Meet Our Staff
Katie Polsky, Ph.D - Clinical Director
Dr. Polsky is our Clinical Director and has been involved in the research, outreach, and the treatment of eating disorders for over a decade. She has extensive experience working with men, women, adolescents, and children with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder. Dr. Polsky has worked in all levels of eating disorder care including: residential (Oceanaire Residential Treatment Program and Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change), partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs (Summit Eating Disorders) as well as on college campuses across California (Caltech and Humboldt State University). Dr. Polsky uses a non-diet approach (intuitive eating) and has worked with individuals with binge eating disorder in the pre and post bariatric surgery population. She also has specialized training in working with the LGBTQ community, women’s issues, and with survivors of trauma. Her research interests include treating eating disorders in minority populations particularly with gay men and lesbian women. Clinically, As a recovered individual herself, Dr. Polsky feels that it is very important to individually tailor each client’s treatment plan to his or her own individual needs. She utilizes relational and psychodynamic theories while integrating cognitive behavioral, systems, and experiential therapies in her practice. Dr. Polsky has specialized training and experience using the Maudsley Method for adolescents and their families.
Jamie Lopez , Ph.D - Staff Psychologist
Dr. Lopez received her PhD from the University of North Texas. She did a one year internship at Texas A&M University Counseling Center specializing in eating disorders and leading body image groups. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of San Francisco Counseling Center with an eating disorder treatment focus. Most recently, Dr. Lopez worked at the Charis Center, an eating disorder treatment facility in Indianapolis, where she was involved in a partial hospitalization program leading several treatment groups as well as providing individual and family therapy. After moving to the Bay Area she continues to focus on eating disorder treatment using an integrative approach with cognitive behavioral strategies. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Santa Clara County Psychological Association.
Christine Pappas, Psy.D - Staff Psychologist
Dr. Pappas earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2003 and a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2005 both at Argosy University, Bay Area. In 2008, she became a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, as well as worked with a variety of individuals, couples and families. Throughout the years Dr. Pappas has worked with people suffering from addictions, mood challenges, relationship issues, physical illness, as well as life stressors. Her treatment repertoire consists of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Approach, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic, Art Therapy, and Mind and Body Connection. Her intention is to help foster personal growth and help individuals to create a healthy and supportive community so one may flourish.
Kelly Girard, RN, CMT - Staff Nurse
Kelly is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Massage Therapist who began working with eating disordered patients in 2005, at Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program. Kelly is diligent in assessing and communicating concerns with primary care physicians to help ensure medical stability of patients. She has a compassionate approach to patient care and believes in providing an educational component for clients to better understand and care for their bodies. She incorporates massage in her practice to help individuals feel connected and more in tune with their bodies. Drawn to the ideals of individualized, balanced, and preventative medicine, Kelly is beginning a master’s program in Ayurvedic Medicine. When Kelly is away from New Dawn she enjoys the outdoors, traveling and spending time with her family.
Shelly Starrett, MS, RD - Dietitian
Shelly Starrett is a Registered Dietitian specializing in eating disorders. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Dietetics and a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition. She began her work in the field of eating disorders in 2005, treating adolescents and adults at Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program. She has also treated those suffering from anorexia and bulimia while working at Kaiser Hospital since 2002. Having extensive experience in this field, she began a Private Practice with the focus of eating disorders in early 2009. Her goal is to help clients restore and maintain healthy relationships with food while simultaneously appreciating and feeding their bodies. Shelly is a member of the American Dietetic Association and is currently studying for a second Masters Degree in Holistic Nutrition to expand her breadth of expertise even further.
Alecia Singer, LMFT, RYT - Staff Therapist
Alecia Singer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in expressive arts therapy. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. For the last ten years, she has been working in a variety of clinical settings with adults, children, families and groups addressing issues of trauma, addiction, eating disorders and body image. Most recently, she was in practice at the APTED (Association of Professionals Treating Eating Disorders) clinic in San Francisco from 2007-2009. Alecia believes that optimal health comes from integrating body, mind and spirit and incorporates expressive arts therapy, movement, guided imagery and mindfulness into her therapy practice.
Amy Horn, LMFT - Art Therapist
Amy Horn is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who received her master’s degree in Marital & Family Therapy, with a specialization in art therapy from the College of Notre Dame in 1991. She has extensive experience as a group psychotherapist and previously led expressive art therapy groups and self empowerment groups at New Dawn Eating Disorders Recovery Center from August 2005 through December 2008. Amy was a clinical supervisor at Family Service Agency of Marin working in the substance abuse/recovery department from 2005 through 2007. She currently specializes in women’s issues and art therapy in her private practice, in San Francisco and San Anselmo, CA. Amy is a member of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists.
Anita Acevedo, Certified Rolfer, LCSW - Movement Therapist
Anita Acevedo is a Certified Rolfer who received her degree from the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado in 1999. Her work as a Rolfer has taught her how the body’s health profoundly impacts all physiological and psychological processes. Her training in yoga and meditation deeply inform her movement therapy groups, as does her background in mental health. In 1992, Anita completed her Masters in Social Work from the Carver School of Social Work in Louisville, Kentucky. For many years, she provided psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Currently, when she is not conducting movement therapy groups at New Dawn, Anita can be found at her Rolfing private practice in Tiburon, CA.
For available positions within New Dawn Eating Disorders Recovery Center, please visit our Available Positions page.
