The Emily Program

Kay has worked in a variety of clinical settings specializing in weight management and eating disorder treatment including outpatient, inpatient, partial programming, and residential. She developed the nutrition program at Methodist Hospital's Eating Disorder Institute and is a nutrition consultant to several Minnesota colleges working with eating disorders, sports nutrition, and wellness. Kay received her dietetics degree from Mankato State University and completed her dietetic internship through the University of Minnesota Consortium Internship Program.

In addition to supporting the day-to-day operation of the Anna Westin House, Kelly's responsibilities include an array of office management duties. She came to the Anna Westin House in June 2003, bringing experience in the medical field including working one-on-one with patients and office skills in the areas of payroll, accounting, and office management.

Shannon has worked in the eating disorders field since 1990 conducting research, providing clinical care and developing treatment programs. She returned to Minnesota to open the state's first residential treatment facility, the Anna Westin House. Prior to that, she had been creating and managing treatment programs in Spokane, Wash., and Mountain View, Calif., as well as maintaining a private practice. Shannon received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology.

Monique enjoys working with young women in a residential setting to address underlying issues contributing to the eating disorder as part of a dedicated therapeutic relationship. She has worked with adolescent and adult women struggling with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient, partial, and outpatient at Laureate's program in Tulsa, OK, and Methodist Hospital's Eating Disorder Institute. She received her master's in counseling and psychological services from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis.

George works with adolescents and young adults to promote overall health and well-being by developing a healthy attitude toward eating and body image. George received her degree in home economics with an emphasis in foods and nutrition from Western Illinois University. She completed her dietetic internship at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. After working in clinical settings, she found that the relationship between emotions and food was an integral part of her practice, and completed a master's in guidance and counseling from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Barb has spent her career specializing in eating disorders and eating disturbances. She has worked in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings with people of all ages. She is passionate about partnering with individuals and families as they journey the path toward recovery. Barb received her degree in general and clinical dietetics at Iowa State University in Ames. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Kay has worked in a variety of clinical settings specializing in weight management and eating disorder treatment including outpatient, inpatient, partial programming, and residential. She developed the nutrition program at Methodist Hospital's Eating Disorder Institute and is a nutrition consultant to several Minnesota colleges working with eating disorders, sports nutrition, and wellness. She received her dietetics degree from Mankato State University and completed her dietetic internship through the University of Minnesota Consortium Internship Program.

Raquel has experience creating, implementing, and evaluating programs promoting normal eating and positive body image. She has a number of professional publications to her credit, two awards, and more than 10 years of experience in the areas of disease prevention and treatment, with a specific interest in eating attitudes and media influence related to health behaviors. She received her dietetics training and a master's in human nutrition in Brazil, then obtained a second master's, in community nutrition, from Michigan State University. Raquel is bilingual in English and Portuguese and speaks some Spanish. She has volunteered both locally and nationally in the nutrition field and is energized by working directly with the community.

Val has a passion for helping individuals make nutrition and lifestyle changes despite the overwhelming and confusing information consumers receive about their health. She specializes in child and adolescent nutrition, including eating disorders, weight management and diabetes. Prior to earning her master’s degree in nutrition. Val earned a bachelor’s in speech communication from the University of Nebraska and worked for IBM as a corporate marketing representative in the Twin Cities. Additional experience working with children, teen and women’s church ministry groups has equipped Val to counsel and motivate people to achieve balance with mind, body and spirit.

Henry is a consultant to seven Twin Cities area college counseling centers and is a popular workshop presenter. He received a Bush Medical Fellowship, which funded a sabbatical to study natural and mindfulness therapies in the practice of psychiatry. He has worked with an integrative medical clinic run by the University of Minnesota, and has created adult education programs through the university's Center for Spirituality and Healing, including "A Year of Living Mindfully" and "The Inner Life of Healers: Programs of Renewal for Health Professionals." His first book, The Chemistry of Joy: A Three Step Program for Overcoming Depression Through Western Science and Eastern Wisdom, was published in January 2006.

Carmen's range of care has included infants to adults. She has worked in the Minneapolis area as a physician assistant in the field of internal medicine/infectious diseases for the last five years. She has broad experience as a medical technologist in the areas of lab management and clinical lab practice. Carmen received her master's of medical science and physician assistant certificate from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO.

Rich's particular area of interest includes emergency mental health care and the medical and psychiatry interface. In addition to his work at The Emily Program, he uses his skills in an emergency room, where he sees mental health crises. Rich received his medical degree from the University of Tulane School of Medicine. He then completed a dual residency in psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Minnesota.

