Our Expert Eating Disorder Staff

Group CEO

Chrissy Hall, LCSW

As Group CEO, Chrissy is responsible for the overall operations, executive leadership team, and delivery of clinical services at Aster Springs. She started her career over 25 years ago in the behavioral health care field as a direct care staff member. Her experience is primarily in clinical and business development executive leadership positions, serving residential treatment centers, freestanding acute care hospitals, outpatient centers, and military treatment programs. Her areas of expertise include overseeing quality and compliance for startups, clinical best practices, staff education, and program development. Chrissy is passionate about leading teams to provide the highest quality of care in safe, therapeutic environments. Chrissy received her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University, and she’s currently licensed as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Chrissy is married and has two sons, ages 17 and 20. During her free time, Chrissy enjoys going to her son’s baseball games and traveling.

Network Medical Director

Dr. Tom Scales

Dr. Tom Scales is the Network Medical Director for Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare’s Eating Disorder Network, which includes, Aster Springs. In his role, Dr. Scale provides psychiatric and medical care to Aster Springs clients. He did his undergraduate training at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, went to medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, and did his residency training in a combined Internal Medicine/Psychiatry program at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He has done many presentations about eating disorders in the community and has made local media appearances discussing eating disorders. He was a radio show host in 2007 of a live web-based program entitled “Understanding Eating Disorders” on the website www.health.voiceamerica.com and featured professionals and lay people as guests in the eating disorder field.  Most importantly, he is a husband and proud father of two children. He is a diplomat in the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

AVP of Clinical Operations, Eating Disorder Network

Kate Fisch, LCSW, CEDS

Kate brings over 17 years of clinical experience working in the field of eating disorders to the Odyssey Eating Disorder Network. Kate draws on her experience working in all levels of eating disorder treatment and care to inform her dedication to developing and delivering evidence-based and best-practice clinical services. Kate’s extensive knowledge of eating disorders and years of direct client care have also shaped her passion for clinical supervision, support, and development of other mental health clinicians treating individuals with eating disorders.

Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University and her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.

AVP of Eating Disorder Admissions

Alycia Aldieri, LPC

As the AVP of Eating Disorder Admissions, Alycia works with the Eating Disorder Clinical Partnership Team to provide a responsive, compassionate, and streamlined process for admission into treatment. Her professional experiences include working with both adults and adolescents with co-occurring disorders, primarily in a residential setting. She’s a graduate of Benedictine University’s Master of Science of Clinical Psychology program. She also received her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from East Carolina University, where she received classical vocal training. Alycia’s therapeutic and professional approach derives from her therapeutic work, spiritual beliefs, and 12-step principles. She strongly values providing the highest level of integrity, compassion, and ethics when helping families and individuals affected by eating disorders and addiction. She believes living a life of recovery is worth the fight and holds hope that recovery is achievable to anyone willing. Alycia finds peace in being of service to others, and her goal is to ensure a smooth admission process for each client and their loved ones.

National Director of Alumni Services

Stefan Glamp

Stefan leads Odyssey’s efforts in developing the alumni communities at each of their facilities. Stefan’s approach sustains treatment effectiveness by providing timely, systematic, and supportive engagement for all clients who have completed treatment. With extensive experience developing and directing robust alumni communities in the addiction and mental health fields, he focuses on engaging people within their specific recovery journeys and developing community partnerships with a belief that long-term recovery is an attainable life goal.

Executive Director – Nashville

Amber Lucchino, LCSW, LADAC

Amber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She has been working in the behavioral health field for over 18 years, with a primary focus on trauma and co-occurring disorders. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Union University and her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University in NYC. She has experience in outpatient, as well as residential treatment settings, where she has held positions ranging from providing direct care to clients to facilitating program management, staff development and organizational wellness in Director roles. She enjoys providing trainings in the community and has been an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work for Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Amber is married and has 4 kiddos. In her spare time, she can be found at the barn with horses or hiking on nearby trails. She loves cake decorating, spontaneous dance parties and anything outdoors. Amber brings a unique perspective to her role as Executive Director in holding 22 years of recovery herself from an eating disorder. Her motto is: “Pay attention to what brings you joy and do more of that”.

