PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP, TIRF

Donald “Don” Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional in St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University-Tampa. During his career as a psychotherapist, he has focused on diagnosing and treating a variety of clinical symptoms and disorders including substance abuse, process addictions, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and personality disorders. He has often treated clients who have experienced persistent and varied emotional and cognitive symptoms resulting from long-term relationship traumas and abuse. Over the years, Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has worked with individuals of all ages with severe and persistent psychopathology, including psychosis as well as severe behavioral and relational problems. He has worked in all settings, from private practice to long term residential treatment facilities, as well as psychiatric hospitals. Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has developed an appreciation for each client’s unique perspective, needs, and challenges in treatment. He prefers to work in the framework of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic modality, one of the most empirically validated treatment approaches. He also chooses to integrate other theoretical orientations of therapeutic treatment such as Client Centered, Solution Focused, Interpersonal, and Gestalt, focusing on what clients want to achieve through therapy in addition to historical problem(s) that led to the problematic behaviors/thoughts/emotions that made them seek help. Areas of expertise include addiction/substance abuse, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, identity, and communication.

Areas of Interest: Trauma, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, LGBTQIA Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Relationships, Identity, and Behavioral Issues.

CLINICAL ADVISOR

Dr. Celine Passeri, Psy.D.

Celine Passeri, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a doctorate in clinical psychology. Dr. Passeri specializes in treating eating disorders and co-occurring mental health illnesses.Dr. Passeri has worked in a variety of mental health settings throughout her career. The Child and Family Wellness Center at Florida Hospital for Children was created with the coloration and expertise of Dr. Passeri. To help address the current pediatric obesity crisis in Central Florida, Dr. Passeri helped to develop The Child and Family Wellness Center at Florida Hospital For Children. Dr. Passeri created the first department to identify and address the presence of eating disorders and body image issues in children and adolescents diagnosed as overweight or obese.

As a leader in the Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida (EDNCF), Celine is committed to raising eating disorders awareness and providing specialized treatment and prevention. In February 2011, Dr. Passeri organized the first National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) walk in Orlando and she and her team recently celebrated their 7th Annual NEDA Walk on March 11th, 2017. Dr Passeri is one of the founders of the yearly EDNCF scholarship program, which provides eating disorder treatment funds to families and individuals in need. Dr. Passeri is a member and Education chair of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) Orlando Chapter.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Marissa Jones, MS, MHCA, LMHC, CEDS

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Samantha Brewer, MS

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in Psychology, Samantha went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Troy University.  Samantha discovered her passion for working with adolescents when she began with the Center for Discovery as a counselor in 2015. She continued her education by obtaining training in trauma and EMDR, which she incorporates into her therapeutic style as a Primary Therapist at the Orlando Residential Facility for adolescents.  She is currently working towards becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist in order to better serve the families that seek services at Center For Discovery.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Sharon Schmalbach, MS

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University in Liberal Studies, Sharon went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University.  It was her desire in helping others that influenced her decision to pursue a career in mental health.  She dedicated her graduate internship to working with at-risk teens and discovered a passion in counseling adolescents.  Sharon believes in the impact a person’s adolescent years has in shaping their adulthood. This is her motivation in working with the adolescent population. Sharon discovered her interest in the treatment process of eating disorders, while working as a Recovery Coach for eating disorders in Miami, Florida. After moving to Orlando, she continued her work with eating disorders at Center for Discovery as a Counselor.  Sharon continued to advance her work experience with Center for Discovery and is now a Primary Therapist in the Orlando Residential Facility for adolescents.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Katharine Albarella, RD, LD/N

Kate Albarella is a registered, licensed dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and GI disorders. She has always had a passion for helping others heal their relationships with food and their bodies. Kate graduated with Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Saint Joseph. Kate founded a body image support group on campus during college to help others find support in their journey toward body acceptance. After graduating, she went on to work in various areas of nutrition, including long term care, school nutrition, and retail dietetics. Kate has a strong clinical background, as she spent 4 years as a clinical dietitian where she helped patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She worked with a team to better identify malnutrition in the clinical setting and personally wrote a policy of re-feeding syndrome in severely malnourished patients. She has experience working with nearly every disease state, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and various gastrointestinal diseases.

Kate is a member and Education Co-Chair for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Central Florida chapter. She is also a member of the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians. Additionally, she is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and a Y-200 trained yoga teacher. She has completed various trainings in the treatment of eating disorders from leading clinicians throughout the country. Kate strongly believes in an all foods fit philosophy and a Health At Every Size approach as she works with individuals in their recovery process.

When not at work, continuing her education, or reading research articles, Kate is generally at home playing with her twin boys. She also enjoys hiking, biking, yoga, and exploring the city of Orlando.

