Meet the Staff
Reasons Eating Disorder Center places high importance on utilizing highly skilled and trained eating disorder treatment professionals in our programs. We believe in a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment which includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, therapists, mental health workers, diet aides, and somatic and experiential therapies.
Nikki Rollo
Ph.D., LMFT, CEDS-S
Executive Director
Nikki Rollo
Nikki has a Ph.D. in Depth Psychology, with an emphasis in psychotherapy and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in both California and New York State. She is also a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist-Supervisor. She has worked in various aspects of eating disorder treatment over the past ten years, utilizing her experience as a clinician and passion for the idea that relationships are healing to inform her efforts in program development, training staff, admissions, business development and clinical outreach aspects of her work. Integral to her clinical philosophy is her personal practice of yoga and meditation including completing a Yoga teacher training with an emphasis on trauma-sensitive mind-body movement. She is the founding chair of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, San Diego Chapter, and has served on several chapters over the past eight years. She currently serves in the role of National Director of Program Development where she is responsible for developing the Reasons philosophy and ensuring consistency across all programs through oversight of clinical and operations, as well as development and expansion efforts.
Wakelin McNeel
MD
Medical Director
Wakelin McNeel
Dr. McNeel received his BS in Chemistry from Central Michigan University, his MS in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his MD from the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his Residency and Child Psychiatry Fellowship from the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. He is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has over 10 years of experience working with patients with eating disorders.
Dr. McNeel is an active research physician and is the principal investigator in numerous Phase I-IV Clinical Trials. He is currently the Medical Director of BHC Alhambra Hospital, and has been the Chief of Staff and the Medical Director of the Eating Disorder Programs for over 10 years. Dr. McNeel practices on the principle that respect of the patient’s individual beliefs on medications is of utmost importance and does not impose medications, rather makes recommendations, which support the therapeutic process of recovery.
Dr. Leonard P. Jones
MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. Leonard P. Jones
A California native, Dr. Leonard Jones has been practicing psychiatry since 1987. He completed his residency at USC, and over the last 30 years has worked in private practice as well as in various inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Jones is now the inpatient chief of staff for both BHC Alhambra Hospital in Rosemead and Canyon Ridge Hospital in Chino CA. Dr. Jones is married with two children, and in his spare time he enjoys playing tennis.
Anna Governale
LMFT
Director of Inpatient and Residential Programs
Anna Governale
Anna Governale completed her undergraduate degrees in psychology and religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2002. She subsequently began working in the mental health field as a mental health worker at a residential treatment center for eating disorders for 5 years, while acquiring her master’s degree in clinical psychology. Anna completed her master’s program at Antioch University, Los Angeles. After graduating, Anna began working at a community services agency, serving underprivileged communities in the inner cities of Los Angeles, providing in home services to children, adolescents and families. After gaining experience working with this diverse population for 3 1/2 years, Ms. Governale realized that working with eating disorders was her true calling and something she was genuinely passionate about. Anna began working for Reasons in May of 2011 as a program therapist, and has also served as the program manager for the inpatient, partial and intensive outpatient programs at BHC Alhambra. She is currently the program manager for Hancock Park Residential Program and the Reasons Director of training. She is DBT trained, and pulls from a variety of therapeutic orientations in her work with clients to assist them in their journey to wholeness and healing.
Lisa Arroyas
RD, CEDS-S
Director of Nutrition and Virtual Services
Lisa Arroyas
Lisa is a registered dietitian practicing in many areas of dietetics including eating disorders, chemical dependency, diabetes, and PCOS. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, and has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults of all genders with disordered eating. She also has a background as a personal trainer, which allows her to use an approach that meets the unique needs of individuals struggling with poor body image and disordered eating. Lisa’s focus is on nutrition therapy using a non-diet approach, providing nutrition counseling and exercise education. She specializes in working with Athletes and Compulsive Exercisers, Binge Eating Disorder, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Lisa has been working with adolescents and adults with eating disorders for over 10 years in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is the co-founder of the Reasons Residential Program and served as the Director of Nutrition for a multi-site substance abuse and dual-diagnosis program. She is extremely passionate and dedicated to helping individuals struggling with food and body issues.
