|
|||||||||
Donna Gallagher, MS, RD
Donna Gallagher, MS, RD is co-founder of the “BeginWithin” Center for Nutritional and Psychological Wellness. She is a Masters level registered dietitian. She has been in private practice in New Jersey treating individuals with eating disorders and disordered eating, as well as athletes and individuals with learning disabilities (ADD, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders) and other various nutritional concerns for the past twenty years.
She completed her undergraduate work in human foods and nutrition at Rutgers University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. She performed her post-graduate internship at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ. She received her Master’s Degree in nutrition and physical fitness at New York University and simultaneously designed and performed a research study on bulimia at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Women’s Hospital in New York. She received much of her early training at Bayshore Community Hospital, Riverview Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center. She has worked on the staff of the eating disorders unit at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ.
She is an adjunct professor in the Department of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ. She also often lectures to elementary, middle, high schools, colleges and other various groups and organizations on the topic of nutrition and eating disorders. She has authored numerous articles in professional journals, local newspapers, and magazines, and is currently working on writing a book.
Donna has personally recovered from anorexia and bulimia. She uses the insight she developed through her recovery, in combination with nutrition knowledge and genuine deep understanding for those suffering with these illnesses, to provide individuals with a safe supportive environment to work on their recovery goals. She helps her clients carefully challenge their negative beliefs in themselves and make improvements in their self image and body image. She helps them develop insights relating to the connectedness between their feelings and their eating/exercise behaviors and helps them take gradual steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
When she’s not working, Donna enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and multitude of pets. They love going to the beach, hiking in the woods, skiing and just relaxing at home.
|
|||||||||
Marnie Fegan, Psy.D.
Marnie Fegan, Psy.D., is co-founder of the “BeginWithin” Center for Nutritional and Psychological Wellness. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University and her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Yeshiva University in New York. She completed an internship and a two year post doctoral fellowship specializing in eating disorders and related issues at New York Presbyterian Hospital. There she received the “Alan G. Rosenthal Award” for “…an advanced intern in psychology who shows outstanding promise as a clinician” from the Westchester County Psychological Association. Prior to relocating to New Jersey, she was the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program at The Renfrew Center in Connecticut and simultaneously had a private practice in New York. She is also published in multiple books and journals.
Dr. Fegan has been working with eating disorders and related issues for approximately 15 years. She has been on the board of the New Jersey Eating Disorders Association, is a member of the American Psychological Association and the New Jersey Psychological Association, and currently is on staff at Monmouth Medical Center. Dr. Fegan strongly believes in the importance of self care and prevention, and as a result she routinely speaks to students and families on the awareness, prevention and intervention of eating disorders and related issues.
Dr. Fegan is committed to the specific needs and specialized recovery process of each individual. She provides a supportive environment necessary to address both the eating disorder symptoms as well as the underlying issues. Her goal is to help each individual achieve self growth, enhance their well being, and gain freedom from their struggles with food and body issues.
Being born and raised in Canada, Dr. Fegan has a deep appreciation for nature, animals and has always enjoyed outdoor activities. Currently she is thrilled to be settled at the Jersey Shore with her husband and two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, playgrounds and parks, and loves going to concerts, Yankee and hockey games in her free time.
|
|||||||||
Lori Magoulas, Ph.D., R.D.
Dr. Lori Magoulas is a medical nutrition therapist who is part of the Begin Within team of professionals. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cook College, Rutgers University. She received both a Master’s and Ph.D. from The Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Magoulas studied the affect of age on body composition and metabolic rate for her Master’s degree. Her Ph.D. research focused on gene regulation of cholesterol metabolism and the effect on atherosclerosis development. Her research has been published in key scientific journals.
The unique combination of both basic science research and clinical expertise provides her with the ability to be a highly effective nutritionist, educator and coach. Having experience in different aspects of nutrition provides her with additional insight and skill in translating cutting-edge scientific research into practical, up-to-date advice for her patients. She is a problem-solver and focuses on identifying obstacles to change as well as the hidden connections between thoughts, feelings, the environment, and behavioral responses. Dr. Magoulas has a great deal of compassion for how challenging this process can be, which allows her to more effectively promote change in dietary and exercise habits for disease treatment and prevention. She has more than 15 years experience in nutrition counseling in various clinical settings (including over 10 years in private practice) and works with both adults and children in most areas of nutrition.
