Mirasol's Eating Disorder Professionals

Jeanne Rust, PhD, LPC: CEO and Founder
Jeanne specializes in eating disorders and is an expert in the treatment of adult trauma. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook Graduate School, a Master's Degree in Counseling, and a Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. Jeanne is certified by the State of Arizona as a Professional Counselor. She has received comprehensive training in Gestalt and other expressive therapies, as well as Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and she is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. Jeanne was a therapist in private practice for many years before founding Mirasol. She has worked with the University of Arizona athletic department to meet the therapeutic needs of athletes with eating disorders, has taught courses at the university level, and provides training and education for health care professionals in her areas of expertise.

David Romero, MC, LPC, MBA: Executive Director
David is Mirasol's new Executive Director and brings to the position more than 20 years of supervisory experience in managed care. He is also a State of Arizona Licensed Professional Counselor with specific expertise in addiction and sexual abuse treatment, education and clinical management. His educational background includes a Master's in Counseling from Arizona State University and graduate research at Harvard University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Arizona's Eller School of Management. He was a member of the Senior Management Team at America West Airlines as the Director of Employee Assistance Program. He has a personal and professional interest in the field of integrative medicine and its ability to transform people's lives. David is a fourth generation Arizonan and proud grandfather of two.

Shoshana Wallenmeyer, MSW, LCSW: Clinical Director
Shoshana has been a clinical therapist since 1995 and has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders, addiction and trauma. Shoshana uses a combination of art, action, ceremony and process to help others discover the power of allowing the mind, body, heart and spirit to recover from the pain of trauma, addictions and eating disorders.

Dr. Dawn Bantel, NMD: Medical Director and Staff Physician
Dr. Bantel is a licensed Naturopathic Physician. She obtained her degree at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, with a special emphasis in the treatment of women and children. She is a local community lecturer, presenting talks on natural medicine, menopausal options, detoxification, chronic fatigue, and digestion. Dr. Bantel is also a professor at the Asian Institute of Medical Studies, in which she teaches students the western models of disease and treatment in the subject areas of cardiology, pulmonolgy, dermatology, and urology. She also instructs students in physiology at the Providence Institute for Massage and Shiatsu.

William Eck, M.D.: Neurofeedback
Bill has a B.A. in Biology from Indiana University and an MD from the Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic. Bill started his career working as a Physician's Assistant in the Federal Prison System. He has worked with teens in various capacities since 1994, starting with developmentally disabled boys and moving on to juvenile delinquents. More recently he has been involved with a more "normal" population, leading a church youth group. Bill became seriously interested in neurofeedback after his own successful treatment experience. He now directs EEG biofeedback training at Mirasol's teen residence.

Robin Memel Fox, MA, ADTR, LPC, NCC:
Primary Therapist & Dance/Movement Therapist
Robin obtained her MA in Somatic Psychology/Dance/Movement Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Registered Dance Therapist through the American Dance Therapy Association. Robin has been in the field of counseling and mental health since 1989, providing individual, family and group therapy to adults, children and teens in a variety of settings/populations, and is bilingual in Spanish. She brings her expertise in trauma, sexual abuse, women's issues and body image to Mirasol by focusing on the body/mind connection through the use of body-centered techniques, dance/movement therapy, meditation and play therapy. Robin is passionate about her work and facilitating the healing process of recovery and (re)discovery of the Authentic Self.

Katharine Dean, MC, NCC, LPC: Clinical Director
Katharine is an Arizona State Certified Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a Master's degree in Community Counseling from the University of Phoenix. Her expertise is focused on teen girls and the area of trauma. Her experience includes being the past Program Director for Project Safe Place, a program for girls ages 8-18 who have histories of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as Program Director for The Tucson Coalition on Girls and Violence. Katharine is Level II Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (E.M.D.R.) trained and certified in Trauma Model Therapy.

