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Center for Discovery Southport is an outpatient treatment program that treats male and female clients of all ages who are struggling with an eating disorder. This outpatient facility opened in 2019 and offers both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care.We offer a fun and space safe for teenagers, with art therapy and theme Fridays. This facility takes pride in peer mentorships and continuing education events that provide ongoing support in recovery.

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This treatment center serves all of Connecticut, Westchester County and New York City. Jessica LePera is the Program Director at Center for Discovery- Southport Outpatient. Jessica has been with Discovery since 2017. Within Discovery’s Eating Disorder Programs, Jessica has experience working as a Counselor III at the Adolescent Residential Eating Disorder Facility in Southport, CT. Jessica then joined Greenwich IOP/PHP as a Program Therapist and was the Path to Peace lead due to her joy of working with the Bing Eating Disorder population.Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Psychology minoring in Forensics.

Jessica continued her education at SCSU by gaining a Masters Degree in Marital and Family Therapy as well as certification in Gestalt Therapy and Evidenced Based Practices. She has worked with both children and adults providing individual, family and group therapy while using a systemic lens.Jessica has a passion for using theory in therapy that increases self-esteem, decreases anxiety, and increases overall self-worth. Jessica’s goal within therapy is to bring the awareness of each client’s inner strengths into their journey within recovery.

Sara Jalbert is Interim Assistant Program Director at Center For Discovery, Southport Outpatient. Sara joined the Discovery team in 2017 and was previously a Program Therapist within Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program. Sara has been with the Center for Discovery for 2 years. Sara attended the University of Saint Joseph where she earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a Master’s student, Sara received two rewards for Outstanding Research and Clinical Practice from her University, as well as Graduate Student of the Year from the Connecticut Counseling Association. Sara has conducted extensive research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and domestic violence has presented at several conferences and has published her research on working with clients who have experienced trauma. Sara continues her journey as a Doctor of Psychology student at Antioch University of New England.Sara has experience providing individual, group, family, and couples counseling in residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings.

Sara practices trauma-informed therapy and have guided many clients to recovery through issues including mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and more. Sara has extensive experience in conducting dialectical behavior therapy in individual and group settings.Sara believes that a client is the expert on his or her own story; and utilizes integrative therapeutic techniques including narrative, body-focused, and cognitive behavioral therapies.

Sara seeks to guide each client to better understand and rewrite their story on their journey to recovery. Rachael is a Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery Southport Outpatient and Center for Discovery Greenwich.

Prior to studying nutrition, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Education from Binghamton University. After completing her undergraduate degree, Rachael decided to combine her passion for education with her passion for nutrition and went back to school to study dietetics. She received a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from D’Youville College in 2018. Through her dietetic internship, Rachael gained experience working in a variety of different inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.

Rachael practices with a non-diet, weight inclusive approach and firmly believes in the nutrition philosophy “all foods fit”. She is excited for the opportunity guide others in rejecting the diet mentality and developing a positive relationship with food. Jacquelyn Bucci is a Registered Dietitian at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program in Southport Outpatient. In 2014, Jacquelyn obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. After completing her undergraduate degree, Jacquelyn discovered that she wanted to pair her strong science foundation with her love of nutrition.

In 2015, Jacquelyn enrolled in the Master of Science program in Nutrition at the City University of New York – Hunter College to begin her journey to become a registered dietitian. Upon completion of the degree, Jacquelyn was accepted to her dietetic internship in 2017 through the University of New Haven, where she received fieldwork training and supervision by registered dietitians in various settings including inpatient acute care, residential eating disorder treatment, outpatient mental health/substance abuse, and community nutrition. Jacquelyn has a strong passion for providing nutrition education and guidance to individuals to help them form a positive relationship with food, rejecting the diet mentality and understanding that all foods fit. Jacquelyn is excited to bring her previous work experience and training to Center for Discovery to further strengthen what she has worked on and help clients on their journey in recovery. Agnieszka Sikorska is a Marriage & Family Therapist who earned her master’s degree from the Marriage & Family Therapy Program at Southern Connecticut State University.

She also earned a master’s degree in Pedagogy of Early Education at University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland where she was born and raised. Agnieszka is bilingual, and bicultural, which allows her to relate to themes of acculturation, immigration and broad spectrums of diversity.