Claire St. John
RD, CEDS-S
Director of Operations
Claire St. John
Claire St John, MPH, RD, CEDRD-S, brings compassion and understanding to her nutritional counseling practice. Claire has worked with men, women and children suffering from eating disorders at all levels of care, leading guided meals, restaurant and snack outings, nutrition groups and multi-family nutrition groups. With a dynamic understanding of eating disorders and how they impact individuals and families, Claire is passionate about repairing broken relationships with food.
Claire holds a Master’s of Public Health Nutrition from Loma Linda University, and after completing her rotations at Eisenhower Medical Center, passed the exam to become a Registered Dietitian. Working with eating disordered clients from the outset, she has developed a method of practice that includes exposure and response therapy, motivational interviewing and compassionate understanding paired with firm encouragement.
Helping people reconnect with food and normalize their eating patterns is the most rewarding part of working with eating disordered patients for Claire. Encouraging people to be able to make peace with food, enjoy meals with loved ones and move through the world without fear is why Claire chose the field of eating disorders.
Claire enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and cooking, and spent seven years as a newspaper reporter, covering the school beat and the City Hall beat. She enjoys learning about her clients’ passions — what they’re reading, what they’re studying in school and what their hobbies are, taking a whole-person approach to treatment.
Shannon Braasch
MA
Director of Business Development & Organizational Development
Shannon Braasch
Shannon Braasch leads the development and coordination efforts for Reasons’ Alumni Program. She also engages with professionals nationwide to connect them with resources and treatment options for their clients. She brings 15 years of combined experience in healthcare and eating disorders and has a Master’s degree in counseling. Shannon has coordinated Alumni Service programs for treatment centers and has built a professional network of colleagues across the country. She feels that her values align with Reasons person-centered approach, which are a guide as she is actively living her passion to build authentic and meaningful relationships, provide education, and develop resources to support lasting recovery. Some of Shannon’s favorite ways to practice self-care include; spending time with friends and family, singing karaoke, floating on the lake in a kayak, and volunteering.
Christina Perez
Ph.D.
Director of Case Management & Patient Experience
Christina Perez
Christina brings her experience of depth psychological training and providing case management services to patients and families at our various levels of care. What stands out about Christina is her passion for advocacy and service to patients, families, and surrounding healthcare professionals. She draws her inspiration and reflection from music, nature and the creativity of daily life. We are certain when you meet her and have the opportunity to work together through the admissions and case management process for your patients you will be inspired by her commitment to going above and beyond for patients and families.
Ashley Bullock
LMFT
Director of Admissions
Ashley Bullock
Currently based in Los Angeles, Ca, Ashley’s multidisciplinary background in the fields of music, fashion, and psychology have allowed her to identify with clientele from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and service needs. Ashley’s natural gift for educating, uplifting, and inspiring people through her own personal narratives about identity has served to create a wake of diverse experiences that are effective and unique in approach. Her approach to social connectivity focuses primarily on creating, with intention, an understanding of humanity one experience at a time. Combining both creativity and social consciousness, she exhibits an awareness rarely seen in fast paced, detail oriented environments, all while passionately serving those who “fall between the margins”. Ashley believes in making constructive use of our personal freedom to express what is contained in our hearts, and she offers a genuine, patient and nurturing method for facilitating conversations, fostering open/safe spaces for healthy discussions and critical dialogue. Ashley is constantly learning new things about herself to better connect and be of service to the community she loves.
Ashley is an AMFT who received her MA at Antioch University. She is a record collector, a mother, and hosts a monthly day party called Soul Therapy. She is currently the Assistant Director of Admissions for Reasons Eating Disorder Center in Los Angeles, California.
Lara Lettsome
MA
Assistant Director of Admissions
Lara Lettsome
Lara is a master’s level clinician who began working in behavioral health in 2013. She beginning her first counseling internship with Geriatric clients in an outpatient individual and group setting. Since then she has worked in a variety of sectors, including: Veterans with PTSD, Children, Troubled Teens, Special Needs, Vocational Rehabilitation, Transitional Independent Living, Addictions and Family Therapy.
