PROGRAM DIRECTOR/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emily Walkley, MA, LMFT, APCC

Emily Walkley is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who has been working in the eating disorder field since 2012. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from New York University, as well as two Master of Arts degrees from Pepperdine University (General Psychology and Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy). Emily began her training in the treatment of eating disorders working as a recovery coach in a residential facility for adolescent and adult women. Since then, she has held many positions in both residential and day treatment facilities working with a diverse population of men and women of all ages. Over the years, she has gained experience in treatment planning and client advocacy, as well as providing individual and group therapy to clients and families in all stages of the recovery process.

In addition to her training in family systems and cognitive behavioral modalities, Emily is truly a humanist at heart, placing a great deal of value on personal experience and working to aid clients in freeing themselves from limitations and understanding authentic life goals. She likes to take an integrative, solution-focused approach to therapy, building on clients’ unique strengths, circumstances, and resources to implement changes to reach preferred futures. Emily’s warm and humorous, yet straightforward, nature provides a safe space for clients to challenge their eating disorders and strengthen their healthy selves.

In addition to her role as Program Director of the Del Mar Outpatient facility, Emily also serves as Executive Director in the San Diego region, supporting the residential facilities in La Jolla and Del Mar.

ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Susan Zelenak, RD

Susan Zelenak is a Registered Dietitian who obtained her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from San Diego State University. She then went on to complete her Dietetic internship through Utah State University and is currently completing her Master’s degree from Utah State with an emphasis on Dietetic Management. Susan has worked with adolescent and adult clients in Residential and outpatient settings since 2017. Susan takes pride in creating a space for individualized care centered on Intuitive Eating principles and being aligned with Health at Every Size® approach. Susan is currently obtaining her CEDRD certification and is the Secretary on the board of IAEDP, San Diego chapter.

FACILITY COORDINATOR

Sara Burris

Sara Burris has a passion for health and wellness which is what brought her to Center for Discovery. Sara began her journey with Discovery in one of Connecticut’s eating disorder adolescent residential programs. She started as a diet technician while enrolled in Gateway Community College’s Nutrition & Dietetics program. She then joined the team at the outpatient facility in New Haven, Connecticut to further her career as a Facility Coordinator. After two years with Center for Discovery, Sara made the big move cross country to continue her journey in the Facility Coordinator role with the Del Mar team. Sara will continue to pursue her education in California with a focus on health and wellness, utilizing a focus on naturopathic medicine. Her long-term goal is to enroll in naturopathic medical school and continue to assist clients towards their recovery.

As the Facility Coordinator, Sara handles daily operations including administrative duties, research, clinical documentation, and customer service. Sara continues to strive to keep the clients and staff safe while keeping the facility a place they can call home.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF ED OUTPATIENT SERVICES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Cyndi Pulsinelli, LMFT

Cyndi Pulsinelli obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in San Diego, California. She also holds undergraduate degrees in Communication Studies and Psychology with a minor in Civic Leadership. She is a passionate clinician who believes in helping individuals and families acknowledge their authenticity while finding balance in the family system.

She practices using evidence based treatment modalities including DBT and CBT, while cultivating hope through a strengths-based approach. She has experience working with a broad range of issues including eating disorders, grief and loss, mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, family struggles, PTSD, and crisis intervention.

Cyndi has worked at Discovery’s residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient centers in Del Mar, Newport Beach, and La Jolla; where she worked as primary therapist and support staff. She provided individual, family, and group psychotherapy to adolescents and adults with eating disorders and dual diagnosis. During her graduate studies, she worked for San Diego Hospice as a bereavement counselor, providing psychotherapy to individuals and families through their bereavement journeys. While also working for the San Diego Police Department as a Crisis Interventionist for several years, offering psychological first-aid to victims and witnesses who have experienced trauma. Cyndi currently serves as a volunteer Chaplin for the Office of Emergency Services of San Diego County, providing counseling services to first-responders and victims in emergency situations.

NEUROCENTER LEAD

Christine Capuano, MA, APCC

Christine Capuano is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and currently nearing the completion of supervised clinical hours for her LPCC. She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Communication Studies at Chapman University. Initially passionate about forensic and criminal psychology, she participated in research on the testimonial accuracy of child witnesses. She received a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego and shifted focus from forensics to eating disorders once hired with Discovery. While attending USD, she helped create an assessment tool to screen for eating disorder relapse during pregnancy.