Registered Dietitian – Nashville

Resa Herndon, RD

Resa received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She then earned her Master’s in Exercise and Nutrition from Lipscomb University. After graduation, she completed her dietetic internship at Lipscomb University in sports nutrition. She started her career as a clinical dietitian at Ascension Saint Thomas Rehab Hospital. She became interested in eating disorders through working with female collegiate athletes and personal training clients who were dealing with disordered eating. Her career goals include making Aster Springs Nashville the best and most welcoming residential care facility possible. She hopes to gain her Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) credential and eventually her CEDRD-S to support and educate other dietitians who wish to grow their knowledge of eating disorders. Outside work, you can find her playing guitar, hiking with her dog Akilah, and at the gym with her friends.

Therapist – Nashville

Abigail Spilburg

Abigail “Abz” Spilburg earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Belmont University in 2020 and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University in 2023.

During her Master’s Degree Internship, Abz worked in a Behavioral Health Clinic that served the underserved/uninsured population with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Abz is most proud of her Master’s thesis in which she studied depression rates before and after Covid-19. She has delivered several professional presentations on her thesis findings; “An Analysis of Depression in a Clinical Setting” at Lipscomb University’s Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration Conference and “The Supportive Voice of Advocacy” with The Center for Clinical Training. Abz is passionate about helping women find healing and freedom from eating disorders. Her therapy modalities feature DBT, CBT, Object Relations Theory and Attachment Theory.

In her free time, you can find Abz at a local park running with her rescue dog, Iswell.

Chef

James Laing

Chef James Laing brings over 20 years of culinary expertise to Aster Springs, combining his passion for food with a dedication to helping individuals build a healthy relationship with nourishment. His career spans roles as a chef, baker, and restaurant owner, specializing in scratch cooking, farm-to-table practices, and seasonal menus.

Having trained in kitchens across the U.S., France, and Switzerland, Chef James later ran two successful Massachusetts restaurants focusing on artisanal bread, pastries, and sustainable local ingredients. These experiences shaped his belief in food as a source of healing and connection.

At Aster Springs, Chef James creates balanced, nutrition-forward menus tailored to individual needs, fostering recovery through positive culinary experiences. Passionate about mentoring, he strives to inspire a mindful approach to food, helping clients rediscover the joy of eating while rebuilding confidence and health.

Executive Director – Richmond

Melanie Vann, MA, LPC, NCC

Melanie Vann obtained her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Regent University. She is a licensed mental health provider in the state of Virginia. Melanie started her career treating eating disorders becoming a skilled clinician in trauma-based therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and experiential therapies. Due to the complexity of eating disorders, Melanie furthered her education by becoming a certified equine-assisted therapist through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). She also went on to become a certified life coach through AACC. Melanie has worked in various settings in the mental health field including business and program development, non-profits, podcasting, consulting, outreach, and education. She has held multiple positions including primary therapist, program director, clinical director, and executive director. Melanie’s therapeutic approach is client- and strengths-focused to support her philosophy that full recovery and freedom from an eating disorder is possible. Her passion is to foster hope in individuals so they can live confident, empowered, and authentic lives.

Director of Nursing – Richmond

Lemettris Williams, RN

Lemettris is a graduate of Bryant and Stratton College where she received a degree in nursing. She’s always had a passion for helping others and knew at a young age that she wanted to be a nurse. Lemettris has over 20 years of healthcare experience. She’s spent the past four years of her career serving the eating disorder community.  She enjoys spending time with family and resides with her husband and two daughters in Chesterfield, VA.

Director of Nutrition Services – Richmond

Emily Moorefield, RD

Emily is a registered dietician who obtained her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from James Madison University. She went on to complete her dietetic internship at University of Virginia Health Systems. She’s currently working on her accreditation to be a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CED-RD). Prior to joining the Aster Springs team, Emily served as the Nutrition Manager at an eating disorder facility. Her career has included working at various levels of care for treating eating disorders to help clients improve their relationship with food. She’s also had the opportunity to raise awareness and provide education to the community on eating disorders through presentations and interdisciplinary panel discussions. Her counseling techniques integrate evidence-based nutrition science and motivational interviewing to aid her clients in reaching their full potential. Emily takes a therapeutic approach to nutrition and can connect with clients exceeding far beyond their relationship with food. She utilizes the Health at Every Size and All Foods Fit approaches.