Dr. Magoulas was on the advisory board for the American Cancer Society and has presented numerous lectures for them as well as various other groups and businesses on nutrition and disease prevention. She enjoys lecturing and educating in a group setting. She realizes how our everyday environment can clash with good nutrition goals and is a firm believer in preventive intervention. It is her desire to start a network of eating disorder prevention groups for teens.
Dr. Magoulas has a special interest in the treatment of eating disorders, dysfunctional eating behaviors, pediatric feeding issues and weight management. She is highly committed to providing her patients with the tools necessary for successful, long-term diet and lifestyle change. Her goal is to empower her patients to become life-long participants in their health and wellness.
In her spare time Lori enjoys gardening, cooking, playing golf, biking, going to the beach, relaxing with a good novel.
|
|||||||||
Jaime Barrett, MSW, LSW
Jaime is a licensed social worker that received her Bachelors degree in both Psychology and Communications from Rutgers University in 2001. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Monmouth University. At Monmouth University, she focused her studies on the symptomatology and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating. She completed her internship at Meridian Behavioral Health, where she worked intensely with individuals dealing with substance abuse, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, emotional eating and relationship issues. She has been working in the healthcare industry for the past ten years.
Jaime’s goal is to provide a safe environment so that clients feel comfortable exploring and overcoming challenges in their lives.
Jaime loves music and reading when she has free time. She also enjoys going to the beach, snowboarding, spending time with her husband and friends, and taking her dog for long walks.
|
|||||||||
Joanna (Jo) Hughes, RD
Jo is a registered dietitian working part-time for the “BeginWithin” Center. She works full time at UMDNJ’s University Behavioral Health Center helping clients of all age groups deal with the nutritional complications of mental illness, substance abuse, weight loss, obesity, eating disorders and various medical conditions. Jo also works closely with the center’s Behavioral Therapeutic Day School. She started and runs her own Nutrition Education/Culinary Program teaching daily classes to children ages 4-18.
She loves children and works closely with pediatric clients struggling with ADHD and various food and growth issues associated with developmental and behavioral disorders. She is excited to be part of the “BeginWithin” Center and help clients of all ages lead healthier lives.
Jo was a biology major/nutrition minor at James Madison University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree. After graduation she became a United States Peace Corps Volunteer teaching Biology/Nutrition to over 500 students in Malawi Africa where she spent two years living in the remote village of Namitambo. Witnessing first hand the devastating effects of malnutrition on growing children, she was inspired to pursue a career in nutrition upon returning to the states. She went back to school and enrolled in the Rutgers University Nutritional Sciences program to study and complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics. She then traveled back to her home state of Virginia to complete her dietetic internship at the Medical College of Virginia. She then fulfilled her dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian in 2002.
Jo has a strong passion for helping people live healthier lives with good nutrition. She is a strong advocate of teaching children and adults alike how to build a better foundation with a sound diet from real foods, and have a healthy strong body for life. She loves the challenge of working with picky eaters and coaching parents to navigate today’s super-sized, super sugared, and overly processed food environment. She helps those struggling with disordered eating understand the importance of having “food confidence” and being able to lead a healthy lifestyle with this confidence.
When she’s not working, Jo loves working out at her local gym and experimenting in the kitchen and creating healthier versions of “kid-friendly” recipes for her nutrition classes. She enjoys spending time with her new husband and two cats.
|
|||||||||
Geralyn Hyland, MS, RD, CDE
Geralyn has been practicing nutrition healthcare for over 25 years. She is a professional and experienced nutritionist and educator. She began her career upon graduation from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. While working as a clinical nutritionist at St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Patterson, she began her master’s degree at New York University and completed it at the University of Nebraska with a full scholarship. She taught college courses at the University of Nebraska and since then has been a professor at Brookdale Community College and now at Monmouth University.
Geralyn’s clinical and education skills were developed while working at various healthcare systems in New Jersey. While Chief Clinical Dietitian at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey she learned how to improve many childhood diseases through nutrition therapy. Within the Meridian health care system, she developed outpatient programs for adult and pediatric weight management and taught individuals and groups about diabetes care. She has provided nutrition services for many of the pediatric groups in Monmouth County.
