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CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
1132 S Oakland
Mesa, AZ 85206
PH 928.599.9329
Hours 24/7

PROGRAM FEATURES
Residential
All Genders
Ages 10-17

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Located in the serene Arizona desert, you’ll find our residential eating disorder facility in Mesa that serves adolescents ages 10-17 of all genders. We are conveniently located to support those in the surrounding Phoenix area, yet close enough to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to accommodate patients and families coming from out of state. For your convenience, the concierge at our facility will assist you in scheduling air travel and lodging, and will provide free ground transportation to our facility.

The 24-bed facility makes Mesa one of Center for Discovery’s largest residential treatment programs with the highest staff-to-patient ratio for even more support. What sets Mesa apart is that treatment is geared to patients who are in need of more nutritional rehabilitation. The Mesa center feels like a residence within a medical environment, in which enhanced psychiatric approaches from expert healthcare professionals take place.  

Food Is Medicine for the Brain 

When a patient with an eating disorder needs more nutritional support, getting them the best nutritional care is the primary goal. With the CFD Nutrition Therapy Program at Mesa, the process of allowing food flexibility combined with nutritional psychiatry is at the forefront of treatment. We collaborate with medical professionals to promote the stability and nutrition rehabilitation for the body and the brain. This comprehensive and transformative approach empowers patients to find what recovery means for them so they can carve the right path to improve their relationships with food, mind and body.  

Once the patient is ready, they will receive evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Patients will also transition to exposure & response prevention (ERP) techniques, which are commonly used to help individuals overcome anxiety. ERP therapy slowly helps patients reintegrate their foods and food situations that have been avoided so that they can finally “make peace” with these foods. Additionally, a full-time education liaison is on-site to support a patient with their schoolwork and to collaborate with the patient’s school. Getting to the root cause of the eating disorder through such therapies and additional support will help the patient move to the next level of care, continuing them on the path to a lifetime of recovery. Other clinical care components for Mesa patients include:  

  • Discovery Flex™ Nutrition Program, a proprietary approach to nutrition rehabilitation and intervention, promoting Intuitive Eating free from food rules, nourishing for the brain, body and soul.  
  • Inclusive Nutrition™ encourages patients to try new and different foods to develop a true sense of their own food preferences. The goal is to neutralize all foods.  
  • Intentional nutrition menus and snack choices to help patients nutritionally restore the brain and body along with rebuilding intuitive cues from their bodies including, fullness and satisfaction.  
  • Structured nutrient-rich snack program to give patients greater choice and autonomy in food selection.  
  • Dietary family support including sessions that help the support system understand the Discovery Flex Nutrition Program. Family members will also receive a weekly update from the dietitian that includes meal plan completion, ERP updates and any changes in dietary privileges.
  • Post-discharge access to continued treatment based on clinical need to any one of Center for Discovery’s 50+ traditional residential treatment programs, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, operating in 12 states.  

Patients can also expect programs after treatment, such as:  

  • Aftercare to facilitate transitions and challenges post-discharge.  
  • A customized Discovery app to provide information, resources and a community of support for family members.  
  • Discovery alumni online support groups, in-person and virtual events for family members and patients to assist in post-discharge transition and provide an ongoing support system to facilitate long-term recovery.  

Preferred In-Network Provider 

Center for Discovery is a preferred provider with most major insurance companies. Our team of experienced insurance verification specialists will confirm not only if the level of care you are seeking is covered by your policy but also determine what, if any, out of pocket cost you would incur. Reach out to the team today to verify your coverage.   

MEET THE TEAM

Psychiatrist

Elizabeth Bochtler, M.D.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Rachel Hoffman, LCSW, CCTP

Lead Registered Dietitian

Paige Bess, RDN (She/Her)

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Laura Ballard

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Christine Brennan

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Cherry Irving, MPA

REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST

Summer Iwerks

Medical Director

Dr. Michele Connor

Psychiatrist

Elizabeth Bochtler, M.D.

Dr. Elizabeth Bochtler is board certified in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. She has extensive experience in the treatment of a broad range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychosis, autism, ADHD and eating disorders. Her training includes psychotherapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Dr. Bochtler enjoys working with individuals, their families, outside providers and the treatment team to provide comprehensive and evidenced-based care. She has lived in the Phoenix metropolitan area since completing her fellowship in 2012 and has a young son who commands most of her free time.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Rachel Hoffman, LCSW, CCTP

Rachel has been working at the Center for Discovery in Mesa, Arizona, since they opened their doors and is currently the senior program therapist. She has been working with adolescents/young adults with eating disorders since she graduated with her master’s degree in 2018. Rachel has experience working with eating disorders at an inpatient/residential level, intensive outpatient level, and outpatient level of care. Rachel has a passion for treating eating disorders within the adolescent population. Her favorite thing about working with adolescents with eating disorders/co-occurring disorders is the hope and progress she gets to witness at such an intense level of care while also being able to make amazing connections with her clients. In her free time, Rachel loves to go to farmer’s markets, travel and spent time with her friends and family.

