Our Team
Never Give Up
Our team is a diverse group of highly skilled, creative individuals each with distinctive histories, including working at renowned facilities from across the country. Together we form a uniquely comprehensive team of licensed therapists, registered nurses, registered dietitians, , certified fitness and yoga instructors, physicians, culinary experts, board certified specialists, and others, including Certified Eating Disorder Specialists and Supervisors.
We are a group of experienced, committed professionals, many who have recovered from eating disorders ourselves. Using everyday grace and empathy, we strive to help our clients find their inner courage. Each of us at ACED has witnessed the truth of recovery and commit to each client who enters our doors to fight alongside them until they are free.
Kelsey Adcock
Nursing Liaison
Kelsey came to ACED after working in women’s health as medical receptionist and then as a medical assistant for the same OB/GYN office. Kelsey brings a strong work ethic and fierce desire to help others to her position as Nursing Liaison. She works alongside our nursing staff to meet the needs of our clients with compassion and kindness.
Michèle Baker,
Ph.D.
Executive Administrator and Co-Founder
Michèle holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology; as well as a doctorate in Basic Medical Science with a specialty in Physiology from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, prior to completing her post-doctoral research studies in Gastrointestinal Physiology at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.
Leigh Bell
BA
Director of Communications
Leigh holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Creative Writing and French from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She is a published author, journalist with 15 years of experience, and a freelance writer, specializing in corporate communications, website material, and technical writing.
Kendra Buckley M.Ed., LPC
Group Therapist
We are so grateful to have Kendra as part of the ACED team. She brings to our community not only a gentle spirit but also a brave, bold, foundation of truth that is refreshing and purposeful in the care of those struggling with eating disorders.
Cameron earned her Undergraduate degrees in both Nutrition Sciences and Exercise Science at Auburn University and her Master’s degree in Nutrition Science at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Before joining us at ACED, Cameron completed over 1200 supervised hours in dietetic internships specific to eating disorders, including at ACED, and we deem ourselves beyond blessed to have her come onboard and join our team.
Cameron Cavenaugh MSN, LD, RD
Primary Dietitian
Connie Chang, MD
Pyschiatrist
We cannot say enough good things about Dr. Chang. She is a board-certified psychiatrist in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as general (includes adult) psychiatric medicine. She works full time at Childrens Hospital of Alabama as an inpatient psychiatric attending, but we are fortunate to also have her on our staff part time.
Emily Cox-Oldham MA, ALC* (Supervised by Debra Atchison, LPC-S, LMFT, CPT)
Primary Therapist
Emily came to us during her practicum and internship at Jackson State University while working on her Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s degree. During her time at ACED she found it to be a place where she felt comfortable exploring creative ways to support clients with their journey. She brings a great love of the creative process and identifies strongly with the artist within and shares openly her love for art and music.
Callie Davis BS, 500-RYT
Dietary Tech Yoga Teacher
Callie completed her undergraduate degree in Dietetics at the University of Georgia and is currently earning her Master’s degree in clinical nutrition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Prior to coming to ACED, she completed multiple rotations as an intern at various eating disorder facilities. Callie is a true believer in intuitive eating and food freedom as a way of life and enthusiastic in sharing this hope for clients in their healing journey.
Michelle Dean MA, ATR-BC, CGP, LPC
Primary Therapist and Art Therapist
Michelle originally hails from Delaware by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before arriving here in the Magic City of Birmingham, Alabama. She is a registered board-certified art therapist and a licensed professional counselor after completing degrees at The University of the Arts and Drexel University.
Claire Fierman, BA, M.Ed
Director of Public Relations and Group Therapist
Claire earned her Undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s in education with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo. After completing her Master’s she worked in both residential and professional programs while also engaging in a successful private practice. She brings a broad range of past experiences including her work as Clinical Director and Director of Business Development, and has shared her gifts with programs throughout the country by facilitating training and supervision for other clinicians desiring to grow in their professional development.
Danny Girl
Therapy Puppy
Danny Girl is our newest Border Collie who was an unexpected gift to the Crescent Grace family, and she does not disappoint. Her happy go lucky spirit brings joy to everyone she meets and reminds us daily that life can surprise you when you least expect it.
Alie B. Gorrie, BFA, MA, RYT-200
Artist in Residence
Alie B. is a literal ball of energy, and we are grateful she is on our team! Multi-talented in every way, she holds a Master in Arts in Medicine from the University of Florida as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Belmont University. She is also a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor as well.
Gatsby Grace
Therapy Dog
Gatsby is a fabulous Border Collie dog, or as we affectionately refer to her, ACED’s bundle of joy. She arrives at ACED each morning with a happy heart, making the rounds and ensuring she greets every person in the building
Grit and Grace
Primary Bunnies
Grit and Grace joined the ACED team excited to bring a little “hoppiness” to the recovery journey of each client along the way. They each bring their own unique spirit to the ACED landscape, providing opportunities to find joy in each moment.
EB Kuhn, M.D.
Bio Coming Soon!
Lady Lake
Therapy Puppy in Training
Lake, Gatsby’s cousin, is our second wonderful Border Collie dog. Lake follows Gatsby about, learning all things ACED – making the rounds, meeting both staff and clients with her sweet disposition and affectionate kisses, checking for hidden or dropped food in the dining room, aka looking for snacks, and always finding ways to annoy Gatsby.
Dr. Sophia Lal
D.O.
Medical Director
Dr. Lal holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of North Texas, Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Danielle Lewark, M.A.
