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Staff
Divya Kakaiya, Ph.D., CEDS – Program Founder and Clinical Supervisor:
Dr.
Kakaiya has been working with eating disorders since 1985 and is a true
visionary in her field. She is a seasoned expert in the field of eating
disorders, and has been presenting at national conferences for over
12 years. She is a national expert with cross cultural issues with eating
disorders and a frequent cultural issues consultant to other eating
disorder treatment programs. In San Diego she presents about 5 - 6 times
a year to other Psychologists and Marriage and Family Therapists who
want additional training with eating disorders. She has also published
extensively on issues related to family dynamics, treating adolescents
with eating disorders and issues related to South Asian Women. Additionally,
she is on the editorial board of numerous eating disorder journals,
and journals of cultural diversity. She has also been on the conference
committees for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
(IAEDP) and the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Dr. Kakaiya
conducts individual therapy, family therapy and couples therapy for
the program as well as holds a private practice. Her additional areas
of interest include eating disorder prevention. She is the main driving
force behind the prevention activities that Healthy Within engages in.
Additionally, she founded the Healthy Within Foundation in 2002 with
the hopes of being able to conduct more aggressive prevention programs
particularly in middle schools. She currently oversees approximately
20 volunteers for the Foundation, and an additional 6-10 undergraduate
interns from UCSD. Majority of these interns are conducting research
studies with eating disorders and Dr. Kakaiya is their direct supervisor
at Healthy Within. Dr. Kakaiya has a multifaceted practice and outside
of eating disorders her other areas of expertise are alcoholism, drug
addictions, women’s issues, trauma, co-dependency and dysfunctional
family dynamics. She is a very dynamic, warm, real, and engaging therapist
who has brought about major changes in the ways family members relate
with one another. She is very seasoned in family therapy and has treated
some very challenging families with great success. She also supervises
several Interns in San Diego and is a mentor to other psychologists
who regularly consult with her regarding their difficult cases, especially
pertaining to challenging families. She is also an approved supervisor
for International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals. Dr
Kakaiya recently appeared twice on the Tyra Banks Show as a expert on
Eating Disorders. She is also on the Healthy Girls Healthy Lives Committee
for the Girl Scouts of San Diego.
Kourtney J. Klepfer, M.S.W, ACSW (#21743) - Program Director & Therapist
Kourtney is an individual and group therapist for Healthy Within, bringing both her personal and professional experience with eating disorders to those in need of support and healing. Over the past two years, Kourtney has worked at an acute inpatient facility with women of all ages to overcome struggles with self-image as a result of eating disorders. As a former collegiate athlete, Kourtney is also committed to helping athletes maintain healthy nutrition and exercise regimens so they can achieve a maximum performance level in their sport. Kourtney's personal journey in overcoming an eating disorder has given her a special connection with her patients. Her passion is to help others form a strong support system that will promote long-term recovery and ensure a happy, healthy road to freedom. Kourtney's approach focuses on the principle of renewing the body, mind and soul with an individualized treatment plan that focuses on the immediate needs at hand. Her vision is to treat each client for their specific and unique needs while developing a trusted relationship that will foster inner growth, peace and love for one's self. She is passionately committed to the prevention of eating disorders and plans on conducting active prevention seminars in San Diego. She is also highly committed to maintaining the quality of our aftercare program. Kourtney earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph's College in Indiana and received her Masters in Social Work from Indiana University in the spring of 2007. A Hoosier at heart, Kourtney is thrilled to join her new San Diego friends at Healthy Within.
Kate Eldean, MA, MFT Intern- Program Director and Therapist (#49924):
Kate
Eldean is an individual, couples, family and group therapist at the
Carlsbad branch of Healthy Within. She brings with her a unique passion
for girls and women of all ages which has awakened a desire to work
more in developing her niche as an eating disorder specialist. Kate
has worked in a wide variety of settings which has allowed her to cultivate
her clinical skills and versatility in the areas of abuse and trauma
recovery, addiction and dual-diagnosis, adult children of addicted parents,
women’s issues, depression, anxiety, mood disorders and blended families
or those going through divorce. Kate is significantly connected to her
church community and does a wide-array of volunteer and community work.
She has spearheaded and coordinated a women’s mentoring program called
Tandem, which is a women mentoring women program at North Coast Calvary
Chapel in Carlsbad. Kate will continue to pour her passion and vision
into seeing women of all ages be restored, renewed and empowered to
live out their God-given calling and potential. She also integrates
Biblical principles into her work where appropriate and strives for
a holistic model of soul care with a focused sensitivity to spirituality.
