PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Brown, MA, LPC, CCTP

Elizabeth Brown is a licensed professional counselor, residency supervisor and certified clinical trauma professional working in the mental health field, including clinical practice management, for over 25 years. Elizabeth specializes in dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, critical incident diffusion, traumatic resolution and endorses a biopsychosocial approach to the treatment and healing of eating disorders. She endorses these best practice methods as they are designed to decrease overall distress, depression, anxiety and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Elizabeth’s heartfelt mission is to help each person identify and achieve their full potential, reclaiming wellness through a self-directed recovery journey.

PSYCHIATRIST

Tatiana Menick, MD

A Board-certified psychiatrist, Tatiana Menick, M.D. completed her four-year residency training in psychiatry in the St Elizabeths Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program, Washington, DC,

Dr. Menick has more than ten years’ experience conducting pharmacotherapy and individual and group psychotherapy in community mental health clinics.

She provides psychiatric consultation for Center for Discovery Virginia and also maintains a thriving private practice. She is the first author of multiple articles appearing in the International Journal of Child Health and Human Development and Environment, Mood Disorders and Suicide and other books.

PHYSICIAN

Natalie Irvin, MD

Dr. Irvin is a board certified family physician with expertise and experience in the management of medical complications of eating disorders. For over 6 years, she has worked exclusively in the eating disorders and weight management field. She has experience with managing eating disorders for adolescents and adults in the outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and inpatient level of care.

Dr. Irvin earned her undergraduate degree in Psychobiology B.S. at the University of Southern California. She obtained her medical degree at the University of Texas in San Antonio. She is looking forward to utilizing her skills and working closely with the treatment team at Center for Discovery for improved health and healing of adolescents with eating disorders.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Vida Semsarzadeh MS, RD

Vida received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2015. In 2018, she earned her Master’s Degree in Nutrition at Drexel University and soon after went on to complete her clinically focused dietetic internship at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Here at Center for Discovery, Vida helps clients with all their dietary needs which include but are not limited to creating meal plans, challenging their fear foods, and holding weekly dietary exposure groups. Vida is a strong proponent of Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size. She strives to help her clients become intune with their hunger and full cues as well as rediscover the pleasure in food.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Julie Rund, MA, ATR-P, LPC-R

Julie Rund is a Primary Therapist at Center For Discovery McLean. Julie earned her Master’s Degree in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling from Seton Hill University. She has worked in both hospital and residential settings with clients of all ages. She has worked with people coping with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and other mood disorders. Her work is focused on helping clients better understand their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs through the creation and discussion of art. Julie is proud of her ability to use either talk-based therapy or art therapy as her methods of treatment. Ultimately, Julie is committed to ensuring clients are motivated to lead balanced lifestyles centered around recovery.

MILIEU MANAGER

Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith earned his undergraduate degree from Florida International University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. Following his studies he obtained a position within a maximum-security prison in the field of mental health.

While working with this population he realized it was different from what he initially envisioned. Ryan thoroughly enjoys diving head first into different populations in hopes of learning about them at their core.
Ryan is currently the Milieu Manager for Center for Discovery in McLean, VA and prides himself on creating and maintaining healthy environments.

THERAPIST

Emmy Johnson, MSW

Emmy Johnson, MSW, (they/them), is a social worker specializing in trauma and eating disorders, particularly in the LGBTQ+ population. They use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and somatic-based interventions to help people work towards building a life worth living. They believe that people are experts in their own experiences, and that by combining personal knowledge and clinical expertise, the client-therapist team can determine effective ways for the client to achieve their goals. They strive to be anti-racist, anti-oppression and Health At Every Size/anti-sizeism oriented in all that they do.

NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

Geraldine Leiva, RN

Geraldine Leiva, RN, is a Nurse Administrator who works within an interdisciplinary team to bring consistent care, optimizing positive client clinical outcomes.

After spending a decade in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant, she went back to become an RN. Geraldine has healthcare experience in a variety of nursing fields and specialties, such as urgent care, postpartum, home health, school nursing, and eating disorders. She is an advocate, mentor, teacher, and a therapeutic listener who brings her knowledge and expertise to increase and deliver individualized quality care.

Geraldine is completing her BSN from Westerner Governor University and plans to pursue an MSN.