Jennifer Torio-Hurley, MSW, LCSW - Therapist:

Jennifer is a warm, passionate, and engaging therapist. She has been with Dr. Kakaiya and Healthy Within since 2001 in a variety of positions. She facilitated the Day Program, ran groups for the Intensive Outpatient Program, ran the free ANAD groups for many years and has conducted didactics in various topics as they relate to recovery. Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Social Work with a very strong background in working with exercise addiction as it relates to eating disorders. Her strength lies in her breadth of knowledge and the warm, direct demeanor she has. Jenn combines compassion with humor and the ability to laugh at our own "stuff" and the incredible resilience it takes to have authenticity in the face of adversity. Jenn is highly qualified in working with co-morbid conditions that co-occur with eating disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Addictions, Depression and Anxiety. Her experience also includes working with individuals afflicted by Schizophrenia and Post-partum Depression. She is seasoned with couples and family therapy and she is especially well-qualified to work with trauma and relationship issues.  Jennifer believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship so that patients have the courage to look within, dig deep, and live an authentic life.  Her vision for her practice is allow patients the loving space to heal from internal wounds, to feel unconditionally accepted and to develop the skills and motivation to live an extraordinary life.  Jenn has a very busy practice at Healthy Within and she feels very honored to be able to serve and give back the strength that she has developed in her own recovery.

Professional Alliances:

Jenn has recently been awarded the position of a Board Member for the San Diego Chapter of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). She is also an active member of NASW (National Association of Social Workers) and Post Partum Health Alliance of San Diego.

Patty Schroeder Psy.D, Program Therapist:

Dr. Patty Schroeder is Dr. Kakaiya’s psychological assistant (PSB 35069) and an individual and group therapist at Healthy Within. Her passion for helping women recover from eating disorders and poor body image led her to pursue a career in psychology. She has recently earned a Psy.D. degree in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University, and the focus of her doctoral dissertation was media's impact on adolescent girls with eating disorders. She has been with the Healthy Within Foundation since 2002 facilitating the weekly ANAD support group.

At Healthy Within Clinic, Dr. Schroeder conducts individual psychotherapy and group therapy. Her warm, kind, compassionate demeanor makes her a very approachable therapist. Her personal experiences in adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury make her a gifted, understanding, intuitive clinician. Her optimistic view on the world as she empowers others to seize the “moment” and break through the barriers we all experience are some of Dr. Schroeder’s strongest assets. Dr. Schroeder has substantial clinical experience with adolescents. A treatment modality Dr. Schroeder resonates well with is working from a place of wellness and strength using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Schroeder is also an active volunteer and board member for Awakenings Health Institute, a non-profit organization specializing in post-acute exercise rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. She is a San Diego native, and earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan.

CONSULTANTS

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.

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.