Rochelle has appeared on the “CBS Early Show,” “ABC World News Tonight” and “Fox 5 News.” Her program has been featured in Family Circle, Fit Magazine and The New York Times. She is a member of ASDAH, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association. | |
| Alice J. Rosen, LMHC Alice J. Rosen, MS. Ed, LMHC, works as a psychotherapist and offers workshops and groups focused upon creating a healthy and satisfying relationship with food and body. Alice is Director of Education of Feeding Ourselves (SM) , and founder of THE CONSCIOUS CAFE', THE NO-DIET WORKSHOP, and SELF-LED EATING INTENSIVES, the latter, for professionals who want to embody an understanding of mindful eating, and use IFS to support the work. Alice authored and recorded “THE FEEDING OURSELVES METHOD” audio CD, an interactive support tool and teaching guide. www.TheConsciousCafe.org. Mindfulness is a key reference point for Alice. | |
| Trisha Rubin, LCSW President Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) Souders Rubin has served the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area since 1990. Although she primarily treats eating disorder and obesity problems, she has also built a general practice treating a host of mental health issues including anxiety and depression through individual, couples, and group therapy. Her career as a psychotherapist began at Georgetown University Medical Center’s Eating Disorder and Obesity Program in 1989. There she held a post graduate fellowship and later became a tenured faculty member. In 1996 Trisha left Georgetown University to begin The Washington Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity in Fairfax, VA. In the year 2000 the center was renamed the Growth and Recovery Center. Souders Rubin has offices in both Fairfax, VA and Potomac, MD. | |
| Sofia Rydin-Gray, PhD Dr. Rydin-Gray is Assistant Director of Behavioral Health and Lifestyle Coaching at Duke Diet and Fitness Center and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. She uses a cognitive behavioral approach with elements of mindfulness in the assessment and treatment of binge eating disorder, obesity and other associated conditions. She is also interested in how an immersion approach to lifestyle change can promote long-term positive lifestyle habits and a healthy weight. Dr. Rydin-Gray’s research has focused on understanding the immediate and distal triggers of binge eating as well as behavioral weight loss interventions. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Bowling Green State University and she is a Licensed Psychologist in North Carolina. | |
| Stacy Saindon, MA, LMFT Stacy Saindon holds her license in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Masters of Arts Degree in Psycho-therapy and Counseling. She is the Family Services Coordinator at The Emily Program, which is an Eating Disorder Clinic in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stacy takes a systems approach to healing the mind, body and spirit. She provides an array of individual, family, couple and group modalities. She co-facilitates a Compulsive Overeating Intensive Outpatient Program, as well as an Adolescent and Family Intensive Program. She also co-facilitates the following outpatient groups: Creative Arts and Sexual Healing and Yoga & Body Image. Stacy is a state approved Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, as well as pursuing her American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisory Designation. She received her Bachelor’s in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota and her Master’s in Psychotherapy and Counseling, with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from the Alfred Adler Graduate School in Richfield, Minnesota. She believes that healing and insight lie in the intersection between self and others. Stacy finds it highly rewarding to witness and navigate towards this sacred space. | |
| Dick Schwartz, PhD Richard Schwartz is the creator and developer of Internal Family Systems Model of therapy. Richard has consulted with Castlewood for the last 6-7 years, training our staff and working individually with clients. Richard earned his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University, after which he began a long association with the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and more recently at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, attaining the status of Associate Professor at both institutions. He has dedicated more than 25 years of service to troubled families and individuals and has extensive experience working with clients who suffer from eating disorders. He has published four books and over 60 articles on a variety of topics in psychotherapy. In 2000, Richard Schwartz founded The Center for Self Leadership in Oak Park, Illinois. June 1st, 2010 Dr. Schwartz joined the Castlewood clinical team in an expanded role. Dr. Schwartz will continue his speaking and teaching, nationally and internationally, but when not on the road can be found at Castlewood. At Castlewood, Richard continues to develop and train our staff in Internal Family Systems therapy. He provides consultations with clients and facilitates individual and group IFS sessions. | |