PHYSICIAN

Jennifer Keebaugh, MD

Dr. Jennifer Keehbauch was recently appointed to the position of Chief Medical Officer for Winter Park Memorial Hospital.  She obtained her M.D. from the University of FL in 1992 and has been appointed to both the Florida Academy of Family Physicians (State) and American Academy of Family Physicians (National).   She’s also held leadership roles in research, curriculum development, and competency evaluation and review for the Florida Hospital Family Medicine Residency.

Being a Board Certified Family Physician has allowed Dr. Keehbauch to see patients in a variety of healthcare environments with different team cultures.  In the military, she worked exclusively in the Emergency Department for several years, and most recently she served as a full-time hospitalist.  She’s also had the pleasure of working in the outpatient setting, nursing homes, and a large tertiary hospital.  As a representative of the Florida Family Physician medical community, she was chosen by her peers to serve as President of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians at state and national meetings. Selection for this position was based on her track record as an educator, visionary and negotiator.

FACILITY MANAGER

Lacey Clemmons, MS, LAC

Lacey Clemmons graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Lacey has always been interested in healthcare and began pursuing education in psychology when her interest grew in helping others. Lacey continued on to graduate from Northwestern State University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a concentration in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment. After completing her education, Lacey began working as an Addiction therapist in an Intensive Outpatient Program for Adults. Lacey discovered a desire to guide others wanting to seek recovery but struggling with knowing how this was even possible. After a few years, Lacey advanced into a Clinical Manager position and was able to become more involved with the entirety of the recovery process. Although she has exclusively worked with adults, Lacey has always had the dream to work with children and adolescents. When she relocated to Orlando, FL in June 2018, she took this opportunity to change her path and discovered a new passion for working with adolescents with Eating Disorders.

PSYCHIATRIST

Laurie Harden, MD

Dr. Harden is board certified in General Psychiatry. She graduated from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2007.Dr. Harden attended a residency at the Palmetto Health/University of South Carolina program in Columbia, SC. She has been a Psychiatrist in Florida since 2011. She is available for psychiatric consultation, evaluation, and medication management. Dr. Harden has experience with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and many other psychiatric conditions. In addition, she has a strong interest in multiple types of therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy.

PHYSICIAN

Ann Klega, MD

Ann Klega, MD, trained in Family Medicine at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, after completing University of Florida College of Medicine. She gained experience in treating patients with various eating disorders through COPE (Community Outreach for Prevention of Eating Disorders) in Daytona, and her work with college students at Montana State University Student Health Service. She is currently the Women’s Health Faculty Development Director at the Florida Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.

CLINICAL OUTREACH AND STAFF RECRUITMENT REPRESENTATIVE

Sara Dreier

Sara specializes in Community Outreach, Marketing Strategy, and Business Development. Sara is actively involved with the recovery community. This has led her to public speaking, educating healthcare professionals, facilitating support groups, as well as fundraising and advocacy for prevention and improved access to treatment in the Central Florida Community and beyond.

Educational Liaison

Pamela Dove

Pamela Dove is a Florida and ACSI certified teacher with 22 years of experience with a passion for advocating for students who need support. Pam graduated from Columbia International University with a degree in Bible. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Resource Management. She later earned her Education Certification through the Educator Predator Institute at Valencia College. Pam has spent 18 years in the classroom with experience in teaching students from pre-school to the high school level in a variety of subjects. During her time in the school system, Pam also organized and directed school events, was in charge of writing curriculum for school accreditation, as well as founding and directing a summer camp program for her school. Pam’s desire has always been to support students learning and to advocate for students that need additional support. She discovered her passion for educating one on one and having an opportunity to make a difference in her students’ lives.

Pam is grateful for the opportunity to do this as the educational liaison at our facility.

When not at work, Pam enjoys spending time with her family, including her grandson, Paxton. She also enjoys singing, writing, playing the piano, biking, and traveling.

NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

Savitri Awadh, RN MSN

Savitri Awadh graduated from a four-year nursing program in Suriname, in 1994. Due to her love for the nursing profession, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2005 from the University of Phoenix and her master’s degree in the Nursing Education in 2012 from the Western Governors University. Savitri’s passion for taking care of people and educating them about the importance of good health and wellness inspired her to work in various settings of nursing. Throughout her career she has worked in hospitals, Home Health Nursing, Long Term Care Nursing and Pediatric Nursing. Savitri joined Center for Discovery in 2018 and discovered a new passion for caring for adolescents with eating disorders and behavioral health issues. Savitri is committed to providing high quality, evidence based nursing treatment to everyone in her care.