Angela Prior is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Supervisor, Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance Education Provider, and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor practicing in Dallas, TX. She has over a decade of clinical experience and has been in private practice since 2016. Angela is the owner of AP Counseling and Yoga a collective of embodied therapists and yoga teachers.

Erikka Dzirasa, MD, MPH, DFAACAP is a double-board certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who brings more than 10 years of deep expertise in eating disorders and mental health since first seeking out specialized training while in Duke University's residency and fellowship programs. She previously served as the Medical Director of an Eating Disorders specialty hospital system, leading policy and program development to deliver high-quality, effective care in their intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), residential and inpatient units for people living with eating disorders. Dr. Dzirasa is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Project HEAL, a leading eating disorder nonprofit breaking down systemic barriers and providing education and supportive resources to people of all identities and background experiencing eating disorders. She is a partner in Catalyst Therapeutic Services, a private practice in Durham, NC and a Consulting Associate at Duke University Medical Center. As a mental health advocate, she also serves on the Race, Ethnicity and Equity committee for the North Carolina Psychiatric Association, and is the immediate Past President of the North Carolina Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Dzirasa earned her Bachelor of Science at Spelman College, Master of Public Health in Health Care and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill, and her Doctor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. She is also a certified yoga and cycling instructor and leads yoga events in her community.

Wendy Oliver Pyatt, MD, FAED, CEDS is presently the Cofounder, CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Within Health and the CEO and Cofounder of Galen Hope operating through Galen Mental Health. She is a board- certified psychiatrist and world-leading expert on treating eating disorders and has more than 25 years of clinical experience. She has developed five separate treatment programs all grounded in a strong bio-psycho-social foundation and incorporating intensive psychotherapy with behavioral foundations and high medical standards. Wendy is known for her innovative, humane, and dignity enhancing approach to medically and psychiatrically thorough care. Wendy has developed a unique treatment approach that delves into the underlying issues that place a person at risk for mental health conditions and eating disorders and lead to healing, health, and inner peace.
Wendy received her specialty training at New York University – Bellevue Hospital and has held faculty positions at New York University, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, and University of Nevada School of Medicine where she first developed her passion as a mentor and educator. She is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, has served on the Joint Commission’s Advisory Committee, and has received U.S. Senatorial Recognition for her commitment to the mental health treatment community.
Described by colleagues as warm and wise, Dr. Oliver-Pyatt matches her comprehensive training with an unwavering belief in compassionate and scientifically sound treatment.

Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author and developer of emotion-focused treatment modalities. She is a leader in the research and practice of psychedelic medicine for eating disorders, with a focus on ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin and ketamine. Currently, Adele is the Strategy Lead for the MAPS-sponsored study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for eating disorders. She is also a clinical trainer and supervisor for Imperial College Center for Psychedelic Research. Dr. Lafrance has a particular interest in mechanisms and models of healing, including emotion processing, spirituality, love, and family-based psychedelic medicine.

Dr. Nicole Schott is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Critical Mental Health Equity and Community-Engaged research at McMaster University with a PhD in Social Justice Education from U of T. Her central research and teaching areas include dis/ordered eating, pro-ana/mia, mad-disability studies, affect theorizing, critical race and gender theorizing, socio-cultural technology studies, challenging psycho-centrism, and ethnographic and arts-based methodologies. Nicole is also an artist; she transformed her “eating disorder” (ED) articles published in Media, Culture & Society; Journal of Social Justice; Critical Sociology; and Studies in Social Justice into a play as part of her dissertation’s methodology and transformed the audience feedback into a poem that is forthcoming in the second edition of Mad Matters. She has been impacted by ED phenomena for as long as she can remember, and as an activist researcher, she does critical eating dis/order studies, which has included forming an international Mad ED Collective.

Kris is a registered dietitian and public speaker who specializes in working with neurodivergent, gender-expansive, and queer clients who are seeking an agentic approach to eating disorder care. Kris is queer, trans, non-binary, and multiply neurodivergent, and their work is shaped by these identities and their desire to improve access to inclusive eating disorder care. They own their own private practice, NourishedED, where they practice from an anti-diet, fat-positive, trauma-informed perspective.

Tricia Mihal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor with 10 years of experience in community mental health, psychiatric facilities, and eating disorder treatment. Tricia has been in private practice since 2016. She runs two weekly psychotherapy process groups for individuals who are considering, or who have had, weight loss surgery, and she is deeply committed to providing and improving weight-inclusive care. When she's not working, she's usually up to her elbows in clay at a local pottery studio.

Ana Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC is a clinical mental health counselor and owner of Transcendence Counseling in Dallas, Texas. She is a trauma specialist who focuses on post traumatic stress, animal assisted therapy and eating disorders. Ana is also a reiki master and regularly participates in shamanic work outside of clinical sessions. She has a special interest in connecting western science with eastern philosophy and holistic health practices.

Deborah M. Michel, PhD, CEDS-S, FAED
National Clinical Director, Eating Recovery Center & Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center At Home Virtual Services

Dr. Michel is a licensed clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders and related conditions. She is also a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Supervisor. She has been involved in prevention, education, and advocacy efforts throughout her career.

