Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders

Linda Paulk Buchanan, Ph.D., is a Clinical Director and the founder of the Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders (ACE). Dr. Buchanan is a licensed psychologist who has been treating individuals with eating disorders since 1983. She received her Master’s degree from the Psychological Studies Institute (now know as Richmont University) in Christian Counseling and received the 1999 Distinguished Alumnus Award for her work in founding ACE. Dr. Buchanan then went on to receive her Ph.D. from Georgia State University doing a residency at the Medical College of Georgia. In addition to overseeing clinical operations at ACE, Dr. Buchanan leads a number of ACE groups and provides individual, couples and family psychotherapy. Dr. Buchanan has developed and published a model for the treatment of eating disorders. She has conducted various research projects, including the diagnosis of eating disorders, personality variables and coping resources of individuals with eating disorders. Dr. Buchanan has been active in training other psychologists and mental health professionals in the treatment of eating and anxiety disorders. Her related specialty areas include anxiety problems, family and couples therapy and group therapy. She enjoys helping clients use and integrate their faith in the recovery process.

Rick Kilmer, Ph.D., an ACE Clinical Director, is a licensed psychologist who has been treating people with eating disorders since 1982. Dr. Kilmer leads a number of ACE groups in addition to conducting individual sessions, family and couples treatment, supervising staff and developing new programming. He uses an integrated approach of cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques in helping people overcome destructive eating behaviors and beliefs. Dr. Kilmer’s related areas of interest include recovery from trauma and abuse, couples therapy and the changing roles of men and women.

Jennifer Reid is the Program Coordinator at ACE and a clinical social worker. She oversees many administrative tasks that contribute to a cohesive treatment program. She has worked with the eating disorder population since 2000 and has experience working with inpatient, intensive outpatient and private practice settings.

Dr. Carrie Poline is ACE’s Medical Director. Dr. Poline provides psychiatric diagnostic and medication evaluations. Dr. Poline’s background includes both research and clinical experience in the treatment of eating disorders. She also has experience in treating child behavioral disorders and is particularly interested in women’s mental health and child/adolescent anxiety and mood disorders.  In addition to medication management, Dr. Poline is available for individual, couples, and family therapy.

Page Love, MS, RD, LD, CSSD, is a registered/licensed dietitian and holds a masters degree in nutrition from Georgia State University with a specialty in sports nutrition. As the nutritionist for ACE, Page conducts individual assessments and leads a weekly nutrition therapy group and meal group. She has been a private nutrition consultant in Atlanta since 1987 — counseling, speaking and writing on wellness, general nutrition for health, weight management and eating disorders management. Page also served as a dietitian for Georgia Sports Medicine and Gwinnett Hospital Systems and volunteers time to ANAD, a free support group for people struggling with eating disorders. She is past president of the Atlanta Dietetic Association and owns “Nutrifit, Sport, Therapy, Inc.”

Kelsey Martin, LAMFT, is a licensed associate marriage and family therapist and is also ACE’s Outreach Coordinator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College in South Carolina and is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Kelsey provides individual, group and family therapy at ACE. Her clinical interests include eating disorders, anxiety and depression, couples therapy, spiritual healing, building effective communication patterns and the role of the family in growth and change. Kelsey will be happy to answer any questions about treatment at ACE, set up outreach engagements within the community and keep you updated on what is new at ACE through our quarterly newsletter.

Molly McCollough, RD, LD, has worked as a nutrition therapist in weight management and eating disorders for five years. She received her undergraduate nutrition degree from University of Georgia, and her postgraduate work was completed at Georgia State University. She counsels clients on normalizing their eating patterns without dieting. Molly has a passion for improving clients’ body image and relationship with food. Molly also is certified in Adult Weight Management by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Les McGukin, M.Ed./LPC, is a Licensed Counselor and Family Therapist at ACE. Mr. McGukin has many years of experience specializing in marriage and family therapy, and he has trained extensively in family systems modality. Mr. McGukin also has experience and training in premarital therapy and consulting with families who are experiencing the effects of aging in the family. Mr. McGukin has almost a half of a century experience being married and raising two children into adulthood and operates a private family practice in Decatur and Carroll County, Georgia.