Diane Ryan: Primary Therapist

Jill Sprecher, MA: Fitness Specialist
Jill Sprecher received her undergraduate degree in Recreation Therapy at the University of Tennessee. She was an All-American swimmer in high school and college. Being an athlete in recovery for an eating disorder, Jill decided to help other young women in athletics. Jill worked at Sierra Tucson for four years as a Recreation Therapist and a Fitness Instructor. During this time, she obtained her personal trainer certificate and her certificate to teach water aerobics. Jill now has a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College. Jill's specialty is counseling women with compulsive exercise tendencies.

Antonietta Estrada: Primary Therapist

Monica Nicholas, RD, Registered Dietitian
Monica received her BS in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from the University of Arizona in 2002 and completed her Dietetic Internship though Queens College, New York, in 2003. Previous to working at Mirasol, Monica was the Outpatient Nutrition Coordinator at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York. Monica specializes in women's health and has experience working with whole foods nutrition and holistic health. Monica is dedicated to helping others empower themselves and live a fulfilling, joyful life.

Ann Twilley, MA, LAC: Continuing Care Coordinator
Ann completed her BA in Psychology at the University of Arizona and her MA in Counseling. Ann is passionate about her work with eating disorder relapse prevention and re-entry. Having recovered from an eating disorder herself, she is compassionate and understands the complexity of this illness. She sets up the Mirasol client's entire aftercare plan and supports the clients after they leave treatment.

Leah Evans, MEd, NCC, LPC: Continuing Care Coordinator
Leah is an Arizona State Certified Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Arizona in 1995 to attend the University of Arizona. After completing her BA in Psychology, she went on to earn a Masters of Education at Northern Arizona University. Over the past six years, Leah has worked as an individual therapist with teens at various agencies in the Tucson area. She began her work with Mirasol as a counseling assistant at the adult unit. She now sets up aftercare plans and supports our teen clients after they leave treatment. Leah is happy to be working with teens since they were the focus of her education.

Nan Greer, LPN: Nan has been a Licensed Nurse since 1982. She graduated from the Health Occupations Program at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Her experience includes working with the geriatric population, private nursing duties, and now with eating disorders. Nan loves travel, community service and animals. She is bilingual and represented Mirasol in a national Spanish-language televised program on the medical complications of eating disorders. Nan has years of experience working with adolescents and enjoys helping shape and nurture young lives.

Careen Furstenberg, LPN, PhT, CiHom, CCH, FES, Aromatherapist/Nurse
As a nurse, Careen strongly believes there needs to be a balanced integration of Eastern and Western medicine. The whole person should be treated and not just the "dis-ease". Careen has over 18 years of experience in both Western and Eastern medicine. Before moving to Arizona in 2004, Careen had her own private holistic health practice in Solana Beach, CA, where she worked alongside Doctor of Internal Medicine. She also taught a variety of homeopathic, flower essences and aromatherapy classes to various professionals in the medical field. She is currently working towards her Master's in Oriental Medicine.

Ann Mitchell: Adult Family Program Facilitator

Jerry Harmon, LISAC: Adolescent Family Program Facilitator
Jerry Harmon is an Independent Substance Abuse Counselor licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health and certified by the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors. He is also certified by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC). He has worked in addictions and family systems for the past 15 years in both in-patient and out-patient settings. Jerry specializes in experiential therapies including adventure-based activities and use of low-element and portable challenge courses and indoor climbing walls. Jerry is also an international workshop facilitator and has worked extensively with native and aboriginal populations in the U.S. and Canada.

Diane M. Notarianni Ph.D. L.Ac Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM).: Acupuncturist
For over a decade Diane worked as an anthropologist, professor and researcher with Native Americans, especially Arizona's Hopi Indians. In 2001 she was inspired to study Traditional Chinese Medicine, a vast system of healing both indigenous in nature and scientific in application. Today, as Mirasol's staff acupuncturist, she applies her knowledge of both anthropology and oriental medicine to the treatment of women with eating disorders. "Practitioners of Oriental Medicine believe that everything about the way we live and the way we have lived since childhood has an influence on our health," says Notarianni. "We don't just look at the symptoms, we look at the whole person, including her way of conducting herself in the world and her relationships with the other people."

