REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Maureen Peterson, MA, LMHC, CEDS-S

Maureen Peterson is the Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest & Northern California at Center For Discovery treating adolescents, adults, and families impacted by eating disorders. Maureen is a licensed mental health counselor and earned her BA  in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University and her MA in Counseling Psychology from Saint Martin’s University. She also completed a certificate program in The Long Term Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders through the University of Washington School of Social Work. Maureen has been working in the mental health field since 1991 and has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders since 1996. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. In 2011, Maureen received the “Spirit of the Alliance” award through the Alliance for Families, a national organization. She is passionate about community service, and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jodanna (Jodi) Ray, LMHC

Jodi is an experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Program Director with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health care industry for over 10 years. She is skilled in working with nonprofit organizations, crisis intervention, family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), group therapy, and psychotherapy. Jodi is a strong business development professional with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University in Seattle, WA.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL OUTREACH

Jenni Scharf

Jenni Scharf is the Clinical Outreach Supervisor and Staff Recruitment Representative at Center For Discovery in the Northwest treating adolescents, adults and families impacted by eating disorders. Jenni earned her degree in Journalism, with an emphasis in Management from Western Washington University. Jenni has been working in healthcare marketing since 2001 and has held seats on 4 separate Pacific Northwest iaedp chapter boards. Jenni loves being a resource for professionals. She is a wife and mom to three kids and is passionate about helping families find the recovery they need to be healthy, whole and happy once again.

Diet Tech

Chelsea Bates, BS

Chelsea earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Culinary Arts from Bastyr University. She believes that food can be a powerful tool in healing body ailments and she has a passion for teaching people how to be confident in the kitchen. During her time at Bastyr, she interned with PCC Cooks to develop and teach hands-on classes for all age and skill levels. Chelsea believes in the Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating philosophies and is a huge proponent for integrating a mind-body-spirit approach to all aspects of wellness and recovery.

In her free time Chelsea enjoys hot yoga, going hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, dancing, doing crafts and hanging out with her daughter.

THERAPIST

Toni Hughes, LSWAIC

Toni is a Licensed Clinical Independent Social Worker (LSWAIC) and earned her Master of Arts in Social Work with a specialty in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Southern California. Following graduation, Toni facilitated an equine assisted learning and psychotherapy program for at-risk youth, disabled persons, children, and adults. Toni transitioned to acute inpatient psychiatric care as a certified mental health professional where she worked with youth and their families, as well as with adults, to further her clinical skills. In April of 2019, Toni joined the Center For Discovery team and began providing therapy for individuals and their families seeking treatment and recovery from their eating disorder. Toni takes a solution-focused approach to her work with clients and incorporates motivational interviewing strategies into her clinical practice. Toni believes clients deserve a collaborative approach where they feel heard and empowered in their journey towards recovery.

MILIEU MANAGER

Meghan Thomas, BS

Meghan graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She went abroad to medical school for a year, helping to serve Indigenous Peoples, but felt her calling was in the mental health field with more client contact. She is focused on destigmatizing mental health care and a proactive instead of always a reactive healthcare system. She has a special interest in bringing care to adolescents and their support systems to set them up for success for the rest of their lives. She is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Meghan encourages the use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and promotes good self-care routines. Outside of work Meghan enjoys reading, taking walks and hikes with her clinically anxious dog and spending time with her husband and friends.

COUNSELOR

Miranda Foley, BS

Miranda graduated from Bastyr University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Science in June, 2020. She has experience working as a food science intern at Taylor Farms and she helped create a nutrition learning program for a Seattle food bank in the spring of 2020. She is focused on equal access health care for LGBTQ+ folks. She believes in the Health at Every Size philosophy. Currently she is working on becoming a trauma-informed yoga instructor. In her free time, Miranda enjoys doing yoga, going hiking, rock climbing, and reading outside in her hammock. She also takes care of her many plants and two cats.

Counselor

Shawna Kelley, MA

Shawna has been working in the eating disorders field since 2006, helping build relationships within the community to provide the best care for clients. She attended California State University, Chico for both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Communications. Shawna has been in the eating disorders field for 15 years in marketing and program development. She strongly believes in the Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating philosophies that underlies CFD’s client care and understands full recovery is possible.