Her love for helping people started when she was 13, when she began to volunteer with kids who had special needs. Lara obtained her bachelors from Grambling State University, all the while volunteering over 700 hours per year to different causes. Lara earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health with emphasis in Counseling and Guidance at a CACREP Accredited program from Louisiana Tech University. Lara would best describe herself as an advocate because she wishes to give a voice to those who feel silenced. In her spare time, she takes dance classes, hikes and writes poetry.
Crayton Daniel
BS
Manager of Alumni Services & Clinical Outreach Specialist
Crayton Daniel
Crayton is the Clinical Outreach Specialist for Los Angeles County, Central California and Northern California. He enjoys connecting with people and educating communities about the programs and services offered at Reasons. Crayton is new to the eating disorder space, but he understands the positive impact treatment can have for those on their healing journey. As someone who has benefitted from inpatient and residential treatment for mental health and substance use issues, he is committed to destigmatizing mental health and asking for help. Crayton practices self-care by journaling, spending time outside, connecting with loved ones, and competing in Triathlons.
Apryl Vines
MS, RD
Supervisor of Clinical Services
Apryl Vines
Apryl Vines graduated Summa Cum Laude with both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles. After graduation, she completed one year of supervised dietetic practice at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with a focus on oncology research as well as the emerging application of nutrition to modulate the gut-brain axis and its connection to mental health outcomes. Apryl is a current Cal State LA lecturer in the Nutrition and Food Science Department and the Nutritional Science Lab Coordinator at the University. Apryl has worked as a registered dietitian for Reasons at the residential level of care for the last year and a half. She is passionate about helping others on their journey to recovery with a compassionate and trauma-informed lens. When not working, Apryl enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, being outdoors, cooking, snowboarding, and reading!
Emily Fritsch
MS
Case Manager and Discharge Planner
Taylor-Rose Olea
Emily has always had a unique talent for human advocacy, driven by a deep passion for helping others and living with purpose. With a natural ability to connect with people and an exceptional eye for detail, she utilizes these skills in alignment with her values to make a positive impact. She’s grateful for the chance to do this meaningful work. Outside of her professional life, Emily finds connection and self-care through cooking, painting, going to the beach, hiking, and exploring her new home state of California (she’s originally from Arizona). She treasures spending time with her three children, family, and friends, creating memories and nourishing relationships along the way.
Bio Coming Soon
Taylor-Rose Olea
RD, CEDS
Manager of Inpatient Nutrition Services
Taylor-Rose Olea
Taylor-Rose is registered dietitian and certified eating disorder specialist. Taylor-Rose graduated from Cal State Long Beach and has been working
in the field for over six years. She has experience working in all levels of care from inpatient to outpatient. She has worked in various treatment
centers as a program dietitian and also in leadership roles. She is extremely passionate about helping others heal their relationship with food and
body using ERP and CBT modalities. In her free time, Taylor-Rose is a circus performer and enjoys gardening and spending time with her cats.
Golshid Fadakar
LMFT
Alumni Support Group Facilitator
Golshid Fadakar
Goldie Fadakar has a passion for education, mental health, and research. She received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Services from California State University, Fullerton. She proceeded to work with adolescents at a local high school preparing them for the college admission process, while also working on her research interests on adolescent development. Goldie continued her education by working on her Master’s Degree in Counseling with an Emphasis in both Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling from California State University, Northridge. While working on her graduate degree, Goldie transitioned to working in Student and Academic Affairs at the University of Southern California School of Social Work for 4 years.
She simultaneously worked as a school counseling intern for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and a Charter School in Los Angeles area. Throughout her decade as a clinician, Goldie has gained extensive experience in K-12 schools, the non-profit sector, and the Department of Mental Health funded substance abuse residential treatment program for adolescents. She has been trained in DBT, Aggression Replacement Training, Seeking Safety, and Strengthening Families Program. Goldie has also been trained in working with Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) and holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) in School Counseling. Goldie started working at Reasons over 4 years ago as a program therapist at BHC Alhambra Hospital. Over the years, Goldie has served as the Program Manager and Program Director of the Inpatient Hospitalization Program, Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) programs. She is currently the Program Manager for the Pasadena Residential Program.
