Our Staff

Mr. Menaged founded The Renfrew Center 35 years ago as the country's first residential treatment facility specializing in eating disorders. A former healthcare attorney, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his JD from New York University School of Law. Mr. Menaged is a Board Member of the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium and the past President of the Board of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action, an advocacy group based in Washington, DC.

Dr. Brooks leads the Renfrew Clinical Excellence Board, the Clinical Training Department and the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. She has oversight responsibility for quality of clinical care at the Renfrew Centers in addition to administrative oversight responsibility for Renfrew’s residential facility in Florida. For the past 30 years, she has treated patients from diverse backgrounds who suffer from eating disorders. Dr. Brooks served as the eating disorders specialist in the HBO film Thin, has appeared on Good Morning America and has been featured in the following publications: The New York Times, People Magazine, Essence Magazine and Perspectives, The Renfrew Center Foundation’s journal for professionals. Dr. Brooks is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Supervisor, member of the iaedp Board of Directors and former Co-Chair of the Academy of Eating Disorders Diversity Special Interest Group.

Ms. Goldstein has been with The Renfrew Center since it opened in 1985, serving first as Director of Admissions and later as Director of Marketing and Vice President of Professional Relations and Education. Ms. Goldstein participated in the strategic growth and expansion of the organization, including the start-up of The Renfrew Center of Florida and all outpatient sites. Since 1994, Ms. Goldstein has been responsible for the development of The Renfrew Center Foundation Conference serving as Conference Chair. She received her Master’s degree in Social Service from Bryn Mawr School of Social Work in 1982. Ms. Goldstein is a Founder of the National Eating Disorders Association and was the recipient of NEDA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

Ms. Menaged received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins University and previously served as the Executive Assistant to Allyson Y. Schwartz, former member of the United States House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 13th congressional district. In her current role, she oversees the Admissions, Alumni Services, Marketing, Professional Relations, and Program Information Departments at The Renfrew Center. She has been instrumental in the implementation and operations of Renfrew sites throughout the system. Ms. Menaged is a member of The Renfrew Center Clinical Excellence Board.

Lori Ciotti, LICSW, CEDS-S, is Vice President of Outpatient Operations at The Renfrew Center, where she has clinical and operational oversight of Renfrew's 17 non-residential sites. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Ms. Ciotti received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and her Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College. Prior to opening Renfrew’s Massachusetts site in 2014, she was the Corporate Clinical Director for a multi-site mental health facility in the Boston area. Ms. Ciotti is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and events about the risks and treatment of eating disorders, with a focus and expertise in the unique challenges and approaches to care for college-aged clients. She has been a featured guest on radio programs to bring awareness about eating disorder and comorbid mental health issues, as well as highlighted in articles in The Boston Globe, Health magazine, SELF magazine, and Today.com. She is a member of NASW, as well as a member and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Ms. Lorenson has provided financial leadership and strategic implementation to businesses for more than 30 years. She has a degree from California Polytechnic State University in Business Administration/Accounting. Prior to joining Renfrew, Ms. Lorenson served as the Managing Director of Finance/Deputy Chief Operating Officer at financial advisory firm and Principal/Chief Operating Officer at a commercial real estate services firm. She is active in her professional community as a member of CFO Alliance/AchieveNext and CFO Leadership Council. In 2013, she was the recipient of the SmartCEO Executive Management Award, as well as the CREW Outstanding New Member Award.

Ms. Edgin received her Master’s degree in Public Administration/Human Resources from West Chester University, as well as SHRM–SCP, SPHR and PHR-CA certifications. She has extensive professional Human Resource experience, including over 20 years of management in the retail, pharmaceutical, sales, manufacturing, education, and healthcare fields. She is a member of the National Society for Human Resource Managers (SHRM), PASHRM and has served on the Chester County Human Resource Association Board of Directors as President. In 2013 and 2017, she was nominated for Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year (DVHRPOY) in recognition of her strategic leadership and contributions to the Human Resource field. In 2017 she was awarded the DVHRPOY award for small companies. Ms. Edgin has participated in the HR mentoring program at Villanova University, as well as, participating as a guest instructor for the HR Master’s program at Villanova University and adjunct professor at West Chester University.