Joan enjoys her nursing role at the and has been with the Anna Westin House since it opened. In addition to her work at the Anna Westin House, she has more than 35 years of nursing experience and has worked in nursing home and outpatient endocrinology clinic settings.

Jen has been with the Anna Westin House since May 2005. During that time she has been attending school for her R.N. degree, which she plans to complete in May 2009. Jen appreciates the opportunity to play a role in offering a safe place and an environment of trust for women who are starting their futures of recovery.

Linda has been with the Anna Westin House from the beginning, helping to develop its nursing program. Working at here has fulfilled a new nursing passion. She enjoys witnessing the wonderful changes in the lives of the women who have come to Anna Westin House to heal. Her prior nursing experiences included pediatrics, burn unit, adult and adolescent psychiatry, and chemical dependency. Linda received her bachelor's in nursing from St. Scholastica in Duluth.

In addition to broad clinical experience, Linda is a Stephen Minister (good listener). She enjoys working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Before joining Anna Westin House, she was with MVNA (Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency) as the Registrar Coordinator/Nurse Supervisor for the Influenza Program. She graduated from Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing and has worked at St. John's Hospital in med/surg, HCMC dialysis ICU, home health care, and Good Samaritan Nursing Home.

Vanessa has been with the Anna Westin House since 2005. Previously, she worked in psychiatric and detoxification programs in the metro area. She completed her nursing education at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Cathy's special area of interest is spirituality. She also conducted and published research examining the ability to teach caring behaviors to nursing students. She received her bachelor's in nursing and her master's in theology from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Cathy has a diverse background of clinical experiences and previously taught in the nursing department at the College of St. Catherine.

Kim has been with Anna Westin House since 2004. She has worked as a registered nurse in a variety of settings, the majority of which have been mental health, including working with individuals with eating disorders. She received her bachelor's in nursing from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

Andrea received her bachelor degree's in nursing & child development and family science, with a minor in psychology, from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. Her clinical background includes oncology, labor and delivery, OB, newborn nursery, women's health, and eating disorders. Andrea was a pivotal member in developing the nursing program at the Anna Westin House, where she continues to work as a nurse clinician.

Jeanine is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and is endorsed by the UCC for the specialized ministry of chaplaincy. She also is board certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains. Before joining The Emily Program, Jeanine was chaplain at the Eating Disorders Institute at Methodist Hospital, where she was instrumental in creating the spiritual component of the treatment program. She received her master's of divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School and completed her clinical training in chaplaincy at Abbott Northwestern, North Memorial, and Methodist hospitals in the Twin Cities. Jeanine serves the spiritual needs of people with eating disorders both through The Emily Program and Water's Edge Healing and Counseling Center, as well as working with grieving people at Allina Hospice.

Annie has worked in the areas of mental health, chemical dependency, and eating disorders treatment since 1990. She completed her doctoral degree in music/music therapy and received a master's in counseling. She has advanced training in music psychotherapy from Temple University, is a fellow in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (FAMI) and in Neurological Music Therapy (NMT). Annie also is conducting research and teaching at the University of Minnesota.

Before joining the Anna Westin House and the Intensive Day Program, Lynnette's experience included working in residential treatment centers for eating disorders in San Diego. She received her master's in clinical health psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, where she is due to complete her doctoral degree in fall 2007. Her internship included working in the Weight and Wellness Clinic at Children's Hospital in San Diego, where she counseled children and families struggling with obesity.

Before joining the Emily Program in the fall of 2007, Kate spent a year at the University of Oregon in Eugene as a pre-doctoral intern at the University Counseling and Testing Center. She has experience in family therapy through Reuben Lindh Family Service in Minneapolis, and has worked with college students dealing with eating disorders and other issues at the University of Minnesota, Carleton College and Metropolitan State University. She received her bachelor's in child psychology and master's in educational psychology at the U of M, where she now is finishing her Ph.D. in educational psychology. Her dissertation is investigating how women end friendships.

MC has been in practice more than 10 years and is experienced working with people with eating disorders. She is sensitive to the vulnerabilities clients may feel in receiving bodywork and uses a variety of modalities to bring ease to the body, mind and spirit. MC molds sessions to specific client needs and is creative about helping clients to feel most comfortable. She is dedicated to helping clients access and develop a deep relationship with the wisdom inherent in their bodies. She believes it is this wisdom, beneath the chatter in our minds, which can direct us to our inner truth, and lead us to harmony with our lives and the world around us.