Christine has been part of the Discovery team since the opening of Del Mar’s Residential Treatment Center in November 2014, where she began working as a counselor. She completed her practicum traineeship at Del Mar RTC, during which she piloted a program on individual DBT skill training. She utilizes narrative, felt a sense, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help clients work toward repairing the brain-body connection that can become disrupted when struggling with an eating disorder. She plans to start EMDR training by summer 2019. Outside of work, she enjoys singing and playing the piano.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Britt Beswick, MA, LMFT

Britt Beswick is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Britt received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and then obtained her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, California.

Britt’s therapeutic approach is compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental so as to create a safe space where clients can collaborate to meet their goals. Britt believes that all clients have unique strengths and are capable of creating meaningful change in their lives. She enjoys helping clients access these strengths while improving their relationship with food, body, and mind through identifying and connecting with values, learning healthy coping skills, and improving communication.

Britt uses evidence-based practices from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in her work with individuals and groups. Britt’s background includes working with both adolescents and adults struggling with severe mental illness and substance abuse. In addition to her work at CFD, Britt has worked at a non-profit residential treatment facility specializing in treating adolescents with diverse mental and behavioral issues. She also has extensive experience working to stabilize clients in a psychiatric hospital setting where she collaborated with clients and their families to develop discharge plans in support of client’s improved mental health and recovery.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Emily Kron, MA, LMFT

Emily Kron is a Primary Therapist at Center for Discovery Del Mar Outpatient treating adolescents, adults, and families impacted by eating disorders and co-occurring disorders, including mental health, trauma and substance abuse. Emily has worked at CFD for two years and previously worked as a Primary Therapist at CFD La Jolla Residential. Emily is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Loyola University Chicago and her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego. Her clinical theory of practice is a client-centered approach within the framework of Family Systems and Narrative Therapy. She is interested in how one’s experience with attachments, relationships, and narratives can be used in the healing process. Emily practices using evidence-based treatment modalities including DBT and CBT, while cultivating hope and resilience through a strengths-based approach. She has experience working with a broad range of issues including eating disorders, grief and loss, mood and anxiety disorders, family conflict, attachment issues, developmental disorders, trauma, co-occurring disorders, gender identity issues, and crisis intervention. Emily previously worked in a DBT private practice setting treating couples, families, and individuals. During her graduate studies, she worked as a therapist at UCSD Eating Disorders Center, providing psychotherapy to adolescents struggling with eating disorders and their families. Emily has previously worked with special needs and developmental disorders in a school setting as well as high-risk youth in a residential foster care setting.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Liz Hardeman-Fikes, MA, AMFT

Elizabeth Hardeman-Fikes is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who has been working in the eating disorder field for the past several years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Westmont College, and graduated with her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. 

Elizabeth has experience working with adolescents and adults, and has received specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and family systems modalities. In addition to her work with eating disorders, Elizabeth has experience treating individuals with a variety of diagnoses, including anxiety, OCD, major depressive disorder, and ADHD. Elizabeth is passionate about using a strength-based and client-centered approach. Outside of work, she enjoys playing guitar and spending time outdoors.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Maria Wilson, MA, LMFT

Maria Wilson is a licensed primary therapist at Center for Discovery – Del Mar Outpatient, treating adolescents, adults, and families impacted by eating disorders, mental health and trauma. Maria earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Francisco State University, and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley. Her clinical theory of practice is a client-centered approach within the framework of Narrative therapy and Attachment therapy, which provide clients with the opportunity to rewrite their life story, and to strengthen their relationships with loved ones and most importantly the relationship to themselves. During her graduate studies, Maria has previously worked in a school- based system working with children and their families for two years as a floor counselor, providing psychotherapy to young children and families suffering from a variety of mental health issues. Maria has also had experience working in a community setting for one year as a therapist working with adults suffering from a variety of issues such as suicidality, eating disorders, low self-esteem, transitional hardships, and significant loss. Maria has experience working with a number of mental health issues such as eating disorders, mood disorders, trauma, grief and loss, family and relationships problems, and crisis interventions. She has worked with Center for Discovery as a counselor and therapist at the residential level of care for several years, and is now enjoying her time working for an outpatient facility, along with a multidisciplinary team in order to provide clients and their families with the best continued care. 

