Dr. Anita Johnston

At Center for Eating Disorders we have a caring and experienced staff.

Professional Staff:
• Anita Johnston, Ph.D., Senior Expert and Weekly Consultant to Program
  Graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  Co-founder and Director, Anorexia and Bulimia Center of Hawaii, author of several publications including, "Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling". Anita contributes to the master treatment plan of every patient, facilitating weekly treatment team meetings to ensure every patients unique needs are being met.
• Blake Defoor, Director
  Graduate from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, BS Sociology. Prior to taking over as Administrator for Focus Center for Eating Disorders, Blake had been the Director of Admissions at Focus Healthcare since 2007. He has been instrumental in developing new admissions standards and procedures; as well as ensuring patients receive the best customer service.
• Mark Peterson, MD, Medical Director, Psychiatrist
  Graduate of Northwestern University Medical School. Member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Board Certified in Psychiatry.  Dr. Peterson has over 30 years of experience in the field of Psychiatry.  He is a past recipient of  the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Physician’s Recognition Award and is also Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
• Susan Kerr, Nurse Executive, BSN, UTC
  Graduate of Erlanger School of Nursing and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Susan has 20 years of successful progressive experience in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment and psychiatric services.   Susan’s areas of expertise expand nursing with knowledge of regulations, policy, procedures, and admission criteria.
• Sheila Thomas, MS, LMFT, Clinical Director
  Graduate of Southern Mississippi with a Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Director of Pine Grove Women’s Center from 2005-2008.  In addition to the leadership and experience Sheila brings to our treatment team, she has additional training in: EMDR, Sexual Addiction, Trauma Training, and Eating Disorders.
• Thomas Tullos, MA, BA, Clinical Director
  Graduate of University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Master of Arts Degree, Substance Abuse Counseling and Clinical Director of Pine Grove Gentle Path from 2004-2008.  In addition to the leadership and experience Thomas brings to our treatment team, he has additional training in Sexual Addiction and is a National Board Certified Counselor.
• Dr. Gary Gesualdi, MD, Associate Medical Director
  Graduated from The Chicago Medical School;
  Member of the American Association Mental Retardation;
  Member of Tennessee Association of Family Practice
• Bonnie Watson, Director of Admissions
  Graduated form the University of Tennessee, in Chattanooga with a BS in Psychology and a M.Ed in Community Counseling. Bonnie has clinical experience working with eating disorders, substance abuse and sexual offenders. In addition to her duties as Director of Admissions, she also is a Group Facilitator at Moonpointe A Focus center for eating Disorders in Knoxville, TN.
• Jenny Madzin, MS, RD, CDE, LDN, Registered Dietician
  Graduated University of Tennessee, Chattanooga with BS in Human Ecology, Food and Nutrition. Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist. Certified Diabetes Educator and Basic Nutrition Instructor at Chattanooga State College.
• Michael Meriweather, MA in Counseling, BA, Psychology, NCC, BCPC, Primary Counselor
  Nationally Certified Counselor, Board Certified Professional Counselor Michael has over 20 years of counseling experience. Has served as Clinical Director for Southwest Key Programs and Camelot Care, Inc. and provides daily motivational exercises with patients to help start the day off right.
• Diane Monteleone, MAMFT, NCC LAMFT, Program Director
  Graduate of Richmont Graduate University (formerly known as Psychological Studies Institute) with Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Studies, specialization in Coaching and Leadership. Diane’s background is diverse including working as life and business coach. With specialized training in Rapid Trauma Resolution and other co-occurring issues of addiction, she is passionate about the impact of addiction, trauma and domestic violence on individuals and their families. Diane has served as past editorial assistant for the Society for Christian Psychology’s professional journal “Edification”. She completed a 4-part series on domestic violence for television series “Issues and Answers” that continues today on radio across the globe. Diane is a frequent speaker educating the public about addiction, both eating disorders and chemical dependency, and is available for speaking engagements and presentations at conferences, schools and universities, non-profit organizations and other groups. If you are interested in having her speak to your organization, please contact us.
• Margie Hayduk, M.Ed, NCC, Primary Counselor for Focus Healthcare’s Intensive Outpatient Program.
  She is a National Certified Counselor and a Graduate of University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, with a Master of Education in Community Counseling with a BS in Psychology. Margie is a member of the American Counseling Association, Tennessee Counseling Association and the Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association.
• Brittany Harper, MS, BA, Primary Counselor
  Graduated from Lee University with a MS in Mental Health Counseling, and from Madonna University with a BA in Sign Language Interpreting. Brittany has several years of experience working with women, and served as a counseling intern at Focus for one year before moving into the role of Primary Counselor.
• Sarah Gowin, M. Coun., NCC, BA, Primary Counselor
  Graduated from Idaho State University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. She also has a BA in English Literature. Sarah has worked extensively with patients with ALS, has done folklore fieldwork, and has worked with refugees. Sarah published a cookbook of refugee recipes and stories in 2010. Sarah worked as a counselor at Boise State University before working at Focus Healthcare.
• Julie Gascay, MS, LMFT, Primary Counselor
  Graduate of California State University, Master of Science, Counseling Psychology (with emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling), BS. Sociology, Worcester State College. Julie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor.
• Melissa Rogers, RN, BSN, Director of Marketing
  Graduated from Southern Adventist University with A.S. in Nursing and from Columbia Union College with a BSN. Melissa has over 10 years experience in Nursing as well as 15 years experience in Marketing for Home Care and Hospice Agencies. She has experience in developing new marketing avenues.

As a Center of Excellence, all our primary therapists are seasoned, experienced, and hold masters in their field.