DIANE ZICARELLI, MSW, LCSW Executive Director Diane Zicarelli received a Master's Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Her professional experience includes work with adolescents at Carrier Foundation and Charter Behavioral Health Systems as well as Crisis Intervention at Irvington General Hospital. She has volunteered time to the American Anorexia / Bulimia Association and has lectured to elementary, junior and high school students regarding eating disorders. At the Center, Ms. Zicarelli's work focuses on providing individual, group, and family therapy. She coordinates a statewide school prevention program and has given presentations at schools and professional conferences throughout New Jersey in addition to appearing as a guest on TV, radio, and cable discussing eating disorders and recovery. Ms. Zicarelli recovered from her own battle while a young women with anorexia nervosa, and is devoted to the prevention, education, early intervention and recovery of eating disorders. PATRICIA DePOL, MA, EdS, LMFT President Patricia DePol received her Master's Degree in Psychology in 1978, and an advanced degree in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1986 from Seton Hall University. Ms. DePol's area of specialization is in the treatment of Eatin g Disorders. She herself has recovered from an eating disorder and uses her personal insight in conjunction with her clinical training to the benefit of her patients. Her work experience includes eight years with The American Anorexia and Bulimia Association where she functioned as a group leader and provided general counseling for people with eating disorders. At The Center, Ms. DePol's work focuses on coordinating family services while providing individual, group, and family therapy for persons with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating. She is co-author of Establishing Coping Skills, a psychoeducational program for the treatment of eating disorders. Ms. DePol has lectured extensively and her written work in the area of Eating Disorders and Ethical Issues has been published. Ms. DePol is also certified in EMDR. JAMIE SCHWARTZ, MSW, LCSW Clinician Jamie Schwartz received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, with a specialty in children and families. While interning at The Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders, Ms. Schwartz provided individual, family and group counseling. Her internship also included speaking to students about eating disorders and recovery, as part of The Center’s School Prevention Program. Ms. Schwartz’s professional experience also includes the Parenting Center of the Maplewood/South Orange School District. Her Parenting Center experience includes working with children, families, school faculty and the child study team in an elementary school. Overlook Hospital Adolescent Program for Eating Disorders. Individual counseling and clinician in the IOP program- - ran groups, meal supervision, and meal processing and art therapy. Ms. Schwartz work there for two years. Ms. Schwartz recovered from her own eating disorder. She is dedicated to using her personal insight and professional experience to help others with eating disorders, as well as the intervention, education and prevention of eating disorders. NANCY WILLIAMS, MSW, LCSW Clinician Nancy Williams received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 1990 and was licensed in 1996. She completed a 3 year training program in family system therapy at The Family Institute in Metuchen, N.J. Ms. Williams has a broad range of experience including hospice social work at Passaic Beth Israel Hospital in Newark and dealing with domestic violence issues at Women Aware in New Brunswick and Passaic County Womens' Shelter. She has worked with addictions, codependency, Adult Children of Alcoholics and trauma survivors. Ms. Williams is a member of the National Association of Social Work, New Jersey Association of Women Therapists, and the American Anorexia and Bulimia Association. She has provided presentations at schools and hospitals on the topic of eating disorders and has also given workshops for stress and pain management and coping with chronic illness. THERESA KROFT, M Ed Clinician Theresa Kroft received a M Ed in Educational Psychology from Rutgers University in 1978 and received an advance degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall University. Since 1981, Ms. Kroft has coordinated psychoeducational programs for the Chatham, Livingston and Berkley Heights Diet Centers. During this time Ms. Kroft has provided individual weight loss counseling and has facilitated an array of group counseling sessions addressing nutrition, behavior modification and self-awareness in relation to weight loss issues. Ms. Kroft has been an adjunct faculty member at County College of Morris and Seton Hall University. JOAN RUNFOLA, MSW, LCSW Clinician Joan Runfola received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas in 1975. Her work experience includes positions with the Community Guidance Center of San Antonio, Texas, Child and Family Services of Austin, Texas, and Cancer Care, Inc. of Millburn, NJ. Ms. Runfola is experienced in providing individual, group and family counseling for a variety of psychological, emotional, psychodynamic, and behavioral difficulties. She specializes in helping people learn to use their own spirituality and inner guidance as part of their healing process. KATHY REICHERT, RN Clinician Kathy Reichert is a registered nurse and graduate student pursuing her master’s degree in counseling at Montclair State University. She is the author of The Best Dead Husband in the World: A Story of Love After Death, a memoir of her personal journey through grief. She provides individual and group grief counseling, with an emphasis on the spiritual aspects of grief. Kathy is also a Reiki Master, practicing the ancient art of hands-on healing as well as guided healing meditation for clients. This is an excellent therapeutic intervention for individuals with physical manifestations of illness that cause or contribute to emotional distress. Kathy gives individual and group instruction, as well, in meditative exercises including loving kindness meditation (to induce positive emotions and build personal resources), forgiveness meditation (to promote marital adjustment, reduce depression and/or anxiety, and expand social interest), and mindfulness meditation (to promote well being and encourage focusing away from discursive, ruminating thoughts). ALICIA AYVAS, MSW, LSW Clinician Alicia Ayvas received a Master’ s of Science Degree in Social Work from Columbia University with a concentration in health, mental health and disabilities. Her clinical experience includes work with dual-diagnosed adults at the Cerebral Palsy Association in Middlesex County. At Columbia, Ms. Ayvas received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). At the Center, Ms. Ayvas’s work focuses on providing individual, group and family therapy. She coordinates the Center’s statewide school prevention program and has given presentations at middle and high schools throughout New Jersey on the topic of eating disorders. Ms. Ayvas has recovered from her own battle with anorexia nervosa and is committed to the prevention, research and evidence based interventions for full recovery among individuals who are affected by eating disorders. STACIE MANDEL, RD Nutritionist Stacie Mandel always had an interest in nutrition and helping others eat a healthful diet. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the George Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition from New York University. She has been a Registered Dietitian for 6 years specializing in eating Disorders. She worked at The Renfrew Center of New York before coming to The Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders in 2004.