PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP, TIRF

Donald “Don” Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional in St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University-Tampa. During his career as a psychotherapist, he has focused on diagnosing and treating a variety of clinical symptoms and disorders including substance abuse, process addictions, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and personality disorders. He has often treated clients who have experienced persistent and varied emotional and cognitive symptoms resulting from long-term relationship traumas and abuse. Over the years, Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has worked with individuals of all ages with severe and persistent psychopathology, including psychosis as well as severe behavioral and relational problems. He has worked in all settings, from private practice to long term residential treatment facilities, as well as psychiatric hospitals. Donald Ford, LMHC, MCAP has developed an appreciation for each client’s unique perspective, needs, and challenges in treatment. He prefers to work in the framework of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic modality, one of the most empirically validated treatment approaches. He also chooses to integrate other theoretical orientations of therapeutic treatment such as Client Centered, Solution Focused, Interpersonal, and Gestalt, focusing on what clients want to achieve through therapy in addition to historical problem(s) that led to the problematic behaviors/thoughts/emotions that made them seek help. Areas of expertise include addiction/substance abuse, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, identity, and communication.

Areas of Interest: Trauma, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, LGBTQIA Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Relationships, Identity, and Behavioral Issues.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Serene Hasan, MA, LMHC, LMFT, CRC, CEDS

Serene graduated from the University of South Florida and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Criminology, as well as her Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is dually licensed in the State of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist.

While completing her internship, Serene treated patients with eating disorders at the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient level. This experience fueled her pursuit of a career in eating disorder treatment, as she then assisted in the development of an outpatient treatment program for the disease. Serene focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to treat patients, while remaining goal-focused to help propel patients into the recovery stage. Additionally, she has worked with patients struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which have a high comorbidity with eating disorders. Serene takes a collaborative approach with her patients to help them reach their objectives effectively and efficiently.

CLINICAL OUTREACH REPRESENTATIVE

Krista Miles, LMHC, E-RYT

Krista Miles is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida, and a 200-hour Expert Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Krista has been working at Center for Discovery’s Tampa location since they first opened in 2017, where she began as a consulting therapist leading therapy and yoga groups with the clients. At the beginning of 2019 she made a transition into outreach where she can share her expertise and experience from a personal perspective. Krista has over five years experience working with those with eating disorders, and is extremely passionate about working within the community. In her spare time you will find her outdoors, gardening, going to markets, practicing yoga and listening to live music.

THERAPIST

Jennie Friedman, LMHC

Jennie graduated from Webster University with an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is an LMHC in the State of Florida and Virginia. Her passion is to help clients who have eating disorders realize their value and potential. Jennie has been with Center For Discovery as a Therapist since June of 2018. Jennie is also working towards her CEDS certification. Jennie is not only a Therapist at the Tampa Outpatient location, she also travels to all of Center for Discovery’s East and West Coast facilities to assist with any/all client and staff support. In her spare time, you can find Jennie doing yoga, ballroom dancing, traveling, attending farmers markets, and listening to music.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Emily Bourque, RD, LD

Emily Bourque is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the state of Florida.  She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition andDietetics from Louisiana State University in 2015 and completed her advanced education and internship through the University of Oklahoma. Emily has 2 years of professional experience in Community and Clinical Nutrition. During her dietetic internship, Emily worked with the eating disorder community at the residential and outpatient level. Emily has long desired to work with individuals with Eating Disorders and it influenced her decision to pursue a career in nutrition. She is passionate about helping others to discover their true “food freedom”. Emily is new to Center for Discovery’s Tampa location and is looking forward to the opportunity to work with the community. In her free time, you can find Emily traveling, exploring new cuisines, hanging with her beloved dog, and listening to true crime podcasts.

EAST COAST SUPERVISOR OF OUTPATIENT DIETARY SERVICES

Jacquelyn Supplee, MPH, RDN, LD/N, CEDRD, ATC

Jacquelyn is a registered dietitian nutritionist through the Commission of Dietetic Registry (CDR), licensed by the state of Florida. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian (CEDRD) through iaedp, and a Certified Athletic Trainer. She received her bachelor’s of science in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from the University of Tampa, and Master’s in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jacqui has over 4 years of experience working with primarily eating disorders at all levels of care from inpatient and residential down to outpatient. Jacqui enjoys working with all populations to help understand the joy of eating and nourishing the body, mind and soul through food. In her spare time, you can find Jacqui playing with her dogs, making slow drip cold brew coffee, and trying new restaurants in Downtown St. Pete.

