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PARAMUS OUTPATIENT EATING DISORDER PROGRAM

Paramus, NJ

HOME / LOCATIONS / PARAMUS, NJ (OUTPATIENT)

Virtual treatment available: CFD outpatient programs can also be accessed via online telehealth services.

Center for Discovery Paramus outpatient is a treatment center located 30 minutes from Manhattan that treats patients of all genders and ages who are in need of eating disorder therapy in an outpatient setting. The Paramus location serves patients in the New York City, northern New Jersey, central New Jersey, Westchester and Rockland county areas. Treatment modalities we offer include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure & response prevention (ERP) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

In addition to receiving evidence-based therapies, patients all have the opportunity to put “joyful” back into movement through yoga and other activities. Discovery’s specialized binge eating disorder (BED) program, Path to Peace, is also offered at this location. This treatment center emphasizes a body positive approach and Health at Every Size® (HAES®).

The treatment team at Center for Discovery Paramus is trained in trained in yoga therapy and art therapy to support the mind and body connection; both of which are important aspects in eating disorder recovery.

Insurances we accept include but are not limited to BCBS – Empire Blue, Beacon Health Options (Value Options)- GHI & MVP incl., Fortified Provider Network (FPN), Humana (Life Sync), Multi-Plan and UNICARE – Beacon HS. Please remember that the insurances we accept change frequently. Our insurance team will verify your coverage.

Adults and adolescents participate in separate programs to ensure that the treatment is appropriate for each age group. The treatment team always ensures that there are plenty of essential oils, puzzles, art supplies and games so patients can have healthy stress outlets so they can practice positive coping skills during their recovery.

*Health At Every Size® and HAES® are registered trademarks of the Association for Size Diversity and Health and used with permission.

MEET THE TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Mullin

LEAD REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Nicolette Bernabeu

Sr. MILIEU MANAGER

Samantha Kral

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Cara Cuccinello

CLINICAL OUTREACH TERRITORY MANAGER - NORTHEAST

Cathy Lane

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

John Chipman

CLINICAL INTAKE COORDINATOR

Gabi Frankel

DIET TECHNICIAN

Melanie Daniel, MS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Mullin

Linda Mullin is a board certified licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor with extensive expertise in operational and crisis management. Linda’s breadth of clinical work includes serving individuals, groups and families in community, outpatient, hospital inpatient, and private settings. Her approach is to aid individuals to live their best life possible in spite of their fears, regain control and repair what is most important to them. She believes wholeheartedly in the human connection and our ability to help one another through life’s challenges and to celebrate one another’s successes.

Linda imparts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) enhanced by evidence-based frameworks of CPT, TEAM, and EFT for the treatment of trauma, panic & phobia, OCD, social anxiety, general anxiety, anger, and depression. As an enhancement to her therapeutic services, she is also trained in therapeutic hypnosis.

LEAD REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Nicolette Bernabeu

Nicolette Bernabeu is a Lead Registered Dietitian. She graduated from Marywood
University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. After graduation, she
then became a Dietetic Technician. Nicolette completed her dietetic internship through
Marywood University’s distance internship program whose concentration was health
promotion and wellness. Nicolette is an active member of both the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics and New Jersey’s Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nicolette is excited
to be able to her share passion for nutrition here at Center for Discovery.

Sr. MILIEU MANAGER

Samantha Kral

Samantha Kral is the Sr. Milieu Manager at Center for Discovery. Samantha earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Rutgers University New Brunswick. Prior to working for Center for Discovery, Samantha worked at Penn Medicine Princeton Health as a Dining Coordinator in the dietary office. Samantha appreciates her time at Penn Medicine working directly under qualified registered dietitians because through that, she has gained years of experience in providing quality care to patients with specific dietary restrictions and in some cases, eating disorders.

As the Sr. Milieu Manager, Samantha handles the day to day operations and administrative management of the Paramus facility. Samantha truly loves lending a helping hand and enjoys utilizing her dietary background to assist clients and her team when she can. Samantha’s approach to program is building a strong community through experiences, respect for one another, and laughter. Samantha is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of each client’s road to recovery and looks forward to growing even further with Center for Discovery in the future.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Cara Cuccinello

Cara Cuccinello is a Primary Therapist at Center for Discovery, Paramus. Cara earned her Bachelor’s degree majoring in Psychology, minoring in Sociology from Rutgers University. Following that, she earned a Master’s degree from Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work, specializing in clinical practice, with emphasis in mental and behavioral health. During her education she had an opportunity to grow her skill working in the areas of social-emotional development, behavioral healthcare, and eating disorder populations.