| Mark Schwartz, ScD Mark Schwartz earned his doctorate in Psychology and Mental Health from Johns Hopkins University. He is a licensed psychologist and an adjunct professor in the departments of Psychiatry at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Over the past 25 years, Dr. Schwartz has achieved international recognition for his contributions in a variety of clinical arenas, including the treatment of intimacy disorders, marital and sexual dysfunction, sexual compulsivity, sexual trauma and eating disorders. He lectures nationally and internationally on these topics and has authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as the books, Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders and Sexual Compulsive Behavior, and Sex and Gender. Dr. Schwartz is currently on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Eating Disorders. | |
| Ramona Seidel, MD Dr. Seidel was born and raised in New Jersey where she returned for medical school after obtaining her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame. She moved to San Diego, California for residency training in Family Medicine. While living on the west coast she met her husband. After the birth of their second child, the family moved east where they settled in the Annapolis area. She now lives in Maryland with her husband, three children, and one dog named Buddy. In rare moments of “free” time, she enjoys reading, skiing, yoga, and cooking. Dr. Seidel owns Bay Crossing Family Medicine, a small practice where she focuses on the health and wellness of entire families. Her practice has been recognized as a patient centered medical home, using technology to facilitate communication and coordinate care. Dr. Seidel has special interests in cross-cultural issues, child and adolescent medicine, and weight management. | |
| Ellen Shuman Founder WellCentered, Inc. Ellen Shuman is the founder of WellCentered, Inc., an organization that, since 1993, has provided Acoria Eating Disorder Treatment Programs, outpatient therapy services in Cincinnati, and “A Weigh Out Life Coaching”, coaching services conducted worldwide, by telephone, to people with emotional eating challenges and binge eating disorders (www.aweighout.com.) | |
| Nichole Siegfried, PhD Dr. Nicole Siegfried is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She is the Director of Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. | |
| Reba Sloan, MPH, LRD, FAED Reba Sloan, MPH, LRD, FAED, is a registered dietitian/nutrition therapist in private practice. She received a B.S. in Dietetics from Harding University and a Master of Public Health degree with a behavioral counseling emphasis from Loma Linda University. Reba completed her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, Reba has been in private practice for over 25 years in Nashville, Tennessee. She provides nutrition counseling for those suffering from eating disorders and disordered eating. In addition to her private practice, Reba is a much requested speaker for local, national and international professional organizations on topics related to eating disorders. She is one of 2 founding members of The Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT). She served on the Board of Directors for six years. She served as Treasurer, President Elect and President of this non-profit organization dedicated to offering hope, help and healing to all those impacted by eating disorders and disordered eating. She continues to volunteer for the EDCT. She has authored many articles on disordered eating and eating disorders. Many of those may be accessed through her website at www.rebasloannutrition.com. | |
| Michelle Trumpy, MPH, RD, LD Michelle received her bachelor’s in dietetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master of public health nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Michelle began her work with The Emily Program in 2008. She enjoys helping families and clients who struggle with COE/BED improve their relationship with food. Her current work includes meeting with a variety of clients individually, developing family programming in Compulsive Overeating Intensive Outpatient Programs (COE IOP) and facilitating nutritional components of the Intensive Day Program (IDP). As a certified pediatric specialist and licensed registered dietitian, she frequently presents on healthy eating for children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Michelle has been featured on the Minneapolis local affiliate of CBS news (WCCO-TV) and The Whatever Show, as well as published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition in Clinical Practice. | |
| B. Timothy Walsh, M.D. W&J Ruane Professor of Pediatric Psychopharmacology (in Psychiatry) Columbia University Medical Center B. Timothy Walsh, M.D., a graduate of Princeton University and of Harvard Medical School, joined the staff of Columbia University Medical Center in 1979 and established the Eating Disorders Research Unit at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Walsh is currently the Ruane Professor of Pediatric Psychopharmacology in the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, and Director of the Division of Clinical Therapeutics at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Walsh’s research group has examined biological and psychological abnormalities which contribute to the development and perpetuation of disturbances in eating behavior, and investigated both psychological and pharmacological treatments for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Dr. Walsh is a member of the DSM-5 Task Force and chairs the Eating Disorders Workgroup for DSM-5. He is a past president of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and of the Eating Disorders Research Society. | |
