Our life-affirming philosophy is based on almost three decades of success helping individuals of all ages overcome eating, exercise, and body image disorders. We understand that disordered symptoms reveal the fundamental aspects of our life that need attention and can act as an unerring guide to lasting recovery. We have witnessed the incredible opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment offered by our psychological struggles. We help clients achieve what may at first seem impossible to imagine – a life of inner peace, wholeness, and happiness.

The Central Coast Treatment Center teaches what our culture disregards – an understanding of the authentic inner Self. The issues underlying disordered eating stem from an alienated relationship to the Self. We provide powerful and refreshing insight into the nature of the true Self and the body we inhabit.

Our philosophy transcends the negative messages that normally surround disordered eating. We don’t teach clients how to ‘stop’ their disordered eating. We help them uncover goals and desires that are so much more compelling and engaging than their eating disordered system. Our clients achieve true recovery by discovering an inspiring and exciting way of life to replace the obsessive, entrapping eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. Our talented and highly trained team understands the devastating effects that eating, exercise, and body image disorders have on our clients’ lives.

We are aware of the confusing and often contradictory information about health and nutrition circulating through our society. Our nutritionists provide a strong foundation in the physiological basis of weight loss, weight gain, metabolism repair, organ healing, and energy production. We understand that it takes time to relearn how to eat, how to approach physical activity, and embrace the purity of our physical body.

We help our clients access the wisdom and guidance of the Self to create an inner world in which authenticity reigns and self-worth comes from simple acts of “being” instead of external achievements.

Cathy Meyer-Uyehara, FACHE, NHA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

As Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Treatment Center, Cathy brings over forty years of experience within the acute and post-acute healthcare continuum. Cathy is both personally and professional driven to provide a safe and supportive care setting for individuals struggling with eating disorders as well as their family members and caregivers. 

Cathy is equally as passionate about leadership and as a qualifed life coach supports our team members to  realize their fullest potentials and professional aspirations.

Dr. Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CED-S

Director of eating disorder programming

Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CEDS is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor, working in the field of women’s issues and eating disorders for over 35 years.

As Director of Eating Disorder Programming of both the ‘Ai Pono Hawaii Residential Treatment Program and Central Coast Treatment Center, Dr. Johnston provides clinical oversight and consultation to ensure the programs deliver the highest quality evidence-based treatment while remaining in strong alignment with our core values and philosophical foundations.

Melissa Wheelock, LMFT

clinical Director
MFT 36641

Melissa Wheelock is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing for over 20 years. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families providing therapy, supervision, training, education and crisis intervention. She uses a Cognitive Behavioral Model infused with a person centered, mindfulness based approach that allows people to feel at ease as they discover how their own beliefs and thoughts contribute to some of their biggest problems and personal struggles. Melissa is a transplant from the Central Valley, where her career blossomed with several non-profit mental health agencies. Over the years, Melissa has served as a Therapist, Supervisor, Trainer, and Consultant.

Frannie Guida, MA

program coordinator

Frannie recently graduated from Westmont College with a degree in psychology, where she focused her studies on eating disorder treatment and recovery. Her passion for mental health led her to work in a residential treatment center, where she gained valuable experience and insight into the complexities of healing.

Eager to be part of a more person-centered and home-like atmosphere, Frannie transitioned to her current role where she thrives in the supportive team environment. With aspirations of becoming a mental health therapist, she is grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow each work day.

An old soul, Frannie enjoys spending her free time by the ocean, embarking on day trips, and creating handmade cards-activities she loves to share with others. Having a desire for an abundant life, working alongside individuals who are actively striving for the same, leaves her inspired every day.

Hannah Wright, MA, APCC

Associate Program Therapist, AMFT#144771

Hannah Wright is an associate therapist who completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health at Palo Alto University. Hannah spent 10 years as a horseback riding instructor where she found her love for working with people. Hannah has a background in CBT, DBT, and mindfulness based interventions. Hannah has past experience working with OCD, depression, and anxiety related disorders. In Hannah‘s free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and riding horses. 

Emma Sullivan, MS

Program Therapist

Emma Sullivan is a dedicated therapist with five years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her master's degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she built a strong foundation in evidence-based practices. Emma utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy to create personalized treatment plans that address the complex emotional and psychological needs of her clients. With a deep commitment to fostering recovery, Emma provides a supportive and empathetic environment, empowering individuals to rebuild their relationship with food and body image while cultivating resilience and self-compassion.

