Our Staff

Extraordinary Commitment, Compassion, and Experience

Our therapists include highly trained Master and Doctoral level professionals with numerous advanced specialties. They understand the obsessive, often highly complex thought processes that create our clients’ disordered thinking, and they are unequivocally committed to helping people heal.

Dr. Mark Schwartz, Sc.D.- Clinical Co-Director-

Mark earned his doctorate in Psychology and Mental Health from Johns Hopkins University and is a licensed psychologist. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Schwartz has achieved international recognition for his contributions in a variety of clinical arenas, including the treatment of intimacy disorders, marital and sexual dysfunction, sexual compulsivity, sexual trauma and eating disorders. He lectures nationally and internationally on these topics and has authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as the books, Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders and Sexual Compulsive Behavior, and Sex and Gender. Dr. Schwartz is currently on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Eating Disorders.

Lori D. Galperin, MSW, LCSW- Clinical Co-Director

Ms. Galperin initially earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and later completed her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work at Tulane University. She is an accomplished contributor in the fields of marital and sexual dysfunction, sexual compulsivity, sexual trauma, dissociative and eating disorders. Lori lectures nationally and internationally on these topics and has authored various journal articles and book chapters. She is trained in Clinical Hypnosis, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Expressive and Attachment-based therapies.

Nancy Albus, M.Ed., LPC- Executive Director

Nancy earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is a licensed Professional Counselor and trained in Internal Family Systems. In addition to her interest in eating disorders, Nancy works with femininity and sexuality issues, including facilitating the Femininity and Sexuality group in Residential Treatment. Nancy joined Castlewood in 2002 as a therapist and is also the program director for the treatment center.

 Dr. Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.- Creator of Internal Family Systems Therapy, Therapist

Richard Schwartz, PhD is the creator and developer of Internal Family Systems Model of therapy. Richard has consulted with Castlewood for the last 8-9 years, training our staff and working individually with clients. Richard earned his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University, after which he began a long association with the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and more recently at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, attaining the status of Associate Professor at both institutions. He has dedicated more than 30 years of service to troubled families and individuals and has extensive experience working with clients who suffer from eating disorders. He has published four books and over 60 articles on a variety of topics in psychotherapy. In 2000, Richard Schwartz founded The Center for Self Leadership in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2010, Dr. Schwartz joined the Castlewood clinical team in an expanded role. Dr. Schwartz continues his speaking and teaching, nationally and internationally, but when not on the road he can be found at Castlewood. At Castlewood, Richard continues to develop and train our staff in Internal Family Systems therapy. He provides consultations with clients and facilitates individual and group IFS sessions.

Theresa Chesnut, MSW, LCSW- Primary Therapist

Theresa initially earned her undergraduate degree in Family Life and Community Services from Kansas State University and later completed her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Kansas. Theresa has been on staff at Castlewood since 2000 and has held various positions: Primary Therapist, Program Director and currently as the lead Eating Disorder Therapist. Theresa has also been on staff for the Menninger Clinic and she has over 20 years experience in lecturing on college campuses and to psychiatric professionals about the signs, symptoms and prevention of eating disorders. Currently, Theresa serves on the board for the Binge Eating Disorder Association.

Emily Williams, MA, LPC- Program Director, Therapist

Emily earned her Master’s degree in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, MO. Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is currently Program Director and a primary therapist at Castlewood Treatment Center. Emily has experience in treating Eating Disorders, PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, depression, and anxiety, among many other psychiatric disorders. In therapy, Emily utilizes Internal Family Systems, interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic modalities. Emily also has experience facilitating therapeutic groups such as anger management, relapse prevention, eating disorder, trauma, and community process groups.

Erin McGinty, MS, LPC- Program Director, Anxiety Services Coordinator, Therapist

Erin earned her Master’s of Science degree in Community Counseling at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Erin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor, and currently serves as Program Director, Anxiety Services Coordinator, and Primary Therapist at Castlewood. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and co-morbid anxiety disorders, and has training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and Internal Family Systems. In addition to her clinical expertise, Erin has presented regionally and nationally on the co-morbidity of eating and anxiety disorders. In her current roles at Castlewood, Erin co-facilitates eating disorder and community process groups, provides therapy to individual clients, and oversees the delivery of anxiety services to clients of Castlewood’s residential, day treatment, and stepdown programs.