Pegah Moghaddam, M.A., Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist who began her clinical training at ACE as a diagnostic student in 2005. She earned her M.A. and Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Argosy University-Atlanta. She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Georgia State University’s Counseling & Testing Center. Dr. Moghaddam’s areas of interest include: Eating Disorders, Alcohol and Other Drugs, multicultural counseling, health psychology, grief counseling and mood and anxiety disorders. She works with her patients from a relational perspective and values the role of the therapeutic relationship in the healing process. 

Rachel Rose, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and provides individual and group therapy at ACE. She has an integrative approach to therapy, including cognitive-behavioral, feminist and existential theory in her practice. Dr. Rose's primary interests include eating disorders, recovery from trauma and abuse and women’s issues. Her research interests include how trauma affects individuals’ mental and physical health.

Angela Schaffner, Ph.D., is a counseling psychologist who provides individual and group therapy at ACE. Dr. Schaffner’s primary interests include eating disorders, spirituality, motivation, recovery from trauma and college students’ issues. She has provided outpatient therapy for people with eating disorders since 2000. Her research interests include factors in college adjustment, and she currently conducts outcome research on the treatment programs at ACE.

Ryan Schwerzmann, LAMFT, is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree from Loyola University in Maryland and a Certificate in Marriage and Family therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine. He has been a member of the ACE team since 2009, treating couples and families using an integrated approach based on strategic, structural, solution-focused and general systems theories. His primary interests are in family communication patterns, expression of emotions, self-esteem and behavior problems. Ryan has also served as the Student and Associate Chair of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists since 2009.

Laurie A. Sedicino, CTRS, is a certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She began doing adventure-based counseling (also known as ROPES or outdoor therapy) in 1985. This therapy uses experiential techniques and play activities involving problem-solving and group interaction to highlight coping strategies and interpersonal style and allows participants to discover unused resources, abilities and coping strategies. Additionally, she provides leisure counseling services and a wide range of expressive/play therapies to ACE individuals, couples, families and groups.

Eileen Shaw MS, LPC, RD, LD, is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, Registered and Licensed Dietitian and National Certified Counselor. She is a member of the Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders team and Nutrifit , Sport, Therapy, Inc. Eileen provides specialized individual and group counseling to adolescents and adults in all areas of eating disorders and disordered eating, body image, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindful/intuitive eating, addiction recovery and insight oriented therapies. She has demonstrated a very compassionate and effective mind/body approach to care and therapeutic lifestyle change by combining her nutrition expertise and counseling techniques that promote health and wellness. Eileen is also an active member of the Eating Disorders Information Network, National Eating Disorders Association, American Counseling Association, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, and Food and Culinary Professionals.

Melissa Sparks, MMFT holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University (formerly Psychological Studies Institute). Integrating family systems, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and interpersonal theories, she works with individuals, groups, and families at ACE to develop skills and tools and to clarify values. Her areas of interest include eating disorders, anxiety, depression, career and life transitions, self-identity, spirituality, and the role of the family in recovery from eating disorders. She enjoys and has experience working with clients of all ages--primarily ranging from adolescents to late adulthood.

Lisa Tallant, Psy.D., has a doctorate in clinical psychology and is a registered art therapist. Since 1987, she has aided abuse survivors and individuals with eating disorders in exploring and expressing their emotions. Dr. Tallant utilizes EMDR extensively in therapy to help patients heal from trauma and negative beliefs, and she has completed requirements for national EMDR certification. Dr. Tallant’s related interests include addictive behaviors, the mind-body relationship, depression and exploring the creative process. Dr. Tallant conducts group and individual psychotherapy.

Dawn Pharr, ACE’s Practice Manager, is available to assist you with your questions about billing and insurance coverage. With over 30 years of dedicated experience in medical office management and billing, Dawn is a Certified Medical Office Manger. She has also been certified as a National Healthcare Association Medical and Billing Specialist and belongs to the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Managers.

_Rochelle Richardson-Rivers, ACE’s Intake Coordinator and Front Desk Administrator, is available to assist with questions about assessments, appointments, programs offered at ACE or any front office concerns. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in medical office administration, Rochelle is a Certified Medical Assistant and EMT-Basic prior USAF (flight medic). She has also been certified in Medical Coding and Billing.

Bo Wiernek is ACE’s Billing Manager. She will be happy to assist with any questions you have regarding your account, payments and billing statements.

Linda Dennis is the ACE House Supervisor. Linda provides assistance, supervision and support to ACE House residents. She is happy to help with meal planning for ACE Meal Groups, grocery shopping, serving breakfast and providing general emotional support for ACE House residents.