Registered Dietitian – Richmond

Stephanie Walker, RD

Stephanie is a graduate from the University of Maryland where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. She then completed her Dietetic Internship and supervised practice at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she gained experience serving a variety of populations in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. It was through her own recovery from disordered eating and body dysmorphia that she became passionate about helping others heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Stephanie is an advocate for intuitive eating, Health at Every Size (HAES), and an all-foods-fit mindset. It’s her priority to meet clients where they are to support them in their walk toward recovery. In her time outside of work, she loves to spend time outdoors soaking up the sun and being surrounded by loved ones (including her two cats, Waffles and Biscuit).

Milieu Supervisor and Client Advocate – Richmond

Helen Bragg, QMHP A & C

Helen has a passion for uplifting and empowering clients that’s spanned over a sixteen-year career. Though her experience has been in several dynamic clinical settings from forensic mental health to therapeutic residential psych, Helen’s truest vocation is within eating disorder treatment. In the five years she’s worked with this population, she’s created a unique approach that is both dialectic and compassion focused. Ultimately, Helen’s vision for the work at Aster Springs is to provide the best and most informed healing for clients as they move towards recovery.

Registered Dietitian – Richmond

Caroline Knight, RD

Caroline received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She then earned her Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Auburn University. After graduation, she completed her dietetic internship at the University of Houston with a focus on sports nutrition and disordered eating. She started her career as a sports dietitian in a Division I collegiate setting working with athletes, and then she transitioned into working with eating disorders and has worked at multiple levels of care since. Her approach is individualized, weight-inclusive, Health at Every Size aligned, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. She enjoys using a therapeutic approach, evidence-based nutrition science, and humor to help clients have a better understanding of how their bodies utilize nutrition and how to take the steps necessary to achieve recovery.

Therapist – Richmond

Tracey Dickens, MSW

Tracey graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her Master’s in Clinical Social Work and is currently receiving supervision to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. She has over four years of experience working with children and adults with various mental health diagnoses, including substance use disorders. Tracey has a passion for helping others navigate through life’s difficult moments and overcome barriers while utilizing a strength-based, person-centered approach. She believes that breaking down barriers in accessing mental health and addiction treatment is the first step in eliminating the stigma associated with treatment.

Therapist – Richmond

Via Cosby

Via Cosby graduated from Lesley University with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus in Drama Therapy. Via has experience working with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and adjustment disorders, and adults and adolescents with eating disorders. She believes in the power of individualized treatment and the importance of community support and care. Through the use of Drama Therapy and other expressive arts modalities, Via hopes to empower clients to explore their mental health through a new lens, focusing on the ways that the arts can improve their lives and their understanding of themselves.

Family Nurse Practitioner – Richmond

Ogochukwu Obiekwe, FNP-C

Ogochukwu Obiekwe is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ogochukwu obtained her associate degree in nursing from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, a bachelor’s in nursing from VCU, and her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from The Catholic University of America. After a couple of years of practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Urgent care and family practice, Ogochukwu completed her Post-master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Liberty University. Ogochukwu has extensive nursing experience including but not limited to a background in Cardiology, medical-surgical, geriatric nursing, neurology, and women’s health. She believes in caring for both the physical and emotional well-being of her patients and every patient encounter is an opportunity to help her patients alter their lives through promoting better health practices and being there for them in their times of need.

Clinical Director – Richmond

Leslie Forrest-Brown, LCSW

Leslie earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Leslie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Virginia. She has eight years of experience working in the mental and behavioral health field. Leslie has experience working with a multitude of mental health disorders, including Depressive, Anxiety, and Psychotic Disorders. She has extensive training in a number of therapeutic interventions, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy. Leslie has spent the past two years working in substance use treatment providing individual therapy and crisis services to individuals experiencing Opioid Use Disorder. Recently, Leslie has expanded her skill set by becoming EMDR-trained. 

Therapist – Richmond

Chelsea Adams, M.S. Resident in Counseling

Chelsea obtained her Master of Science from Longwood University studying Counselor Education with a focus on mental health. She will be receiving supervision toward a professional counseling license. Chelsea has experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults addressing various concerns related to behavior, activities of daily living, and more. She appreciated incorporating evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. She also appreciates the concepts and aspects of dialectical-behavioral therapy and hopes to learn and incorporate that in her practice. Chelsea utilizes a person-centered approach and meets clients where they are at. She approaches each conversation with a non-judgmental stance and an open mind. Chelsea appreciates furthering her education in learning the best practices in the therapeutic world, especially those effective for clients with eating disorders.