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Sandra Banjoko, MA, MPH, AMFT

Sandra Banjoko is a primary therapist at the Center for Discovery Del Mar outpatient treatment center, treating adolescents, adults, systems, and families impacted by eating disorders, mental health, and substance abuse. Sandra is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. Sandra is also a Registered Dietitian and has earned an Associate in Culinary Arts, Bachelors in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University, and a Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University.

Her clinical theory of practice is Medical Family Therapy (MFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based with emphasis on a systematic and client-focused approach with an experiential lens. Her previous experience includes working with mental health and nutrition in many countries. Sandra has also worked in health clinics, agencies and hospitals serving populations from 6 years old to 90 years old, working with child abuse, crisis, domestic violence, trauma, grief and loss, post-partum, human sexuality and cultural issues.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Jenna Richter, RD

Jenna Richter is a Registered Dietitian that has gained experience in several areas of nutrition, however eating disorder recovery and mental health have become true passions of hers. Jenna received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics from California State University Northridge. She then completed her medical nutrition therapy-focused dietetic internship through Iowa State University and is now expecting to finish her Master’s of Dietetic Practice in May 2020.

Jenna’s career in nutrition began in the acute care setting, but in 2018 Jenna began working in substance use rehabilitation, where she worked closely with clients who required concurrent eating disorder support. Jenna’s nutritional outlook aligns with the Health at Every Size (HAES) framework, and intuitive eating modality. Jenna aims to equip her clients with individualized tools needed for their success by utilizing a mindfulness-based approach to nutrition counseling and education. Jenna’s next goal is to become a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian. Outside of work, Jenna enjoys experimenting with new recipes, travel, and practicing yoga.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Tiffany Mei Haug, MS, RD

Tiffany Mei Pecoraro (Haug), MS, RD is a Masters-level dietitian specialized in treating eating disorders. Tiffany completed her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Northern Illinois University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Prior to this, she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems from The University of Southern Mississippi. Throughout her career and dietetic internship, Tiffany has worked at all levels of eating disorder care and has always had a passion of working with clients who struggle with eating disorders and supporting them in their journeys towards achieving greater food freedom, so that they can live their lives to the absolute fullest.

Tiffany’s nutritional philosophy is strongly rooted in Health At Every Size (HAES) and the intuitive eating model. Her expertise includes providing nutrition counseling and guidance to clients and supporting them in their journey towards a more intuitive, trusting relationship with food and their bodies. Tiffany has spoken at both state and national levels on topics related to eating disorders and helping clients to achieve greater peace and freedom in their relationships with food. Tiffany served as the past Education Chair for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) San Diego Chapter from 2017-2019.

Tiffany spent the first 16 years of her life in Japan and is fluent in Japanese. She has also lived in Thailand and the Philippines as well as 5 different US states within the past 10 years. Out of the many places, she has lived, San Diego is by far her favorite. Her favorite cuisines are Japanese and Thai food, and in her free time, she can usually be found exploring a new restaurant or checking out scenic hiking trails.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Sherry Pinneo, MS, RD

Sherry Pinneo is a registered dietitian who recently received her Masters from San Diego State University in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology. She has previously worked in clinical nutrition for the past 2 ½ years at various acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities. Before that, she completed her dietetic internship at Cal Poly Pomona and earned her Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition. Sherry has worked with adolescents and adults with eating disorders in the Residential, Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient levels of care. She also has experience working with collegiate and professional athletes helping them with their performance nutrition and fueling for their sport. Sherry is excited to grow in the field of dietetics and loves getting to be able to spread the word of nutrition.

DIET TECH

Gabi Tinsley, BS

Gabi Tinsley earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. During her time there, Gabi worked as a dietary aide at Sierra Vista Hospital where she gained foodservice experience in a clinical setting. Gabi also was a lead coordinator for CalFresh Outreach, an on-campus group dedicated to reducing food insecurity and increasing its awareness on college campuses. 

Currently, Gabi is the lead diet technician at Del Mar Outpatient. She has also expanded her experience serving the eating disorder community by working as a diet tech at La Jolla and Del Mar residential facilities. From her time at both levels of care, Gabi has developed a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay of the physiological, psychological and social implications of eating disorders. In the future, Gabi aims to earn her registered dietitian nutritionist license and further integrate herself into the field of dietetics to promote health and wellness across all walks of life.  Outside of work, Gabi loves reading, yoga, going to the beach and spending time with her family and friends.