Dr. Elise A Reed, D.O. – Psychiatrist
Elise A. Reed, D.O. raised a family of four girls before a job as a hospital medical transcriptionist inspired her, in 1983, to leave her home in southern California, and to attend college and medical school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She earned a B.S. in psychology from Oral Roberts University in1988 and a DO from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. She spent two years in an OB-GYN residency in West Virginia before realizing that psychiatry was her true calling. She returned to Tulsa where she completed a residency in psychiatry; and in 1998, moved to San Diego where she has been in private practice, treating adolescents and adults since. She has also worked with Eating Disorders in both inpatient and residential treatment facilities.
Nancy Staycer, LCSW – Clinical Director
Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and got her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2001 from San Diego State University. After completing over 3200 hours of training, she received her License as a Clinical Social Worker. Her training includes substance abuse, anger management, effective communication, conflict resolution, and stress and crisis management. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults using individual, couples, family and group therapy at both the outpatient level as well as the residential level. In addition to eating disorders, her experience also includes adoption issues, grief and loss, PTSD and child abuse. Beyond her professional experience, she also has personal experience with the 12-step model of recovery and uses examples from her own struggles and successes, in order to instill a sense of understanding and ultimately hope for those battling addiction
Jamie Kohanyi, MFT Intern 70700 – Program Therapist
Jamie Kohanyi is a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Counseling Psychology program with an emphasis in Depth Psychotherapy. She is additionally certified in Expressive Arts Therapy and Transpersonal Studies from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. With a bachelor’s degree from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Jamie has integrated music, movement, and creative symbolism in her work with eating disordered women and their families in several residential, partial, and outpatient settings. She is currently in the process of completing her licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Jamie’s approach to individual and group psychotherapy is informed by family systems, feminist schemas, and the 12-step model of recovery. In addition to her training and professional experience, Jamie’s hopes to bring to her patients inspiration and empathy arising from thirteen years of her own personal eating disorder recovery.
Jennifer Desby- Physician Assistant
Sharon Zimbler, MFT – Program Therapist
Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University’s Fine Arts Division. After moving to San Diego from Miami, Florida, Sharon earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California School of Professional Psychology Division at Alliant International University. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Psychology degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sharon has experience working with individuals, couples and families as well as group therapy. She also has experience working with substance abuse and eating disorders. In addition, Sharon worked as a school based therapist in the Escondido school district which allowed her to work with high risk children and their families. Sharon’s theoretical approaches include family systems theory and the 12 step model of recovery. Sharon uses her knowledge and passion to promote recovery in her community.
Traci Roundy, Registered Nurse – Director of Nursing
Traci Roundy, Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing, has been delivering nursing care services for CRC Health Group since 2007 working primarily with adolescents. She joined Montecatini in August of 2011 as the Director of Nursing and oversees the nursing and clinical care aspects of our clients. In addition, she oversees as part of a team, Montecatini’s adherence to Patient Care and Quality Assurance guidelines. She assists our clients in more than the delivery medical care. She is highly experienced in helping client’s gain the needed tools and living skills as they transition into their life-long recovery program. When she is not at Montecatini she enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters exploring California.
Leah Huff, Registered Dietician
Leah received her Bachelors of Science degree from California State University, Long Beach in Nutrition and Dietetics and is credentialed by the commission on dietetic registration as a Registered Dietitian. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Leah completed her dietetic internship program from Oakwood University. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the California Dietetic Association. Leah has been involved in the treatment of eating disorders since November of 2006 and joined Montecatini in October 2011 as the Registered Dietician providing an individualized nutrition care plan helping clients find moderation and balance in all foods to live healthier, happier lives.
Barbara Jackson Hernandez, Chef
Barbara Jackson Hernandez, a Chef, Food Consultant and Culinary Consultant joined Montecatini in October 2011. She began her career in 1989 having worked as a Personal Chef and Caterer, owned a cupcake business and taught private and group cooking classes, as well as having extensive experience in the business arena. Her focus on health concerns led her to the field of eating disorders where she creates and teaches farm to table meal planning, preparation and cooking promoting a balanced and healthy life style. Barbara joined Montecatini in October 2011.