Agnieszka has worked therapeutically with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, couple and group settings. She provided guidance and professional support for treatment of depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Adjustment Disorder, as well as took part in the treatment of loss, adjusting to life changes, relational difficulties, and family struggles related to addiction.Agnieszka grounds her therapeutic work in supporting a person’s inherent strive to change and grow, as well as in potential to heal and adapt.

Her relational approach to treatment is based on a person’s intra and interconnections, their improvement, and stabilization, their strengths, and interdependence. Finally, Agnieszka strives to be attentive to the wholesome sense of personhood in aspects of spirituality, emotionality, physicality, and intellectuality. Rikkia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field counseling youth and families. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. She has worked in both nonprofit and private sector with jobs ranging from Adventure Specialist, to her 6 years working with Young Adults in DMHAS funded programs as a Clinical Director and now her clinical work as a therapist with youth and young adults.

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Rikkia has a proven passion for youth, young adults and families and looks forward to continuing to work in the New Haven area. She is trained in Risking Connections Trauma-Informed Care as well as the ARC model.

She continues working towards a certification as an Adoption Competent Therapist through UConn Adoption Assistance Program. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive, and respectful spaces that meet clients where they are and allow them to move forward in understanding and strength to make meaningful and intentional healing changes in their lives. She incorporates creative arts experiential and bodywork (movement and relaxation techniques) into her therapeutic practice to engage clients through self-awareness and understanding of mental health symptoms.

Elena Miller is a Primary Therapist at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program in Southport Outpatient. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Connecticut and New York. Elena earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University. After graduating, she knew she wanted to start a career in mental health. She also grew curious about the different systems and environments that shape human development. She attended University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2015 and graduated in 2017. Elena first joined the team as a Consulting Therapist after completing graduate school.

She went on to work with individuals coping with trauma, acute mental illness, and family struggles in their homes and communities. Elena has rejoined the New Haven team full-time and is eager to continue helping clients and families reach their recovery goals. Elena’s background includes treating mental health in children and young adults, client advocacy, and family counseling. Outside of work, she enjoys sketching, hiking, and movie nights at home. Elizabeth has attained her Master’s in art therapy as well as being a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has accrued over ten years of experience in the field of expressive art therapy and psychotherapy.

Working with children, adolescents, and adults as well as families who are challenged by trauma, loss, PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and addiction. She has worked in both in and outpatient programs, schools, and community centers. Elizabeth has established her own private practice with offices in Newtown, Westport, and Greenwich. She has always had a passion for art and believes it can be used as a means of initiating and facilitating the process of healing through the expression of images and symbols. It is also a unique and effective approach for offering an alternative means of communication. Toni Brown has a passion for working with the children and adult population which is what bought her to Center for Discovery. She began her journey with Center for Discovery in one of our Connecticut’s Eating Disorder Facility as a counselor/on call facility manager she recently joined the Southport Outpatient facility to further her career as a Facility Coordinator.Toni will continue to pursue her education in Business Management to receive her degree.

Her long term goal is to work in Operations so she can continue to assist clients towards their recovery.As the Facility Coordinator, Toni handles daily operations including administrative duties, research, clinical documentation, and customer service. Toni continues to strive to keep the adolescents and staff safe while keeping the facility a place they can call home.In Toni’s free time, you can find her watching all of her favorite shows or playing her favorite card game Unstable Unicorns.

Ronald Grant Is the Medical Director and Psychiatric Consultant at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program’s Southport outpatient program and Fairfield residential program that specializes in treating adults, adolescents and their families impacted by eating disorders, substance abuse and other mental health issues. He earned his MD degree from Boston University School of Medicine and trained as a physician and psychiatrist at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and New York State Psychiatric Institute. Ronald is also a Psychoanalyst having graduated from the C. Jung Institute of New York where he is a member of the faculty, a supervising and training analyst, and a past president of the Institute’s Board of Directors.

Having done his undergraduate work at Tufts University, he is also a three time graduate of Andover Newton Theological School with an M. Div., an S.T.M., and a D. In Pastoral Counseling.Ronald has over forty years of experience working in the above areas and has been a medical director and psychiatric consultant to schools, churches and several different counseling centers. He has also been a supervisor to psychologists, social workers, psychoanalysts, pastoral counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners. He has several certifications and is a Lifetime Member of the American Psychiatric Association.

