Our Philosophy
Our life-affirming philosophy is based on almost three decades of success helping individuals of all ages overcome eating, exercise, and body image disorders. We understand that disordered symptoms reveal the fundamental aspects of our life that need attention and can act as an unerring guide to lasting recovery. We have witnessed the incredible opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment offered by our psychological struggles. We help clients achieve what may at first seem impossible to imagine – a life of inner peace, wholeness, and happiness.
The Central Coast Treatment Center teaches what our culture disregards – an understanding of the authentic inner Self. The issues underlying disordered eating stem from an alienated relationship to the Self. We provide powerful and refreshing insight into the nature of the true Self and the body we inhabit.
Our philosophy transcends the negative messages that normally surround disordered eating. We don’t teach clients how to ‘stop’ their disordered eating. We help them uncover goals and desires that are so much more compelling and engaging than their eating disordered system. Our clients achieve true recovery by discovering an inspiring and exciting way of life to replace the obsessive, entrapping eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. Our talented and highly trained team understands the devastating effects that eating, exercise, and body image disorders have on our clients’ lives.
Each member of our staff has traveled their own path to psychological recovery – we call it coming out of the rubble better than ever!
We are aware of the confusing and often contradictory information about health and nutrition circulating through our society. Our nutritionists provide a strong foundation in the physiological basis of weight loss, weight gain, metabolism repair, organ healing, and energy production. We understand that it takes time to relearn how to eat, how to approach physical activity, and embrace the purity of our physical body.
We help our clients access the wisdom and guidance of the Self to create an inner world in which authenticity reigns and self-worth comes from simple acts of “being” instead of external achievements.
We mend the shattered fragments of the soul and show our clients …
the path to freedom
“
january 2020
“I have found myself able to be creative for the first time in years, able to appreciate beautiful flowers and warm sunlight and birdsong. I can take care of plants, pets, and other people. I have changed so much from when I started at CCTC, in ways that have given my life unanticipated meaning. The service performed here is invaluable, and I will always be grateful.”
- College Student in Recovery
Our Foundations
Using an attachment-based approach, we get to the roots of early thought and relationship patterns in order to determine how these patterns may or may not continue to serve us in the eating disorder recovery process.
We believe in learning by doing and support clients in becoming self-sufficient. We facilitate grocery shopping outings, meal outings, food exposure in order to increase comfort and confidence around food and eating.
We meet our clients where they are and hold space where they are safe to begin or continuing exploring root issues.
We practice Health at Every Size (HAES), intuitive eating, and believe that “all foods fit” in a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle.
Our Team
Cathy Meyer-Uyehara, FACHE, NHA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
As Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Treatment Center, Cathy brings over forty years of experience within the acute and post-acute healthcare continuum. Cathy is both personally and professional driven to provide a safe and supportive care setting for individuals struggling with eating disorders as well as their family members and caregivers.
Cathy is equally as passionate about leadership and as a qualifed life coach supports our team members to realize their fullest potentials and professional aspirations.
Dr. Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CED-S
Director of eating disorder programming
Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CEDS is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor, working in the field of women’s issues and eating disorders for over 35 years.
As Director of Eating Disorder Programming of both the ‘Ai Pono Hawaii Residential Treatment Program and Central Coast Treatment Center, Dr. Johnston provides clinical oversight and consultation to ensure the programs deliver the highest quality evidence-based treatment while remaining in strong alignment with our core values and philosophical foundations.
Melissa Wheelock, LMFT
clinical Director
Lic. # MFT 36641
Melissa Wheelock is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing for over 20 years. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families providing therapy, supervision, training, education and crisis intervention. She uses a Cognitive Behavioral Model infused with a person centered, mindfulness based approach that allows people to feel at ease as they discover how their own beliefs and thoughts contribute to some of their biggest problems and personal struggles. Melissa is a transplant from the Central Valley, where her career blossomed with several non-profit mental health agencies. Over the years, Melissa has served as a Therapist, Supervisor, Trainer, and Consultant.
Elora Poletti
program coordinator
Elora is the Program Coordinator at Central Coast Treatment Center, where she supports both clients and clinicians in creating a compassionate, collaborative treatment environment. With a background in trauma-informed care, Elora values meeting clients where they are and believes deeply in the importance of understanding each individual’s story. Elora brings a strong commitment to learning, growth, and client-centered care.
Elora is currently completing her bachelor’s degree with graduation anticipated in May 2026, and plans to pursue further education to become a mental health therapist. Outside of work, Elora is an avid reader and is always happy to share a thoughtful book recommendation.
Dr. Kerianne DiTomasso, PhD
Program Therapist
Lic. # PSY 31015
Dr. Kerianne DiTomasso is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked as a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders for over 13 years. In addition, she specializes in the treatment of trauma and working with the neurodivergent community. She is an EMDR-trained and IFS-informed trauma therapist with an existential background and humanistic style.
