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Desert Road
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About Us:
We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of Phoenix-area professionals working in the field of eating disorders, dedicated to facilitating community and professional education events centered around the topic of eating disorders and best practices of treatment. Please connect with us!
southwestedec@gmail.com

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide continued education and training for all professionals working in the field of eating disorders, to promote collaboration and communication among professionals in the valley, state, and region. To raise awareness/provide resources for individuals seeking information or treatment for eating disorders. To provide education and training for healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, education professionals and students pursuing degrees in any of these fields.

Inclusivity Statement:
We acknowledge and respect every person’s story, life experience, and journey as an important and vital part of their work and advocacy in the field of eating disorders. We vow to create a culture of honor and mutual respect among our leadership, and those who join us regardless of differing opinions, values, or life experiences. We know that through inclusivity, and mutual respect everyone has a seat at the table and we hope you will join us at ours.

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Krista A Lample, M.Ed

Krista has worked in the eating disorder field for the last 25 years. As a K-12 Reading specialist and a high school teacher, Krista’s journey into the mental health world was not the typical path. She first worked as the Education Coordinator at an inpatient Eating Disorder treatment program where she was part of the Direct Patient care team.  She eventually started presenting at schools, universities, and educational conferences.  She has been a part of the National Eating Disorder Association, International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals where she served various board positions and has lobbied for legislation related to eating disorder treatment, awareness, and prevention. Over the last two decades, Krista has worked with some of the leading eating disorder hospitals/ treatment programs/experts in the country including her current program Center for Change.  In her role as a National Eating Disorder Outreach Specialist, she specializes in eating disorder awareness, eating disorder resources and eating disorder education. She has blogged for Center for Change, regularly presents to mental health and education professionals about eating disorder treatment and resources and plans conferences/educational events. Originally from Indiana, Krista lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and in her free time enjoys, reading, travel, movies, time with friends/family and football.   Krista has been recovered from Anorexia/Orthorexia for almost 30 years.

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Kristen Bunger, MS, RDN

Kristen has worked in the eating disorder field for the last 17 years. She was first introduced to eating disorder work at Children’s Hospital of Alabama during her fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. As a new graduate, she worked at an inpatient eating disorder treatment program where she learned the best care practices from the multidisciplinary team.  There she moved to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where she had the privilege of working for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders as well as treating kids who admitted for eating disorder evaluation.  During this time, she also began to see clients at a local outpatient practice.   Eight years ago, with a desire to be present both at home with her family while also serving the eating disorder community, she opened her private practice Body and Soul Nutrition Counseling. There she has been able to serve clients of all ages and with any and all eating disorder diagnoses. Kristen loves the opportunity to speak at schools, churches, and conferences bringing compassionate care and awareness of eating disorders wherever she is able. In 2023, she published her first book Feed My Soul: Finding True Peace with Food, Movement, Rest, and Body Image. Originally from New Orleans, Kristen lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband and their two boys. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her boys, being outside, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

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Jan Hamilton Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Jan has worked in the Eating Disorder field for the past 25 years. Jan received her Master’s in nursing from the University of Arizona and her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner national certification in 1999. Her first job as a PMHNP was at Remuda Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona. She became an expert in the treatment of eating disorders focused primarily on adolescents and young adults. She received Certification as an Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) in 2012. She had served on the Phoenix Chapter for International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) for a total of 6 years. In 2008, Jan founded Doorways, LLC, an outpatient treatment center for adolescents and young adults ages 13-25. Doorways was a multidisciplinary treatment center treating individuals and families. There was a total of 5 IOPs (Intensive Outpatient Programs) as part of the services over the years including an Eating Disorder IOP for adolescents and young adults which ran for 12 years. Jan provided psychiatric care for individuals and, as CEO, provided leadership and program development for Doorways for 14 years. Doorways was sold to Embark Behavioral at the end of 2021. Jan remained at Embark as CEO for a year and then transitioned to part time as an independent contractor.  She currently runs her private practice for adolescents and young adults in general mental health and for clients with eating disorders.  Jan loves to be with her husband, Bill, escaping to the cool pines of northern Arizona, reading (our Book Club is amazing!), spending time with the grandkids (they are amazing, too!) and hiking.

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Monika Peterson, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, CEDS

Dr. Peterson has worked in the eating disorder field for the last 21 years.   Dr. Peterson obtained her undergraduate degree summa cum laude in Psychology at Arizona State University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Brigham Young University with an emphasis on eating disorder treatment.  After graduation, she relocated to New Mexico and completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at The Samaritan Counseling Center prior to enjoying an active private practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. She also served as the Clinical Director of Adolescent Programs at The Eating Disorders Institute of New Mexico and contributed to the development of the program curriculum.  She moved to Arizona in 2016 and enjoys a thriving practice with Spectrum Psychology and Wellness in Mesa, Arizona.  She has spoken publicly to academic, medical, and mental health groups in both New Mexico and Arizona. She has presented and published research in eating disorders and earned the Outstanding Early Career Psychologist Award given by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.  She has volunteered with the National Eating Disorders Association moderating the discussion board, and the International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals, serving as a board member for the Phoenix chapter.  Outside of work, you will find her at the softball field or tumbling gym with her teenage daughters, reading a book, or anywhere outdoors!

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Holly (Farrar) Cook MS, LPC

​Holly has worked in the eating disorder field for 6 years. In 2012, Holly dropped out of her doctorate of physical therapy due to medical concerns. After regaining her health, she began working as a personal trainer where she started running into client’s eating disorders in the gym. Holly started her master’s of science in professional counseling at Grand Canyon University.  She graduated in 2018. Holly interned in a local eating disorder intensive outpatient program, then worked on the adolescent girls, eating disorder unit at The Meadows Ranch for three years. Holly now owns her private practice and is passionate about eating disorder recovery, working with athletes with eating disorders, and is EMDR trained. Holly has a therapy dog, Johnnie who provides animal assisted therapy to her clients. She also partners with The Mayo Clinic and ASU Athletics, sitting on their eating concerns consultation group for patients struggling with eating issues. Holly is an Arizona native. In her free time, she enjoys adventuring with her husband and two dogs, as well as crafting, hiking, time with her friends and family, and cooking.

Brina Jergenson, RD, CEDS

Brina is originally from the Midwest; growing up in North Dakota and attending college at University of Minnesota – Twin Cities where she received her BS in Nutrition and Dietetics in 1995. After college graduation, she relocated to the Phoenix area to start her career as a Registered Dietitian. Brina has specialized in eating disorders, intuitive eating, picky eating (ARFID), digestive issues and food allergies throughout her career. She has worked with eating disorder clients in inpatient, residential, outpatient, and intensive day programs. Brina participated in the E! Network’s 2010 documentary series “What’s Eating You?” as one of 3 dietitians who specialize in Eating Disorders. She has received her certification from the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) recognizing her as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).

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Jessica McCall, LPC

Jessica has worked in the eating disorder field for over 14 years - since 2010. She has worked at various levels of care in mental health counseling treatment and found her passion in eating disorder treatment through working with athletes and performers as a sport psychology consultant. After obtaining both a masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a masters in Mental Health Counseling, she combines the two areas of specialty in her clinical practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She serves as the Clinical Operations Manager, as well as one of the primary therapists for Healthy Futures, an Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient (IOP) facility in Scottsdale. In addition to Program Development and supervision, Jessica manages community outreach at Healthy Futures and has served various board roles with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals in past years. She is an Arizona native and when not at her kids sporting events, she likes to get out in nature for some paddle boarding.

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