Ronald has special interests in Eating Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, Spirituality and Healing. He has private offices in Greenwich, Westport & Southbury Connecticut where he works with children, adolescents, adults, couples & families. Rebecca McCollum is a Dietetic Technician at Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Programs in Greenwich and Fairfield. Rebecca received her first Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Currently, she is completing her second Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and was accepted into the Human Nutrition Master’s program at the University of New Haven.

She is working towards applying for a Dietetic Internship and becoming a Registered Dietitian with a focus in nutritional genomics.Rebecca promotes positive mentalities about food, body image, and mental health. She is passionate about teaching and believes food can be used as a tool to prevent disease states. Her greatest passion is supporting and empowering clients to have healthy relationships with others, themselves, and food. Center for Discovery Southport is an eating disorder outpatient treatment program that treats male and female clients of all ages who are struggling with an eating disorder. This outpatient facility opened in 2019 and offers both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care.We offer a fun and space safe for teenagers, with art therapy and theme Fridays. This facility takes pride in peer mentorships and continuing education events that provide ongoing support in recovery. This treatment center serves all of Connecticut, Westchester County and New York City.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR Jessica LePera, LMFTAJessica LePera is the Program Director at Center for Discovery- Southport Outpatient. Jessica has been with Discovery since 2017. Within Discovery’s Eating Disorder Programs, Jessica has experience working as a Counselor III at the Adolescent Residential Eating Disorder Facility in Southport, CT. Jessica then joined Greenwich IOP/PHP as a Program Therapist and was the Path to Peace lead due to her joy of working with the Bing Eating Disorder population.Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Psychology minoring in Forensics. Jessica continued her education at SCSU by gaining a Masters Degree in Marital and Family Therapy as well as certification in Gestalt Therapy and Evidenced Based Practices.

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She has worked with both children and adults providing individual, family and group therapy while using a systemic lens.Jessica has a passion for using theory in therapy that increases self-esteem, decreases anxiety, and increases overall self-worth. Jessica’s goal within therapy is to bring the awareness of each client’s inner strengths into their journey within recovery. INTERIM ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR Sara Jalbert, LPCASara Jalbert is Interim Assistant Program Director at Center For Discovery, Southport Outpatient. Sara joined the Discovery team in 2017 and was previously a Program Therapist within Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Program. Sara has been with the Center for Discovery for 2 years. Sara attended the University of Saint Joseph where she earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a Master’s student, Sara received two rewards for Outstanding Research and Clinical Practice from her University, as well as Graduate Student of the Year from the Connecticut Counseling Association.

Sara has conducted extensive research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and domestic violence has presented at several conferences and has published her research on working with clients who have experienced trauma. Sara continues her journey as a Doctor of Psychology student at Antioch University of New England.Sara has experience providing individual, group, family, and couples counseling in residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings. Sara practices trauma-informed therapy and have guided many clients to recovery through issues including mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and more. Sara has extensive experience in conducting dialectical behavior therapy in individual and group settings.Sara believes that a client is the expert on his or her own story; and utilizes integrative therapeutic techniques including narrative, body-focused, and cognitive behavioral therapies.

Sara seeks to guide each client to better understand and rewrite their story on their journey to recovery. Registered Dietitian Rachael Utstein, MS, RD, CD-NRachael is a Registered Dietitian at Center for Discovery Southport Outpatient and Center for Discovery Greenwich. Prior to studying nutrition, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Education from Binghamton University. After completing her undergraduate degree, Rachael decided to combine her passion for education with her passion for nutrition and went back to school to study dietetics. She received a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from D’Youville College in 2018. Through her dietetic internship, Rachael gained experience working in a variety of different inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.

Rachael practices with a non-diet, weight inclusive approach and firmly believes in the nutrition philosophy “all foods fit”. She is excited for the opportunity guide others in rejecting the diet mentality and developing a positive relationship with food. REGISTERED DIETITIAN Jacquelyn Bucci, MS, RDJacquelyn Bucci is a Registered Dietitian at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program in Southport Outpatient. In 2014, Jacquelyn obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. After completing her undergraduate degree, Jacquelyn discovered that she wanted to pair her strong science foundation with her love of nutrition. In 2015, Jacquelyn enrolled in the Master of Science program in Nutrition at the City University of New York – Hunter College to begin her journey to become a registered dietitian.

