PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dinelle V. Polchinski, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS

Dinelle is excited to be the Program Director at Center for Discovery in Bridgewater, NJ. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at The College of New Jersey before earning her Master’s Degree in Applied Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is trained in individual, couples and structural family therapy. Dinelle brings close to 20 years of experience in the field but is consistently learning and recently earned her Grief Support Specialist Certification. In addition, she works part time as an outpatient therapist for a small private practice in Marlboro, NJ where she works with various diagnoses with ages ranging from school aged children, adolescents and adults. Over the course of her career, she has gained experience working with a diverse population of clients in various settings including traditional outpatient, intensive in-community, partial hospitalization, partial care, intensive outpatient, residential and supportive housing. Dinelle is an Approved Clinical Supervisor and in 2017, she was honored to earn the Supervisor of the Year Award from the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. She strongly believes in the importance of teamwork and is thrilled to join the Center For Discovery team.

PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Nicole Dorio, DO

Dr. Nicole Dorio is board -certified in general and forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency in psychiatry at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Rutgers University- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Since completing her training, Dr. Dorio has provided clinical psychiatric services to incarcerated and civilly committed chronically mentally ill adults and is the owner of Mentis Forensic Psychiatry LLC. She has experience in serving on a treatment team and as a team leader, and she recognizes the importance of building and involving a support team around everyone she treats.

In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Dorio also serves as an expert witness in psychiatry in New Jersey Superior Court and has been asked to provide testimony in courts across the state.

MILIEU MANAGER

Ariyel Whitehead, BS

Ariyel Whitehead earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from University of Phoenix. Prior to working for Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program, she worked in case management as a coordinator for a hospital in New Jersey. She honed her skills of providing quality care, by caring for patients with various mental conditions such as Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease. Ariyel also has clinical experience providing care in sub-acute and rehab settings.

As the Milieu Manager, Ariyel handles daily operations in the Outpatient program including administrative duties, research, clinical documentation, and customer service.

She takes pride and joy in being able to help others. Ariyel is grateful to be a part of the Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program team.

REGISTERED NURSE

Sydney Keller, RN

Sydney received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Psychology from the George Washington University. She then pursued her desire to work with adolescents and adults with eating disorders in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, both at two top Eating Disorder treatment facilities in Boston, MA. Starting off as a residential counselor and then becoming a supervisor in the inpatient setting, she has been working in the field of eating disorders for 4+ years.
In 2016, Sydney decided to pursue another dream of hers to become a Nurse Practitioner. She graduated Vanderbilt University with her MSN in Pediatric Primary Care. She is currently a full-time pediatric provider in New Jersey.

Sydney could not be more ecstatic to be a part of the team at Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program Bridgewater as a registered nurse. She is grateful for this opportunity and thankful for the support she has received from Bridgewater Outpatient.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Samantha Manthis, MA, LAMFT

Samantha received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she worked with adolescents and their families with emotional and psychological issues in a residential facility. She received her Masters at Kean University in Marriage and Family Therapy where she wrote and published her dissertation on technology and the effects on long term relationships. She has experience working with adults and families in a dual diagnosis outpatient facility. In addition to working as a clinician, she  promoted mental illness awareness in her community and helped the facility create and facilitate other therapeutic and wellness group activities for the clients.

Samantha has experience working in a residential and outpatient facility as well as private practice. She hopes to bring to her work empathy, promote courage, wholehearted living and growth while supporting her clients and their families through their personal life challenges.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Michelle Dougherty, RD

Michelle is a registered dietitian and earned her Bachelors in Nutrition and Dietetics from San Francisco State University. She completed her dietetic internship through Napa State Hospital before moving to the east coast. Michelle has worked in the field of eating disorders since 2004. She has experience in all settings, including inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization and private practice. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Michelle enjoys supporting and mentoring dietetic interns and lecturing undergrads on a part-time basis.

Michelle is thrilled for the opportunity to share her knowledge and expertise of nutrition in recovery to the clients at Center for Discovery and help in their pursuit of a healthy relationship with food.

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Cathy Lane

Cathy Lane joins Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program as the Clinical Outreach Representative for New Jersey. She has dedicated the entirety of her professional career to the treatment of eating disorders, having held leadership positions in admissions and outreach over the past decade. Cathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies from The College of New Jersey.

With a caring, patient heart and detail-oriented mind, Cathy’s goal is to create a path to recovery for those struggling with eating disorders by sharing what makes our Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program programs unique and assuring access to these services is as seamless as possible for the members of our community.

Cathy proudly lives near our beautiful New Jersey beaches with her husband and two boys, and enjoys crocheting, camping, and making sure each day includes a little bit of sunshine.

Primary Therapist

Jennifer Smith, LAC

Jennifer graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a bachelors degree in Psychology and then obtained her Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Centenary University.  She spent 15 years working as a middle school teacher where she had the ability to work with adolescents and their families in an educational capacity.  After years of teaching, Jennifer returned to Centenary University to complete a second Master’s degree in Clinical and School Counseling.  During her studies, she worked in addiction counseling where she had the opportunity to counsel individuals, groups, and families.  Additionally, she returned to the education-setting to work as a school counselor.

Prior to joining Center for Discovery, Jennifer worked at an inpatient psychiatric facility where she served as a group counselor working with general mental health and dual diagnosis.  She continues to work as an intensive in-home therapist for families in need.

Jennifer is very excited to be part of the team at Center for Discovery as a program therapist.  She brings with her a keen sense of curiosity, compassion, and empathy.  She is so grateful for the opportunity to join clients in their recovery journey.

DIET TECHNICIAN

Emily Fry

Emily Fry is a Diet Technician at Center for Discovery Bridgewater. During her time as an undergraduate at Montclair State University, Emily was an active member of the Dietetics and nutrition club and joined Delta Phi Epsilon where she helped plan events for their ANAD philanthropy. Emily studied Applied Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition and a minor in Psychology. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in Applied Nutrition in 2018 and plans to return to school to earn her master’s degree in Dietetics in hopes of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Emily believes that there are no such thing as “bad” foods, anything can fit in moderation. She is excited to share her love of food and nutrition with others and loves helping people share her love of nutrition.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Marisa Juliano, MA, LAC, NCC, ATR-P

Marisa graduated from Caldwell University with bachelors degrees in both Art and Psychology and then obtained her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy at Caldwell University. Marisa is currently a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in New Jersey, National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Art Therapist Provisional (ATR-P).

She has experience working with adults who are blind or visually impaired providing therapeutic art services for a non-profit health and wellness program, and a state-run rehabilitation program. As well, she comes to us with a background of clinical experience with adult psychiatric on the inpatient, outpatient, and residential level, dual diagnosis treatment and palliative care for adults living with HIV/AIDS, and geriatrics at the assisted living, post-acute care and long term care levels.

Prior to joining Center for Discovery, Marisa worked at nationally accredited medical center where she served as an Adjunct Therapist working with eating disorders and general mental health. She continues her work with the blind and visually impaired population while being with us.

Marisa is happy to be an addition to the team and is looking forward to bringing her art therapy experience into the treatment of eating disorders. She is grateful to be able to be a part of the client’s process of self-growth and healing, while providing a safe and empathetic space for them to be able to express themselves.