Geralyn is a registered dietitian, a certified diabetic educator, and a certified health education specialist. In addition to teaching at Monmouth University, she is a member of the BeginWithin team of professionals. She treats clients with diabetes, cardiac issues, gastrointestinal issues, weight management concerns, menopause, and has subspecialties in pediatric nutrition as well as pediatric and adolescent weight management.
Geralyn’s dietetics career has provided her with the ability to do what she does best, empower adults, children, and teens to manage their illnesses and maintain a healthy weight in order to lead better lives. She does this by combining her strong nutrition knowledge and excellent communication and teaching skills, a recipe for success. She has a friendly, client-centered approach to treatment which helps to empower clients to make the kind of lifestyle changes they can take ownership of.
|
|||||||||
Kerri I. Lazar, PhD
Dr. Lazar is a licensed psychologist specializing in working with adult women with eating disorders and body image concerns. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at the Brooklyn College Scholars Program. She earned her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology at the University at Buffalo. She completed her internship at the University of Delaware Center for Counseling and Student Development. Originally from New York City, Dr. Lazar relocated to New Jersey after many long, cold winters in Buffalo.
Prior to private practice, Dr. Lazar served as the Director of the Day Treatment Program and as an outpatient therapist at the Renfrew Center of New Jersey. Dr. Lazar also worked as a staff psychologist at the University at Buffalo Counseling Center and as the campus coordinator for Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
Dr. Lazar specializes in helping women recover from eating disorders by encouraging the use of creative new coping tools to address eating and body image symptoms. Dr. Lazar also focuses on exploring underlying concerns, including self-esteem, relationships, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. Her goal is to help individuals learn how to nurture themselves as well as develop healthier relationships with food, their bodies, and with others.
When not working, Dr. Lazar enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. They enjoy their time at the shore, parks, playgrounds, local farms, and NYC.
|
|||||||||
Marisa Shaheen, MSW, LCSW
Marisa Shaheen earned a master’s degree in Social Work from New York University in 2002. She began her career as a medical social worker in Raritan Bay Medical Center, working with emotionally and physically ill patients and their families. She continued her experience as a clinical social worker in the public school system, as a member of the Child Study Team. She worked closely with children and adolescents who experienced difficulties in school as a result of attention issues, learning disabilities, and social and emotional challenges.
Marisa received her post-masters certificate in school counseling in 2006 from Monmouth University and has been working as a school counselor for the past three years. In addition to collaborating with parents, teachers, and school staff, she provides individual and group counseling to students with diverse academic, social, and emotional needs. Marisa started working at BeginWithin in 2007.
In her free time, Marisa enjoys traveling, painting, playing tennis, and spending time with her family and friends.
|
|||||||||
Jeanne Roberts Office Manager
Jeanne is the BeginWithin Nutrition Office Manager. She is often the first contact for new clients. She takes confidential information and answers questions about services offered at BeginWithin. She is warm, friendly and caring and has a way of putting people at ease when they are searching for the care they need. When she isn’t working at BeginWithin, she likes to spend time with her husband and teenage daughter. She loves to hike with her dog, ski and spend the summers on the beach at the Jersey shore.
|
|||||||||
Carole Doorley, MSW, LCSW
Carole is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who provides general counseling services and specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She also works extensively with women who have low self-esteem, never feeling quite “good enough.”
Carole has a private practice in Somerville, New Jersey and has maintained a part-time office in the Red Bank area for the past five years. She is delighted to join The Begin Within Center.
Carole’s theoretical approach to treating eating disorders is cognitive behavioral/psychodynamic. Carole’s goal is to provide a warm, non-judgmental environment to help her clients identify and address issues that are underlying eating disorder behavior. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem are just some of the issues surrounding eating disorder behavior. Carole prefers to work with a team (Registered Dietitian and Psychiatrist/Pediatrician/Internist/GP.)
Carole holds a B.S Degree. from Ramapo College of New Jersey and an M.S.W. Degree from The Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Carole also completed one year of training in family therapy at the Ackerman Institute of Family Therapy in New York City.
Prior to private practice, Carole worked as a therapist in the inpatient and outpatient programs at Somerset Medical Center’s Eating Disorders Program. She is a member of The National Association of Social Workers and can be frequently seen as a guest therapist on “Through the Looking Glass,” Channel 280 Comcast.
When she is not at work Carole loves to attend the theater, ballet and movie classes at NYU. She and her husband are the parents of two grown children.