Dr. Banks is the Director of Advanced Training at the International Center for Growth in Connection (previously the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute). A member of The Renfrew Center’s Advisory Board, Dr. Banks has devoted her career to understanding the neurobiology of relationships. Prior to her position at JBMTI and the Wellesley Centers for Women she was an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is the first person to bring relational-cultural theory together with neuroscience and is the foremost expert in the combined field. Dr. Banks also has a private practice in Lexington, MA, that specializes in relational psychopharmacology and therapy for people who suffer from chronic disconnection.

James Boswell, PhD, serves as a member of The Renfrew Center’s Clinical Advisory Board. An Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Albany, his research interests span two overlapping areas: psychotherapy process and outcome, and the integration of science and practice. Dr. Boswell received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, completed his Pre - doctoral Clinical Psychology Residency at the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior through Alpert Medical School of Brown University and his Post - Doctoral Clinical - Research Fellowship at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders through Brown University.

Dr. Klump is a Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on genetic and biological risk factors for eating disorders using both human (i.e., twin studies) and animal models. She is particularly interested in developmental changes in genetic and hormonal risk factors and their meaning for the development of eating disorders. Dr. Klump has published over 145 papers and has received several federal grants for this work, including several currently funded NIMH projects.

Dr. Lowe is a member of The Renfrew Center’s Clinical Advisory Board and Professor in the Department of Psychology at Drexel University. A clinical psychologist, he studies the psychobiology of eating and weight regulation, including dieting and preventing and treating obesity. His specific research areas include: the relationship between dieting, overeating and weight control; obesity and the prevention of weight gain and weight regain; eating disorders research; integrating biological and psychological perspectives on eating and weight regulation; and research on the "power of food." The “Power of Food Scale” assessment technique he developed and validated has been featured on “The Dr. Oz Show.”

Dr. Maine is Founder and Adviser of the National Eating Disorders Association and Founding Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders. She is the Author of “Pursuing Perfection: Eating Disorders, Body Myths, and Women at Midlife and Beyond,” “Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research- Practice Gap,” “Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders,” “The Body Myth,” “Father Hunger” and “Body Wars.” She was also Senior Editor of “Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention.” The 2007 recipient of The Lori Irving Award for Excellence in Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, and the 2015 recipient of the NEDA Lifetime Achievement Award, she is a member of the Renfrew Clinical Advisory Board, and The Renfrew Center Foundation Conference Committee. Dr. Maine is a 2016 Honoree of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame. She lectures nationally and internationally on eating disorders and maintains a private practice, Maine & Weinstein Specialty Group, in West Hartford, CT.

Heather Thompson-Brenner, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts and serves on The Renfrew Center's Clinical Advisory Board. She founded the Eating Disorders Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University, and directed the program for more than ten years. Dr. Thompson-Brenner is a former member of the research faculty in the Department of Psychology at Boston University, where she is now Associate Adjunct Professor. Her research and publications focus on the influences of patient personality traits, clinician emotions and attitudes, and patient race/ethnicity on eating disorder treatment, as well as the implementation of empirically supported treatments for eating disorders in clinical practice. Dr. Thompson-Brenner serves on the editorial boards of Psychotherapy and the International Journal of Eating Disorders. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders and is a recipient of a Patient-Oriented Career Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Meghan Brown, LMHC, is a Regional Admissions Team Leader at The Renfrew Center. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The College of William and Mary where she engaged in research on body image improvement and eating disorder prevention in college-aged women. Ms. Brown received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University where she trained to work with adolescents and adults in IOP, PHP, and residential levels of care. Prior to joining Renfrew, she worked with clients on both the generally psychiatric and eating disorder inpatient units at Walden Behavioral Care. Ms. Brown is passionate about client advocacy and eating disorder prevention.

Dr. Cheng received his Medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, completed his Internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, his Psychiatric Residency at the Payne Whitney Clinic/New York Presbyterian Hospital, and his Clinical Fellowship at the Public Psychiatry Fellowship of New York State Psychiatric Institute. Prior to joining Renfrew, Dr. Cheng was the Medical Director of the Psychiatric Evaluation and Referral Service at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan. He has also worked in Ambulatory Psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital and was an attending psychiatrist for the Eating Disorders Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital–Westchester.

