PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Heidi Favia, MA, LMFT

Heidi Favia is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received a double major in psychology and education in her undergraduate degree. She received her Masters Degree in Applied Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles graduating with honors on the Dean’s List. She is currently working on obtaining her PsyD. Prior to joining the Center For Discovery team, Heidi worked as the Program Director of a Residential Treatment Center treating adult women and men with eating disorders, chemical dependency, and mental health. She has additional experience working with eating disorders at the partial and outpatient level of care treating adult and adolescent men and women. Heidi has a passion for working with clients who struggle with eating disorders and chemical dependency. In addition, Heidi has over 5 years of experience working with women, men, and adolescents in eating disorders, chemical dependency, trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. She has experience working with women and children coming out of shelters effected by intimate partner violence, teens dealing with depression and gender identity issues, and families struggling with past trauma. Heidi uses the techniques she has learned and developed as a therapist and life experiences to create a compassionate, empathetic environment for her clients. Her calm and loving demeanor allows her to build trusting, open, and honest relationships with her clients. Being able to see clients enter treatment and leave with a different perspective on life is an amazing thing to witness. Heidi’s primary focus is instilling hope and motivation in order for clients to believe that recovery is obtainable and sustainable.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Kristie Tovar, MS, RDN, CEDRD

Kristie Tovar is a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian with experience working with both adolescents and adults suffering from various eating disorders. Kristie is dedicated to helping her clients succeed by using an intuitive eating and mindfulness-based approach to nutrition counseling and education. Kristie works alongside her clients to help them find a healthy and mindful relationship with all foods. Kristie is also a certified yoga instructor (RYT – 200) with Yoga Alliance and believes that mindful movement can aid in the healing process.

Kristie earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles. She completed her dietetic internship at California State University, Long Beach where she also earned her Master of Science degree in Nutrition.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Natalie Weisman

Natalie Weisman is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Humboldt State University. During her graduate studies, Natalie provided psychotherapy to families, children, and adults at the David H. Fox Counseling Center.

Natalie has several years of experience working in substance abuse and eating disorder treatment both as a resident advisor and as a therapist. She practices from a systemic approach and has experience working with a broad range of issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, and life transitions. She uses the techniques she has learned and developed as a therapist to create a trusting, open, and honest relationship with her clients. Natalie is firmly committed to providing each client with high-quality treatment in individual and group settings.

Facility Coordinator

Brittany Scheffler

Currently, a psychology student at Antioch University Los Angeles, Brittany brings her passion for body acceptance and understanding others to her work at Center for Discovery. She previously worked as the office manager for another eating disorder treatment center, where she gained experience working with clients who have co-occurring disorders. Grounded in a philosophy of self-compassion, she believes in fostering an environment where clients feel safe to explore their vulnerabilities. Brittany is an ardent advocate for those belonging to marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQ+ community and adolescents. Outside of work, she is an accomplished musician. She enjoys writing, going to concerts, and learning about spirituality.

PROGRAM PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Paula Schirch

Originally from Colombia, Dr. Schirch obtained her medical degree at University El Bosque in Bogota, Colombia. After graduation, she spent a year training at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. She completed her residency training in Psychiatry at The University of California, San Diego and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Schirch is a member of the American Psychiatric Association as well as the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is board certified in both adult and child psychiatry. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Dr. Schirch has over 10 years of experience working with patients with eating disorders in all levels of care. She also worked at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the Adolescent Medicine Department with patients with chronic mental illness and substance abuse. Other areas of expertise include Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Dr. Schirch has a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care provided through a multidisciplinary treatment team.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Michelle Barnum

Since 2007, Michelle has worked in the mental health field empowering individuals, couples, and families to explore their potential. She strongly believes that through the work of self-discovery and self-acceptance, anyone is capable of experiencing improved connection and quality of life. Michelle holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Phillips Graduate University and is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Through the use of evidenced-based practices and person-centered interventions, Michelle works with clients seeking relief from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and grief in residential and outpatient settings. Her therapeutic approach is compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental so as to create a safe space where clients collaborate with her to identify outdated coping skills and under-utilized strengths.