The Castlewood Treatment Center is a creative collaboration of the owner's clinical experience and personal and professional evolution. Our treatment approach combines a nurturing therapeutic community with a strong individual and family psychotherapy-based treatment model, including expressive, gestalt, cognitive, dialectical behavioral, object-relations, self-psychology and ego state therapies. The result is a residential treatment program for eating disorders that allows for the unique treatment of each individual with an emphasis on compassion, respect and empowerment.

Clinical Co-Directors:

Mark Schwartz, Sc.D.

Mark earned his doctorate in Psychology and Mental Health from Johns Hopkins University. He is a licensed psychologist and an adjunct professor in the departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics at St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Over the past 25 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, including the book Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders. Dr. Schwartz is currently on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Eating Disorders.

Lori Galperin, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Lori initially earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and later completed her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work at Tulane University. Ms. Galperin is an accomplished contributor in the fields of marital and sexual dysfunction, sexual compulsivity, sexual trauma and dissociative disorders, lecturing nationally and internationally on these topics. She has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters.

Ms. Galperin is trained in Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing and she maintains many professional affiliations and clinical designations, such as Clinical Consultant with the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis. Over the past 15 years Ms. Galperin has treated several thousand inpatients and training more than 100,000 clinicians throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Nancy Albus M.Ed, LPC

Program Director for Castlewood Treatment Center/Therapist

Nancy earned her Masters 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 faciliting the Femininity and Sexuality group in Residential Treatment. Nancy is a therapist at Castlewood and the Program Director for the treatment center.

Program Directors - Therapists

Theresa Chesnut, M.S.W., L.C.S.W-Support Group Coordinator/Therapist

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. Ms. Chesnut has been on staff for the Menninger Clinic and has worked as a clinician with children and adolescents at risk of out-of-home placement. She has over 10 years experience in lecturing on college campuses and to psychiatric professionals about the signs, symptoms and prevention of eating disorders.

Ms. Chesnut has achieved a high level of experience in treating clients with eating disorders through her private practice and as a clinician with the Eating Disorder Unit in Kansas City, Missouri. She has completed training as an Internal Family Systems therapist and is coordinating training sessions in this model at Castlewood.

James Gerber, MA, ATR, Ph.D - Therapist

Mr. Gerber earned a Masters Degree in Art Therapy/Counseling at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He earned his Ph.D at Saint Louis University in Counseling and Family Therapy. Mr. Gerber has worked extensively with adults and adolescents in a variety of clinical areas including sexual/marital dysfunction, family therapy, sexual abuse, trauma and compulsivity. He is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Illinois University in the Department of Counseling and Art Therapy. He has published and presented papers on sexual aggression, sexual abuse and trauma.

Samantha Young, M.Ed., LPC - Intake Coordinator/Therapist

Samantha Young earned a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is trained in Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. Samantha has worked at Castlewood Treatment Center since 2002 working with trauma and eating disorders.

Cara Faries, L.P.C. - Clinical Director IOP Program/Therapist

Cara earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Webster University in Missouri. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is trained in the Internal Family Systems Model. Cara has years of experience working with individuals, families, and couples with a variety of mental health issues. Cara has specialized training in body image and body movement, and has worked extensively with a variety of mental health issues including: trauma, eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. Cara utilizes the cognitive-behavioral, IFS, and expressive modalities in her approach to therapeutic healing.

Emily Williams, P.L.P.C. - Step Down Coordinator/Therapist

Emily received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Missouri. Emily is a provisional Licensed Professional Counselor and is trained in the Internal Family Systems Model. Emily has experience treating individuals (children and adults), families, couples, and groups with a variety of mental health issues including: trauma, depression, anxiety, extreme anger, lack of parenting skills, and addictions. Emily utilizes the IFS, cognitive-behavioral, and interpersonal modalities in her approach to therapeutic healing.

Deanna James, PLPC, DTR - Assistant Program Director/Therapist

Deanna earned her Masters of Arts degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago. She is a registered dance/therapist and is trained in the Internal Family Systems model. Deanna has experience treating individuals, families, and groups with a variety of mental health issues including: trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, and addictions. Deanna has specialized training in many different forms of expressive therapy including: dance/movement therapy, body-centered therapy, psychodrama, and art therapy. Deanna utilizes IFS, cognitive-behavioral, and expressive modalities in her approach to therapeutic healing.

Dieticians

Michelle Fleschler, RD, LD - Dietician

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Health with specialization in Dietetics and minor in Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington, and completed her Dietetic Internship at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She is a registered and licensed dietitian in the State of Missouri, and has experience in clinical nutrition, outpatient counseling, and mental health. Michelle works with residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient clients to develop custom meal plans and provide nutritional counseling.