Dr. Cooper oversees clinical and administrative operations of the Baltimore and Bethesda, MD; Nashville, TN and Pittsburgh, PA locations. She received her Doctorate of Psychology from Baylor University and completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, her clinical and administrative experience includes 25 years of care in outpatient and intensive-care settings treating eating disorders, women’s issues and child and adolescent assessment/intervention. Dr. Cooper is a frequent lecturer on the topics of best practices in the treatment of eating disorders and helping mothers and daughters be authentic and resilient. She is the elected President of the Nashville iaedp (International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals) chapter, and a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee, The Nashville Psychotherapy Institute, RenewED, and the National Academy of Professional Women.

Dr. DeCaro received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at LaSalle University, and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA. She has been with Renfrew since 2012, completing her post-doctoral residency at The Renfrew Center Philadelphia – Spring Lane, then holding the position of Primary Therapist, and most recently serving as Assistant Clinical Director. As Renfrew’s national spokesperson, Dr. DeCaro has been featured in the media as an eating disorder expert on various television shows, radio programs, podcasts, and online magazines. She is a frequent lecturer and serves as the Alumni Representative for The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia.

Ms. Edwards-Gayfield oversees the clinical and administrative operations of the Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; and West Palm Beach, FL locations. Additionally, she also serves as Co-Chair for Renfrew’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. A Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in North Carolina, she received her Master’s degree in Counseling from UNC at Charlotte. Ms. Edwards-Gayfield has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders with special interest in women’s issues, relationship concerns, depression and anxiety, self-esteem and body image. Ms. Edwards-Gayfield is an advocate for the awareness of eating disorders affecting Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Ms. Edwards-Gayfield is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences, primarily discussing eating disorders and diversity. Ms. Edwards-Gayfield is a member of several professional organizations, a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) of iaedp™ and is the former Co-Chair of the African American Eating Disorder Professionals Committee (AAEDP). She also contributed a chapter in the recently published book, Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide.

Dr. Erdos provides psychiatric care to The Renfrew Centers of Illinois, Los Angeles, Massachusetts, and Northern New Jersey, and is Medical Director, Telemedicine. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Amherst College, his Doctoral degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, then completed his Psychiatry Residency and Psychosomatic Medicine Fellowship at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Erdos specializes in telemedicine, eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, and medically complicated psychiatric patients. Prior to joining Renfrew in 2014, he served as a Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry – Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine – VA Healthcare Boston. Dr. Erdos is a member of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Gersman graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed his residency in psychiatry at St. Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan, NY. He is board-certified in general adult psychiatry, previously serving as Chief of Substance Abuse Services at Saint Vincent's Hospital - Westchester in Harrison, NY, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College before relocating to South Florida. Dr. Gersman opened his private practice, The Center for Personal Growth, in 2002. He is a member of numerous professional societies including the Academy for Eating Disorders, American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, and the National Eating Disorders Association.

Dr. Gonçalves is Assistant Vice President and Clinical Director at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Gonçalves earned his degrees from Brandeis University and The University of Miami. Dr. Gonçalves has oversight for all individual, family and group psychotherapy at Renfrew's residential treatment facility in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to his staff supervision sessions, Dr. Gonçalves provides clinical trainings and plays a prominent role in shaping milieu management practices.

Samantha Goss, MPH, RDN, LDN, is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. Serving as Nutrition Manager at The Renfrew Center of Florida, she has over a decade of experience providing nutrition therapy for eating disorders. Ms. Goss holds a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. A member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she is passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to better health.

Ms. Gretzula is a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Nurse and has worked at The Renfrew Center for the past 29 years, providing care to patients from diverse backgrounds who suffer from eating disorders. She has also appeared in the HBO documentary Thin.

Dr. Hahn serves The Renfrew Center’s Philadelphia, PA locations. He received his doctorate of medicine from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and completed his psychiatry residency at The Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Hahn is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and Board Certified in Psychiatry. He has been with The Renfrew Center since 1997, where he began as a staff psychiatrist, specializing in residential treatment for adolescent girls and women in midlife struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Dr. Hahn frequently lectures at local medical schools and supervises psychiatrists in training. 

