Eating Disorders Treatment | Therapists

My name is Gwen Grabb and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My own severe struggle with an eating disorder and lengthy recovery fuels my passion to help others battle this problem that can feel overwhelming and very lonely. Through my own journey, I discovered that authentic and compassionate relationships, trust, and a sense of community are essential ingredients for overcoming an eating disorder. Shoreline shares this philosophy making it a natural fit, as well as an exceptional place, for me to assist others in their healing process.

I received my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past six years, I have trained and specialized extensively in all types of addictive behaviors, first at the Antioch University Counseling Center and more recently at the Southern California Psychology Group. As someone who has both suffered from an eating disorder and acted as a support to many others, I am fully committed to helping those struggling with disordered eating, body image issues, and related behaviors. I also understand and value the important role that parents and loved ones play in the healing process. I care deeply about helping families learn to best support their loved one while taking care of their own needs. My work is strengthened by the combined perspective of a parent and a person who understands firsthand the destructive power an eating disorder can have on an individual's psyche and sense of self.

I believe that recovering from an eating disorder is one of the most difficult challenges a person could face. It can also prove to be a most fulfilling and meaningful experience. Working at Shoreline offers me the exciting and gratifying opportunity to be a part of this process for others. I am committed to applying my personal and professional experience, and the wisdom gained from both, to help all those who reach out for help.

I came to the Shoreline Center for Eating Disorders Treatment having graduated with my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University. I am currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. I have battled with eating disorders such as anorexia and have persevered through the journey of recovery. Working at Shoreline, gives me the opportunity help others in their journey. Knowing firsthand how life changing recovery can be, and how much better life is out of the bondage of eating disorders motivates me to guide others towards their own freedom. My most recent past experience, before coming to Shoreline includes, working at an inpatient eating disorders treatment facility in Boston, MA. In that capacity, I worked as a residential counselor as well as leading the expressive arts groups. I am excited to be here at Shoreline, and thoroughly enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge about eating disorders, and most importantly, my deep desire to see people through the process of recovery to a life filled with more peace, freedom and happiness.

Hi, I'm Rachel Coleman and I have joined the eating disorder field to fulfill a deep passion to strengthen and support those fighting for a path to recovery. I am currently a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern and have graduated with my Masters of Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. During my studies I concentrated in eating disorders and have previously been employed at a substance abuse counseling center. This background in addictions, as well as having struggled with disordered eating patterns myself, I discovered how important the insight of professionals, and peers who are also suffering from negative body image thoughts and obsessions, is to recovery. I believe that exploring one's self-identity and building one's self-worth is a crucial component to gaining the confidence and strength to live a full, healthy life. My personal spirituality and faith has played an important role in giving me the strength to understand who I am as an individual and human in this world, and I believe that tapping into one's spiritual meaning provides peace and hope in the journey to recovery. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Shoreline family and share the tools I have gained both in my educational background and personal experiences to those who have reached out for help and support.

My Name is Libby Neal and I am a licensed professional counselor, art therapist and practicing artist. I have fifteen years experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of clinical settings. I earned a Liberal Arts degree in Psychology and Art Studio from University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Art Therapy, from Naropa University. My post graduate trainings include EMDR, DBT, ACT and a two year program in child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapy, which was offered conjointly through Colorado Health Sciences Psychiatric Department and Denver Institute of Psychoanalysis. Although my clinical approach is based in psychodynamic theory, I also combine mindfulness skills, cognitive behavioral techniques, genetics and art therapy to foster positive change for those struggling with issues related to eating disorders, mood disorders, trauma histories, affective disorders, somatic disregulation, body dysmorphia and personality disorders. Raised in Los Angeles, but living in Colorado for the past 15 years, I am delighted to be back at the beach and working with the Shoreline treatment team!

My name is Tami Hans. I have been a part of the Satori House since its conception. My interest in recovery and self-development has grown from my own personal experiences. My journey began with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and the darkness that developed because of it. I know the feeling of "not being able to do it anymore" and the frantic internal plea for help. After years of trying to manage "my own way", the day came when the on-going shame, isolation and fear consumed me and I was finally at the fork in the road where I was willing to surrender my "control". I chose the path of recovery and a commitment to healing and wellness. Wellness to me is a combination of physical health, emotional balance and a spiritual connection to something outside of oneself.

