PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Gabrielle Katz, LCSW, CEDS

Gabrielle (Gabby) Katz is the Program Director of Center for Discovery, Alexandria Outpatient. Gabby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia. Gabby graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Master of Social Work program. During her time at UPenn, Gabby worked as a clinical social worker in multiple settings, including an inpatient psychiatric hospital. She also volunteered as a sexual assault hotline counselor at Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center. After graduating from UPenn, Gabby worked at an eating disorder inpatient and partial hospitalization program where she began as the Primary Therapist and concluded her tenure as the Program Manager. Due to Gabby’s extensive experience working in eating disorder treatment centers, Gabby has become certified as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). Gabby utilizes an eclectic therapeutic model including CBT, MI, and DBT, but she believes the most important aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. On top of Gabby’s extensive eating disorder treatment experience and training, Gabby was the Board President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Capital Area Chapter (AFSP NCAC) from 2014-2018. Through AFSP NCAC and LivingWorks, Gabby received her certification as a safeTALK trainer. Gabby has been providing suicide education and prevention trainings to communities in the DMV area since 2014.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Carly Onopa, RD

Carly is a Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery’s Alexandria outpatient eating disorder and mental health program. Carly began her career at Elon University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Inspired by the role that food plays in overall health, Carly pursued a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise program. Carly continued her professional development in the Virginia Tech Dietetic Internship program where she spent considerable time cultivating motivational interviewing skills in a counseling environment. Carly believes that the foundation of lifelong health is nourishing the body and engaging in joyful movement. In her role, Carly aims to support clients on their path to recovery by helping them re-establish a healthy connection with food and eating so they are able to nourish their body for all life has in store.

THERAPIST

Lindsay Wright, MSW

Lindsay Wright is a Primary Therapist at the Center for Discovery in Alexandria, VA. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), she has practiced in medical and mental health settings as a clinical social worker, researcher, and therapist. For example, Lindsay has provided therapy for a wide range of mental health and adjustment challenges – including depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and grief – and has worked extensively with survivors of sexual trauma and domestic violence. Based from her considerable experience working with both comorbid medical and mental health concerns and the bodily manifestations of psychological trauma, Lindsay has a particular interest in the connection between physical and mental well-being. Thus, she is committed to helping clients strengthen their physical and mental health as they work toward recovery from eating disorders, where this connection is especially important.

Lindsay aims to facilitate healing with individualized strategies developed through close collaboration with her clients. Specifically, her therapeutic approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing and is augmented with aspects of mindfulness and interpersonal process. Lindsay is a strong proponent of intuitive eating and the Health at Every Size movement.

THERAPIST

Hallie Fliesch, LCSW

Hallie Fleisch, LCSW, graduated from The Ohio State University with her Bachelor’s in Social Work and Washington University with her Master’s in Social Work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Primary Therapist for Center for Discovery, Hallie comes with extensive experience in the mental health field. Hallie has worked with children and adolescents in hospital settings, partial-hospital and intensive out patient facilities, and schools. She has worked with families on improving communication, educated them on a variety of mental health issues, and provided them tools to support their loved ones. Hallie has experience working with depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, and distorted body image concerns that are often times co-occurring with eating disorders. She has experience providing meal support and community based assistance to individuals with eating disorders. Hallie is passionate about helping individuals struggling with eating disorders and other mental health issues improve their self-esteem and address underlying issues in order to be healthy. She is very excited to be part of the Discovery Difference® and to use her expertise in the Alexandria, VA program.

THERAPIST

Rachael Scholl, MSW

Rachael Scholl received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington, and then continued on to receive her Master of Social Work in Clinical Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University. Rachael specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and trauma, and has additional experience working with a variety of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. Rachael is interested in the connection between life experiences and eating behaviors, and is passionate about the inextricable link between mind and body – recognizing the importance of simultaneous healing.

Rachael is grounded in evidence-based practice, utilizing an integrated approach informed by cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, while employing strengths-based and person-centered frameworks. Rachael views therapy as a collaborative process, that can assist in identifying and working through challenges, so that life can be lived in more balanced and fulfilling ways. She strives to create a safe space for individuals to freely express their authentic selves, while working together to set and progress toward therapeutic goals.

MILIEU MANAGER

Sabrina Paulsen

Sabrina graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with minors in criminal justice. Sabrina began working as an Eating Disorder Technician at an eating disorder treatment center in Seattle, Washington. After working as a Tech for 9 months, Sabrina decided to move back to the East Coast and continuing to provide support and care to those with struggling with eating disorders and other mental health concerns. She plans to continue pursuing her career in eating disorder treatment at Center for Discovery and by returning to school for a master’s degree to obtain her licensure as a therapist.