Kelly Nola, MS

Program Therapist

Kelly earned their master's degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of California, Los Angeles. Kelly approaches therapy from a humanistic and person-centered lens, while bringing in skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They enjoy being a part of a holistic, well-rounded team and are committed to creating a safe environment for each client's true self to be seen and heard. Kelly has had experience working with a variety of clients; children, adolescents, and adults. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on mindful walks, and spending time with friends.

Emily Stingl, RD

Lead Dietitian, central coast treatment center and ‘ai Pono hawaii

Emily was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her combination of interests in psychology and nutrition resulted in a desire to work with individuals with Eating Disorders. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

After graduation, Emily completed her Dietetic Internship at Florida Hospital Orlando, where she later joined the staff of nearly 30 clinical Registered Dietitians.  Here, Emily developed a strong foundation in clinical nutrition but never lost sight of her original goal.  In January of 2019, Emily moved to the Central Coast and joined the team at Central Coast Treatment Center a few months later. Emily has since relocated to the East Coast and now provides nutrition therapy via Telehealth.

When not at work, you can find Emily curled up on the couch with a book and her (too big to be a lap-dog) lap-dog, Diggs, or in the kitchen trying out her favorite Indian recipes.  She also enjoys yoga, kayaking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors.

Keely O’Keefe, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian

Keely is a Registered Dietitian who completed her undergraduate and graduate nutrition coursework at Virginia Tech. After graduation, she completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of New Hampshire. Keely loves the outdoors and wanted to explore the west coast, so she moved to Redding, CA in 2019 and worked as a clinical dietitian at Mercy Medical Center Redding, a Level II trauma center. Keely loved gaining clinical nutrition knowledge, being a vital member of an interdisciplinary team, and working with a variety of complex patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting through this position.  

After three years of hospital work, Keely wanted to take her career in a new direction. Her own recovery from disordered eating in her childhood, teenage years, and early adult life was a big motivator to start working in the field of eating disorders. Keely is passionate about helping people recover from their own eating disorders with compassion, empathy, and a bit of humor. 

In her free time, Keely loves backpacking, puzzles, mountain biking, reading, trail running, and spending time with partner and her cat, Pepita. 

Brooklyn Bo

Nutrition assistant

Brooklyn is a fourth year nutrition student at Cal Poly SLO on track to becoming a Registered Dietitian. Her passion for nutrition stems from a love of food and passion to help people, which is what interested her about working at CCTC. Since joining CCTC, Brooklyn’s role as Nutrition Assistant has allowed her to expand my knowledge on eating disorders and recovery, and helped me realize what type of field she wants to study further.

Brooklyn’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and learning more and more about nutrition!  

Zoe Windeler

Nutrition Assistant

Zoe is a senior at California Polytechnic University as an Applied Nutrition major. Her passion for nutrition has given her diverse experience across the industry. She was a leader in health research focused on women's health and nutrition during pregnancy, a food service employee which she found a love for cooking and creating recipes, a research and development intern in the confectionary industry, and has found community as  Orientation Leadership Team Chair gaining valuable leadership and interpersonal relationship skills to foster a safe and uplifting environment for new students. 

Her passion in helping others and forming meaningful relationships provides a calming and supportive presence for individuals in recovery.  Born and raised in Chicago, she has experienced how food builds community and connects us to loved ones. She is passionate about cooking delicious meals to express her creativity. 

When not at work, you can find Zoe outdoors, at one of the many SLO coffee shops, practicing yoga, or traveling to a new city. She aspires to be a registered dietitian and continue her work in helping people recover from eating disorders. She is incredibly grateful to have this valuable experience with a knowledgeable interdisciplinary team and is learning something new every day.

Rebecca Grim, RN, CCRN

Registered Nurse

Rebecca received her Registered Nursing degree from Cuesta College and is an AACN-certified critical care RN with more than 10 years experience in intensive care nursing. As a nurse with her own eating disorder and recovery background, Rebecca has always harbored a personal dream of helping people who struggle with eating disorders. When she learned that Central Coast Treatment Center was operating in her local community Rebecca was so excited - both that her community has such an incredibly valuable, comprehensive, desperately needed program operating in its midst, but also at the prospect that she might be able meaningfully integrate her medical knowledge and nursing skills with understanding and compassion to offer healing, recovery and a path to thriving for those who struggle with eating disorders.

Since joining the Central Coast Treatment Center team, Rebecca has been expanding her research and working knowledge of eating disorder medical complications and treatment to provide the best possible care. It is a humbling honor for her to be able to provide weekly nursing assessments for CCTC clients and to coordinate with our physician and amazing team of professionals, but most of all to witness so many beautiful souls open up, little by little, and bloom right before her eyes.