PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Nicholas Ciancioso, M.A

Nicholas Ciancioso has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida, and a master’s degree in counselor education from The University of Central Florida. Nicholas’ interests include: playing and watching sports, going to the dog park, traveling, and playing video games. A lifelong Florida native, Nicholas is now branching out into Texas and is excited about the opportunity for growth.

Nicholas first discovered his passion for helping others during his volunteer experience at the Alachua County Crisis Center, where he assisted in operating a 1-800-SUICIDE hotline. Since that experience, He has also worked with: college students, children in the foster care system, incarcerated teenage males, adults with severe mood/psychotic disorders, and adults with substance abuse issues. Nicholas has worked with residential, partial-hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. He is now working as the program director of Center for Discovery’s RTC Dallas program where he is motivated to help his team reach their potential as professionals, and ultimately provide the best care possible for the center’s clients.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Whitney Russell, LPC-S, CEDS

Whitney Russell is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas and Bachelors in Psychology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Whitney is the Program Director of the adolescent residential eating disorder program in Dallas as well as the Regional Director for the Southwest Region. She has worked in the field of eating disorders since 2011 and has worked in all levels of care including private practice, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Residential. Prior to working with eating disorders, she was a therapist at a residential facility in the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center for 4 years. Whitney had the honor of serving as the Treasurer for the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Dallas Fort Worth Chapter from 2016-2018. Whitney has a passion for cultivating a team founded on authenticity, collaboration, empowerment, and integrity.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Malak Saddy, RD, LDN

Malak Saddy RDN, LD is the Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery Dallas. She graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing with her Bachelor of Science degree and then completed her dietetic internship at Keene State College in New Hampshire. She has over eight years’ experience in adolescent nutrition counseling, food cultures, and integrative nutrition education. Malak has lectured at multiple eating disorder conferences, as well as at universities to dietetic students, and at local schools on the effects of eating disorders and challenging others to incorporate the All Foods Fit Philosophy into their own lives. She is passionate about providing individualized nutritional care and counseling support to clients and their families while being compassionate and is empathetic to their needs.

PROGRAM PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Tae Lee, MD

Dr. Tae Lee is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in the DFW area. Dr. Lee obtained his medical degree from U.T. Southwestern. Dr. Lee’s clinical training in adult psychiatry was at John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX, and Parkland Hospital, Dallas, TX. Following his training in adult psychiatry, Dr. Lee was a fellow at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, where he had the opportunity to serve as the chief resident in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Program. It was at Children’s Medical Center where Dr. Lee developed a passion for treating eating disorders.

Dr. Lee is also the medical director at Innovations Child and Adolescent partial hospitalization program in Fort Worth, TX. He is also faculty at Children’s Health in Dallas, TX.

Past endeavors include research involving pediatric and adolescent depression with Dr. Graham Emslie at UT Southwestern and collaboration with The Renfrew Center.

Away from his clinical duties Dr. Lee has given several talks about Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety disorders, Video games, ADHD as well as the use of medication in children to several of the school districts as well as the Texas School Nurse Administrators Association.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Courtney Cox, M.A., LPC-Intern

Courtney Cox is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, supervised by Whitney Russell, MS, LPC-S, CEDS. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Methodist University.  Courtney has experience treating clients with a variety of mental health conditions including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and she is passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community. Courtney combines elements of interpersonal, existential, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to provide her clients and their families with compassionate, individualized care.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Barbara To, LPC

Barbara To is the Primary Therapist at Center for Discovery in Plano, Texas, treating adolescents and their families impacted by eating disorders.  Barbara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and received her Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas and her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.  Barbara has experience treating clients struggling with eating disorders, depression, self-injury, abuse, and anxiety through individual, family and group counseling.  Barbara has also been trained in play therapy.

FACILITY MANAGER/NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

Katy Alaniz, MA, LPC-Intern

Katy Alaniz, MA, LPC-Intern is supervised by Whitney Russell MS, LPC-S, CEDS. She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology at Dallas Baptist University and then completed her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling at Amberton University. She has worked in the field of eating disorders since 2015, at both the residential and outpatient levels. She has obtained her certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She continues working on completing her qualifications for full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. Katy has a strong passion for treating adolescents with eating disorders while incorporating compassionate individualized care.

PROGRAM PHYSICIAN

Dr. Jennifer Zomnir, MD

Dr. Jennifer Zomnir is a board certified Family Physician caring for patients of all ages.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Genetics and attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for Medical School.  She then went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler, TX.

Dr. Zomnir has been in practice since 2006. She believes in a peaceful life.  Too often today, we are overstressed and rushed from one task to the next. This even happens at most medical offices.  She believes your time with your doctor is precious and sacred. You should not be rushed through something as important as your health and well-being.

My husband, Kolin, and I have two wonderful boys, Oliver, and Logan.  We enjoy playing outside and building things.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Anne Jensen-Smith, MA, LPC

Anne is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern and is supervised by Whitney Russell MS, LPC-S, CEDS. Anne graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University, an institution that emphasizes multiculturalism and diversity. Anne has worked with various mental health conditions including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, mood disorders, and grief. She is also trained in EMDR. Anne applies a collaborative and positive approach to empowering clients on their path towards meaningful change.

FACILITY MANAGER

Staci Aguilar

Staci Aguilar graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Staci has a variety of mental health and educational experience. After graduating Staci worked in the psychiatry unit of a children’s’ hospital supporting patients with various mental health conditions then worked in an insurance setting handling bodily injury and disability claims. Because of her passion in working with children, Staci returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in Early Childhood Disorders from University of Texas at Dallas and ultimately became certified to teach. Staci taught for 12 years in Special Education and General Education at the Elementary level. Returning to her background in psychology, Staci started with Center for Discovery as a counselor and Education Liaison, and now is supporting clients and staff in her role as Facility Manager. Outside of work, Staci enjoys spending time with family and has a passion for travel.

NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

Holly Zohner

Holly has been a registered nurse for over 10 years. She got her nursing degree at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. Holly has lived in Utah most of her life and recently moved to Texas. The majority of her nursing career has been in mental health nursing. She has worked in adult behavioral health and also in an adolescent behavioral treatment center. She loves working with teenagers and loves expanding her specialty to include treating eating disorders. Holly’s hobbies include doing anything outdoors. While in Utah, she took advantage of being near the mountains to do plenty of camping, hiking and fishing. Here in Texas she has enjoyed exploring the various parks and nature trails with her kids.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

McKenzie Ramirez, RD, LD

McKenzie Ramirez is a Registered Dietitian specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, emotional eating, unhealthy relationships with food and exercise, and other disordered eating patterns. McKenzie graduated from the Texas A&M University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics. She also completed her clinical dietetic internship through Texas A&M University.

McKenzie believes in a Health at Every Size® approach and considers herself an “anti-diet” dietitian. Her approach stems from the philosophy that all foods fit: meaning that all foods can fit in balance, variety, and moderation. McKenzie enjoys working with adolescents and their families or loved ones to improve and accept their relationship with food and their bodies. McKenzie aims to create a safe place for people of any body shape or size.

McKenzie’s passion for treating eating disorders stems from her experience at all levels of care including her work with Center for Discovery’s Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and Adolescent Residential Treatment.

McKenzie’s mission as a clinician is to provide professional, warm, and compassionate individualized nutritional counseling to help her clients rebuild and nurture a healthy relationship with food and their body.