Clinical Director – Matt Keck, MFT
“I started my career at the age of 18, as the first male domestic violence crisis counselor in Santa Clara County. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College in Psychology and I went on to graduate school at the University of San Francisco, where my focus on Eating Disorders won me a merit scholarship for students contributing to women’s issues. I have worked on college campuses, community mental health organizations, and received specialized training in Eating Disorders at the Stanford University Department of Psychiatry. I began in private practice in 2006 specializing in the treatment of Eating Disorders. Really, I believe that people enjoy working with me not because of my professional background or training, but because I am a kind, understanding person, who is committed to helping my clients achieve the most out of life. I don’t have a magic answer to all mental health problems, but I certainly have the optimism and enthusiasm to help my clients find their own answers.”
Staff Psychiatrist – Vanita Chawla, MD
“After receiving my BA at Brown University, I moved on to Tulane University’s Schools of Medicine and Public Health, where I received my MD and MPH. I then left the east coast and attended Stanford University’s Psychiatry Residency Program. Throughout my years of education, I developed a special interest in women and young adults and the complex social and psychological issues that pervade their lives. I am inspired and endeared by this fragile, yet strong, energized and brave age group. After completing my psychiatry training, I worked at San José State’s Counseling services for one year, and then in 2008, I started a solo private practice in Mountain View. I continue to work with young women as well as adults and provide medication management as well as psychotherapy. My work at both Cielo House locations includes Eating Disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. I am dedicated to the psychological well being and mental health of our community.”
Belmont Location
Psychotherapist – Kathleen Terry, MA, LMFT
“I have been a Licensed Psychotherapist for more than 20 years. During this time I have worked in residential setting such as psychiatric facilities for adults (dual diagnosis), as well as eating disorder facilities, including residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. I have facilitated dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and process groups. I have also maintained a private practice, working with individuals, couples and families and have facilitated ongoing groups for women dealing with transitions and self-esteem, as well as eating disorders and body image. Eating Disorders have been an area of specialty throughout my career as a Psychotherapist. My approach has been eclectic; in addition to DBT and CBT I also include psychodynamic and family systems therapies. I have found that even though there are common symptoms and personality traits amongst those struggling with Eating Disorders, each person is unique and deserving of the therapist’s or treatment team’s time and creativity. I have witnessed clients move out of the grip of eating disorders and reclaim their lives, and so I have hope for each client I encounter.”
Dietitian – Johanna Dong, RD
“I am a Registered Dietitian who takes a non-diet, personal approach to the treatment of disordered eating, thoughts and behaviors and weight management. I use mindfulness and Intuitive Eating approaches to foster a better relationship with food, eating and your body. I don’t feel that Eating Disorder treatment is “one size fits all”, so I aim to meet the client where they are, motivating and supporting changes that are not only healthy, but that are also meaningful to the client. I also feel that changes are longer lasting if they are meaningful and important to the client. I graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Clinical Nutrition and a minor in Psychology. I received my Masters Degree in Nutrition from San Francisco State after completing my accredited internship to be a Registered Dietitian. I have been working closely with patients with Eating Disorders in a variety of settings, from inpatient psychiatry units to outpatient Eating Disorder programs as well as in my own private practice.”
Dietitian and Community Outreach Coordinator – Sara Leung, RD
“I am a Registered Dietitian with a passion for helping individuals overcome their eating disorders and find a place where they can be at peace with food. I earned my degree at California State University, Chico and went on to complete the dietetic internship at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Shortly after becoming a dietitian, I moved to Kenya where I worked at a clinic in Nairobi treating young children with HIV and malnutrition. For the past 5 years I have helped clients learn the important role that food can play in not only healing the body, but the mind as well. The philosophy of my practice incorporates Intuitive Eating with clients who are ready and able to understand their hunger and fullness cues, but I also recognize that every person needs to be treated individually and that no one method works for everyone. In addition to working at both Cielo House locations, I also see clients at Bay Area Nutrition in Campbell that may not struggle with an Eating Disorder, but are trying to find a healthy balance with food. I truly believe that recovery is possible for those who are ready to do the work that is needed to reclaim their life.”
House Manager – Jamie A. Lopez, CMA
“I am a Certified Medical Assistant. I’m currently completing a Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification. I have a background working with patients of all ages in a medical setting as well as office and organizational skills. I work mainly with the Belmont team but also have the privilege of working for our San José facility. I enjoy working with the dynamic group of clients that become part of Cielo House. Every client adds a unique personality to the group and their harmonious journey towards recovery. It’s really rewarding to take part in helping the clients gain a sense of empowerment over their Eating Disorder. I believe my kind hearted, youthful spirit provides a sense of comfort to the clients.”
San José Location
Clinical Director, Adolescent Program – Kylene Halliday, MS, PsyD
“I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Youngstown State University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and went on to earn a MS degree and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. I have worked in many different settings with many diverse populations, including a college counseling center, a medium security correctional facility, a large medical center, a state mental healthy institution, and two alternative day schools in San José. In addition to my duties at Cielo House I also have a private practice where I specialize in adolescent psychology, as well as school age children and adults. My interest in Eating Disorders developed out of my private practice and I am committed to serving this population with a caring and down-to-Earth approach.”
Clinical Director, Adult Program – Diane Patton, MA, MFT
“I am a Licensed Psychotherapist specializing in working with individuals struggling with Eating Disorders and those who support them. I have both a B.A. and an M.A. degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and have worked in a variety of settings such as several academic environments from middle school to alternative high schools, clinical settings, crisis management/support, a substance abuse treatment center, as well as private practice settings prior to joining Cielo House. I have also worked as an instructor in a private University setting, and worked as a Suicide and Crisis Counselor. In addition to my work at Cielo House, I facilitate mandated counseling/educational domestic violence/anger management classes as well as maintain a private practice in San Jose where I work with Individuals, couples, and families, and have given lectures throughout the community on a variety of clinically related topics. My interest in working with those struggling with Eating Disorders grew through my work in private practice where I have seen clients go through a very unique and personal process that can be at once both challenging and empowering for everyone involved and I am honored to support this process through the work I do.”
Dietitian and Yoga Therapist – Kathryn “Kat” Brown, RD, RYT
“As a Registered Dietitian, I trained in some of the premier pediatric and adult medical institutions in the country. I offer down-to-Earth, evidence-based nutrition recommendations, interwoven with mind-body strategies to create an integrated package with both yoga teaching and nutrition counseling. I bring to my clients my enthusiasm and personal belief in the foundations of good nutrition and movement as being integral to overall well-being. The mission of my work is to provide a nourishing, joyous environment to explore the body and awaken the heart and mind.”
House Manager – Kathy James
“I take great pleasure helping the clients at Cielo House by encouraging them through their recovery. Clients affectionately refer to me as the, “House Mom”. I’m inspired by seeing clients transform their lives with the help of our treatment team. When I’m not with our clients, I tend to the administration and insurance needs of our location as well as house management. In addition to my duties at Cielo House, I am a business owner and property manager in San José. I bring various office management and administrative skills to Cielo House including a strong organizational background. Besides being passionate about Eating Disorder treatment and recovery, I spend my free time volunteering in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.”