Duncan Eidse:

E.J. Kerwin: Yoga Teacher
E.J. Kerwin has studied with some of the international masters of Viniyoga, focusing on therapeutic applications of Yoga. E.J. became certified as a Hatha Yoga teacher through the Providence Institute in 2003. His Hatha Yoga classes are gentle and flowing, and he encourages awareness of the ongoing relationship between body, breath and mind. He uses skillful, compassionate language to help students go deeper inside their Yoga experience. E.J. studies with Robert Birnberg as well as Kausthub Desikachar, in the lineage of some of the greatest Yoga teachers, including Kausthub's father, T.K.V. Desikachar, and grandfather T. Krishnamacharya.

Chuck Gross: Chef
Chuck came to Mirasol in 2001. As Kitchen Manager and Chef, he oversees the operation of the adult residence kitchen and maintains the inventory of supplies for our busy household. Before joining Mirasol, Chuck enjoyed many years in the food and beverage industry as well as the music business. A self-taught chef and avid student of the craft, he also sings and plays guitar, worships his grandson, and aspires to cook his best meal ever every time he sets foot in the kitchen.

Amy Langley: Chef
Amy Langley enjoys over 15 years of experience working in professional kitchens. Her past work in restaurants, location catering on film and commercial sets, and private caterings from Europe, Montana and currently Arizona have provided her with a variety of knowledge in both food and culture. Amy is enthusiastic about food and flavors and eagerly encourages the girls at Mirasol to learn to appreciate the pleasure of food. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with a nurturing and loving staff who support her in bringing humor and warmth to the kitchen at Mirasol.

Lane Heston: Chef
Lane has a wealth of experience in both health care and nutrition. She has managed vegetarian kitchens at holistic health care centers and retreats from the Virgin Islands to Oregon. She was Assistant to the owner of Warm Springs Lodge in Sherman's Dale, PA, before moving to Tucson in 2002 where she worked as a banquet cook for Westward Look Resort. Lane joined us in 2004 and completely supports Mirasol's whole food approach to healing.

Sarah Ronhovde, EEG Technician
Sara attended Seattle Pacific University and received her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. She has worked as a personal trainer and really enjoys all aspects of activity and exercise. She is currently working towards a Masters in General Psychology, and hopes to one day counsel individuals with eating disorders. She brings to Mirasol deep passion and personal experience with the struggles of an eating disorder. Sara loves the sun, and is happy to be a part of the Mirasol family.

Maxine Mathews: Counselor Assistant Supervisor
Maxine Mathews started working at Mirasol November of 2005. Maxine worked with gifted trouble teenagers in the Upward Bound Program at the University of Las Vegas before graduating from Northern Arizona University in 2000. Her duties at Mirasol include supervising the Counselor Assistants at the adult unit, spending time with clients, joining them for meals and outings and being available for all clients' needs. Maxine is also a trained belly dancer and teaches workshops at the adult unit. Maxine feels very blessed and happy to work for Mirasol and is planning to continue her education in the mental behavioral health field.

Lori Key: Counselor Assistant Supervisor
The bulk of Lori's experience has been a combination of administrative and medical support positions. She worked at Remuda Ranch in Wickenburg Arizona as a Mental Health Technician in the year 2000 until 2002 dealing with teen girls and women with eating disorders. Lori's main responsibilities included taking orthostatic vitals, EKGs, charting medical behaviors, accompany patients to therapy programs, and monitoring eating behavior disorders. She moved to Tucson in 2002 and worked for Intermountain Centers for Human Development as a Psych, Technician, dealing with adolescent boys and girls who were emotionally and physiologically disabled. A number of different things led her to working at Mirasol. Lori loves her job and the people she works with.