Compliance Officer
Danielle brings a strong yet gentle grace to her position of compliance officer and while it is not seemingly glamorous, it is truly the foundation which maintains all we do and who we are at ACED. We are so grateful to have her join our team at a time when her expertise was greatly needed to support our growth and further establish all that is necessary to ensure a safe and well-grounded program for all those we care for, both staff and clients alike.
Cari Marbutt
RN
Nursing Director
Cari brings a wide variety of nursing experience to her job at ACED. In her long nursing career she has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including surgical, oncology, outpatient care, orthopedics, women’s health as well as Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders.
Holly-Renée Miller, aka “HR”, MA, LMFT, CEDS-S
Founder, Executive Clinical Director
After winning a near-fatal and years-long battle with anorexia, Holly-Renée devotes her professional life to helping others fully recover from eating disorders. Empowering others "to recover for life", she says.
Holly-Renée graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, California where she earned a Master of Arts in Psychology. She completed an additional internship and training in self-injury and trauma, and trained at the Loyola Marymount University Art Therapy Program in Los Angeles. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor (CEDS-C).
Robert Miller
BA
Executive Chef
Robert earned a Bachelor's degree in hospitality and restaurant management from the University of Alabama. Robert makes scrumptious meals for our staff and clients, but his greatest strength is pastries, which makes us very happy.
Jacque Mular MA, MS, LMFT, RDN
Chief Clinical Nutritional Officer
We can’t even begin to say how grateful we are to have Jacque as a guiding force on our nutritional team. A bit of a unicorn in the eating disorder world, she holds the distinction of being not only a licensed therapist but also a registered dietitian.
Jacque has devoted the last 25 plus years of her career to the field of eating disorders and debunking diet culture, helping people reconnect with life and move forward, away from a life dictated by food and societal pressures.
Valencia Pruitt, BA, MS
Primary Therapist
Valencia initially found her way to ACED during her internship and training for her Master’s degree. She holds both an undergraduate degree a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, (UAB) where she was also employed. Go Blazers! Valencia has since retired from the same university after working 27-years as a social work medical care coordinator in women's healthcare
Brent Robinson, BS
Kitchen Manager
Deciding to bring on a full time Kitchen Manager was the best decision ever. And Brent is the best person for the job. Not only did he graduate with honors and earn a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences degree, with a concentration in Culinary Management and Hospitality, he also brings a sense of cohesiveness and appreciation for the “art of the meal” to our clients in a way we could never have expected.
Mallory Shatlock, MSN, AGACNP-BC, RNFA
Registered Nurse, RN
Mallory was an unexpected gift this year and we could not be more grateful to have her on our team. Originally from Georgia, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Medical College of Georgia. Mallory went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama Birmingham and CNP shortly thereafter. She worked 7 years in the Emergency Department and then as a dedicated ICU Nurse practitioner during COVID. Prior to ACED she was working as a Nurse Practitioner in the neurosurgery clinic, hospital and the operating room.
Michelle Spitzer, BS
Nutrition Liaison
Michelle is a native Alabamian and earned her Undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Nutrition Science Program there as well. She remains on track to become a registered dietitian where she hopes to work with clients struggling with both eating disorders and type-1 diabetes, and we hope she will choose us as her long term collaborator in that endeavor.
Chris Strang, Ph.D., ATR-BC, CEDS-C
Art Therapist
An original founder, Chris has been a part of the ACED family since the beginning. She is an artist, art therapist, scientist, and former president of the American Art Therapy Association. She holds a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Vermont College of Norwich University, and a Doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor (CEDS-C).
Bryce Thompson MSN, LD, RD
Director of Nutrition Services
Bryce earned her Undergraduate degree in Nutrition at the University of Georgia and her Master’s degree in Nutrition at the University of Saint Joseph. Prior to coming to ACED, Bryce worked as a dietetic Intern at Walden in Connecticut, where she solidified her desire to work with eating disorder clients. She brings a wonderful sense of humor of sports nutrition and genuine honesty to the ACED family, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have her join our team
Stewart Waddell
MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. Waddell earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama Medical College and was a resident in psychiatry and a fellow in child/adolescent psychiatry at North Carolina Memorial Hospital (UNC), in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is board certified in general psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry.
Katie White
M.Ed, LPC, CEDS
Director of Adolescent Services and Primary Therapist
Katie graduated from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia and earned a Master’s degree in community agency counseling from Montevallo University in Montevallo, Alabama.
Katie works diligently to coordinate all adolescent programming and services for ACED’s adolescent clients. She works alongside parents, families and the extended community of all adolescent clients at ACED. She works directly with each client’s school system to ensure each client’s academic needs are carefully coordinated. She is currently completing her advanced Family Based Therapy (FBT) Training, and proud to soon be among the first Southeastern Certified FBT therapists.
Jenny Joseph Williamson
NSCA, RYT-200
Fitness Integration Coach
Jenny Joseph Williamson has been as a certified personal trainer for almost 15 years, during which time she worked for Health magazine, appeared in Shape magazine and became a top trainer at one of the country’s best and largest gyms. She is a National Strength and Condition Association certified personal trainer and has additional certifications in kettlebells, yoga, Pilates, TRX, VIPR and CPR/AED. Jenny is the owner and founder of Jenny Williamson Fitness.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Wilson
MBA, LPC
Program Director Primary Therapist
Lisa brings over fifteen years of experience in administrative, fiscal and human resource management. She has a distinct background in financial data analysis and budget projections, grants and contracts administration, and business operations. Her expertise in small business development is a welcome opportunity as ACED grows.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