THERAPIST

Holly Serrano, MA, NCC

Holly Serrano has a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. Practicing since 2015, Holly is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Professional-Resident in Virginia. Holly has worked with women, children, teens and families to address a range of concerns such as anxiety, body image, crisis intervention, disordered eating/eating disorders, healthy relationships, family dynamics and self- harm. She has seen how eating disorders in particular signal deeper concerns for clients that tie into questions of identity and purpose. Holly enjoys coming alongside clients as they learn skills to overcome their eating disorder and reconnect with joy in their lives.

THERAPIST

Sara Boothe

Sara Boothe graduated from Duquesne University with her BA in Psychology, and is currently in getting her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Marymount University. Sara is an on-call Counselor for Center for Discovery, bringing two years of previous clinical experience from her work at an eating disorder treatment center inpatient level of care. Sara is currently focusing her learning on different types of trauma, and the best new treatments for those suffering trauma’s side effects. Sara respects and embraces the multiplicity of Eating Disorder’s, being that those suffering from ED may also experience anxiety, depression, substance abuse, etc. By emphasizing the independent self, and the holistic acceptance of body, mind, and spirit, Sara is honored to be even a small part of each client’s recovery journey.

COUNSELOR

Abby Dilk

Abby Dilk is a counselor at Center for Discovery, where her main role is to support clients during meals and snacks and leads the Nutrition in the News and Kitchen Skills groups. Prior to working at the Center for Discovery, Abby worked for two years at a non-profit where she advocated for various nutrition policies on Capitol Hill and through her work on reports and letters to federal agencies. She earned her B.S. in Nutrition Science from Purdue University, with minors in biology and chemistry, from Purdue University in 2016. She is currently finishing up her Master of Public Health Nutrition at The George Washington University. Abby hopes to someday be an eating disorder therapist and/or work to integrate mental health promotion and the Health at Every Size model into the public health framework. In her free time, Abby enjoys camping and hiking with her boyfriend and family that live in Colorado.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Ashley Balderson, RDN

Ashley is a Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery, Alexandria Outpatient. Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Maryland, College Park. During her time at the University of Maryland, Ashley worked with both adolescents and adults in various settings, such as leading a cooking camp for adolescents and providing nutrition education to adults with prediabetes. Following her degree, Ashley completed her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) in Baltimore, Maryland. During this internship, Ashley gained experience in nutrition counseling with a wide variety of populations, both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Ashley is delighted to be part of the team at Center for Discovery. She is truly passionate about helping others develop a positive relationship with food and emphasizing the “all foods fit” philosophy at Center for Discovery.

Counselor

Mallory Williamson

Mallory is excited to join the Alexandria Outpatient team. Mallory comes to this position with two years of experience as a dietetic tech and counselor at the residential level of care with Center for Discovery. Mallory has experience leading nutrition education groups, art therapy groups, shame resilience groups, and has well-established crisis intervention skills. Prior to joining Center for Discovery, Mallory played an integral role in the development and subsequent implementation of rehabilitation programming for victims of human trafficking while pursuing her degree in psychology at Southeastern University. Mallory values individualized care and as such finds great meaning in the care she provides those in recovery from eating disorders and co-occurring diagnoses. Through her professional experience, Mallory developed a passion for the administrative details and responsibilities that ensure quality client care within our treatment facilities. Mallory plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Mallory lives her life by the quote “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Counselor

Michaela Heckman

Michaela Heckman is a Counselor at Center for Discovery in Alexandria, VA. She received both her Bachelor’s in Psychology and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Michaela has experience working with women, adolescents and children, providing both early intervention services and mental health counseling in a variety of settings. She has provided home based services while working with children on the autism spectrum, and prior to joining the Center for Discovery team was working in a residential treatment center for individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. She has worked with a wide range of concerns including crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and substance use. Michaela firmly believes in creating a safe space for her clients to work on their most authentic, whole and healthy self. She is excited to work with clients in this step of their recovery journey.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Kathleen Corcoran

Katie is a Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery Alexandria Outpatient. Katie received her Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Michigan where she took courses in eating disorder prevention and treatment and weight bias. Prior to joining the team at Center for Discovery, Katie worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings providing care for diverse patient populations, including adolescents with eating disorders. Katie relies on the tools of motivational interviewing to walk alongside clients in their recovery journey.

As a dietitian, Katie practices with an intuitive eating philosophy and Health at Every Size ® approach to provide evidence-based, compassionate and weight-inclusive care. Katie aims to help clients find freedom from food rules and be able to discover their own passion, purpose, and joy in life. Katie appreciates the many roles that food plays in life and firmly believes that all foods fit!