REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Maureen Peterson, MA, LMHC, CEDS-S

Maureen Peterson is the NorthWestern Outpatient Regional Director and Program Director at Center for Discovery Tacoma OP 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

Britton Peters, MS, LMHC

Britton is a licensed mental health therapist in the state of WA. She attended the University of South Carolina to receive a BA in Experimental Psychology (2011) and Francis Marion University to complete an MS in Clinical Psychology (2013).

Britton practices multicultural competence and has worked in many different therapeutic environments, from outpatient to residential care. From a tribal reservation to an eating disorder hospital center. Women’s issues, family systems, and trauma are clinical specializations for Britton. As a clinician she is  CPI, crisis prevention, certified and operates with an understanding of trauma informed care. At center for discovery, we treat comorbid diagnoses, and the whole person- not just the eating disorder. Britton brings a range of clinical experience that addresses all of these together, in the bellevue house.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Jauna Cruz, MA, LMFTA

Jauna Cruz is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate in Washington State. Jauna received her BA in Psychology from the California State University of Long Beach and her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University. During graduate school, she began working in the Eating Disorder field as a Counselor and enjoyed being able to provide support to clients at meal times, offer a safe place to process emotions, encourage healthy coping skills, facilitate groups and utilize crisis intervention skills at the moment. From that experience, Jauna learned she was passionate about helping individuals with eating disorder rebuild a healthy relationship with food. Jauna joined the Center for Discovery team in 2018 as a Primary Therapist at the Bellevue residential facility. In this role, she works to provide an individualized treatment approach to best support clients and families working toward recovery.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Melissa Holmes, PA-C

Melissa has 17 years of experience in Family Practice. Her career started in private practice in Sanford, North Carolina. She moved to Seattle in 2002 and supported the Valley Medical Center’s residency program for 10 yrs. In 2011 she left VMC to help open Greenlake Primary Care where she is currently Clinic Director. She enjoys providing personalized healthcare and a medical home to her panel of patients who range from newborns to geriatrics. She started specializing in Eating Disorders on 2011. She believes in a multidisciplinary team approach to treating eating disorders and has expertise in monitoring and treating medical complications in these patients. She provides medical support to all levels of care in eating disorder treatment. Melissa works closely with Dr Naomi Busch, who supervises all admissions to Edmonds. Dr Busch is a Board Certified Family Physician working out of her primary care office in Seattle.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Julia Fulk, RD

Julia completed her undergraduate degree in 2015 at Bluffton University in Bluffton, OH. She completed her dietetic internship, with a focus in sustainable food systems, at Montana State University. Julia is now a Certified Dietitian in the state of Washington and is passionate about helping clients develop a positive relationship with food and body. Julia has experience working in a variety of settings including outpatient, food service, and food security working at a large food bank in Seattle. Julia is excited to be working with the strong clinical team at Center for Discovery.

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.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Amanda Kieser, MA LMHCA

Amanda Kieser is a Clinical Mental Health Therapist Associate in Washington State. Amanda received her BA in Psychology from Central Washington University and her MA in Counseling from City University in Seattle. Amanda began working in mental health in 2013 as a case manager and overtime she discovered a passion for therapy. During graduate school, she began working as an intern at Center for Discovery and quickly found a connection to the work within treating eating disorders. She enjoys getting to know the clients, working toward a client’s goals, exploring new coping skills and strategies, and helping support through meals and any difficulties that may arise. Amanda was hired on for the Center for Discovery team in September 2020 as a Primary Therapist at the Bellevue residential facility. In this role, she strives to provide individualized care to best support clients and families working toward recovery.