Therapist

Megan Schnellenberger, MSW

Megan obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through clinical supervision. She has experience assessing and treating children, adolescents, and adults experiencing various behavioral and mental health disorders. Megan utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and motivational interviewing with an emphasis on being person-centered and trauma informed. Megan’s primary goal with each client is to provide a safe and empathic space that helps them to gain insight and feel supported throughout their recovery journey. She believes in the importance of treatment being a collaborative process and using a strengths-based approach to overcome barriers and reach goals. Megan is passionate about destigmatizing mental health and advocating for marginalized identity groups.

Client Services and Alumni Relations Manager

Jess Mairena

Jess Mairena is a direct care and Alumni Coordinator professional whose work has dynamically spanned across all eating disorder levels of care. In the seven years of working with this population, Jess has fostered a peer support approach that embraces levity and profound compassion for those healing from their disorder. He has been serving clients through Aster Springs since its inception and is humbled to be a part of its excellent standard of care.

Nurse Practitioner

Erin Deibel, MSN, CNL, AGACNP-BC

Erin Deibel is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Health Education from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Xavier University, and a Master’s in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed her Nurse Practitioner education. She is certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader. Erin has experience in leadership and direct clinical experience, including but not limited to primary care, addiction medicine, acute detox, and recovery maintenance. She finds the physical and mental health needs for treatment to be intricate, and she likes working with patients and their support systems throughout their journey. Outside of her work life, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Richmond, and being outside.

Therapist

Pauline Schnelzer, MSW

Pauline is a dedicated therapist with a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently in supervision to become an LCSW. Pauline specializes in a person-centered approach that incorporates evidence-based practices such as DBT, ACT, and polyvagal theory. With a belief in meeting individuals where they are, she tailors her therapeutic interventions to each person’s unique needs, fostering a safe and supportive environment for growth and healing. She is LGBTQ+ affirming and has a passion for ensuring a welcoming and inclusive space for clients of all identities. Pauline has experience spanning adolescents to adults, addressing a spectrum of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as navigating grief and loss.

Registered Dietitian

Anna Ziegler, RD

Anna is a Registered Dietitian who received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Radford University. She then went on to complete her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland. Prior to joining Aster Springs, Anna has experience working in residential level of care for eating disorder treatment and has worked with adults and adolescents of all genders and eating disorder diagnoses. She creates a safe space for clients to help them reconnect with their own internal body wisdom as they work towards healing their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies.  Anna practices from a Health at Every Size approach and follows the All Foods Fit model. Her goal is to support and provide clients with the knowledge and confidence to rediscover who they are outside of their eating disorder.

Therapist

Hannah Staats, MA

Hannah received her Master’s of Arts from Adams State University and is currently under supervision as a Resident in Counseling. She has a range of clinical experience with adolescents and adults and has worked in an agency setting, private practicing and college counseling.

Hannah believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship and work towards creating a warm and nonjudgmental space. She is passionate about empowering clients and coming from a strengths-based perspective. She uses a client centered approach and tailors treatment to the needs of the individual.

Registered Dietitian – Richmond

Stephanie Walker, RD

Stephanie is a graduate from the University of Maryland where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. She then completed her Dietetic Internship and supervised practice at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she gained experience serving a variety of populations in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. It was through her own recovery from disordered eating and body dysmorphia that she became passionate about helping others heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Stephanie is an advocate for intuitive eating, Health at Every Size (HAES), and an all-foods-fit mindset. It’s her priority to meet clients where they are to support them in their walk toward recovery. In her time outside of work, she loves to spend time outdoors soaking up the sun and being surrounded by loved ones (including her two cats, Waffles and Biscuit).

Registered Dietitian

Anna Ziegler, RD

Anna is a Registered Dietitian who received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Radford University. She then went on to complete her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland. Prior to joining Aster Springs, Anna has experience working in residential level of care for eating disorder treatment and has worked with adults and adolescents of all genders and eating disorder diagnoses. She creates a safe space for clients to help them reconnect with their own internal body wisdom as they work towards healing their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies.  Anna practices from a Health at Every Size approach and follows the All Foods Fit model. Her goal is to support and provide clients with the knowledge and confidence to rediscover who they are outside of their eating disorder.