THERAPIST

Emily Muecke, MA, Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern

Emily graduated with both a bachelors and masters degree in Social work from the University of South Florida and is currently a Registered Social Work Intern.  She has a strong passion for helping to instill confidence and body acceptance in clients and helps to run the Binge Eating Disorder Program and SIR group for BED at Center For Discovery.  When not working at Center For Discovery, Emily also works helping individuals and couples in private practice. When she’s not working, you will find her playing with her pug, Sigmund Freud, traveling somewhere for continuing education, or spending time with her kids.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Jennifer McFarlin, LMFT

Jennifer McFarlin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist through the state of Florida. Jennifer obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, and went on to pursue a dual Master’s program in Education and Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida.

After graduation, Jennifer worked as an individual, group, and family therapist at a mental health hospital where she gathered extensive experience in the field of counseling. Through this, Jennifer learned to recognize and address the family and relationship dynamics at play in her clients. Jennifer uses a Family Systems approach in her therapeutic exchanges, while also implementing Choice Theory. Jennifer has a passion for treating individuals through a holistic approach to achieve their optimum overall health in all areas of their lives. In working with an array of clients with varying therapeutic needs, such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety, Jennifer has built a repertoire for delivering effective treatment for her clients. 

ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Erin Carrigan, BS, MA

Erin graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Indiana University-Bloomington.  Currently, Erin is pursuing her PhD in counseling psychology while obtaining her MA from Northwestern University.  Erin has extensive career background within the mental health field of both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings for both adult and adolescent populations.  Along with her clinical work, Erin has experience with both administrative and managerial within health care settings and coordination.  Erin has a passion for mental health and allowing for clients to becoming their whole authentic selves; no matter their journey.  Erin manages daily operations of the outpatient program which include group sessions, clinical documentation, research and administrative duties.

In addition to her time at Center for Discovery, she is a Mental Health Counselor Intern at a private practice in Seminole, Florida providing both traditional therapy but also adventure therapy.  In Erin’s spare time she loves to be outdoors, reading, traveling and meeting new people.  Erin is extremely positive and passionate about not only supporting clients and families at Center for Discovery but also the many tasks associated with staff and the facility.

Milieu Manager

Cason Hussey, BS, RYT-200

Cason Hussey earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Wellness Promotion at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. I plan on pursuing a Master’s program in Public Health and Nutrition and want to become a Registered Dietitian. After my own personal experience and recovery from an eating disorder I became passionate about nutrition and eating disorder awareness. I interned with the Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders, a non-profit in Asheville, NC whose main focus is advocating for those impacted by eating disorders. I was able to plan and implement National Eating Disorder Awareness week on my college campus. I also interned with a local food bank to provide fresh and local fruits and vegetables to people residing in a food desert. I am passionate about food equity and access for all. In my free time you will find me doing yoga, going to the beach, playing with my Pekingese puppies, cooking, and spending time with my loved ones. A few years ago, I fell in love with yoga, and now am a 200-hour registered yoga instructor.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Patricia Casañas, LMHC

Patricia Casañas is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Masters of Arts in Counselor Education with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling from the University of South Florida. Patricia has served in many levels of care for eating disorder treatment including three years of experience working at a residential level of care for dual diagnosis for women struggling with substance abuse and eating disorders. She also has previous experience managing a Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents and children with eating disorders and was a past co-facilitator for two years for a free community support group for adults with eating disorders. In addition to her significant experience with eating disorder treatment and advocacy, Patricia owns a private practice specializing in Exposure Therapy and in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD and related disorders, and PTSD.

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Francisca Ortiz MA, CRC

Francisca Ortiz is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. After her own personal experience recovering from an eating disorder, Francisca became passionate about eating disorder awareness and helping others overcome mental illness and eating disorders. Francisca received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with a concentration on addiction and substance use from the University of South Florida. Francisca has over 4 years of experience working in the mental health field; Francisca has worked in a residential facility with women struggling with substance abuse and eating disorders and additionally in a community-based outpatient setting with highly vulnerable patients struggling with co-occurring disorders. Francisca also has experience managing two community-based programs serving the homeless who struggle with mental illness and/or substance abuse. In her spare time, Francisca enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, spending time with her two cats and loved ones and making macramé art.

On-Call Dietitian

Melissa Rickmeyer RDN, LD

Melissa Rickmeyer is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and is Licensed in the state of Florida.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She
went on to complete her Nutrition Science education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
and her dietetic internship at Southern Regional Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. Melissa also
completed the Chef’s Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in Manhattan where she
received training as a natural foods chef. She is passionate about food and nutrition and loves
helping others find its joy. Melissa is a busy mother of three little girls and a proud Army wife.
She enjoys cooking for her family and friends and exploring new restaurants in the area.