Kate also conducts two groups, a 12-week cognitive behavioral therapy
group called Renewing Your Mind, for individuals struggling with depression,
anxiety and mood disorders. The Healing Path is a group for women to
help them gain new insight into their redemptive process as well as
to navigate through their past to deal with it in more constructive
ways. Whether you have lost hope, have recently been betrayed or are
dealing with deep wounds from your childhood, Kate’s engaging and integrated
style of therapy will help guide you on the journey to more freedom
and healing. In her spare time, Kate enjoys running, surfing, travel,
embracing other cultures and cuisines and cross-cultural missionary
work in Africa and abroad. Kate will be building and growing the Carlsbad
branch of Healthy Within as the Program Director. She holds a Bachelors
of Science degree in Psychology with a Specialization in health and
humanities from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Clinical
Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Torio-Hurley, MSW, ASW 15043 - Therapist:
Jennifer has
treated individuals with eating disorders at Healthy Within, at both the group
and individual level since January 2001. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree
in Health Science and completed a Masters in Social Work in August 2001.
Jennifer is passionate about helping women and men, especially young athletes,
decrease body image disturbances created by compulsive exercise patterns and
practices. Additionally, Jennifer's masters research experience focused on the
effects of the media on body image disturbance in college-aged women. She is a
former ACE-Certified Personal Trainer who has worked on various health-promotion
projects related to preventing diabetes and developing healthy exercise patterns
for disease prevention. Overcoming her own body image difficulties, Jennifer
uses her recovery to help others. She also works as a clinical social worker in
a prenatal clinic providing pregnant women support to cope with psychosocial
stressors such as domestic violence, depression, housing issues, and the like.
Danielle Beck-Ellsworth, M.A., MFT Intern (#54117)- Therapist and Prevention Specialist:
Danielle,
a seasoned specialist in obesity and eating disorder prevention, is
an individual, family, couples and group therapist at the Carlsbad and
San Diego offices of Healthy Within. Danielle has completed her Masters
in Marriage Family Therapy and is currently working on her PsyD at Alliant
International University. She received her Bachelors of Science in Cognitive
Science, Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California,
San Diego. Prior to working at Healthy Within, Danielle worked for a
year and a half with welfare recipients, consisting mainly of Hispanic
mothers and their children. She facilitated the Anger Management, Parenting,
Healthy Relationships and Family groups. For the past three years Danielle
has been the backbone to the Healthy Within Foundation. She volunteered
as a Girl Talk facilitator and is currently directing and training the
facilitators of the program. She offers free talks to parents, Girl
Scout troops, and other social groups on topics such as the dieting
culture, influences of media, and healthy living. Danielle’s passion
comes from knowing young women who have been severely affected by eating
disorders. She is committed to preventing eating disorders from taking
any more lives. In her free time, Danielle loves being at the ocean,
walking, gardening, or taking yoga classes. Her grounded presence creates
a calm, safe place for patients to feel comfortable. Danielle will be
facilitating the family A.N.A.D. group at the Carlsbad office as well
as the Binge Eating group and Girl Talk group. Metaphors, systems theory,
family therapy, art, and sense of self work are all incorporated into
Danielle’s successful treatment of patients.
Deborah Ogburn, MA - Expressive Arts Therapist:
Deborah
Ogburn is a specialist in the use of the arts-visual arts, dance, music,
writing and drama-as a catalyst for change. Having struggled with emotional
eating, yo-yo dieting and negative body image for nearly 30 years, she
is passionate about helping others use the arts to recognize and express
the underlying emotion that triggers ED. Deborah studied at the Expressive
Arts Institute of San Diego and completed her master's degree in Expressive
Arts Therapy, Coaching and Consulting at European Graduate School in
Switzerland. A member of Creative Change Associates, she facilitates
expressive arts programs for organizations throughout San Diego County.
She is a former board member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy
Association (IEATA) and a juried member of the San Diego Artist's Guild.
Deborah has a private practice in South Park (downtown San Diego).