Keri is originally from Philadelphia and has loved living on the beautiful central coast for the last decade, spending her down time walking the beach, enjoying time with her children, reading, roller skating, and exploring both the incredible local landscapes and traveling to new and fun places.
Tessa Olsen, AMFT
Program Therapist
Lic. # AMFT #126994
Tessa works with teens and adults to navigate life’s challenges and build emotional well-being. She takes an integrative, evidence-based, person-centered, and strength-based approach, tailoring therapy to each person’s unique needs. Tessa fosters a compassionate, approachable, and accepting environment where clients feel safe to explore challenging emotions, strengthen coping skills, and pursue meaningful personal growth. She is passionate about breaking down stigma around mental health and helping clients create a life that feels true to themselves.
In her free time, Tessa loves spending time outside in nature, going on adventures with her dog, Penelope, live music, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Ohia Hall, BS
INTERN THERAPIST
Ohia is a graduate student at Cal Poly SLO pursuing a career as a marriage and family therapist. Prior to graduate school, Ohia spent about a year living in San Diego county after receiving her B.S. in psychology from Cal Poly SLO in 2023. She came back to Cal Poly eager to learn and develop in her career as a therapist. Through deepened learning and clinical experience, she became increasingly interested in working with eating disorders and joined the team at CCTC.
In her free time, Ohia enjoys going to the beach, nature walks, and picnics with a view!
Keely O’Keefe, MS, RD
SENIOR Dietitian
Keely is a Registered Dietitian who earned both her BS and MS from Virginia Tech and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of New Hampshire. She began her career as a clinical dietitian at a Level II trauma center in Northern California, where she valued gaining strong clinical nutrition expertise, collaborating as part of an interdisciplinary team, and working with a wide range of complex patients.
After several years in inpatient care, Keely chose to take her career in a new direction. Her own recovery experience was a powerful motivator in pursuing work in the eating disorder field. She is passionate about helping individuals recognize their worth beyond appearance, understand how behaviors impact both physical and mental health, and build a life free from diet culture and body manipulation. Keely strives to foster trusting relationships, provide evidence-based interventions, and support recovery by emphasizing internal motivation, active participation, and consistent use of learned skills.
In her free time, Keely enjoys yoga, reading, trail running, board games, backpacking, and spending time with her husband and cats.
Hannah Smith, MS, RD
Dietitian
Hannah is a Licensed Registered Dietitian who is passionate about supporting clients through eating disorder recovery with empathy, curiosity, and joy. She earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University. Before pursuing her graduate studies, she worked with the Maricopa County WIC program, providing breastfeeding and nutrition education to low-income women and children. This experience gave her a firsthand look at how deeply diet culture impacts individuals' decisions - even those navigating pregnancy and postpartum.
Hannah later moved to California’s Central Coast to complete Cal Poly’s combined master’s program in Nutrition and dietetic internship. Her thesis explored eating disorder prevalence and its relationship to social media use among postpartum women.
Hannah believes food should empower people to live their fullest lives. She incorporates hands-on activities, creative approaches to recovery, and evidence-based education that fosters confidence and self-trust.
In her free time, Hannah enjoys sewing, spending time outdoors, searching for shells on the beach, practicing mindful movement, doing puzzles with her husband, and running with friends.
Ginger Fitzpatrick, BS
Nutrition assistant
Ginger is a graduate student studying nutrition at Cal Poly. Since her time on the central coast, she has been happy to continue contributing both professionally and academically in the community. Ginger is thrilled to be in a position where she can use nutrition knowledge to help support clients in their recovery journey. Outside of work and school, Ginger enjoys the beach (especially dog-friendly beaches), her recently found hobby of surfing, grilling, and spending time with friends.
Brooklyn Bo, BS
Nutrition assistant
Brooklyn is a fourth year nutrition student at Cal Poly SLO on track to becoming a Registered Dietitian. Her passion for nutrition stems from a love of food and passion to help people, which is what interested her about working at CCTC. Since joining CCTC, Brooklyn’s role as Nutrition Assistant has allowed her to expand my knowledge on eating disorders and recovery, and helped me realize what type of field she wants to study further.
Brooklyn’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and learning more and more about nutrition!
Maggie Suri, BS
Nutrition assistant
Maggie graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics. She moved to San Luis Obispo after graduation to gain hands-on experience in the nutrition field before beginning graduate school online this summer.
Maggie is passionate about nutrition education and hopes to work as a clinical dietitian, helping individuals build a peaceful relationship with food. In her free time, she enjoys walking the beautiful Central Coast beaches, watercolor painting, petting every dog she meets, and spending time with friends and family.