Meet Our Compassionate, Experienced Therapists
Our experienced therapists will make it easy for you or your loved one to take the first important step to recognizing and getting help for an eating disorder or self-harm behavior. Our comfortable centers in Columbia, Maryland and Woodley Park, D.C. are renowned for providing therapeutic approaches that work for every body.
Carly Falk, LPC – Outpatient therapist, Columbia, MD and DC
Carly, like many of TBITC’s staff, has a vested interest in the eating disorders field as a recovered individual. She has a warm and easy manner that is both welcoming and encouraging to clients pursuing their therapeutic goals. After graduating with a master’s in education (M.Ed.) with a focus on mental health counseling, Carly worked in the substance abuse and trauma fields, specializing in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She embarked on a career in the eating disorders field as a therapist in South Carolina where she developed an affinity for working with eating disorders and body image concerns with co-occurring issues of trauma and substance abuse. She moved to Baltimore in 2017. When Carly isn’t working, she is trying her hardest not to grow up. You can find her covered in paint splatters and dog fur at her home in Hampden.
Jen Bindeman, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C- Outpatient Therapist, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC
Jen graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work because her Smith College Women’s Studies degree wasn’t paying the bills. She has worked with diverse populations including adolescents and adults, members of the LGBT community, and minority populations. From those suffering chronic and severe mental health problems to individuals with eating disorder, substance abuse and trauma, Jen has seen it all from her work as a case manager to a seasoned therapist and approved clinical supervisor. Jen found her passion as a therapist using an empathetic and creative approach with her clients to reach the core issues that underline eating disorders and their related concerns. And if you can’t tell, she uses her humor to spark discussion to better understand self-identity and values. Jen enjoys sewing, her cat, the theatre, and not writing about herself in third person.
Kimela Ferguson, FNP-C – Family Nurse Practitioner in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC locations
Kim brings a spirt of Aloha “Welcome” for Hawaii where she resided and studied for several years before returning to Baltimore to work for TBITC. As a graduate from Hawaii Pacific University, she earned a Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a B.S. in Business Administration, both from Morgan State University. Kim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Body Image having previously serving as an emergency room nurse, psychiatric nurse, and trauma nurse. Working from the belief “that your thoughts can create your reality,” Kim believes in a three-dimensional approach to healing, starting with the mind, body, and spirt. In her free time Kim enjoys paddle boarding, hiking and gardening. She presently volunteers on an inner-city farm in Baltimore City, where their primary initiative is to bring fresh produce and nutritional education to underserved neighborhoods.
Samantha Gordin – LICSW, Clinical Coordinator, Washington, DC
Samantha “Sam” Gordin has a diverse professional history including inpatient, residential, outpatient, and non-profit settings. Raised by a mother who is a social worker, Sam developed a passion for helping others throughout her life. She received her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University, followed by her Masters degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. Sam specializes in eating disorders, trauma and the LGBTQ community. When Sam is not working, you are likely to find her snuggling with her rescue dog, Nala, and watching some of her favorite mystery shows.
Elissa Gross, LGPC – Therapist, Washington DC
Elissa is a graduate in Expressive Arts Therapy and Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. A native Washingtonian, she has worked on both sides of the country as an arts therapist with children, adolescents, and adults in diverse demographics and settings. As both an individual and group counselor, she utilizes the a variety of art therapies including visual arts, dance, music, drama, narrative, poetry, play, and sand tray. Using these modalities, she help clients to delve further into issues such as grief, trauma, illness, loss, systemic/community/domestic violence, high levels of poverty, suicide, and incarceration. Elissa practices with a client-centered, trauma-informed, and holistic approach to counseling and believes that everyone is capable and worthy of healing and health. When Elissa is not working, she enjoys discovering the new in her old hometown and exploring scuba diving adventures all over this fascinating world.