Tamar's experience includes providing individual and group therapy to adults with a history of trauma, mental illness, and brain injury while working at Belleview Hospital Center in New York City. She also conducted research examining the connection between creative therapy and cognitive improvement in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury. Tamar received her graduate degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and completed her internships at Incarnation Children's Center, an inpatient facility for children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS, and at Bellevue Hospital Center.

Monique enjoys working with young women in a residential setting to address underlying issues contributing to the eating disorder as part of a dedicated therapeutic relationship. She has worked with adolescent and adult women struggling with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient, partial, and outpatient at Laureate's program in Tulsa, OK, and Methodist Hospital's Eating Disorder Institute. She received her master's in counseling and psychological services from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis.

Leah has worked with individuals, families, couples, and groups in a variety of settings. She is committed to cultural diversity and works from a strength-based approach. Some of Leah's focus areas include adolescents, couples, trauma, grief depression, and anxiety. Leah received her master's in counseling psychology and certification in marriage and family therapy from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis.

Originally from Alaska, Meghan completed her bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Wyoming. She then returned to Alaska, working in the banking industry for a few years. Switching gears, she moved to Minnesota and completed culinary arts school at Le Cordon Bleu.

Marie is attending Argosy University for a master's in marriage and family therapy. She is completing her internship through Relationships LLC in North Minneapolis where she works with couples, families and individuals. At that site, she will be incorporating a new group for families with eating disorders. Marie has a bachelor's in psychology from Metro State University. She also attended Winona State University, where she majored in pre-med.

Amy is working on her Psy.D. in clinical psychology at Argosy University/Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, where she also received her master’s in clinical psychology. She has a bachelor’s in biology with a concentration in biomedical studies from St. Olaf. She completed a diagnostic/assessment practicum at Mental Health Systems in Woodbury and Edina and is currently doing a practicum at St. Cloud State Counseling and Psychological Services. Before joining the Emily Program, Amy’s experience included providing office support at an OBGYN clinic; working as a certified nursing assistant; and as a health caretaker at a Minneapolis child and family center.

Susan's responsibilities include supportive eating, charting, taking residents on outings, and being available for support. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. She plans to return to school for a master's in social work.

Molly has been with the Anna Westin House since October 2006. She is pursuing her master's in marriage and family therapy from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology and hopes to specialize in working with women on issues including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and stress management. Molly received her bachelor's in women's studies and psychology with a sociology minor from Hamline University. She has worked for the University of Minnesota, Fairview, in inpatient psychiatry and chemical dependency treatment. She also has worked with specialties such as schizophrenia, adolescent chemical dependency, and severe and persistent mental illness at both Park Nicollet and People Incorporated.

Lindsay has had a special interest in media and body image throughout her undergraduate psychology studies and graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota-Morris in 2006. Before joining the Anna Westin House, she completed an internship in the Research, Education, and Outreach division of the Eating Disorders Institute at Methodist Hospital and worked for seven years as a nursing assistant at a long-term care center.

Brian has been with the Anna Westin House since the beginning of the program working overnights. Before joining the Anna Westin House, Brian worked in a direct-care capacity for Mount Olivet Rolling Acres for 17 years.

Kathryn has worked as a certified nursing assistant in a variety of settings since 1995 and completed her certified nursing assistant coursework at Hutchinson Technical Institute. She greatly enjoys her work with the residents at the Anna Westin House.

Nancy’s goal is to help clients realize that a balanced approach to exercise will promote happiness, less stress, more energy and an overall sense of well-being. She has worked as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, group fitness instructor, Pilates instructor and facilitated group training classes in a health club setting since 1991. She received her bachelor's in social work and a minor in psychology from the University of Iowa.

In addition to the Anna Westin House, Carey has provided acupuncture in private practice, as well as Solimar Wellness Spa in Eagan. Her clinical experience includes treating patients with a wide variety of physical and psychoemotional issues including insomnia, pain, menopausal symptoms, headaches, migraines, PMS, fatigue, digestive complaints, depression, and anxiety. She received a master's in oriental medicine from The Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN.

Elizabeth received her degree in oriental medicine from the Minnnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies in 1998. She received her master's in oriental medicine from the Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. For more than 10 years, she has maintained a private practice in Eden Prairie, MN. Elizabeth has been treating residents of the Anna Westin House with oriental medicine/acupuncture since the inception of the program.