Upon completion of the degree, Jacquelyn was accepted to her dietetic internship in 2017 through the University of New Haven, where she received fieldwork training and supervision by registered dietitians in various settings including inpatient acute care, residential eating disorder treatment, outpatient mental health/substance abuse, and community nutrition. Jacquelyn has a strong passion for providing nutrition education and guidance to individuals to help them form a positive relationship with food, rejecting the diet mentality and understanding that all foods fit. Jacquelyn is excited to bring her previous work experience and training to Center for Discovery to further strengthen what she has worked on and help clients on their journey in recovery. PRIMARY THERAPIST Agnieszka Sikorska, LMFTAAgnieszka Sikorska is a Marriage & Family Therapist who earned her master’s degree from the Marriage & Family Therapy Program at Southern Connecticut State University. She also earned a master’s degree in Pedagogy of Early Education at University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland where she was born and raised. Agnieszka is bilingual, and bicultural, which allows her to relate to themes of acculturation, immigration and broad spectrums of diversity.

Agnieszka has worked therapeutically with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, couple and group settings. She provided guidance and professional support for treatment of depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Adjustment Disorder, as well as took part in the treatment of loss, adjusting to life changes, relational difficulties, and family struggles related to addiction.Agnieszka grounds her therapeutic work in supporting a person’s inherent strive to change and grow, as well as in potential to heal and adapt. Her relational approach to treatment is based on a person’s intra and interconnections, their improvement, and stabilization, their strengths, and interdependence. Finally, Agnieszka strives to be attentive to the wholesome sense of personhood in aspects of spirituality, emotionality, physicality, and intellectuality. PROGRAM THERAPIST Rikkia Ben Yehudah, MA, EAT, LPCRikkia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist with over 17 years of experience in the mental health field counseling youth and families. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

She has worked in both nonprofit and private sector with jobs ranging from Adventure Specialist, to her 6 years working with Young Adults in DMHAS funded programs as a Clinical Director and now her clinical work as a therapist with youth and young adults. Rikkia has a proven passion for youth, young adults and families and looks forward to continuing to work in the New Haven area. She is trained in Risking Connections Trauma-Informed Care as well as the ARC model. She continues working towards a certification as an Adoption Competent Therapist through UConn Adoption Assistance Program. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive, and respectful spaces that meet clients where they are and allow them to move forward in understanding and strength to make meaningful and intentional healing changes in their lives. She incorporates creative arts experiential and bodywork (movement and relaxation techniques) into her therapeutic practice to engage clients through self-awareness and understanding of mental health symptoms. PROGRAM THERAPIST Elena Miller, LMSWElena Miller is a Primary Therapist at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program in Southport Outpatient.

She is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Connecticut and New York. Elena earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University. After graduating, she knew she wanted to start a career in mental health. She also grew curious about the different systems and environments that shape human development.

She attended University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2015 and graduated in 2017. Elena first joined the team as a Consulting Therapist after completing graduate school. She went on to work with individuals coping with trauma, acute mental illness, and family struggles in their homes and communities. Elena has rejoined the New Haven team full-time and is eager to continue helping clients and families reach their recovery goals. Elena’s background includes treating mental health in children and young adults, client advocacy, and family counseling. Outside of work, she enjoys sketching, hiking, and movie nights at home.

ART THERAPIST Elizabeth M. Madden M.A.A.T., LPCElizabeth has attained her Master’s in art therapy as well as being a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has accrued over ten years of experience in the field of expressive art therapy and psychotherapy. Working with children, adolescents, and adults as well as families who are challenged by trauma, loss, PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and addiction. She has worked in both in and outpatient programs, schools, and community centers.

Elizabeth has established her own private practice with offices in Newtown, Westport, and Greenwich. She has always had a passion for art and believes it can be used as a means of initiating and facilitating the process of healing through the expression of images and symbols. It is also a unique and effective approach for offering an alternative means of communication. FACILITY COORDINATOR Toni BrownToni Brown has a passion for working with the children and adult population which is what bought her to Center for Discovery. She began her journey with Center for Discovery in one of our Connecticut’s Eating Disorder Facility as a counselor/on call facility manager she recently joined the Southport Outpatient facility to further her career as a Facility Coordinator.Toni will continue to pursue her education in Business Management to receive her degree. Her long term goal is to work in Operations so she can continue to assist clients towards their recovery.As the Facility Coordinator, Toni handles daily operations including administrative duties, research, clinical documentation, and customer service.