Community Outreach Liaison

Kaylee O’Connell, BSW 

Kaylee O’Connell obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Upon moving to Virginia, Kaylee started her career in eating disorders by working as a Behavioral Health Specialist at a local outpatient program. This job made her realize her passion for working with this population. Kaylee moved into a Recovery Care Specialist role at Aster Springs working with adults at the Residential level of care. Not long after that, Kaylee shifted into an Outreach role at Aster Springs. Her direct care experience at Aster Springs made her realize how important it is for the community to know more about the incredible work done at Aster Springs. She now spends her days chatting with families and clients about the program as well as connecting with providers in the community who need help accessing care for their clients. Kaylee’s goal is to make individuals feel supported and empowered during their recovery journey.

Executive Director

Sara Berry, LMHC, MBA

Sara joined Aster Springs Outpatient Jeffersonville as the Executive Director in August of 2023. She attended the University of Louisville where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in Counseling Psychology and Personnel Services with a concentration in Counseling Psychology. She also attended the University of Southern Indiana where she earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management. Sara has been working in the behavioral health field in this community since 2005. She has experience working in community mental health, inpatient psychiatric treatment, residential psychiatric treatment and child welfare services. Sara has worked in leadership positions since 2009, holding various key roles that combine both clinical and operational skills. Her clinical interests include eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and family systems. Sara is passionate about supporting others as they realize their full potential.

When Sara is not providing care, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and enjoying the outdoors.

Registered Dietitian

Olesya Hunter, MS, RD, LD

Olesya joined Aster Springs Outpatient Jeffersonville as a clinical dietitian in September 2023. She attended the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science Dietetics. Olesya also attended Loyola University of Chicago, earning a Master of Science in Dietetics. She has experience working in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient wellness centers. As a compassionate and dedicated registered dietitian, Olesya hopes to be a beacon of hope for those battling their inner demons. With a profound understanding of the intricate relationship between food and mental health, she guides individuals on a transformative journey toward recovery. Through personalized meal plans, nutritional education, and unwavering support, Olesya plays a vital role in helping individuals reclaim their lives and rediscover the joy of nourishment.

In Olesya’s personal life, she enjoys spending time with her son, husband, and their two dogs. Exploring new coffee shops and restaurants brings her joy. She loves arts and crafts and nature.

Community Outreach Liaison

Lyndsay Prichard

Lyndsay joined Aster Springs Outpatient Jeffersonville as the Community Outreach Liaison in November of 2023. She attended Indiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Communications. Lyndsay has many years of experience working the in the healthcare industry, and most recently has experience working in acute behavioral health including inpatient psychiatric treatment, partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs for behavioral health and substance misuse disorders. Lyndsay is currently a member of many local health coalitions and serves as a community mental health advocate.

In her personal life, Lyndsay enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She enjoys being outdoors, fostering dogs, and exploring Kentuckiana.

Mental Health Counseling Associate

Lorna-Mae Ward (they/them) MA, LMHCA

Lorna- Mae Ward, Licensed Mental Health Counseling Associate, joined Aster Springs Outpatient
Jeffersonville Team in October 2024. They graduated from Indiana University
Southeast with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2020 and returned for their
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. They have experience working in
outpatient community mental health within the school setting, providing individual,
group, and family counseling. Lorna cares deeply about meeting the needs of their
community and founded a support group for teachers at RVMS. They are proud to
share that the successful group continues in their absence. They have clinical interests
in gender-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, mood and anxiety
disorders, and eating disorders. Lorna is passionate about meeting clients where
they are and providing support through evidence-based care.

Executive Director – Nashville

Amber Lucchino, LCSW, LADAC

Amber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She has been working in the behavioral health field for over 18 years, with a primary focus on trauma and co-occurring disorders. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Union University and her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University in NYC. She has experience in outpatient, as well as residential treatment settings, where she has held positions ranging from providing direct care to clients to facilitating program management, staff development and organizational wellness in Director roles. She enjoys providing trainings in the community and has been an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work for Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Amber is married and has 4 kiddos. In her spare time, she can be found at the barn with horses or hiking on nearby trails. She loves cake decorating, spontaneous dance parties and anything outdoors. Amber brings a unique perspective to her role as Executive Director in holding 22 years of recovery herself from an eating disorder. Her motto is: “Pay attention to what brings you joy and do more of that”.

