PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Shannon Smith, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, DRCC

Shannon completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Rutgers College before obtaining her Masters in Professional Counseling at Monmouth University. She additionally holds a Post Masters Certificate in Psychological Counseling from Monmouth U. Shannon has over 15 years of experience providing supportive and therapeutic services to adults, adolescents and their families. Her experience involves serving as an in-home behavioral assistant/interventionist for at-risk adolescents as well as an in-home therapist for adolescents and their families who have struggled with severe emotional and psychological issues. Shannon has also worked as a therapist for a facility that serves women and children who were victims of domestic abuse.

Shannon brings to Discovery 8.5 years of experience as a primary therapist at one of the two only inpatient eating disorder inpatient hospitalization programs in the state of New Jersey. She has worked closely with people suffering from eating disorders and co-occurring disorders and their families in both the inpatient and partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient settings. Shannon maintains a private practice that she has owned and operated since 2011, and additionally provides clinical supervisor for Licensed Associate Counselors as an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has participated in many community outreach programs both through speaking engagements and through a weekly support group that she facilitated. Shannon is a proud volunteer for the NJ Disaster Response Crisis team, as well as maintains a membership with the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Shannon has worked as a proud Program Director for Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program since the start of Discovery’s Outpatient presence in New Jersey in 2016. She has had the privilege of starting both the Paramus Outpatient and Bridgewater Outpatient programs between 2016 and 2017, and has worked as Program Director of both. She is currently the full time Program Director of the Bridgewater facility. Shannon is committed to providing an individualized client and family experience.

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.

FACILITY COORDINATOR

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 Facility Coordinator, 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.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Caroline Calegari, LAMFT

Caroline Calegari joins Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program as a Program Therapist. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and later returned to Rutgers to complete her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She subsequently completed Kean University’s graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy and has been working as a clinician since 2010. Her earlier experience includes working in a residential treatment facility providing group counseling services for youth with emotional and psychological issues. This was followed by 6.5 years as a clinician working for a non-profit organization in their Community Outreach Program providing clinical support to individuals with mental illness; assisting adults in their recovery through identifying and achieving their goals.

She has done extensive in-home work with adults, children and families providing support, education, advocacy and stabilization services. She also works as a Therapist for a medical center providing school-based supportive counseling services to youth. Caroline is currently working towards completing her clinical hours to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She has dedicated her career to helping others and hopes to bring empathy, hope and support to those in their recovery.

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

Leah Kinder, LAC, LAMFT

Leah completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at California State University, Northridge, and her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Seton Hall University. Leah comes to Center for Discovery with a diverse and extensive clinical background. During her graduate training, Leah worked with both the incarcerated population, as well as with community and crisis management cases. Following the completion of her degree, Leah worked in an inpatient psychiatric facility, and then in an outpatient practice, specializing in the treatment of Eating Disorders. Prior to coming to Center for Discovery, Leah participated in a program designated to the treatment of eating disorders, both in a primary clinical, as well as a program development role.

Leah brings a positive energy and passion to her work, and she is overjoyed with the opportunity to be a part of the Center for Discovery treatment team. Having the chance to help patients work towards their recovery is so fulfilling, and it is an opportunity that she feels very grateful for.

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.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Veronica Garnett, R.D.

Veronica is a Health at Every Size, fat positive, and culinary registered dietitian with over 16 years of experience in the food and nutrition field. Prior to coming to Center for Discovery, Veronica has worked in a variety of settings including community-based organizations and clinics in NYC, some of the largest hospital and educational networks in NJ, and even schools and churches in Senegal and Haiti. Her mission has been and still is to provide nutritional care that is culturally-sensitive, weight-inclusive, and grounded in social justice. Veronica received her bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Howard University, her master’s degree in nutrition education from Columbia University, and most recently, her associate’s degree in culinary arts from Hudson County Community College.

Veronica is the creator and host of an online cooking show which aims to dismantle fatphobia, diet culture and other oppressive systems. She is a founding member of a Black dietitian collective which aims to bring the HAES and Intuitive Eating frameworks to communities of color. She is also the founder of an organization that has a mission to support the well-being of Black women by connecting them to one another and adventure experiences in their local communities and beyond.

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.