Lead Registered Dietitian

Paige Bess, RDN (She/Her)

Paige is a lead registered dietitian who has been working with the Center for Discovery, Mesa since August 2021. Paige supports our patients by facilitating individual dietary sessions, leading menu planning and nutrition education groups, and providing dietary exposures appropriately designed for each individual. Her main goal is to support each patient by meeting them where they are, setting realistic goals, processing dietary experiences, and challenging the eating disorder voice as it presents itself. Paige started as an eating disorder diet technician for three years. Then, after receiving her RDN credentials in 2017, she began working as an eating disorder dietitian in all levels of care for two years. Paige is currently receiving supervision hours to obtain the certified eating disorder specialist credential to enhance her skills as a practitioner. Paige is a compassionate professional who creates effective interventions for her patients. When she is not at work, Paige enjoys spending time with her husband Justin and their son Oakley.

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Laura Ballard

Laura has been working in clinical outreach and business development for the past three years. Prior to that, she did intake, admissions and utilization management. Her understanding of the complete patient experience has been an invaluable asset in guiding patients through treatment. She also worked in a large school district as an ABA therapist and did integrative work with the families of children and young adults on the spectrum. Laura’s knowledge of clinical services as well as her compassion and empathy make for great relationship-building skills and bridge the gap for patients, families and providers seeking appropriate mental health services. Her goal is to advocate for the client, overcome treatment barriers, assist in seeking the most clinically appropriate services and facilitate for those in need. In her spare time Laura likes a great book, good music, hiking, and discovering new places to explore in Arizona.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Christine Brennan

Christine began working at Center for Discovery in 2021 as the executive director of the Mesa, Arizona location. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2013 and began working in the healthcare field, both in direct patient care and administration. Christine has been working in the eating disorder field since 2016 and has developed a passion for helping individuals obtain lasting recovery. When not working, she enjoys playing the flute in a local community wind symphony, riding horses and camping.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Cherry Irving, MPA

Cherry has been working as the operations manager for Center for Discovery in Mesa since it opened in August 2021. With over 10 years in direct client services and administration, Cherry has worked with both adolescents and adults supporting them in their journeys toward recovery and healing. Her educational background includes a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Over the years, Cherry has had the opportunity to dabble in her second passion of teaching as a certified instructor in various cognitive behavioral curriculums, CPI, and CPR/First Aid and AED. When she is not working, Cherry enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband Brandon and their dog Bentley.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST

Summer Iwerks

Summer is a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in treating the full spectrum of eating disorders in both adolescents and adults. She has worked at several levels of eating disorder care, including inpatient and outpatient levels, giving her a diverse range of experience and expertise. She utilizes the philosophies and principles of Intuitive Eating, All Foods Fit ® and Health at Every Size ® in a compassionate and individualized approach. Summer is passionate about helping her clients to increase their ability to trust their bodies and improve their relationship with food. She incorporates nutrition education with experiential learning to find freedom from disordered thoughts and behaviors with food. She believes in meeting her clients where they are and aims to provide support and inspire clients to break free from diet culture, find food freedom and gain joy in movement. Summer is a registered dietitian and is pursuing her certified eating disorder dietitian certification. Summer holds a Master of Professional Practice in Dietetics through Iowa State University, a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition through South Dakota State University and completed her dietetic internship through Iowa State University.

Medical Director

Dr. Michele Connor

Dr. Connor is board certified in family medicine. After spending over a decade in obstetrics and gynecology, she has turned her focus to supporting and treating adolescents with eating disorders. A huge advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to eating disorder treatment, she has a passion for treating the whole person and truly believes recovery is possible. Dr. Connor has lived in Arizona since 2016, where she enjoys sunsets and time spent with friends and family. She has two teenage children that regularly remind her life, although challenging, is beautiful.

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*

“Our experience at Center for Discovery was top notch. We are incredibly grateful to them for not only their professionalism, but their knowledge as well as compassion for our daughter and family.” – Sarah S., parent of CFD alumni

“Mesa opened just when we were losing hope on other wait lists. The team there took care of our daughter and got us on the right path towards healing.” – Parent of former patient

“This experience was life-changing.” – Mave C., former patient at CFD

*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
OR SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

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