Network Medical Director

Dr. Tom Scales

Dr. Tom Scales is the Network Medical Director for Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare’s Eating Disorder Network, which includes, Aster Springs. In his role, Dr. Scale provides psychiatric and medical care to Aster Springs clients. He did his undergraduate training at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, went to medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, and did his residency training in a combined Internal Medicine/Psychiatry program at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He has done many presentations about eating disorders in the community and has made local media appearances discussing eating disorders. He was a radio show host in 2007 of a live web-based program entitled “Understanding Eating Disorders” on the website www.health.voiceamerica.com and featured professionals and lay people as guests in the eating disorder field.  Most importantly, he is a husband and proud father of two children. He is a diplomat in the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Nurse Practitioner

Jana Briggs, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN

Jana Briggs is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Washington in 2020. Jana started her medical career as a nurse at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital in 2013 and quickly progressed to a Clinical Staff Leader while helping to implement system changes at Vanderbilt for evidence-based effective and compassionate addiction care. Jana has become an expert in addiction medicine practicing as the first Integrative Provider at The Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California and as a Provider on the Dual-Diagnosis Unit at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. She feels fortunate to join the Odyssey Family as a Provider for clients with Eating Disorders as well as Mental Health Conditions. Jana is also a registered yoga instructor who teaches in the community and has taught yoga in numerous hospital and residential settings. Jana is a strong believer in individualized care for clients and utilizes the benefits of her own recovery to inspire others.

Program Therapist

Sarah Littleton-Smith, NCC

Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology in 2020 from University of Tennessee. She completed her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023. Sarah has worked in elementary, middle, and high school settings in addition to two university settings. Sarah is passionate about advocating for her clients and providing a safe space for connection and processing. Sarah enjoys utilizing Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Dietitian

Diana Romanach MS, RD, LDN

Diana is a Registered Dietitian who received her undergraduate degree at Middle Tennessee State University and went on to complete her dietetic internship and Master’s degree at Samford University. Diana is passionate about helping her clients restore their relationship with food and is committed to meeting her clients where they are. She wants nothing more than for her clients to learn how treasured, loved, and valuable they are. Diana empowers and guides her clients using Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size principles and loves to incorporate hands-on activities and games into her group topics. Aside from her love of cooking and all things dietetics, Diana loves visiting bakeries, hiking with her husband, and watching movies.

Office Coordinator

Haley Richardson

Haley Richardson has been working in behavioral health since 2019. She attended Western Carolina University where she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Haley has experience working in direct patient care, treating individuals diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Along with this, she has worked in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and inpatient programs. In her free time, Haley enjoys reading, going to concerts and watching rom coms. On the weekends she can be found spending time with her dog and exploring the great outdoors.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Yvonne Creighton DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC

Yvonne Creighton is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Austin Peay State University, and a post-master’s certificate in PHMHNP from Maryville University of St. Louis. Most recently, Yvonne completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Maryville University. Her DNP scholarly project was aimed at reducing the negative consequences of problematic alcohol and drug use. Yvonne has been an assistant professor at MTSU for eight years, teaching a wide range of clinical nursing courses. She currently teaches Mental Health Nursing to BSN nursing students and developed the PMHNP track in the MSN program at MTSU. With a background in critical care nursing, Yvonne understands the complex interaction between physical and mental health. She believes that developing a therapeutic alliance between the patient and provider is a key component in helping patients achieve their goals.

Attending Psychiatrist

Kelly Ownby, MD

Dr. Ownby is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University in Greenville, SC., and completed her residency in psychiatry at James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. In addition to serving as a Chief Resident of Psychiatry, Dr. Ownby has served in a psychiatric role in a variety of clinical settings including inpatient, addiction treatment center, outpatient and residential mental health treatment. She has been a guest presenter for the healthcare field on numerous topics including Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Psychopharmacology, and Psychiatric Medications. Dr. Ownby also serves as Remote Area Medical team member in East Tennessee. She has a passion for addiction treatment, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and women’s health. With over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, she feels that people should be educated about their illnesses and treatment options so they can be empowered to make the best decisions with their providers.