Toni continues to strive to keep the adolescents and staff safe while keeping the facility a place they can call home.In Toni’s free time, you can find her watching all of her favorite shows or playing her favorite card game Unstable Unicorns. PSYCHIATRIST Ronald A. Div., S.T.M., M.D., D. Min., LPRonald Grant Is the Medical Director and Psychiatric Consultant at Center For Discovery Eating Disorder Program’s Southport outpatient program and Fairfield residential program that specializes in treating adults, adolescents and their families impacted by eating disorders, substance abuse and other mental health issues. He earned his MD degree from Boston University School of Medicine and trained as a physician and psychiatrist at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and New York State Psychiatric Institute. Ronald is also a Psychoanalyst having graduated from the C.

Jung Institute of New York where he is a member of the faculty, a supervising and training analyst, and a past president of the Institute’s Board of Directors. Having done his undergraduate work at Tufts University, he is also a three time graduate of Andover Newton Theological School with an M. Div., an S.T.M., and a D. In Pastoral Counseling.Ronald has over forty years of experience working in the above areas and has been a medical director and psychiatric consultant to schools, churches and several different counseling centers. He has also been a supervisor to psychologists, social workers, psychoanalysts, pastoral counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners. He has several certifications and is a Lifetime Member of the American Psychiatric Association.

Ronald has special interests in Eating Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, Spirituality and Healing. He has private offices in Greenwich, Westport & Southbury Connecticut where he works with children, adolescents, adults, couples & families. DIETETIC TECHNICIAN Rebecca McCollum, BSRebecca McCollum is a Dietetic Technician at Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Programs in Greenwich and Fairfield. Rebecca received her first Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Currently, she is completing her second Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and was accepted into the Human Nutrition Master’s program at the University of New Haven. She is working towards applying for a Dietetic Internship and becoming a Registered Dietitian with a focus in nutritional genomics.Rebecca promotes positive mentalities about food, body image, and mental health. She is passionate about teaching and believes food can be used as a tool to prevent disease states.

Her greatest passion is supporting and empowering clients to have healthy relationships with others, themselves, and food. I was sent to Center for Discovery, an all women's eating disorder treatment facility, and I was terrified to go.

I was told I would be there for a month and would return home after that. I ended staying there for almost 3 months, and I can honestly say I am beyond thankful for my time there. I learned so much and they helped me find myself and get over my traumas and learn to cope with issues that I was having. All the staff was super helpful and had my best interest at heart.

I may have not liked all of them, but I knew they wanted what was best for me. Even after my insurance run out, the therapist I was working with arranged for me to go to another center to continue my treatment because I was not ready to come home. I highly recommend getting help with Center for Discovery.

They truly care! Rebecca S Alumni. I was at Center for Discovery for 6 weeks. I'm from Ohio and being so far away from home was hard. The staff made me feel super comfortable and cared for, making my stay much more manageable.

The program was very individualized. They worked hard to make sure my specific needs were met and that my specific behaviors were addressed.

This is a top notch facility with incredibly caring staff. Not only were the house staff wonderful, but everyone from admissions to the medical director worked hard to make sure I knew what was going on. This is a wonderful company who are true to what they say. They gave me my life back. I'm someone who has been in and out of treatment for my eating disorder and this program was by far the best. I feel so optimistic about my future.

The progress I made there was life changing and I will be forever grateful. I recommend this program to anyone who is serious, willing, and ready to get better. Natalie F Alumni.

I was surprised by my parents with the option of going to get help for my eating disorder and overall unhealthy lifestyle. I so badly wanted to get help, but was too ashamed.

After talking to my mom I agreed to at least talk to someone from Center for Discoveryabout what program I would be in and what it would be like. The gal was super helpful, kind, and did not make me feel like I was the only person who suffered from what I did. She was very patient with me and overall helped out our family with the process of insurance and costs and what not.

As for the actual facility I stayed at, it was a great experience. Rebecca S Alumni. We had our son in an acute care hospital and the social worker recommended the Center for Discovery. Before our son was discharged, my wife and I met with the staff and toured the facility. We were impressed by the staff and how the program was structured. Our son was there 6 weeks.

It was a game changer and now we feel our son left with a good base of skills that he has continued to use. We now feel our son can leave a normal type life and not have to worry that he may need to live in a group home setting as an adult. We can't say enough for the help and support we received from the entire staff at the Center for Discovery. When we were considering the facility we did some reviews on line. Some weren't overly positive, but most were and we feel that it was a very positive experience for our son and our family. Even our son now admits that he learned some great skills and that his time at Center for Discovery turned his life around.