Cara has experience with the eating disorder population in various settings including inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. She aims to provide clients with the calm and validating atmosphere needed for a positive therapeutic relationship and to promote change. Cara engages clients in a variety of ways best suited to one’s unique needs, but consistently incorporates lessons of acceptance, self-awareness, and skills to live an emotionally balanced lifestyle. It is important to Cara that her clients feel heard, valued, and safe to explore and express themselves. She hopes her clients conclude their treatment having developed a sense of confidence and resilience, identifying more closely with their healthy-self than with the eating disorder, and excited to experience the true joy of recovery.

CLINICAL OUTREACH TERRITORY MANAGER - NORTHEAST

Cathy Lane

Cathy Lane is the Northeast Clinical Outreach Territory Manager for Discovery Behavioral Health. She dedicated the first 15 years of her career to the field of eating disorders treatment, during which she found her passion for being the connector, helper, and leader she is today. Cathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies from The College of New Jersey.
With a caring, patient heart and detail-oriented mind, Cathy’s ultimate goal is to create a path to recovery for those struggling with eating disorders, mental health, and substance use by sharing what makes our Discovery Behavioral Health programs unique and ensuring access to these services is as seamless as possible for the members of our community.
Cathy proudly lives near our beautiful New Jersey beaches with her husband and two sons, and enjoys crocheting, camping, and making sure each day includes a little bit of sunshine.
REGISTERED DIETITIAN

John Chipman

John Chipman is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at the Center for Discovery Outpatient Facility in Paramus. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics from Montclair State University. He attended College of Saint Elizabeth for his joint Master program and dietetic internship and also an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

John has experience working with many different populations of all different ages. He provides patient-centered medical nutrition therapy in both the acute inpatient and outpatient settings at Englewood Health. John is also an adjunct professor at Eastwick College educating future nurses on Nutrition 101.

John is trained in motivational interviewing as it relates to nutrition and intuitive eating. He is so excited to be part of this multidisciplinary team and work together for the benefit of clients.

CLINICAL INTAKE COORDINATOR

Gabi Frankel

Gabi is a clinical intake coordinator at Center for Discovery, Paramus. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in human services from the State University of New Paltz. She then went on to receive her master’s degree in social work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Gabi completed her fieldwork in complex care coordination at Valley Hospital and has experience working in multiple levels of care including inpatient, outpatient and community mental health settings. She has worked with children, teens, and adults and focuses on serving a broad range of ages, disabilities and genders. Gabi believes in fostering empowerment, self-determination and strength when working with clients and aims to utilize a person-centered approach to healing. She is currently pursuing her clinical social work license in the state of New Jersey. Her goal is to treat every individual client with respect and compassion and assist them in navigating through their own treatment goals and recovery.

DIET TECHNICIAN

Melanie Daniel, MS

Melanie is a dietetic technician at Center for Discovery’s Greenwich Outpatient Program. Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition science with a concentration in dietetics from Montclair State University. She obtained a master’s degree in community nutrition and public health from Saint Elizabeth University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. In addition, Melanie is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It was during her masters coursework that Melanie became passionate about intuitive eating and the non-diet “Health at Every Size ® (HAES ®)” approach. Through her education and experiences in nutrition, Melanie found her calling for helping others to develop and sustain a positive relationship with food. Melanie is working towards becoming a registered dietitian and hopes to become a certified intuitive-eating counselor.

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*

“This was the best experience of my life. Though treatment was challenging at times, the staff never gave up on me. I appreciate what they have done for me so much.” – Melissa G., former patient at CFD Paramus

“CFD created an incredibly safe environment for treatment. I felt challenged and supported every step of the way. The staff could not have been kinder. Their understanding of the complexity of eating disorders showed in everything they did.” – Mirtha C., former patient at CFD Paramus

*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).

Online 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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