Program Therapist

Rachael Hausin, LMSW

Rachael Hausin is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a background in working with children, adolescents, and families in need of mental health support and advocacy. She has worked in intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization settings to meet the needs of her clients. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression through the modalities of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Rachael attended the University of Alabama where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She then relocated to Nashville, TN where she worked as a case manager for children and their families who were in need of various support and resources. She then received her Master’s Degree in Social Work online through Arizona State University. After graduating with her Master’s Degree, she went on to be a Behavioral Specialist for children and adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. In her free time, Rachael enjoys reading, going on hikes, and watching The University of Alabama play any sport, but mostly college football!

Community Outreach Liaison

Alli Crochet LPC-MHSP, NCC

Alli Crochet is a Nationally Certified Counselor pursuing LPC-MHSP licensure with a background of working with eating disorder clients in an intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) setting. She has experience helping clients navigate their co-occurring anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, life transitions, grief/loss, relationship issues, spiritual issues, and self-esteem and body image issues. Alli now works as the Community Outreach Liaison at Aster Springs Outpatient where she gets to build relationships within the community and provide psychoeducation on eating disorder treatment.

Alli received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Belmont University. In her free time, Alli enjoys hosting friends and family, spending time outside, watching Bachelor/Bachelorette Mondays, and cheering on her LSU Tigers.

Executive Director

Natalie Fausey, RD, LD

As the Executive Director, Natalie provides clinical and operational leadership to all staff located at Aster Springs Outpatient Cincinnati. Natalie attended Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition. She has been a registered and licensed dietitian since 2018. Natalie served as the clinical dietitian at Aster Springs Outpatient Cincinnati for 3 years before moving into the Executive Director role.

Clinical Program Therapist

Rachel McKay, MSW, LISW

As a Program Therapist, Rachel provides individual, group and family therapy to our clients and their loved ones. Rachel is passionate about calling out diet culture, seeing the joy in living and food, providing psychoeducation on eating disorders, meeting individuals where they’re at, and embarking on the journey of recovery with clients and their families.

Providing eating disorder treatment and helping individuals see a possibility of a life free from those chains is something that Rachel feels so honored to do. Rachel felt called to be an eating disorder therapist after seeing first-hand how detrimental an eating disorder can be and the wreckage that it leaves behind. Rachel believes that vulnerability is the key to connection, that owning our struggle and doing the next hard thing is so brave, that low motivation is likely fear in disguise, and that authenticity is way cooler than perfectionism. Rachel believes in recovery and the amazingly messy things that come with it.

Rachel attended the University of Cincinnati, where she completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 2019 and Master of Clinical Social Work in 2020. Rachel has experience in a variety of treatment settings including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential care. Prior to joining Selah House’s team, Rachel primarily worked with teenagers in a psychiatric hospital setting treating substance use, eating disorders and other mental health disorders. Rachel’s clinical interests include client centered care, creative therapies, faith connections, eating disorders, body image, family and relationship conflict, adolescent care and mood and anxiety disorders.

In Rachel’s personal life, she enjoys spending time with her husband and pup. Family is something she values, and she feels lucky to live so close to her parents and sisters. Finding a new coffee shop or local vendor to try with a friend brings Rachel joy. She loves to explore creative outlets like pottery, cooking, home decor or painting. Rachel hopes to meet you soon!

Nurse Practitioner

Sarah Sumila, PMHNP

Sarah is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She earned her undergraduate degree from Ball State University and her master’s degree from Northern Kentucky University. With a background in critical care and pediatrics, Sarah understands how far compassion can go when treating the unique mental health needs of each individual. Eating Disorders often include other co-occurring conditions and Sarah is excited to be part of a team that provides a holistic and multi-disciplined approach to treatment and wellness

Working with individuals suffering from the grips of an eating disorder has been a goal of Sarah’s. Her passion comes from seeing the negative effects these mental disorders can have on an individual, their perception of themself, the family system, and even friends of the individual. Her hope is that she can make a positive impact on each client that comes to Selah House, reminding them of and helping them find their self-worth. Sarah believes her passion for all things living (people, animals, plants) helps her provide compassionate care to all clients no matter their gender, race, age, background, or religious beliefs.

Community Outreach Liaison

Madigan Church, B.A. Psych.

As the Community Outreach Liaison for the facility, Madigan is oftentimes one of the first points
of contact for an individual and their family in search of treatment. Her role involves facilitating
meaningful connections with community partners to ensure seamless access to clinical
care by actively working to minimize any barriers that may arise along the way.

