Shoreline team

Clinical Practice Director

Sheena Gill, PsyD, CEDS

Dr. Sheena is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist who has been working with eating disorders since 2014. She received both her masters and doctorate in psychology at Loma Linda University. Dr. Sheena has experience working with diverse populations of adults, adolescents, and families at various levels of care including inpatient hospitalization, residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and traditional outpatient. As a clinician, she takes an integrative therapeutic approach by utilizing client-centered and humanistic principles to deliver Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Treatment (FBT) interventions. She prioritizes developing a therapeutic relationship with clients and their families to help them reach their treatment goals.

Dr. Sheena previously worked at Shoreline and helped develop our first residential treatment program, by utilizing both her clinical expertise and experience working in other treatment programs. She is passionate about promoting inclusive and culturally appropriate care for those who struggle with eating disorders and looks forward to being instrumental to the continued growth of Shoreline.

In her free time, Dr. Sheena enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her dog, and baking like she is the next Food Network star.

Clinical Director

Stacy Korfist LMFT, CEDS-S

Stacy comes to Shoreline with over 20 years of experience working in the behavioral health and eating disorder field. Stacy is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS-S) and Approved Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp). She is passionate about integrating wellness, experiential and trauma-informed elements within treatment.

She received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University.

Stacy has received diverse and advanced training alongside several highly respected thought leaders in the field. These include Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Interpersonal Neurobiology, Family-Based Treatment, Attachment Mastery Program, The Body Positive, Brené Brown’s shame resiliency, Psychobiological Couples Therapy (PACT), ADHD Parent Educator and is a Certified Multiple Addiction
Therapist (CMAT). Stacy is known for her ability to integrate cutting-edge therapeutic interventions within the highly complex pursuit of eating disorder recovery.

Stacy operates from a strengths-based and interpersonal approach and values connection, community, and compassion when working within a team. This carries over to working with our clients, families, and loved ones. Eating disorders create isolation and disconnection, but we can heal in relationship, connection, and shared hope.

Director of Health Services & Nurse Practitioner

Nnenna Abaeze DNP, RN, FNP-C, CNL, PHN

As the Family Nurse Practitioner for Shoreline, Dr. Abaeze incorporates evidenced-based practice with a holistic approach. With over 5 years of experience in behavioral health, maternal health, and primary care practice, her goals include improving healthcare inequities through continued education, public awareness of disparities, and nursing excellence. Dr. Abaeze is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and Masters of Nursing Science both from the University of San Francisco. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health Policy and Sociology from the University of California Irvine. In addition to Family Nurse Practitioner certification, Dr. Abaeze is also certified in Clinical Nurse Leadership and will be completing a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification by the summer of 2021. Throughout her service as a Clinician, Dr. Abaeze has remained passionate about uniquely connecting with patients and their families and always prioritizes their care, physical and psychological safety. She aims to treat the whole patient by creating obtainable goals set for and by them. She values teamwork and believes that with the fierce collaboration of her team members, each patient’s personal goals can be achieved.

Regional Director of Clinical Partnerships

Vickie Benard

As the Regional Director of Clinical Partnerships, Vickie helps connect health care professionals and families to Shoreline Center for Eating Disorder Treatment which is within the Odyssey Eating Disorder Network. Her goal is to compassionately guide those in need of eating disorder treatment into quality care provided at Shoreline. Vickie graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, with a design degree. Her focus was on designing health care spaces that provided environments of wellness and the ability for therapeutic healing. Vickie has over 15 years of experience in healthcare planning and design and in recent years has centered her profession around healthcare, behavioral health, and marketing for various organizations. Vickie is dedicated to helping guide individuals into life-saving treatment and enjoys being a part of a professional and talented team at Shoreline.

Primary Therapist

Taylor Pyle, AMFT, APCC

Taylor is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She has experience working with clients with substance use and addiction disorders, domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and perpetrators, depression, anxiety, BPD, and PTSD. She uses a family systems and trauma informed approach, as she believes addiction is not involving just the client but also involves the family system. She also integrates CBT, DBT, ACT, attachment, experiential, and mindfulness to tailor to what the client needs. She also has training in CPT and is certified in EMDR. Taylor values having a strong therapeutic alliance and rapport with clients to allow clients to explore their authentic sense of self without any judgement. Her goal with clients is to empower clients to make the changes they want to make and to provide hope to clients that change is possible if they are ready to challenge themselves in the discomfort.”

Dietetic Clinical Supervisor

Marissa Kent, MS, RDN, CDCES

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Master’s in Community Nutrition
Certificate in Intuitive Eating
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Marissa received a degree in food and nutrition from California State University, Long Beach. She has been practicing in Orange County in the field of dietetics for over two decades. Marissa’s experience includes and is not limited to, eating disorders, diabetes treatment, and prevention as well as integrative and functional nutrition. She has a private practice in South Orange County.

Marissa participates in her community and acts in a supervising role to nutrition students and fellow dietitians nationwide.

Marissa has experience collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to help her clients who have a poor relationship with food and their body. Marissa enjoys educating people about the importance of nutrition regarding metabolism, digestion, and balance through individualized counseling and group education. She stays current in the field with continuing education, webinars, and supervision groups.