Ms. Hartman is the Regional Assistant Vice President for The Renfrew Center, overseeing the New York City, NY; White Plains, NY; and Paramus, NJ sites. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Childhood Development from The George Washington University and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. Ms. Hartman has been with Renfrew since 2013, having interned at the New York site, then holding the positions of Primary Therapist and Team Leader at The Renfrew Center of Boston, and most recently serving as Senior Team Leader at The Renfrew Center of Northern New Jersey. Prior to joining Renfrew, Ms. Hartman served as Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Maio manages clinical services at The Renfrew Center of Florida. A licensed psychologist, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester State Hospital, and her Post-Doctoral Residency at The Renfrew Center of Florida (specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and their co-morbid pathologies). Dr. Maio has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her special interests include the treatment of eating disorders, substance use, relationship issues, women’s issues, and Motivational Interviewing. Dr. Maio maintains a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, and presents trainings and webcasts frequently on eating disorders and related topics including the need for eating disorder awareness and advocacy for access to treatment.

Laura McLain, PsyD, BC-TMH, is the Clinical Telehealth Supervisor and Training Specialist for The Renfrew Center. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Dr. McLain has worked in a variety of settings and with several different populations including children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities, emerging adults, depression, anxiety, self-esteem and identity issues, addictions, and relationship issues. She has a decade of experience treating eating disorders with special interest in college students, clients in midlife, co-occurring substance use, understanding and applying research to clinical practice, and managing safety concerns. In addition to her role at Renfrew, she also works in private practice providing clinical supervision and serving individuals suffering with eating disorders, substance use disorders, and trauma. Dr. McLain is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), is a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), and is a Board Certified Telemental Heath Provider.

Ms. Mehr received her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Lipscomb University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Memphis. Her presentations locally and nationally focus on the topics of exposure therapy, diabetes and eating disorders. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) and the Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.   

Adrienne Ressler, LMSW, CEDS-S, Fellow of iaedp, is Vice President, Professional Development, The Renfrew Center Foundation, and has served as senior staff since 1990. Adrienne attended the University of Michigan for both her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees and received a faculty appointment as a Lecturer in the School of Education. A body image specialist, her trainings reflect her background in body-focused/somatic methods to treat eating disorders and body image. Past-President of the Board of Directors of iaedp, she is Co-founder and former Co-chairperson of the Somatic and Somatically Oriented Therapies Special Interest Group of the Academy of Eating Disorders. She serves on the Advisory Board of Eating Disorders Resource and Support based in Petaluma, CA. Adrienne was selected as the inaugural recipient of Eating Disorder Hope’s Seal of Excellence award for her ‘’empowering work as a body image specialist.” Author of chapters on the use of experiential and body-based therapies for eating disorders in three textbooks, Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: The Heart of the Matter, Treatment of Eating of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap, and Embodiment & Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, Prevention and Treatment, her work has also been included in the first Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance. In addition, she is published in Social Work Today and Pulse, the journal of the International Spa Association. A frequent contributor to the popular media, she has appeared on the TODAY show and Good Morning America Sunday.

Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-S, is the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center. As Director of the Clinical Training Department, she is responsible for developing and implementing clinical training and programming that is consistent with emerging research and evidence-based practice. In this role, she provides ongoing supervision and consultation to clinicians across mental health disciplines for the purpose of continually assessing and improving fidelity and competence of treatment delivery of The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model®. Dr. Smith is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Supervisor and has extensive training in the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) and is a UP Certified Therapist & Trainer.

Ms. Szostak is the Regional Assistant Vice President for The Renfrew Center of Radnor, PA and Philadelphia - Center City, PA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from LaSalle University. Ms. Szostak has extensive experience in leadership, administration and direct care, serving those in recovery from substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders and individuals in the criminal justice system. She has also worked in a multitude of community agencies where she provided personalized and complete care. Ms. Szostak strives earnestly to develop and foster connections as she walks with individuals along their journey to recovery and a full return to living.

Ms. Wollman received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Indiana University, her Master’s degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling from Towson University. Joining Renfrew in 2016 as Site Director of The Renfrew Center of Baltimore, she has more than 22 years of experience in the mental health field, working in a variety of settings including Residential, Outpatient, Partial Day in both direct care and management, as well as educational. Ms. Wollman has extensive experience with the child and adolescent population and has served in management positions for the past 16 years. Additionally, she is Co-Chair of the Centennial Gala Executive Committee for Camps Airy and Louise.