Counselor and Diet Tech

Sarah (SN) Douglas, BS

Sarah, SN for short, is a Counselor and Diet Tech at Center for Discovery. She also works at the adult Bellevue residential facility. Her background is in Clinical Nutrition working in hospitals. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. SN is currently studying at Bastyr University for graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology and Nutrition. SN loves to laugh and play outside.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Rebecca Aronsen, RD, CD

Rebecca Aronsen has worked for Center for Discovery since 2013, first a Diet Technician and currently as a Registered Dietitian. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University, and completed her dietetic internship through The Sage Colleges in New York. Rebecca is also a Be Body Positive Facilitator in which she uses these skills and lessons with her clients to help them in their recovery.

In her spare time Rebecca enjoys hiking and backpacking around the Cascade Mountains, gardening, and cooking. Her passion for helping others is cultivated in her work as she walks with her clients through their journeys of making peace with food and their bodies.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Virginia Alcalde, RDN, CD, E-RYT

Virginia “Gigi” Alcalde is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and has been with Center for Discovery since 2018. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and completed her dietetic internship at Bastyr University. Gigi believes in an integrative mind-body-spirit approach to healing disordered eating and eating disorders, and considers the reuniting and nourishment of all three parts as essential to recovery. With a person-centered and compassionate approach, Gigi supports individuals with nutrition therapy in individual sessions and therapeutic group meal settings. Gigi incorporates modalities such as intuitive eating principles, Be Body Positive competencies, and mindfulness practices into her interventions and interactions.

Gigi is currently completing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Bastyr University with the hope to further integrate nutrition, yoga, and psychology as she continues to support individuals in healing their relationship with food and body.Gigi is also a Certified Yoga Instructor and has been teaching yoga to diverse populations in the community since 2013.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Stephanie Crowe, RDN, CD

Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition from Central Washington University. She completed over 1300 hours of supervised practice in her Dietetic Internship, which led her journey to Center for Discovery. Currently, she is working towards being certified as a CEDRD. Stephanie had always been interested in mental health, social sciences, nutrition, counseling, and the mind-body connection. Her nutrition approach is rooted in Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating Principles. Her counseling style comes from a place of inclusivity and compassion. She is passionate about supporting others in their journey through eating disorder recovery and is thankful to be able to work closely with individuals and families.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Anna Higgins, LMHCA

Anna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Washington state, and is currently working towards the Registered Art Therapist Provisional (ATR-P) credential. She earned her Masters of Science in Art Therapy at Florida State University following a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and undergraduate therapeutic arts training at The University of Tampa. In the past, Anna has worked within diverse population settings including older adults living with Parkinson’s disease, adults in inpatient and residential psychiatric treatment, previously homeless military veterans in transitional housing, as well as young adults in intensive outpatient mental health-care programs. Anna is passionate about bringing creativity into the therapeutic space to support self-exploration, build insight, and empower clients as they find their voice through creative expression.

DIET TECHNICIAN

River Jewett, BS

River graduated from California State University, Chico with her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. She has volunteered with community nutrition organizations such as WIC and Center for Healthy Communities, and the market match program through Calfresh. She has experience working in the hospital setting as a diet technician and is excited to use that to work in the eating disorders field. Working at Center for Discovery is both rewarding and challenging and River hopes to use what she learns to continue down a path of inclusivity in the realm of intuitive movement and healing.

In her free time River enjoys moving her body, especially in wild natural spaces, and swimming in alpine lakes. A dedicated artist, River uses her creative expression through drawing to challenge societal ideas around bodies, beauty, diet culture, acceptance, equality, and sustainability.

Dietetic Intern

Lilian Jurado, BS

Lilly graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree in food science & nutrition. She completed her dietetic internship of 1,200 supervised practice hours and has worked in hospital food service as a diet technician and dietitian/store manager for a frozen-food company, emphasizing nutrition. She practices Intuitive Eating and loves helping people find a wholesome relationship with food. 

Outside of work, Lilly likes biking, yoga and listening to podcasts. She adopted a French bulldog last year named Cupcake and loves going on adventures with her dog. Her short-term goal is to backpack through Europe or South America next year.

Therapist

Nathan Potthoff

Nathan is a licensed mental health counselor associate and certified nutritionist. He earned his Master in Science degrees, both in nutrition and clinical health psychology at Bastyr University where he also worked as a student clinician at their Center for Natural Health. Nathan has practiced from a Health at Every Size® (HAES®)-centered and mindfulness-based orientation ever since. For the past year, Nathan has been in practicum at a large non-profit in the greater Seattle area as part of their community networks and outreach program for IDD and dual-diagnostic individuals. He brings an integrative approach to his work with a focus on third-wave behavioral therapies, as well as narrative and existential therapies. Nathan is committed to HAES and Be Body Positive as guiding philosophies to provide a safe and non-judgmental space that embraces all identities.