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BRIDGEWATER OUTPATIENT EATING DISORDER PROGRAM

Bridgewater, NJ

HOME / LOCATIONS / BRIDGEWATER, NJ (OUTPATIENT)

Virtual treatment available: CFD outpatient programs can also be accessed via online telehealth services.

Center for Discovery Bridgewater is an outpatient eating disorder facility that has been operating since April 2017 and treats patients of all ages and all genders. The Bridgewater, New Jersey, location offers intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs. We serve patients and families living in the counties of central New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and along our shore, providing easy access for clients from the surrounding areas. The outpatient center has ample parking and is easily accessible from Route 287 or Route 78. Treatment modalities we offer include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure & response prevention (ERP) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

In addition to receiving evidence-based therapies, patients all have the opportunity to put “joyful” back into movement through yoga and other activities. Discovery’s specialized binge eating disorder (BED) program, Path to Peace, is also offered at this location.

Insurances we accept include but are not limited to BCBS- Horizon, Cigna / Great West, HealthNet, MCCP (Medical Cost Containment Professionals, LLC) and UNICARE – Beacon HS. Please remember that the insurances we accept change frequently. Our insurance team will verify your coverage.

Bridgewater outpatient provides patients with mindful movement, expressive arts and social media therapy groups while also providing therapy for patients who have a history of trauma. Bridgewater outpatient provides theme days as a way to bring fun into the therapy program, which allows patients to practice self-expression in a positive environment. Upon successful completion of the outpatient program, each patient is presented with a celebratory ceremony.

MEET THE TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Mullin

SENIOR MILIEU MANAGER

Ariyel Whitehead, CPD

LEAD REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Katie Hawkins MS, RDN

PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Nicole Dorio, DO

CLINICAL OUTREACH TERRITORY MANAGER - NORTHEAST

Cathy Lane

ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Samantha Renfree

DIET TECHNICIAN

Kiersten Higgins, ED

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Mullin

Linda Mullin is a board certified licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor with extensive expertise in operational and crisis management. Linda’s breadth of clinical work includes serving individuals, groups and families in community, outpatient, hospital inpatient, and private settings. Her approach is to aid individuals to live their best life possible in spite of their fears, regain control and repair what is most important to them. She believes wholeheartedly in the human connection and our ability to help one another through life’s challenges and to celebrate one another’s successes.

Linda imparts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) enhanced by evidence-based frameworks of CPT, TEAM, and EFT for the treatment of trauma, panic & phobia, OCD, social anxiety, general anxiety, anger, and depression. As an enhancement to her therapeutic services, she is also trained in therapeutic hypnosis.

SENIOR MILIEU MANAGER

Ariyel Whitehead, CPD

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, project management, systems development, and customer service.In the winter of 2021 Ariyel became the Senior Milieu Manager of the Bridgewater program in addition to becoming a Licensed Be Body Positive Facilitator. In her new roles, Ariyel supports with training new Milieu Managers. As a Licensed Be Body Positive Facilitator, she provides a safe space for each individual to find their voices while making peace with the bodies they’re in.

Ariyel takes pride and joy in assisting others with their healing journey. She is grateful to be a part of the Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program team.

LEAD REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Katie Hawkins MS, RDN

Katie is a registered dietitian at Center for Discovery (CFD). She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics. After obtaining her registered dietetic technician credential, Katie worked as a dietetic technician at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio for a few years. She then went on to complete her Master of Science degree in clinical nutrition from Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine and Science and completed a distance dietetic internship with Nutrition Ink. After passing her registered dietitian exam, Katie went on to work in endocrinology with patients living with diabetes. While completing her master’s degree, she focused on eating disorders and related topics whenever possible, as it has always been an area of nutrition she has felt passionate about. Katie firmly believes in fostering healthy relationships with food, both in her own life and most importantly when working with patients and clients. She is very excited to be a member of the team at CFD and is honored to be a part of the treatment team and journey to recovery of every patient that passes through our doors.

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.

CLINICAL OUTREACH TERRITORY MANAGER - NORTHEAST

Cathy Lane

Cathy Lane is the Northeast Clinical Outreach Territory Manager for Discovery Behavioral Health. She dedicated the first 15 years of her career to the field of eating disorders treatment, during which she found her passion for being the connector, helper, and leader she is today. 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 ultimate goal is to create a path to recovery for those struggling with eating disorders, mental health, and substance use by sharing what makes our Discovery Behavioral Health programs unique and ensuring 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 sons, and enjoys crocheting, camping, and making sure each day includes a little bit of sunshine.
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Samantha Renfree

Sam is a Licensed Associate Counselor here at Center for Discovery. Sam holds value for the process of growing towards living our lives as our authentic, true selves. Sam views healing as a journey rather than a goal. She strives to meet people where they are in their journey and walk beside them as they discover patterns that may be holding them back. Sam employs a foundation that believes people are innately resilient and capable of growth when given the appropriate tools. Operating out of a holistic view, she aims to find approaches that complement each individual’s needs, attending to the factors outside of themselves that influence where they are now and how they have come to be. Sam is passionate about incorporating a practice of embodying authenticity, compassionate self-awareness, radical acceptance and living wholeheartedly. She has worked with clients in childhood through adulthood, in individual, group and family settings. Sam has experience with clients in the PHP/IOP/OP level of care working with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, bipolar as well as others. Sam exerts a humanistic approach with components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy as well as others. Sam received her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University and her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University.
“Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown

DIET TECHNICIAN

Kiersten Higgins, ED

Kiersten recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and a minor in kinesiology. Before working at Center for Discovery, she worked at multiple senior living homes as a server and dietary aide. This allowed her to work with those with cognitive decline and acquire patience and compassion that she uses within her everyday life and will bring to this environment as well. Kiersten’s previous work environment also allowed her to help residents make choices about food and encourage them to try new things, which she will strive to do here at Center for Discovery. She believes in promoting intuitive eating and developing food freedom to empower patients to continue making quality choices even after they leave care. Kiersten plans to incorporate her own life experiences to bring her unique perspective to the patients Center for Discovery serves and to make an impact on anyone that walks through the doors.

Here’s What Patients Say After Completing Treatment*

  • 97% can identify their triggers*
  • 97% believe they can help themselves get better*
  • 96% understand when to ask for help*

“Everyone here was caring and helpful. They cared for my daughter like she was their own.” -Jamie K., parent of CFD Bridgewater alumni

“CFD addressed my daughter’s needs during each step of recovery and treated her as an individual. Her treatment was tailored to her circumstances, and not a generic treatment based only on her eating disorder. I believe all clients at CFD were treated this way.” – Dawn K., parent of CFD Bridgewater alumni

*Percentage includes adult and adolescent patients who admitted to the Center for Discovery program in 2021 (between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2021) and completed the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS, N=2,644). Average treatment range 41.3 days for those who completed treatment (did not discharge to higher level of care, due to insurance, against treatment advice transfer or administratively).

Support Group

This location provides free online eating disorder support groups. Our online support groups vary. Find out more about how to join our free support groups.

Preferred In-Network Provider for All Major Health Insurance

FIND HELP TODAY CALL 866.482.3876
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