Primary Therapist

Wendy Valle, AMFT

Wendy is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and graduated with her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Wendy is also certified in Counseling the Spanish client, where classes incorporated both English and Spanish. Moreover, Wendy is able to practice professional psychological terminology and is familiarized with the diversity of cultures in Spanish-Speaking community and the specific cultural factors involved in Counseling Spanish Speaking Clients.

Wendy has provided mental health services to underserved communities for over five years. The majority of these clients were high-risk teens transitioning to independence. Wendy also provided resources to families struggling with housing, employment, and independent living skills. Wendy continues to feel passionately driven and dedicated to growing and learning with different populations to become more competent as a Clinician and give back to her community.

Wendy practices through strengths-based, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) as her therapeutic modalities. Wendy focuses on providing a safe space and support for clients and families to understand their values and proper psychoeducation to improve their overall well-being in their treatment. Wendy values the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship where the client can feel safe to explore and express themselves without judgment. Wendy’s goal is helping her clients restore the feeling of wholeness and well-being as she guides them in working through difficult issues to restore their true selves.

Primary Therapist

Albert Barajas, MSW, PPSC, ASW

After overcoming an eating disorder himself, Alberto takes great pride in his work as a primary therapist and understands the importance of empathizing with clients, listening to their stories, and tailoring their treatment experience to meet their specific needs and long-term goals.

Alberto received his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, with a sub-concentration in Children, Youth, & Families. Thus, he highlights the usefulness of integrating family and other social support systems within an individual’s treatment journey. Clients can also expect to be supported in developing strong and individualized therapeutic tools to establish resilience and social boundaries, to ensure long-term recovery even after their time at Shoreline.

Utilizing therapeutic modalities such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and strength-based therapy, Alberto supports his clients/families understand what they value, and how to use them to develop skills pertaining to motivation, habits, accountability, and resiliency. If willing to incorporate these therapeutic skills, clients and their families can anticipate becoming self-reliant, achieve long-term happiness, but most importantly, long-term recovery.

Primary Therapist

Amelia Lewis, ACSW

Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Trinity College. Amelia’s specialization in global practice with immigrants and refugees has led her to develop a holistic approach that prioritizes cultural humility and focuses on the individual clients’ experience. She draws from her research and work surrounding trauma resilience, identity development, and community to inform her trauma-informed, client-centered, affirmative care. Amelia practices through an attachment lens, integrating aspects of solution-focused therapy, psychodynamic theory, mindfulness, and evidence-based approaches including DBT and CBT to best suit the individual clients’ needs. More than anything else, Amelia values the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship in which the client can feel safe to explore and express themselves without judgment. By highlighting resilience and helping to foster hope, Amelia helps her clients recognize that their goals are attainable and change is possible.

Nurse Administrator

La Keiia R. Penson, BSN, RN, MPH

La Keiia received her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills and obtained her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California. What started out as a career in public health quickly pivoted as she found herself gravitating towards mental health initiatives.

La Keiia has been working in the mental health field for 3 years. Her passion for the field stems from her belief that mental health is the foundation which allows everyone to be the best person that they can be. Through her work as a mental health nurse, La Keiia has worked tirelessly to destigmatize mental health in underserved communities. She hopes to continue bridging the mental health gap through expanding her knowledge and expertise to better serve individuals living with mental health disorders.”

Business Manager

Lauren Greenage

As the business manager for over 8 years, Lauren has been an integral part of the expansion and inner workings of Shoreline. After acquiring a degree in criminal justice while living in Arizona, Lauren moved back to California to pursue a career in Healthcare Administration. She brings over 20 years of administrative expertise and business management experience to Shoreline. Over the past few years, she has had a hand in many different aspects of administration including but not limited to network contracting and negotiation, human resources, payroll, accounts payable, collections, and a myriad of other duties. Her goal is to make sure that the wheels of the Shoreline bus keep turning and that everything runs as smoothly as possible for both staff and clients. Everyone at Shoreline knows that if they have a problem, they can come to her for support and or a resolution to their issue. In Lauren’s time off, she enjoys baking, playing fetch with her dog, and battling all her friends in trivia games.

Registered Dietitian

Emily Meyers

Emily is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience in infant and maternal health, long-term care, and eating disorder recovery. She first became interested in nutrition as an athlete and later to connect with others and care for herself. Emily received her bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and completed her dietetic internship at Virginia Tech with a concentration in leadership and nutrition policy. Her nutrition philosophy is rooted in an all-foods-fit mentality and intuitive eating principles. She aims to guide her clients to find peace with foods and body by providing compassionate, evidenced-based nutrition counseling. Emily is delighted to be part of the Shoreline team and honored to hold space for clients to explore their relationship with foods and body.

Registered Dietitian

Brianna Ballard, MS, RDN

Brianna Ballard, MS, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian who earned her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from University of North Florida and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion from Simmons University. Brianna completed her dietetic internship with Wellness Workdays with a Health Promotion Concentration. She has worked in the dietetics field for over five years in a variety of positions working with clients in universities, hospitals, and retail settings. She is very passionate about nutrition and loves connecting with people over food. Brianna integrates Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size philosophy into her daily practice.