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.
• Becky Johnson, Executive Director
  Becky´s work in healthcare has primarily been as President of medical societies whose missions are improving the health of the local community. Becky served as Project Coordinator responsible for opening the Center for Eating Disorders. Areas of expertise include: carrying out the vision of the board, building lasting and trusting relationships with referrals, strategic planning, integrated medicine, whole person care, training, website coordination, marketing, and facility renovation.
• 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.
• Noelle Schwantes, M.Ed, LPC-MHSP, NCC Program Director
  Noelle is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, with an M.Ed in Human Development and Counseling.  Noelle comes to Focus with Program Director experience from Cumberland Heights, as well as private practice and community liaison work.  She is currently completing a PhD in Somatic Psychology and has specialty training in rapid trauma resolution, psychodrama, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
• 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
• Blake DeFoor, Director of Admissions
  Graduate from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, BS Sociology. Blake has been instrumental in developing new admissions standards and procedures; as well as ensuring patients receive the best customer service.
• 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, 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, Primary Counselor
  Graduate of Psychological Studies Institutes, Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Studies, Specialization Coaching and Leadership. Diane has worked as a life and business coach. She is passionate about family and the issue of domestic violence and was asked to do a series for a television/radio network.
• Margie Hayduk, M.Ed, IOP Counselor
  National Certified Counselor. Graduate of University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Master of Education, Community Counseling, BS, Psychology. Margie is a member of the American Counseling Association, Tennessee Counseling Association and the Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association. Margie brings life experience to the area of counseling and chemical dependency. After a career as a mother of five and high school teacher, she brings wisdom to the CD Intensive Outpatient Program.
• Amber Martin, M.Ed, BA, Primary Counselor
  Graduate of Vanderbilt University with M.Ed in Human Development and BA in Psychology. Amber is an active member of the National Eating Disorder Association and has served as an intern for the committee Pioneering Healthy Communities.
• 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.