Karen Ritter is a licensed clinical social worker with over 24 years of mental health experience working with adolescents, adults, and families in private practice, HMO, EAP, residential and hospital settings.  Karen specializes in cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders and other mental health problems. She is a NEDA Area Coordinator and frequently speaks and educates to advance advocacy and prevention efforts.  She has a special interest in media/cultural issues as well as working with athletes to treat or prevent eating disorders and related issues.

Karen also has extensive experience in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, problems of adolescence, parent education, work stress and employee assistance, women's issues, and marriage and family counseling. She has practiced individual, couples, family and group therapy in a variety of settings in Houston, Tulsa, OK City, and Seattle.  She is a graduate of Ohio University with a BS in Communications, University of Tulsa with a BS in Secondary Education and received her Masters of Social Work at the University of Houston honored as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her prior background includes teaching and broadcast television production.

Dr. Karlyn Pleasants is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been in psychotherapy practice since 1997.  She maintains a rich clinical background of experience with complex and challenging cases, including eating disorders, thought and mood disorders, and stress-related conditions, working with individuals, families and groups in a variety of therapeutic settings.

Predominantly humanistic and cognitive-behavioral in her approach, Dr. Pleasants also holds a special interest in Mindfulness and Motivational techniques to bring about positive and lasting change.  She promotes a multidisciplinary team approach to providing comprehensive and individually tailored treatment.  Her focus incorporates supporting individuals and families navigate through various life events, transitions, and relationship dynamics while learning how to more effectively create stability and solidarity in one’s life.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Pleasants directs an independence-focused therapeutic community treatment program for individuals with various stages of mental illness.  She has served as a speaker for NAMI and the US Navy on topics such as coping with a family member who has an illness, setting effective limits and boundaries, and establishing personal safety and well-being.  Dr. Pleasants received her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA.  She is a professional member of the San Diego and American Psychological Associations as well as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

Rebecca Garber is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years experience working in behavioral health, employee assistance, and private practice settings with adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. Her areas of expertise include life transitions, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, workplace stress or career change, grief and loss, self-esteem and body image issues, parenting, and relationship concerns. Her treatment approach is a combination of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic. Rebecca works with individuals to develop a customized approach to treatment that considers personal history, as well as, family and environmental factors that impact well-being.

Rebecca received her Bachelor’s Degree from UC Berkeley and Master’s Degree from UCLA. She is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional and has a specialization in providing assistance to individuals with personal or workplace stressors that impact their ability to function at their best. She conducts trainings and interventions for workplace concerns and critical incidents in the workplace. Rebecca Garber is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association where she has served on the local chapter’s board.

Dr. Vanessa Weinbach is a licensed clinical psychologist with a wide range of training and clinical interests. Dr. Weinbach specializes in psychodynamic, interpersonal psychotherapy as well as short-term, CBT-based treatments. Originally from New York City, Dr. Weinbach has a broad range of clinical experiences which she uses to tailor her unique treatment plans with each individual she meets. She has extensive training in women’s issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, group therapy, family/couple’s therapy, relationship issues, adolescent/young adult therapy, GLBTQQ identity issues, PTSD/trauma/sexual abuse treatment, college-related difficulties, and adjustment disorders.

She received her BA in Psychology and English Literature from Georgetown University, where she graduated cum laude. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. She completed her APA-accredited internship at the University of San Diego Counseling Center.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Weinbach is a staff psychologist at the University of San Diego Counseling Center. In this position, she provides individual and group therapy with graduate and undergraduate students and performs outreach services to students and faculty.

Kelly Hinds is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience treating clients for nutritional problems with a specialty in eating disorders. She has worked in a variety of medical and behavioral healthcare settings including hospital, residential, partial hospitalization and out-patient levels of care. She provides nutrition education & therapy and creates individualized treatment plans to guide clients toward achieving healthy relationships with food. Kelly also incorporates activities such as dining out, cooking and grocery shopping into treatment for clients. She enjoys education & prevention activities, speaks in the community and lectures professional groups on promoting healthful, balanced eating.

Kelly received her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Cum Laude from the University of Missouri Columbia, honored as a member of Kappa Omicron Nu. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and San Diego Dietitians in Eating Disorders Group.

Kathryn (Kat) Kirby is a Registered Art Therapist with over 30 years experience working in residential and intensive out-patient programs for clients in recovery from eating disorders, substance addictions, anxiety and depression and life transitions. She believes in the healing powers of the arts, and encourages her clients to use paints, pencils, markers, collage papers, magazine images, clay, and other materials to create art that reflects feelings, wishes, and dreams.

Kat received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University and her Master’s Degree from Lesley College. She is a Registered Art Therapist and a SoulCollage® Facilitator and Trainer. She is a professional member of the American Art Therapy Association, and is an adjunct professor at UCSD Extension, teaching courses for the Therapeutic Uses of Art Certificate program.

Kat's theory is that while we all used to love creating art, somewhere along the line we were told that we couldn’t draw or we’re not good enough, and so we stopped. The good news is that our innate creativity is alive and well and just waiting to come back out and play! When you know that there is no “right or wrong” with creativity, it is a safe, fun process to slowly return to your expressive, creative self.