NEWPORT BEACH OUTPATIENT EATING DISORDER PROGRAM

Raquel Katangian-Ayala, Psy.D

Dr. Katangian-Ayala joined Center for Discovery in 2019 as a primary therapist. Dr. Katangian-Ayala is a registered psychological assistant who obtained a PsyD in applied clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Katangian-Ayala received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, in psychology and her master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, in marriage and family therapy.

Dr. Katangian-Ayala entered the clinical field as an ABA therapist working with children who have been diagnosed with autism and developmental disorders. She has experience in forensic, inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient settings. Diagnostically, she has worked with both adults and adolescents who struggle with depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, substance use, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, eating disorders and personality disorders. She also has extensive training in psychological testing assessing intellect, personality and learning disorders.

Dr. Katangian-Ayala implements evidence-based modalities when providing treatment. Her theoretical orientation encompasses cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, person-centered therapy and motivational interviewing. She tailors each modality and treatment plan to best suit the need of each individual. She believes her ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion and authenticity contribute to providing a safe environment towards a path of recovery.

Stacey Rombough, RD

Stacey joined the Center for Discovery team in January 2010 as a diet technician for the Whittier and Lakewood residential locations, working with eating disorders. During this time, she graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics. She then went on to complete her dietetic internship through Cal State Long Beach ISSP program. This furthered her education in nutrition while interning at Placentia Linda Hospital, College Hospital the and Newport-Mesa School District.

Stacey has experience working with adolescents and adults in residential and outpatient settings since 2013. She joined the Newport Beach outpatient location when it opened in March 2014. Stacey is supportive in creating individualized care centered around the principles of Intuitive Eating and aligned with the Health at Every Size ®️ (HAES ®️) approach. In her free time, Stacey loves to spend time with her husband and two children, especially when being outdoors.

Michael Louie, DO

Louie received his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences and went on to complete his psychiatry residency training at Loma Linda University.

Dr. Louie is well versed in treating adult, child and adolescent, and geriatric patients.  Dr. Louie has an understanding and ability to treat a range of disorders including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and psychosis.

Dr. Louie’s therapeutic and empathic approach to treating clients, as well as his composed and caring demeanor, are just a some of the many reasons why he is a beloved and respected member of the Newport Beach treatment team.

Alyssa Gonzalez, BA

Alyssa is the UR Care Coordinator in our Eating Disorder Outpatient Department. She developed a passion for psychology in her undergrad and received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Alyssa has a background in working with college students at her former University and worked as a school-based counselor in Placentia. She began working at Center for Discovery as a counselor at our Lakewood residential location in 2018. While working there she gained insight into the complexity of eating disorders and wanted to learn more. In 2019 she accepted a position to work in the UR department; advocating and ensuring utilization of benefits for our clients. She is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University and will graduate in May 2020.

Diana Flores, RD

Diana is a registered dietitian who found interest in nutrition after being brought up in a home where mealtime was a time to connect and enjoy each other’s company. Her parents utilized food to not only bring them together but also bring financial stability by sharing some of her mother’s flavorful creations with the rest of their community. Through food they found unity and resilience. She hopes to help her patients make peace with food and find both unity and resilience within themselves. She attended California State University, Long Beach, where she obtained a BS in nutrition and dietetics. She was then employed by Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program as a diet technician where she was able to assist patients in learning how to enjoy every meal no matter how small, as it is a joyful part of life. She then completed her intern hours as part of California State University, Long Beach’s ISPP where she acquired further experience with nutrition and mental health. After successful completion of the program, she obtained her RD certification. When she is not helping patients create a healthy relationship with food and their bodies, she is enjoying and cooking foods alongside family and friends.

Morgan Sheldon, M.S.

Morgan is a primary therapist at Center for Discovery Newport Beach and has served Center for Discovery in various clinical and administrative roles for nearly 10 years. She obtained her Master of Science degree in mental health counseling with emphases in marriage and family therapy and professional clinical counseling from California State University, Fullerton. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social behavior with an emphasis in psycholinguistics from the University of California, Irvine.

Morgan joins the Newport Beach team with 15 years of experience serving adolescents, families, adults and couples in levels of care spanning outpatient therapy to short-term and long-term residential care. She has chosen to serve survivors of human trafficking, those with complex and systemic/generational trauma, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, and those with complex body relationships, all of which stemmed from her love of serving those in recovery from eating disorders here at Center for Discovery.

Morgan has a particular passion for fat-positive, queer-affirming, trauma-informed, feminist and narrative approaches, and serves the eating disorder recovery community from a Health at Every Size ® (HAES ®) perspective. She applied these philosophies to her master’s thesis which explored providers’ lived experiences serving multiple-marginalized genderqueer patients through trauma-informed and embodied lenses. She brings creativity and passion to groups and works with patients to customize skills for their own needs, as well as to expand the ways they tell their stories and imagine their futures.

Natalia Michaelson, ACSW

Natalia is an associate clinical social worker who obtained her Master in Social Work degree from Simmons University. She also earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from California State University, San Marcos. Natalia has experience working primarily with adults in community mental health, healthcare and private practice settings. Natalia’s clinical work is guided by psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral frameworks. She utilizes evidence-based practices to ensure that her approach is appropriate for each individual. She is intentional about moving at the pace of her patients and tailors her approach to their individual needs. Natalia is committed to providing her patients with a safe, supportive and validating environment.

Ruqaya Abdulkhaliq, B.S

Ruqaya received her bachelor’s in nutrition and dietetics from California State University, Long Beach and is seeking to become a registered dietitian. She worked alongside a registered dietician as a diet aide at The Fountain Valley Hospital where she learned about nutrition in foodservice, as well as parts of clinical nutrition. She also had the opportunity to work with impoverished communities by volunteering at food banks. Ruqaya has a great interest in public health as well as working alongside patients with eating disorders. She has a passion for cooking and is working on creating her digital platform to share her love for food.

Emily Slater

Emily is a milieu manager who has been working with the Center for Discovery since 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Emily has experience working primarily with adults in mental health as well as with intellectual disabilities and addiction. She is excited to be part of the Center for Discovery team and looks forward to fostering a welcoming environment where everyone is supported individually. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, being outdoors, baking, discovering new coffee shops and watching a good movie.

Valeria Baltazar

Valeria is a nutrition and dietetics technician, registered (NDTR) credentialed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and food administration and a minor in gerontology from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2020 and later completed her Master of Science degree in nutritional science from CSULB in 2022. She has gained experience in dietetics through working and interning at hospitals, elementary schools and retirement homes. In these roles, she was able to learn about nutrition education, counseling, and clinical nutrition for individuals of various ages and backgrounds. Valeria is excited to be a part of the Center for Discovery team and support patients in developing a positive relationship with food. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, practicing aerial silks and lyra, and being outdoors.

Michelle Barnes

Michelle earned her MA in social work at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2022 with a focus on adolescents and families. She earned her BA in social work from California State University, Long Beach, in 2016 with a focus on children. Michelle has experience working with children and adolescents. She worked as a school-based therapist where she utilized evidence-based practices to reduce anxiety and depression in high-school students. She also worked as a socioemotional lead in an elementary school where she facilitated support groups to improve students’ emotional regulation skills. Prior to this, she provided in-home tutoring services for eight years, working with children of ethnic minorities and low socioeconomic status. Through work and personal experiences, Michelle’s passion for empowering adolescents has grown. She is passionate about teaching and modeling the importance of self-compassion and acceptance. This passion led her to the field of eating disorders.

Zoe Levitan