Dr. Anna Jurec, M.D.- Psychiatrist

Anna M. Jurec, M.D., graduated from Medical University in Gdansk, Poland and completed her Psychiatry Residency Program at Saint Louis University Department of Neurology and Psychiatry. She has been a member of the American Psychiatric Association since 2004. She is currently working as a full time psychiatrist and also as a consultant with Places for People – a non-profit organization in St. Louis, treating severely and persistently mentally ill patients. “I enjoy helping to bring out the potential of the human mind in those affected by mental illness. I strive to treat the patient as an integral combination of body, mind and spirit and to allow patients to choose the best individual treatment based on scientific and clinical evidence. My particular professional interests are directed toward psychosomatic medicine (eating disorders in particular) as well as mood and anxiety disorders.”

Dr. Dawn M. Holemon, M.D.- Psychiatrist

Dr. Holemon graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis. She is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology and has been in private practice of psychiatry since 1986. She began working at Castlewood Treatment Center with the opening of the St. Paul Road location in June 2010. Her experience has been in the areas of adolescent psychiatry, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders; with an interest in medication as an adjunct to a strong therapy-based treatment plan. She has enjoyed becoming a part of the Castlewood treatment team for this reason.

Jada Thompson, MSHM- Programs Manager

Jada earned her Master’s degree in Health Management from Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, MO. She completed research on the topic of obesity in minority populations while obtaining her Master’s degree. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Jada has completed level I training in the Internal Family Systems model of therapy. She has been employed with Castlewood since 2007. Jada’s current focus in research and community activism is on promoting eating disorder awareness in minority populations. As Programs Manager, Jada assists the executive director in general operations and oversees various aspects of the Castlewood program.

 Arathi Srikanta, MSW- Step- Down Coordinator

Arathi earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.  Arathi has completed research on various topics ranging from attachment theory and eating disorders to adolescent sexual behavior. She has also co written numerous publications including a textbook chapter on childhood obesity and academic achievement. Arathi has completed level I training in the Internal Family Systems model of therapy. She has been employed with Castlewood since 2007. As Step Down Coordinator, Arathi works with clients therapeutically in groups and individual sessions as they transition from the Residential level of care back into a full and healthy life.

Primary Therapists

Jennifer Edwards, MA, LPC, DMT-R- Therapist & IOP Program Director; Mike Rechtien, MA, PLPC- Therapist; Elizabeth Drennan, MSW, LMSW- Therapist; Chelsea Dearth, MSW, LMSW- Therapist; Emily Williams, LPC- Therapist & Program Director CW II; Kevin McCulloch- PLPC, Therapist; Samantha Young, M.Ed, LPC- Therapist; Laura Wood, MA, RDT, CCLS, RP- Therapist; Dr. James Gerber, Ph.D, LPC- Therapist.

Primary Therapists

Erin McGinty, MS, LPC- Program Director CW I, Therapist; Samantha Young, M.Ed., LPC- Therapist; Laura Wood, MA, RDT, CCLS, RP- Therapist; Marcio Guzman, Psy.D.- Therapist; Jane Rubin, M.Ed., LPC- Therapist; Katie Thompson, MS, LPC-Therapist.

Intake/Marketing

Erin Mayberry, M.A.- Intake Counselor; Rebecca Baker, M.Ed., PLPC- Utilization Review & Therapist; Deanna James, M.A., LPC- Clinical Marketing Director;  Mary Beth Puri, M.A., PLPC- Intake Counselor and Discharge Coordinator.

Nurses

Iness Panni, RN, MSN- Nurse manager; Beth Kemph, MSN, RN; Sarah Seagrave, RN; Stacy Sisson, RN- Overnight Nurse

Dietitians

Chelsea Martin, RD, LD;  Kelly Walker, RD, LD; Deborah Hinds, DTR; Rebecca Sikorski, RD, LD; Alyssa Salz, MS, RD, LD.

Bryan Mitra, Executive Chef