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.
Jen Bindeman, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C- PHP & Outpatient Therapist,
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.
Dr. Veronica Franklin – Clinical Director, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Franklin brings over 20 years’ experience in the mental health field as an educator, advocate, therapist, and clinical leader. Her behavioral health career has come full circle from health and wellness through 20 years as a mental health provider. Her initial experiences were as a Kinesiology professor at University of Minnesota and at Texas A & M University. While teaching in academia, she developed a passion for overall wellness and the search to improve behavioral health on college campuses. Over the next 20 years, Dr. Franklin incorporated body-mind wellness into her academic counseling courses, in her spiritual workshops and by utilizing nutritional education in her practice. She has served as a program director in Rockville Maryland, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has also served as a Fulbright scholar in Vienna, Austria. When she is not helping in the GBLTQIA community, she can be found volunteering as a PATH member for Maryland Therapeutic Riding Center.
Samantha Gordin – LICSW, Outpatient Therapist, 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 – PHP 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.
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 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.
Megan Rubino, LGSW – Adolescent IOP Therapist, Columbia, Maryland location
Megan graduated from Salisbury University with a BSW, and then from the University of Southern California with MSW. She has worked with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings including addictions, detention, and healthcare as a case manager and social worker. She developed a passion for overall holistic wellness, a core part of her approach with all clients. When not working, she enjoys spending quality time with family, friends, her boxer named Roxy, as well as cycling, drinking lavender lattes, and traveling as much as possible.
For more information, please give us a call at (877)-674-2843 or CLICK HERE to contact us.