LA JOLLA EATING DISORDER PROGRAM

Ashley Rist, RD

Ashley Rist completed her undergraduate degree in Food and Nutrition at San Diego State University. Ashley is a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and began her career in the field of Eating Disorders with Center For Discovery in 2017. Ashley gained experience at both the PHP/IOP and RTC levels of care, as well as working at the Mental Health RTC. Ashley transitioned her career into leadership as the Program Director. She is an advocate for body acceptance and Health At Every Size, and enjoys assisting clients heal their relationship with food and body. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, practicing yoga, and spending time at the beach. Ashley believes that recovery is possible and aims to provide a safe space for all clients.

Yvette Gough, MA, AMFT #89182

Yvette Gough is a primary therapist at Center For Discovery La Jolla Residential Treatment Center, treating adolescents, emerging adults, and families impacted by eating disorders, mental health and trauma. Yvette earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development at Chico State University, and her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University, San Diego, CA. 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, Yvette has previously worked in a school-based system working adolescent teens and their families for two years as a AMFT, providing psychotherapy to adolescents and families suffering from a variety of issues such as suicidality, eating disorders, low self-esteem, transitional hardships, trauma and significant loss. Yvette has experience working with a number of mental health issues such as dual diagnosis, mood disorders, trauma, grief and loss, family and relationships problems, and crisis interventions. She has been an integral addition to Center for Discovery and enjoys working with a multidisciplinary team in order to provide clients and their families with the best continued care.

Dr. Christine Wood, MD, FAAP

Dr. Christine Wood is a pediatrician with a special interest in pediatric nutrition. Dr. Wood is the author of the book, How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love It! and is in private practice at Coast Pediatrics Carmel Valley. She often consults with parents, children and teens in the practice on nutrition concerns ranging from picky eaters and overweight children to eating disorders in children, teens and young adults. She is a frequent speaker at medical conferences on nutritional issues for children, including dealing with overweight children, body image issues, eating disorders and the impact of environmental toxins on health. She graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and went on to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for her pediatric residency.

Dr. Timothy Liu, MD

Timothy Liu MD is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist. He graduated from the adult psychiatry residency at Yale University School of Medicine. He also completed fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, as well as an internship at the Mayo Clinic. His clinical research on impulse-control disorders, problematic Internet use, and depression has appeared in numerous scholarly publications. He is a co-author of four psychiatric texts including the Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience (Cambridge University Press; 2010) and The Oxford Handbook of Impulse Control Disorders (Oxford University Press; 2009).

Dr. Liu enjoys working with families and children. He provides psychiatric assessment, comprehensive treatment planning, medication management, and psychotherapy. He received training in Parent Management Training and is most familiar with methods developed by Alan Kazdin Ph.D. and Russell Barkley Ph.D. During his fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center, he also underwent elective training in Habit Reversal Therapy for the treatment of tic disorders. In the past few years of practice, he has been devoting much of his time in helping parents and children communicate, and navigate through the excitement and confusion of teenage years.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Liu is trilingual in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. He is very interested in the cultural aspects of psychiatry, in particular, mental health awareness among immigrants of diverse cultural backgrounds. He was selected to be a Diversity Leadership Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in 2009-2010. He continues to consult at community agencies that reach out to underserved minorities and give periodic health education seminars to the Chinese-speaking community.

Dr. Liu has been in practice in San Diego since 2011. In addition to clinical practice, he organizes a peer consultation group for the San Diego Psychiatric Society to support fellow psychiatrists in the area.

Dr. Liu is married with two young children. He is a humble parent who is learning to perfect his love for his children one day at a time.

Hanna Koester

“Hannah received her Bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition at San Diego State University. After earning her degree, she completed her dietetic internship through Sodexo Dietetic Internships with a concentration in Leadership. She has worked with adolescents and adults in mental health and eating disorders in both residential and outpatient settings since 2018, as both a Diet Technician and Dietetic Intern. She is passionate about helping individuals find freedom with food, their bodies, and their health by utilizing Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating principles, and the All Foods Fit approach.

Sarah Pedersen, MScN

Sarah joined the La Jolla Center for Discovery team as the Facility Manager in February of 2020. Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Vermont, and then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in the Science of Nutrition in 2019. During her educational endeavours, Sarah became passionate about the connection between nutrition and mental health, with specific interest in intuitive eating and Health at Every Size philosophies. Sarah joined the team with a strong background in nutrition and a passion for helping others. Sarah is also a Certified Yoga Teacher, and enjoys hiking and riding her bike in her free time.

Keali Modrzejewski

Kaeli is an associate professional clinical counselor at Center for Discovery La Jolla. While earning a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Lamar University, Kaeli worked at a foster care agency which fueled her passion to do therapeutic work with children, adolescents and families. Kaeli uses a Rogerian, person-centered therapeutic approach and the belief that all people have the capacity for growth, healing and self-actualization. She believes that authenticity and vulnerability are key aspects to living lives we are proud of. Major components of therapeutic work with Kaeli include understanding family dynamics, evaluating attachment and boundaries, challenging negative self-talk and cognitive distortions and envisioning a future that instills hope. Above all else, Kaeli believes in providing a safe space through unconditional positive regard and empathy. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in outpatient, IOP and PHP settings, and has experience treating a variety of mental health conditions, including substance use, family conflict, trauma, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. Kaeli is thrilled to be a part of this cohesive and passionate team.