The stretch/meditation class combines breathing, flexibility, strength and relaxation. Incorporating these components into one class provides a "whole wellness" approach. When the body has an opportunity to become quiet, a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress occurs. Once a state of calm is achieved, gentle body movements that flow in rhythm with each inhalation and exhalation are performed. As the body relaxes into this peaceful state, deeper stretching and range of motion is practiced. Becoming aware of where the body holds tension and focusing on releasing the "road blocks" allows the mind and body to become a team. The class ends with a fifteen minute guided meditation while listening to the sounds of crashing ocean waves, allowing a time to create a personal visualization while being guided to a state of deep peace.

My interest in the health benefits of quieting the mind and going inward found a place when the Satori House welcomed its first guest. What I bring to Satori is my experience and hope. What I offer is my commitment to supporting you during this transitional journey. What I promise is that with willingness and conscious effort you will blossom and discover your essence.

My philosophy and driving force in recovery is to be a role model and living example through thoughts, words and action. Recovery is active, supportive and compassionate. I do not believe there is one formula for healing. There is no "right" way. The only requirement is an honest desire to change the things that don't work. The meaning of recovery is to return to health and concious awareness. I believe this can be obtained in hundreds of successful ways... my hope is that you see the door and decide to walk through it with courage. To embrace the moment and challenge yourself to seek new awareness, insight and possibilities! I hope to learn with you and share in your discoveries along the way.

Hello, my name is Lisa Jackert and I am a music therapist with a MA degree in Psychology. I have been working with adults who struggle with various mental health disorders for 18 years. I am a graduate of Cal State University, Long Beach and the University of Missouri, St. Louis. I also have advanced specialized training in Guided Imagery and Music from the Therapeutic Arts Institute.

My first experience working with clients who have eating disorders was on an inpatient unit in St. Louis, Missouri in 1990-92. The clients there were my first teachers and I learned how challenging their lives were, but soon I discovered that the music provided a safe and healthy form of expression. The music provided a non-threatening container that was large enough to hold their thoughts, feelings, fears and anxieties so that insight and understanding could be gained. A technique that often was used was song lyric writing. I found that this was a way for the clients to not only identify their feelings, but also experience the emotions that were connected to those feelings. This also happened with percussion improvisation experiences where the feelings were beyond words but the sounds of the drum, tambourine, guitar, or any number of instruments were able to speak for the client.

Since then I have continued to provide therapeutic music experiences for people who are searching for personal growth and wellness in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities and in private practice. As I continue working I have come to believe that the works as a co-therapist and that within each of us there is a core-self, a music-self, that is healthy and whole and that can be found inside the music. The approaches I focus on are song lyric writing, vocal psychotherapy, and improvisation. With my colleague, Robin Rio, MA, MT-BC, we have presented multiple presentations regionally, nationally and internationally a specific approach called "Strength-Based Improvisation". This approach recognizes that the client's journey to his/her core-self (music-self) parallels the therapist's journey to his/her core-self (music-self), and that the journey begins by being grounded in our personal and musical strengths. We have been using an experiential training model that teaches clinical improvisation techniques, as well as emphasis on personal growth for the therapist.

It is a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to further my work with the clients at Shoreline. I acknowledge that it takes incredible courage and strength to seek treatment and I have a willingness to take the journey of deep exploration that recovery requires. My goal is to use the music to provide a safe, non-threatening container that invites exploration through non-verbal and verbal expression where insight, discovery, and healing can take place.

My name is Jenelle Hlavka and I am the receptionist here at Shoreline Center. My educational background is from Cal State Long Beach, with a BA in Art, focusing on arts education and teacher preparation. My education has provided me with various opportunities to gain experience teaching and using art as an empowering medium for personal and interpersonal exploration and change. I have worked as an art teacher at a local substance abuse rehab facility, as well as at an HIV/AIDS youth non-governmental organization in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Working in these therapy-based settings have had a very positive, lasting effect on me, and have inspired me to learn more and gain some insight into the field of therapy as a professional service and setting, thus bringing me to Shoreline. I understand the pressures we often feel from our culture, surroundings, and ourselves, and I know that these pressures sometimes have the dangerous potential to result in behaviors that are self-destructive and difficult to unlearn. I believe that everyone deserves the chance to lead a happy and healthy life that is their own, and I have compassion and respect for those who face their struggles daily in effort to overcome them and reclaim their lives and selves. I am very excited to be part of the Shoreline team that is so dedicated to helping benefit the recovery and lives of others, and while I am here, I hope to lend empathetic support and be of assistance in any way possible.