Sara Naouchi
MSN, RDN
Virtual Care Operations Supervisor
Sara Naouchi
Sara Naouchi began her journey with Reasons Eating Disorder Center as a Diet Aide in 2013, where she quickly developed a deep understanding of eating disorder treatment across all levels of care, working with both adults and adolescents. She holds a Master of Science in Nutrition from California State University, Long Beach, and completed her dietetic internship at the Veterans Health Administration-GLA. Throughout her career, Sara has acquired extensive experience in addressing co-occurring substance use disorders and various medical and mental health conditions across a range of settings, including substance use treatment centers, dual-diagnosis facilities, and specialized eating disorder treatment programs. After relocating to Colorado in 2018, Sara continued her dedicated work in the field, focusing on helping clients restore a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Her expertise in adolescent care allowed her to play a pivotal role in developing the nutrition program for a new Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescent eating disorder recovery. In 2021, Sara returned to Reasons Virtual PHP/IOP as a Registered Dietitian, driven by her unwavering passion for supporting individuals struggling with food and body image issues. As the Virtual Care Operations Supervisor, Sara remains deeply committed to guiding and empowering clients on their path to recovery.
L. Terrell Williamson
APCC
Lead Virtual Therapist
L. Terrell Williamson
Terrell is a therapist who is committed to making the most of every moment to assist individuals and their loved ones in breaking old habits and living a life free from the control of an eating disorder. He draws from his experiences working in university counseling centers, family therapy clinics, children’s shelters, crisis houses, homelessness outreach organizations, and in person mental health crisis response teams to help not only with eating, but to help people in creating sustainable and enjoyable lifestyles that replace the eating disorder way of living altogether.
Terrell’s focus is on interventions that center around personal values (ACT), beliefs (CBT/ERP), and motivations (Motivational Interviewing). He believes in the strength and resilience of those who bravely leave the comfort of what’s familiar to take the power back.
Rachel Cannon
MA, MFT
Lead Virtual Therapist
Rachel Cannon
Rachel completed her master’s program in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2011 and began working with underserved populations in both child welfare and the women’s prison system in Kansas. She moved to California in 2016 and served the community through a hospice program before starting at Reasons in 2018 the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at BHC Alhambra. She transitioned to the leadership team for the residential houses, opening the San Marino house in 2019 as their house program manager. In 2021 Rachel resigned from Reasons to pursue educational endeavors at the Pacifica Graduate Institute. She has since graduated and started as a Lead Therapist in the Reasons virtual partial and intensive outpatient program. She has a passion for working with individuals undergoing life transitions and incorporates depth psychology, attachment theory, and Internal Family Systems in her work.
Sarah Joseph
BS
Clinical Outreach Specialist
Sarah Joseph
Sarah serves as the Clinical Outreach Specialist for South Bay, Orange County, San Diego, and Arizona. She is passionate about connecting with providers and sharing Reasons mission and programs. Sarah has worked in the behavioral health space for five years, dedicated to increasing access to mental healthcare services.
As a woman of color and the daughter of immigrant parents, Sarah is a strong advocate for striving to ensure equitable access to care and resources for under-served communities. While new to the eating disorder space, she brings an understanding of the diverse needs of clinicians and their clients when seeking care.
Through her own therapeutic journey, Sarah has witnessed the profound impact that mental healthcare can have in fostering self-connection, unlocking creativity, and nurturing meaningful relationships with others. She practices self-care through walks in nature, breathwork, creating pottery, baking, and bringing friends together to share meals.
SaQoia Herring
ACSW
Admissions Coordinator
SaQoia Herring
SaQoia is a dedicated and compassionate social worker with a deep passion for making a positive impact on the lives of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. With a strong foundation in psychology and clinical social work, SaQoia has built a career that is committed to connecting individuals with the care and support they need. SaQoia received her undergraduate degree in psychology from North Carolina A&T State University, where she developed a strong understanding of human behavior. She then pursued her master’s degree in clinical social work with a military track at the University of Southern California, where she honed her skills in clinical case management and individual therapy.
