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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Licensed Child Care Administrator

Shanese McClendon

Shanese McClendon has a bachelor’s degree in business and communications from Alverno College, and a master’s degree in human service management and leadership from Springfield College. Shanese began her career working in the social service field with children and families involved with child protective services and saw the impact that emotional and mental health challenges had on individual and family functioning. Throughout her career, Shanese became increasingly interested in the mental health field, and has gained extensive experience as an administrator for residential mental health programs. She is excited to have joined the Center for Discovery Dallas RTC as the Licensed Child Care Administrator. She works closely with the Program Director and Facility Manager to ensure compliance company regulations. Shanese’s interests outside of work include: cooking, reading and traveling. She moved to Texas from her home-town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and loves the sun, warm weather and southern hospitality here.

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Drew Connell

Drew Connell joined the Center for Discovery team in late 2019. Drew is a Clinical Outreach Representative with years of experience in various areas of Healthcare Industries including treatment of eating disorders. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas Christian University and has continued his professional development at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. After starting his clinical career working in Mental Health, he added Technical and Healthcare Marketing and Business Development to his skill set. As his desire grew to serve others and help people, he became a Police Officer and served in patrol as a Mental Health Officer involved on site assessments and as a referral source for various mental health services for specific needs. After several years he chose to return to the private sector in Mental Health Clinical Outreach gaining experience focused on addictions and eating disorders. He was soon blessed with the opportunity to specialize within the eating disorder community and began his work as a Clinical Outreach Representative at Center for Discovery.

Drew is dedicated to connecting clients and professionals with the services they need to meet their specific needs. He is passionate about connecting with professionals in the mental health field, providing education and awareness, and helping people find the best possible treatment available. He continues to expand his own clinical knowledge and professional development and loves being part of the Center for Discovery family, where clinical excellence and dedication to the individual client make recovery possible. He would be happy to hear from you with any questions or concerns.