| Debra Weinberg, MS Debra Weinberg, M.S. is the Director and Coordinator of The Emotional Eating Program at The Renfrew Center, the country’s first treatment center for women with eating disorders. A therapist for over 20 years and a Renfrew Center staff member for ten years, Debra also facilitates groups focusing on understanding and overcoming compulsive behaviors. She has presented at The Renfrew Foundation Conference and other national conferences on both topics. Debra is based at the Renfrew Philadelphia, PA, site, one of the nine states in which Renfrew provides services. | |
| Jess Weiner Author, Self-Esteem Expert, Consultant, Media Personality & Chief Creative Officer Talk to Jess LLC (TTJ) Jess Weiner is this generation’s “Go-to Girl” for self-esteem! Whether she is hosting a seminar for mothers and daughters on today’s pressure to be beautiful, writing her monthly columns for Seventeen Magazine and MSN.com, or speaking out on programs like Oprah, CNN, or The Today Show, Jess motivates women and girls around the globe to develop the tools for living a more confident life! She is currently The Chief Creative Officer for Talk to Jess, LLC (TTJ), and Founder of the Actionist® Network. TTJ is a multi-platform company creating media programs that focus on storytelling for social change. TTJ also offers consulting services for brands, individuals and companies who desire to reach a female demographic with an authentic and energetic message of empowerment. Jess intrinsically understands the core issues impacting women and girls today and comes to her wisdom organically through her own experiences. She offers raw disclosure of those experiences in her first book, “A Very Hungry Girl”, which chronicle the struggle in her teen years with body image, eating disorders and depression. Jess was inspired to write her second book, “Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now”, to further explore how low self- image controls the way women think about their health, wealth, family, career, and relationships. She is currently working on her third book aimed at helping mothers raise truly confident girls. For over 15 years, Jess has been a leader and pioneer within the confidence community. Her unique story and prestigious career have been featured by hundreds of international media outlets and she was recently named by Forbes.com as one of the 14 Power Women to Follow on Twitter! | |
| Kitty Westin, MA, LP Kitty Westin, M.A., L.P. began her work in advocacy 10 years ago after her daughter, Anna Westin, died from anorexia. She and her family founded the Anna Westin Foundation in 2000 (now the Emily Program Foundation) and in the past 10 years she has spoken to millions to people about the seriousness of eating disorders through personal appearances and the media. Kitty is the current president of the Emily Program Foundation. Kitty is active in the Eating Disorders Coalition and has served as board president and been a member of the board for 9 years. Kitty co-chairs the AED Advocacy Communications Committee and is a member of the Patient Career Task Force. | |
| Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD Dr. Ruth Quillian Wolever is a clinical health psychologist and the Research Director of Duke Integrative Medicine (Duke IM) as well as the Director of Behavioral Health & Lifestyle Coaching at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. Specializing in behavior change, treatment of stress-related problems, and mind-body health, Ruth studies the integration of innovative Mind-Body-Spirit treatments into mainstream medicine. Her NIH-funded research focuses on the use of mindfulness meditation techniques to improve eating behavior and weight management. She has also explored integrative treatments to improve diabetes control and sleep: Some of this work focuses on the role of integrative health coaching in creating significant lifestyle change. | |
| H. Theresa Wright, MS, RD, LDN H. Theresa Wright, MS, RD, LDN is a nationally recognized registered dietitian known for her innovative approaches to the treatment of addictive and compulsive eating disorders. Theresa assists individual clients in developing the skills, support, and lifestyle changes that lead to freedom from self-destructive food behaviors. For groups, she creates and teaches innovative, effective nutrition and weight management programs combining practical nutrition and food information with behavior modification, self-management techniques, and principles of personal growth. Theresa presents at regional and national conferences, workshops, and retreats; she provides programs and consulting services for corporations, treatment facilities, and professional organizations. She is a gentle and skilled nutritional therapist and a cogent and powerful presenter. In thirty-one years as a registered dietitian, Theresa has worked in all areas of nutrition counseling. She holds both bachelors and masters degrees in nutrition science, is a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist, and Founder and President of Renaissance Nutrition Center, Inc. | |