In 2008, Dr. Michel founded and directed The Woodlands Eating Disorders Center in The Woodlands, Texas. She partnered with Eating Recovery Center in 2015 to expand the scope of services in the greater Houston area and later opened Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. She has served as a Regional Clinical Director, South Region, and Regional Clinical Director of Virtual Services. She was most recently appointed to National Clinical Director of Virtual Care.

Dr. Michel presents educational lectures to professionals, schools, and the general community. She founded eating disorder post-doctoral psychology fellowship programs in her region as well as programs for psychiatry fellows in the Texas Medical Center. She also publishes articles on eating disorders in professional journals as well as in community magazines and co-authored the book, When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: A Guide to Understanding Anorexia and Bulimia. Dr. Michel maintains her status as a clinical faculty member at Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is a founding member and Past-President of Houston Eating Disorders Specialists and continues to serve on the Executive Board. She is an elected Fellow in the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). She has served on the AED Medical Care Standards Committee as a member and advisor. She was also past Co-Chair of AED’s Advocacy and Communications Committee. Dr. Michel is also a member of The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) in addition to other professional organizations.

Leslie is a holistic ED recovery and wellness professional who works with individuals and organizations to unlearn ineffective thought and behavior patterns, unleash their potential, and live with unlimited joy starting with what goes into your belly. She coaches with passion and empathy, guiding her clients towards self-trust and confidence.
With a background in healthcare and policy her career expands over several industries including education, social justice, and non-profit leadership.
Leslie’s sassy, Southern humor invites audiences to laugh while they learn. She engages groups from the start and leaves them with empowering, practical tools and focused mindsets that they will use long after the presentation. Leslie is passionate about helping people learn the strategies they need to live fiercely, no matter what life throws at them.
Leslie earned her dual MBA/MPH from University of Phoenix and is a certified Holistic Wellness Coach, Mind Body Eating Coach, and Personal Trainer to name a few.
When not speaking or coaching, Leslie’s usual antics include making silly reels with her daughters, dancing with strangers, or cooking and enjoying wine-fueled meals with her family.

Native Philadelphian, Giva Ann Wilkerson, is a writer, speaker, educator, advocate and yoga teacher of Jamaican and Black American descent. She is a graduate of both the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University-Bloomington, with graduate degrees in African American & African Diaspora Studies and Public Administration. To date, Giva has been teaching and writing on self-discovery, personal development and healing for over 15 years. In addition to her academic credits, she is a trained sexual assault counselor, trauma-informed care provider and eating disorder recovery coach. She has implemented over 50 personal development programs and workshops, been quoted in Refinery 29 magazine, has made appearances on Good Morning America and Change the Narrative with J.D. Fuller, and had the honor of introducing President Joe Biden, during Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Giva is currently the Head of Community Care for Arise, a new mental health provider specifically focused on bringing folks inclusive, person-centered eating disorder and mental health care. Her goal is to expand and enhance the fields of personal development, peer support and recovery, while continuing to target those closest to her heart – and with the greatest need. Her loves include Nollywood, vegan cuisine and all things Brooklyn.

Casey N. Tallent, PhD is the Director of Collegiate & Telebehavioral Health Initiatives for ERC and Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. Dr. Tallent co-founded ERC and Pathlight’s virtual IOP program in 2016 and has been instrumental in expanding those services nationwide while also developing ERC and Pathlight’s virtual PHP program in response to the current pandemic. In addition to her virtual work, Dr. Tallent conducts trainings for universities and schools across the nation on improving eating disorders treatment services on campus. She has helped many colleges and school districts establish eating disorders treatment teams, guidelines, and response plans. Dr. Tallent is the co-founder of the Nebraska Eating Disorders Network, a non-profit organization focused on providing eating disorders resources to professionals, clients, and families in Nebraska. Before joining Eating Recovery Center, Dr. Tallent was a staff psychologist and Eating Disorders Treatment Team Coordinator at University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Counseling and Psychological Services. During her tenure at University of Nebraska, she provided counseling to students, coordinated the university’s multidisciplinary eating disorders treatment team, advised student groups, and served as faculty in the graduate counseling psychology program. Dr. Tallent received her BA and Masters in Counseling from University of Missouri-Kansas City, and her PhD in Counseling Psychology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Kristie Simmons is the Nutrition Director of Virtual Services at Eating Recovery Center. She started her career with ERC in Denver, CO and has worked there since 2012. During her time with ERC, she has had the opportunity to support at several different facilities and centers across the country. Kristie has worked with the child and adolescent and adult populations as well as across the levels of care. In 2017, Kristie jumped at the opportunity to help develop the nutrition program for our new Virtual IOP. She has since supported the significant expansion of Virtual Services starting in 2020 from a team of 2 dietitians to over 30. Kristie has served as the lead for establishing curriculum and evidenced-based approaches to virtual nutrition treatment spanning diagnoses and age ranges. Kristie supports her team with guiding patients towards exploring how food and health are vehicles to navigate a more meaningful life. She is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in the difficult and brave work to repair their relationship with food, exercise, and body image. Kristie is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Approved Supervisor through IAEDP. She aids new RDs with developing their clinical skills in working with this population and assists them as they eventually pursue their own certification.