Emily Hamberger, LPC – PHP Therapist, Washington DC
Emily is a mental health counselor specializing in the treatment of eating disorders in adults and adolescents in the Washington D.C. office. She received her Master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and completed a specialized training program in the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring disorders at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in New York City. Emily worked as a counselor in New York until 2011 before moving back to her hometown of D.C. Emily’s passion for eating disorder counseling began by working adolescents at an in-patient facility. There she developed a hunger for helping young people move beyond the notion that disordered eating is “all about my weight.” When working with clients, Emily partners with nutritionists and medical doctors, and entrusts to them most of the discussion about food, calories, and the scale, recognizing that disordered eating is a concrete reflection of an internal struggle. Recovery with Emily starts at the place where the clients take her, and she collaborates with each of them in working on relationships, self-expression, and self-love on the journey towards a healthy self. She is currently a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Eating Disorders Association.
Laura Jones, LPC – IOP Therapist, Washington DC
Laura believes in a holistic approach to recovery and a therapeutic environment that meets clients where they are. She has a wide array of clinical experience in both residential and outpatient settings and has provided therapy for clients with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, body image, and self harm behaviors. Laura earned a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from James Madison University and has worked in residential and outpatient settings for eating disorders. Prior to counseling, Laura was a high school mathematics teacher. She combines her love for counseling and teaching to facilitate dynamic groups. When Laura is not working, she enjoys sketching, painting, and crafting.
Kim Machado – LGPC, IOP Lead Therapist, Baltimore Location
While Kim was born and raised in Maryland, she an internationally known as a classical musician. Before turning her sights to psychotherapy, she had performed in spaces such as Carnegie Hall, Ely Cathedral, The Kennedy Center, and Strathmore Hall. Now Kim is a psychotherapist at The Body Image Center who specializes in clients diagnosed with eating disorders, trauma and dissociative disorders. Her favorite quote from Alice in Wonderland specifically captures her therapeutic philosophy, “When you can’t look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.” In her spare time she enjoys playing board games, travelling, and performing classical music.
Hayley O’Brien, LPC – IOP Therapist, Washington DC
Hayley approaches her clinical work from a holistic perspective — seeking to understand and treat all aspects of the human experience. As both a mental health counselor and registered yoga teacher, she works closely with each client to integrate healing modalities for both mind and body. Hayley works within a trauma sensitive framework to insure clients feel safe and secure as they explore the therapeutic process. After receiving her masters in mental health counseling from James Madison University, Hayley went on to work at a residential eating disorder center where she specialized in counseling and yoga. When Hayley is not working, you can find her enjoying her own yoga practice, traveling and spending time with loved ones.
Marianne Riley, LCPC, DBTC – Clinical Director, Baltimore Location
Marianne, like all our staff, has a passion for the eating disorder field. With many years of eating disorder therapy experience to draw from, Marianne dedicates herself to helping individuals recover and live healthy, fulfilling lives, free from eating disorder behavior. She received her MA in Counseling from The Johns Hopkins University, and is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Intuitive Eating. Those skills have served her greatly in working with clients diagnosed with eating disorders. Marianne’s specialties include Orthorexia and suicidal ideation. When Marianne is not working, she is spending down time with her friends and family; being a foodie and avid coffee drinker, and enjoying the outdoors.
Molly F. Rollison – Administrative Assistant, Baltimore Location
Molly born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. After 12 years of Catholic School, she went to college for Business Management, eventually earing an AA degree. She comes to TBITC with many years of retail management experience and 10 years of running her own small business. In her spare time, Molly enjoys watching her children play football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, and baseball and listening to the trumpet being practiced in her home. Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband and 5 children.
Octavia Sykes, LGSW – Adolescent IOP Therapist, Central Maryland Office
Octavia Sykes, LGSW, is a proud Baltimorean and quirky feminist. She credits her upbringing and education as the source of her advocate passions. Octavia holds a BA of Women’s Studies and LGBT Studies Certificate from University of Maryland, and an MSW from Widener University, where she is completing her M.Ed. of Human Sexuality. Octavia works with core issues of body image, self-esteem, self-identity, and trauma through her experience working with LGBT youth of color and survivors of sexual assault. She also enjoys volunteering with Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition and chilling with her cats.
For more information, please give us a call at (877)-674-2843 or CLICK HERE to contact us.