PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Alison Silver, LMHC, CASAC, NCC, ACS

Alison Silver is Program Director at the Center for Discovery Paramus. Alison is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor (NCC) as well as Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).

Alison graduated from New York University with a focus in Psychology and Communications. She then went on to earn  her Masters in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Substance Abuse Counseling and Loss and Bereavement from Pace University. She also completed a second Masters degree from Mercy College in Elementary Education with a concentration in General Education and Students with Disabilities grades 1 -6.

Alison has 18 years of experience in the field of Mental Health with a specialization in Addiction. She has worked in various settings including school, outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization. She also has considerable experience with public speaking both in classroom presentations and as a guest lecturer for various workshops and hospital settings. Alison was trained in DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and CBT and employs a variety of clinical models based upon the individual needs of the client population. Alison believes in providing a solution focused approach to help clients reach their own path to recovery.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Tara Abish

Tara Abish is a Registered Dietitian at the Center for Discovery Outpatient Facility in Paramus. Tara received her Bachelors of Science Majoring in Food and Nutrition from The University of Alabama Distance Program. She is an accredited member of both the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration), as well as the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, as well as the CDR.

Tara prides herself in using a client-centered approach to nutrition therapy; providing her clients with individualized meal plans and personalized nutrition counseling. Tara also practices Exposure Response Therapy that is specific to the client’s unique lifestyle and needs.

DIET TECHNICIAN

Breana Penzenik

Breana Penzenik is a Diet Technician at Center for Discovery. She recently received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Dietetics. She is looking forward to starting the Dietetic Internship this upcoming year to continue her career and become a Registered Dietitian.

Breana is thrilled to begin her dietetic career with Center for Discovery in Paramus. She thoroughly enjoys working hands-on with clients in the various nutrition groups, including kitchen, intuitive eating and menu planning. She has a passion for helping others find joy in cooking and the eating experience. She can’t wait to put her nutrition knowledge and skills into practice to help clients view nutrition in a new light. Breana is excited to help educate and support each client on their personal journey to recovery.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Nicolette Bernabeu

Nicolette Bernabeu is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 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.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Mia Wolinsky-Zazon, RD

Mia Wolinsky-Zazon is a Registered Dietitian at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program Paramus Outpatient Program.  Mia earned her Bachelor’s degree in nutrition at Marymount College, Fordham University. Mia completed her dietetic internship at the University of Delaware and went on to receive her Master’s degree in nutrition from the College of St. Elizabeth. Mia has a decade of experience in managing corporate wellness programs and working as a clinical dietitian in outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings with diverse populations.

In addition to her nutrition background, Mia is also a Registered Yoga Teacher.  Mia found practicing yoga to be a powerful tool for clients managing stress and believes that incorporating yoga into counseling helps clients gain confidence and comfort in their authentic selves.

Mia is thrilled to be part of the Center for Discovery Paramus team as a dietitian.

MILIEU MANAGER

Samantha Kral

Samantha Kral is the 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 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.

REGISTERED NURSE

Christine Paparozzi

Christine Paparozzi is a Registered Nurse who graduated from Jersey City
University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Christine went on to receive her
Master’s degree in Nursing Education from Western Governors University, where
she created an educational module focused on nutrition for her capstone project.

Christine has many years of experience in nursing with various populations. In addition to her role at
Center for Discovery, Christine is employed as a Certified School Nurse at a high school and has additionally
worked as a home care nurse for many years. She has previously worked as a hospital staff nurse in
a step-down medical surgical unit and enjoyed collaborating with Physical and
Respiratory Therapists.

Christine is enthusiastic about nursing is very excited to be part of the Center for Discovery team as a
Registered Nurse.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Jenna Park

Jenna Park is a Primary Therapist and Art Therapist at Center for Discovery. Jenna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Caldwell University with a double major in psychology and art. Jenna went on to achieve her Masters from Caldwell University in mental health counseling with a specialization in art therapy. Throughout her internship and professional endeavors, Jenna has had experience with a variety of populations in outpatient, inpatient, home, and rehabilitation environments.

Jenna is pursuing her Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist credentials. Jenna uses a client centered, psychodynamic treatment approach, empowering clients to recognize their own strengths, patterns of behavior, and solutions. Jenna aims to help clients understand how underlying emotions contribute to interpersonal experiences and relationships to facilitate understanding of the self and increase insight. As both an Art therapist and a Counselor, Jenna believes in the innate healing and communicative properties of art making. Jenna aims to infuse the traditional therapy modalities with the creative process to provide an immersive, comprehensive counseling experience.

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Cathy Lane

Cathy Lane joins Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program as the Clinical Outreach Representative for New Jersey. She has dedicated the entirety of her professional career to the treatment of eating disorders, having held leadership positions in admissions and outreach over the past decade. 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 goal is to create a path to recovery for those struggling with eating disorders by sharing what makes our Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program programs unique and assuring 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 boys, and enjoys crocheting, camping, and making sure each day includes a little bit of sunshine.

Clinical Intake Coordinator

Kelly Koeller

Kelly Koeller is the Clinical Intake Coordinator at Center for Discovery in Paramus. Kelly is very excited to join the team in Paramus to help clients on their journey towards recovery. Kelly comes to Center for Discovery with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. Most recently, she was working as a primary therapist treating eating disorders at the inpatient, PHP, and IOP levels of care. She has also previously worked in a Residential facility treating eating disorders.

Prior to her work with eating disorders, Kelly worked for several years at an outpatient mental health clinic in New York City providing psychotherapy to individuals seeking treatment for various mental health issues.

Kelly graduated from Indiana University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. While at Indiana University, she conducted research with Dr. Alan Roberts on the impact of athletics on the development of eating disorders. She then went on to receive her Masters in Social Work from New York University. Additionally, she earned a post masters certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from The American Institute for Psychoanalysis.

Kelly approaches her work with clients utilizing an eclectic method to best meet the needs of each individual. She feels strongly about the goal of working towards self acceptance, communication of needs and feelings, and helping clients to improve their tolerance for their emotions with the development of healthier coping skills. Her approach is warm and open. She hopes to help each client develop and internalize a more gentle and positive self-talk.