Madigan attended Ohio Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
With an array of experience in the field of behavioral health, having worked both in direct client
care and business development, Madigan is deeply committed to meeting people where they are
and passionate about providing unwavering support throughout what is commonly a difficult
time for most.

In her personal life, Madigan finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and their two
rescue dogs. She has a sincere appreciation for nature and prioritizing joyful movement through
both hiking and running. Madigan is also a lover of coffee shops, plant nurseries, and antique
stores.

Executive Director

Kim LaBarge, MS, NCC, LPCC-S

Kim LaBarge’s role is focused on providing excellent clinical care to our clients through group, individual, and family therapy. Kim received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in philosophy and math and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After working for several years at a Baltimore based non-profit, she knew that she wanted to impact change and help people more deeply on an individual basis. Kim went on to pursue a career in counseling and received her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

Program Therapist

Jessica Warner, MSW, LSW

Jessica’s role is to provide clinical care through individual, group, and family therapy. Jessica received two bachelor’s degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University in social work and addictions counseling. She went on to obtain her master’s in social work from Indiana Wesleyan University as well. Over the last several years, Jessica has worked in various treatment centers in community mental health, inpatient, and outpatient settings with an emphasis on mental health and substance use. Jessica has pursued trauma informed training and is a certified clinical trauma specialist – individual (CCTS-I). She has a passion for supporting others throughout their recovery journey.

Therapist

Haylee Stone, MSEd, LPCC- S

Haylee’s role is to provide clinical care through individual, group, and family therapy. Haylee attended Wittenberg University for her undergraduate degree and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with double minors in Health Science and Exercise Science. She went on to receive her Master’s of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Dayton. She has experience working in Community Mental Health, Hospital, and School-Based counseling settings. As an LPCC-S, Haylee has experience treating a variety of mental health concerns, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, gender dysphoria, suicidal ideation and behavior, and navigating family conflict with adults and adolescents. She has a passion for helping individuals embark on their recovery journey!

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Sarah Christman, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Sarah is the Nurse Practitioner for Selah House Outpatient-Columbus. She is responsible for medical management of the clients as well as diagnosing, lab draws, and patient safety. She meets with each client one on one who are enrolled in PHP weekly to review their overall mental health as well as their medical needs. Her door is always open for any client that is in need.

Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from The Ohio State University, and started working at The James Cancer Hospital. She then went back to get her masters from The Ohio State University and graduated as a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is through and through a Buckeye fan!

Sarah enjoys anything outdoors. Her and her fiancé love to go fishing and camping whenever they get the chance. They have two dogs; one is a 120lb Great Pyrenees who looks like a polar bear and the other is a 15lb Mutt whose name is Max because he looks like Max from The Grinch. Sarah loves anything adventurous and is always willing to try new things!

Dietitian

Laura Moran, RD, LD

As the dietitian at Selah House – Columbus, Laura is responsible for the nutritional adequacy, variety, and moderation of a client’s intake. Laura works directly with clients and families to educate on appropriate nutritional intake as well as implementing age-appropriate food behaviors such as preparing, portioning, and plating of meals. Laura received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Medical Dietetics and has since gone on to obtain multiple years of eating disorder specific nutritional counseling including residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels of care. Laura is a believer in the all foods fit model and that all foods can be beneficial and enjoyable in a person’s life. Laura also practices Health at Every Size and Anti-Diet practices with her clients and their families. Laura is passionate about how nutrition is necessary for not only fuel but also enjoyment and memories in a person’s quality of life. In her free time, Laura loves spending time outside, drinking good coffee, and snuggling with her cat.

Office Coordinator

Lily Smith

Lily received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Anthropology from Ohio State University. She has four years of experience between residential and inpatient psych, where she worked at Ohio State Wexner. Outside work, she enjoys reading, playing with her two cats, and traveling.

Senior Community Outreach Liaison

Ainsley Chenos

Ainsley is an experienced healthcare professional in a liaison role for over a decade. She moved into mental health in 2017 and has many connections within the eating disorder, mental health, and substance abuse areas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Communication from Ohio University. Ainsley is firmly dedicated to connecting patients and families to the care they need and educating the community on how we can be a much-needed resource.