In her current role with Reasons, she specializes in supporting military service members, veterans, and families through the admissions process. SaQoia is passionate about making a difference and believes that everyone has the power to make a positive impact on the world. She is committed to using her skills and experience to make a difference in the lives of all clients. When not working, SaQoia enjoys traveling, trying new recipes, listening to music, and painting. These hobbies allow her to unwind and recharge.
Chantal Bañuelos-Atienza
MA
Admissions Coordinator & Virtual Program Therapist
Chantal Bañuelos-Atienza
Chantal’s lifelong passion for dance, healing, and community care led her to pursue and obtain a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Dance/Movement Therapy.
Chantal has dedicated her career to promoting well-being, socio-emotional wellness, and developmental growth. She has served diverse populations, including those with Neurodiversity, Developmental/Intellectual Delays, Chronic Illness, and Children’s Grief & Loss. Chantal employs a variety of techniques such as Expressive Dance/Movement Therapy, DIR/Floortime Strategies, Growth Mindset, Solution-Focused Therapy, Neurodiversity Affirming Care, and Mindfulness. Count on her to be your therapeutic hype womxn throughout your recovery journey!
Jillian Szafranski
RYT
Trauma Informed Yoga Therapist
Jillian Szafranski
Jillian Szafranski began her work in the healing arts as a dancer, competitive gymnast and actor. Her training is rooted in Alexander and Linklater Techniques, which she learned while attending Emerson College in Boston. Drawing enormous inspiration from the ever-developing field of neuroscience, Jillian uses her knowledge of anatomy and somatic integration (a therapeutic technique that combines the mental, emotional, and spiritual to the physical body) to craft a proprietary hands-on approach to yoga that is informed by her own experiences with physical trauma and illness. With primary emphases alignment, mindfulness, and intuitive sound and movement. She uses grounding techniques to train her students how to self-regulate and navigate through potential triggers that may otherwise lead to flashbacks or unhealthy cycles of behavior, all of this with careful consideration to not re-traumatize the patient. Over time she teaches her students not to avoid physicality, but to combat old fight-or-flight responses by engaging the initial response and creating new muscle memory in the brain and body grounded in safety and strength.
Jillian co-created yoga programs for Reasons Eating Disorder Residential Center and BHC Alhambra Hospital in 2009, where she works with adolescents and adults. She also founded the office yoga programs for NPR (National Public Radio) in Culver City and MTA (Metro Transportation Authority) in Downtown Los Angeles. Her strong belief that Wellness programs should not discriminate against those who have varying degrees of physical abilities, inspired her to develop an all inclusive wellness program for JLL. Jillian works privately as a yoga therapist and bodyworker (via zoom). She is Yoga Alliance certified.
Jessica Gillespie
MA, LMFT
Senior Clinical Supervisor
Jessica Gillespie
Jessica Gillespie received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She graduated with honors and is a member of Psi Chi, the Psychology Honor Society. Jessica started her internship with the Pepperdine Community Clinic where she was trained in Narrative Therapy. She continued her work at Orange County Rescue Mission/Village of Hope providing counseling services to homeless individuals, couples and families, and leading support groups for women with Methamphetamine addiction. Jessica joined the Reasons team in 2013 where she has worked as a Program Therapist, Program Manager and Director of Residential Services. Currently, Jessica is a Senior Clinical Supervisor for the Residential program. Her clinical style is a collaborative, strengths-based approach, pulling from attachment theory, humanistic psychology, and a postmodern framework, highlighting the clients’ inherent resilience and fortitude.
We Hold Hope for Your Recovery
Eating disorder recovery is not always easy, but it is possible. Let us support you in discovering not only the reasons for your eating disorder but the reasons for your recovery. To schedule a no-cost clinical consultation or for more information, please call 844-573-2766 or use our online contact form. In case of a medical emergency or crisis, please call 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.
Eating Disorder Recovery is Possible
We understand that there are reasons for your eating disorder. We’re here to stand with you during this difficult time. Let’s work together to discover the reasons for your recovery.
