Dawn Delgado, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and an EMDR trained trauma specialist. She holds both her CEDS, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and CEDS-S Supervisor designation through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Dawn has dedicated herself to working with adolescents and adults recovering from eating disorders and co-occurring mental health issues for over 15 years.

In addition, to her lengthy tenure at Center For Discovery, she has directed and been instrumental in developing residential, partial hospitalization/day treatment, intensive outpatient, and transitional living programs. Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), she incorporates this form of trauma treatment in her private practice, Inspire Evolve, and into the clinical programming at Center For Discovery. An active member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP), she is a former chair member of the Los Angeles chapter. Dawn has a passion for yoga and travel and has served as a consultant to clinics and hospitals in Bali, Singapore, Java, and Dubai.

Jessica Harris graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. She obtained her Masters in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Over the past 7 years, she has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in various settings including eating disorders. Prior to joining the Center For Discovery team, Jessica worked as the Program Manager of a Residential Treatment Center treating adult women with eating disorders. She has additional experience working with eating disorders at the inpatient, partial and outpatient level of care treating adult and adolescent men and women. During her graduate studies, Jessica worked as a developmental therapist with special needs children and their families assisting them in supporting their child’s communication, relational and social skills needs.  Jessica uses a mixture of cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems therapy, narrative therapy and solution focused therapy.  She is passionate about providing individualized and group support in the outpatient division.

Cyndi Pulsinelli obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in San Diego, California. She also holds undergraduate degrees in Communication Studies and Psychology with a minor in Civic Leadership. She is a passionate clinician who believes in helping individuals and families acknowledge their authenticity while finding balance in the family system.

She practices using evidence based treatment modalities including DBT and CBT, while cultivating hope through a strengths-based approach. She has experience working with a broad range of issues including eating disorders, grief and loss, mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, family struggles, PTSD, and crisis intervention.

Cyndi has worked at Discovery’s residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient centers in Del Mar, Newport Beach, and La Jolla; where she worked as primary therapist and support staff. She provided individual, family, and group psychotherapy to adolescents and adults with eating disorders and dual diagnosis. During her graduate studies, she worked for San Diego Hospice as a bereavement counselor, providing psychotherapy to individuals and families through their bereavement journeys. While also working for the San Diego Police Department as a Crisis Interventionist for several years, offering psychological first-aid to victims and witnesses who have experienced trauma. Cyndi currently serves as a volunteer Chaplin for the Office of Emergency Services of San Diego County, providing counseling services to first-responders and victims in emergency situations.

Kacy earned her bachelor’s of science in Clinical Nutrition and minor in Psychology from the University of New Jersey, Davis and went on to earn her master’s of science in Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition from New Jersey State University Northridge. To complement her education in nutrition, Kacy obtained a certificate in personal training from the American Council on Exercise.

Essentially by accident Kacy found a way to combine all her areas of interest and education when she began working as a Diet Tech in 2009 at A New Journey Eating Disorder Center. Once Kacy completed her dietetic internship through CSUN, she became a Registered Dietitian at ANJ and worked with adults and adolescents at the intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial day treatment (PDT) levels of care. In Early 2014 Kacy began working Center For Discovery where she now finds fulfillment working in adolescent residential and adult Outpatient eating disorder treatment. Kacy also maintains a private practice, The Shameless Eater, in Westwood, Ca and is serving as secretary of Behavioral Health and Nutrition dietetic practice group for the 2014-2016 term.

Heidi Favia is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received a double major in psychology and education in her undergraduate degree. She received her Masters Degree in Applied Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles graduating with honors on the Dean’s List. She is currently working on obtaining her PsyD. Prior to joining the Center For Discovery team, Heidi worked as the Program Director of a Residential Treatment Center treating adult women and men with eating disorders, chemical dependency, and mental health. She has additional experience working with eating disorders at the partial and outpatient level of care treating adult and adolescent men and women.

Heidi has a passion for working with clients who struggle with eating disorders and chemical dependency. In addition, Heidi has over 5 years of experience working with women, men, and adolescents in eating disorders, chemical dependency, trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. She has experience working with women and children coming out of shelters effected by intimate partner violence, teens dealing with depression and gender identity issues, and families struggling with past trauma. Heidi uses the techniques she has learned and developed as a therapist and life experiences to create a compassionate, empathetic environment for her clients. Her calm and loving demeanor allows her to build trusting, open, and honest relationships with her clients. Being able to see clients enter treatment and leave with a different perspective on life is an amazing thing to witness. Heidi’s primary focus is instilling hope and motivation in order for clients to believe that recovery is obtainable and sustainable.

Kristie Tovar is a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian with experience working with both adolescents and adults suffering from various eating disorders. Kristie is dedicated to helping her clients succeed by using an intuitive eating and mindfulness based approach to nutrition counseling and education. Kristie works alongside her clients to help them find a healthy and mindful relationship with all foods. Kristie is also a certified yoga instructor (RYT – 200) with Yoga Alliance and believes that mindful movement can aide in the healing process.

Kristie earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles. She completed her dietetic internship at California State University, Long Beach where she also earned her Master of Science degree in Nutrition.

Natalie Weisman is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Humboldt State University. During her graduate studies, Natalie provided psychotherapy to families, children, and adults at the David H. Fox Counseling Center.

Natalie has several years of experience working in substance abuse and eating disorder treatment both as a resident advisor and as a therapist. She practices from a systemic approach and has experience working with a broad range of issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, and life transitions. She uses the techniques she has learned and developed as a therapist to create a trusting, open, and honest relationship with her clients. Natalie is firmly committed to providing each client with high-quality treatment in individual and group settings.

Currently a psychology student at Antioch University Los Angeles, Brittany brings her passion for body acceptance and understanding others to her work at Center for Discovery. She previously worked as the office manager for another eating disorder treatment center, where she gained experience working with clients who have co-occurring disorders. Grounded in a philosophy of self-compassion, she believes in fostering an environment where clients feel safe to explore their vulnerabilities. Brittany is an ardent advocate for those belonging to marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQ+ community and adolescents. Outside of work, she is an accomplished musician. She enjoys writing, going to concerts, and learning about spirituality.

Originally from Colombia, Dr. Schirch obtained her medical degree at University El Bosque in Bogota, Colombia. After graduation, she spent a year training at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. She completed her residency training in Psychiatry at The University of California, San Diego and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Schirch is a member of the American Psychiatric Association as well as the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is board certified in both adult and child psychiatry. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Dr. Schirch has over 10 years experience working with patients with eating disorders in all levels of care. She also worked at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the Adolescent Medicine Department with patients with chronic mental illness and substance abuse. Other areas of expertise include Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Dr. Schirch has a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care provided through a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Since 2007, Michelle has worked in the mental health field empowering individuals, couples, and families to explore their potential. She strongly believes that through the work of self-discovery and self-acceptance, anyone is capable of experiencing improved connection and quality of life. Michelle holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Phillips Graduate University and is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Through the use of evidenced based practices and person-centered interventions, Michelle works with clients seeking relief from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and grief in residential and outpatient settings. Her therapeutic approach is compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental so as to create a safe space where clients collaborate with her to identify outdated coping skills and under-utilized strengths.