Yvonne
Negron, L.Ac. - Licensed Acupuncturist
Yvonne
Negron graduated with honors in 1993 from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine,
in San Diego, California. In 1997, Yvonne completed a post graduate course at
the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Medicine. Since then, she has continued to
expand her knowledge by attending seminars, classes, and conferences in the
fields of Oriental medicine, personal growth, holistic health, and eating
disorders. She is licensed by the Medical Board of California and is a
designated Diplomate through both the National Certification Commission for
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the National Board of Acupuncture
Orthopedics. As a licensed acupuncturist, Yvonne believes that well-being is
achieved through a balance of mind, body, and spirit. Her San Diego private
practice is dedicated to helping clients strengthen each of these areas. She
integrates Chinese medicine, acupuncture, nutritional support, and warm,
personalized insight, to enhance mental and emotional well-being for all of her
clients. Yvonne's specialized clinical focuses include pain management, women's
health, depression, anxiety and the treatment of eating disorders. She is a member of
the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), and has
treated eating disorders in private practice and as a member of an intensive
outpatient program treatment team since 2005.
Portia Page -Fitness and Yoga Instructor:
Portia has been in the fitness industry for over 17 years. She teaches cell formats and styles of group exercise. She currently focuses on the mind/body arena because of its importance and relevance in today's busy and stress-laden world. She is a fully certified yoga and Pilates instructor. Portia travels throughout the US and abroad educating other instructors and participants about the importance of physical fitness.
Kelley O'Patry- Pilates Instructor:
For
Kelley, the body is an instrument to communicate and create. She teaches
that achieving harmony within oneself is not about perfection, but rather
the exploration of new possibilities. A native of San Diego, California,
Kelley exchanged sunny beaches for harsh winters when she was accepted
to the University of Pennsylvania on a merit scholarship. Her alma mater
is one of the first Universities to establish a pilates center, recognizing
pilates as a vision for the future and the wisdom it holds for women's
bodies and psychology. Kelley holds two pilates certifications and with
specializations in the areas of pre and post natal women, pelvic dysfunction,
pilates for golf application, body image concerns, and pilates instruction
as a complimentary healing modality for eating disorder recovery. Kelley
has worked with a very diverse clientèle, ranging from children to professional
athletes. She has recently begun studying Healing Touch Therapy at the
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla and hopes to begin
integrating Healing Touch Therapy into the Body Language pilates practice.
She is looking forward to studying the Alexander Technique this spring
to enhance her practice and movement potential for that of herself and
her clients. Kelley, recovered from anorexia herself, and has been an
active member of the Healthy Within Foundation for the past 4 years.
Patty
Schroeder, M.A. - Graduate Intern:
Patty's passion for helping women
recover from eating disorders and poor body image led her to pursue a career in
psychology. She is currently working toward a Psy.D. degree in Clinical
Psychology at Alliant International University, and the focus of her doctoral
dissertation is Media's Impact on Adolescent Girls with Eating Disorders. Patty
has co-facilitated the ANAD group at Healthy Within for the past 3 years. In
addition, Patty is a volunteer with Healthy Within Foundation and has conducted
numerous presentations for middle schools. Patty has substantial clinical
experience with adolescents. She is a San Diego native, and earned her Bachelors
degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan.
Yogesh Kakaiya, M.S. - Vice President Operations and Business Development:
As
the co-owner of the program, Mr. Kakaiya brings with him a strong business
background and a keen awareness of the essential needs of the eating disorder
program. He is responsible for day to day operations management and is the
director of Business Development. Mr. Kakaiya's specialty is marketing. He is an
active member of the Healthy Within team and as the father of a teen girl and a
very sensitive boy, and having been at eating disorder conferences for the last
12 years, he is acutely aware of the tyranny of the body obsessed society we
live in. He trains regularly with the Foundation volunteers and is actively
engaged in promoting the message of health within to all he comes in contact
with. He is a member of Dads and Daughters Organization and believes in
empowering women and girls in achieving their highest potential. He is actively
involved in his daughter's life and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with her in
July of 2005.
Sophia Rose B.A. Holistic Health Educator - Wellness
Consultant:
Sophia has over 20 years of experience in the Health
Education field. She has taught at various colleges, substance abuse prevention
organizations and preventative health organizations such as the American Heart
Association. She is presently an instructor at the Optimum Health Institute in
San Diego, where she teaches over 25 different holistic health classes such as
the body/mind connection, relaxation and stress management techniques, guided
imagery for self healing, effective communications skills, emotional health and
healing and gentle yoga. Sophia also teaches her own holistic health seminars at
various locations in San Diego and provides individual wellness consultations.
Through her presentations, seminars and consultations, Sophia helps you
understand the interconnectedness of your body, emotions, mind and spirit and
teaches you how to integrate all four parts of you into one balanced, healthy
and harmonious whole.
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