Amy Darneille, B.A. – Residential Patient Assistant Supervisor
Amy graduated from California State University, Chico in 2000 with a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Her professional experience includes counseling and coaching work with adolescents in the independent boarding school setting and in non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Montecatini as the Residential Patient Assistant Supervisor, Amy worked as a resident assistant at a sister facility of CRC Health Group in Reno, NV.
Elaine Bryan, RYT and Nutrition Counselor, Reiki Master
Elaine is a Registered Yoga Teacher through the nationally recognized Yoga Alliance, an organization which registers teachers based on their education and experience in teaching various types of yoga. Elaine has taught yoga classes in various locations in North County San Diego for approximately 6 years. Elaine facilitated two full sessions of the Full of Ourselves program, an upbeat prevention program of eating disorders and body disturbances including obesity prevention. It is an educational program aimed to sustain girls in their mental, physical and social health, primarily for middle school age girls. Elaine has taken that experience and lessons and incorporated some of the concepts from that program, along with the many benefits of yoga to help women to strengthen their bodies, mind, and spirit. Elaine helps the women at Montecatini with mindfulness skills, non-harming and compassion for themselves and others, creating stillness and peace and calmness in their bodies, physical and inner balance and breath work to reduce anxiety and calm the body and mind. Elaine also helps them build strength, overcome fears and challenges them to stretch themselves physically, and mentally. Elaine also helps the students at Montecatini learn to listen to their bodies without judgment, deepening their trust and confidence in themselves.
Elaine also uses her skills, experience and knowledge with energy healing in the form of Reiki and Healing Touch to facilitate releasing tension in the mind and body.
Anita Carter, MA – Expressive Arts Therapist
Anita Carter offers patients of Montecatini an opportunity to express themselves through the power of art making. Patients are guided in visual art, body and breath awareness through movement, visualization meditation, writing reflections and poetry. Through expressive arts therapy principles as a foundation for healing, patient’s art experience becomes a resource that brings support, strength and courage to see new perspectives in their lives.
Anita is a visual artist and former professional dancer. Anita earned her MA in Counseling from the University of San Diego. Anita is a visual artist and former professional dancer. She completed a post-master’s program in Expressive Arts Therapy earning a Professional Diploma from the Expressive Arts Institute of San Diego. Anita has conducted extensive research in the field of learned helplessness, expectation effect, family violence and sex-role stereotyping. In 2009, Anita was awarded an artist-in-resident grant from the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation, to offer expressive arts therapy for the Marines in the Wounded Warrior program at Camp Pendleton. She continues to work with veterans in recovery from substance abuse, addiction, and PTSD. In addition she is the expressive arts therapist at Sharp Memorial Hospital where she offers the arts for healing to patients with acute and chronic illness. Anita’s combined experience in expressive arts, counseling, psychology researcher and artist/dancer of 30 years lends itself to a thoughtful, dynamic and an aesthetic understanding of the power of art making for healing and recovery.
Jeannie Obermayer – Intake Coordinator
Jeannie has worked in the medical field for over 15 years. She comes to Montecatini with a background in hospital administration, supporting the needs of inpatients and outpatients in both adult and pediatric populations. Jeannie finds it rewarding to improve the quality of any person’s life in any way she can. She is committed to healthy living and supports the recovery process along with her fellow staff.
Aside from work, her interests are in the outdoors, gardening, and craft projects.
Lynette Kalama – Office/Operations Manager
Lynette has worked in the Medical field for more than 25 years. Her experience has been in Long Term Care Pharmacy and Drug and Psychiatric Hospitals as the Billing and Office Manager. Lynette has an extensive background in insurance and third party billing. She is also dedicated to creating a positive and healthy environment for the patients and staff and ensuring everyone’s needs are met.
Erika Rocco, Regional Outreach Specialist
Erika has over 13 years of sales experience and additionally spent five years as a teacher in the Temecula Valley. She earned her B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University in 1995. Erika has become an advocate for eating disorder research and a mentor to parents of children with eating disorders. She participates in fundraising efforts benefiting Eating Disorder research. Working in the eating disorder field is a rewarding and exciting career.