BETHESDA, MD

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. Shampaine received her Medical degree from University of Texas Medical School and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She completed her General Psychiatry training at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and her child Fellowship at NYU-Bellevue where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Shampaine specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with mood, anxiety and behavioral disorders. She has a special interest in the treatment of eating disorders and related psychiatric difficulties. Dr. Shampaine provides a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, psychopharmacology when indicated and a family-system, holistic approach to care.

Christine Vara, LCSW-C, LICSW, M.Div. (She, Her, Hers or He, Him, His), is the Team Leader at The Renfrew Center of Bethesda, MD. Christine provides clinical supervision, along with individual, family and group counseling for adolescents, families and adults with eating disorders. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from Clark University, a Master’s of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Simmons University. Christine is particularly interested in working at the intersection of trauma, eating disorders and addiction, and how that connects to identities of gender, race, sexuality and religion/spirituality. Christine utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities in her relational, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.