Meet the Team
Danielle Lullo, MS -
Executive Director
Danielle received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University at Northridge. She graduated with distinction with a Masters of Science in Educational Psychology and Counseling. She has over 15 years of extensive clinical experience in the field of eating disorders which includes residential and outpatient treatment and has trained with many leading eating disorder experts. She has conducted workshops and trainings for colleges, communities and spiritual organizations in eating disorders, group counseling and trauma. Danielle also has completed intensive training in CBT, DBT, Psychodrama, Sexual Trauma, and Chemical Dependency. Her passion is to work as a catalyst, promoting positive change and wholeness within the hearts and minds of eating disordered patients.
Holly Hamilton, PsyD -
Clinical Director
Holly received her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2000 from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego. Holly has experience working with adults, adolescents and families in outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings providing individual, group, and family therapy. She is trained in cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy. In addition, she brings experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and the Addiction Model. Holly has worked in Residential, Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs for the treatment of eating disorders. Holly has been active in educating the community on eating disorders, especially targeting adolescents, for several years.
Dr. Elise A Reed, D.O. -
Psychiatrist
Elise A. Reed, D.O. raised a family of four girls before a job as a hospital medical transcriptionist inspired her, in 1983, to leave her home in southern California, and to attend college and medical school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She earned a B.S. in psychology from Oral Roberts University in1988 and a DO from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. She spent two years in an OB-GYN residency in West Virginia before realizing that psychiatry was her true calling. She returned to Tulsa where she completed a residency in psychiatry; and in 1998, moved to San Diego where she has been in private practice, treating adolescents and adults since. She has also worked with Eating Disorders in both inpatient and residential treatment facilities.
Dr. Luis Navazo, M.D., C.M.D., F.C.C.W.S. -
Medical Doctor
Dr. Luis Navazo attended the prestigious Brophy College Preparatory during his high school years moving on to UC Davis and then to UCSD for his Doctorate in Medicine. He started his career as the physician for an Indian health clinic and through the years to not only helping some of the sickest members of our community, but also volunteering to help send medical supplies and services to Mexico.
Kelly Hinds, RD -
Registered Dietician
Kelly joined Montecatini in 2006. She has over 5 years of experience treating eating disorder patients at the hospital, residential, partial hospital and outpatient levels of care. In addition to maintaining a private practice, Kelly also developed the nutrition protocol for two intensive outpatient programs in San Diego County. Her clinical background allows her to treat eating disorder patients with special medical concerns such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorders. Kelly frequently speaks in the community to promote healthful, balanced eating and lectures professional groups on recognizing and treating patients with eating disorders. She has a special interest in media/cultural issues and their contribution to the development of eating disorders. Kelly received her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri - Columbia Coordinated Program in Dietetics, honored as a member of Kappa Omicron Nu. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and San Diego Dietitians in Eating Disorders Group.
Amy Costa, MFTI -
Program Therapist
Amy received her Bachelor’s degree from Endicott College in Massachusetts. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree she worked at a residential treatment facility for eating disorders as a residency counselor for two years. Amy has received her Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and continues to work on her Doctorate of psychology in marriage and family therapy. She has experience working with individuals, couples and families as well as group therapy. She has been trained in sexual abuse, DBT and group therapy. Amy has also been active in promoting education on eating disorders for adolescents and educators.
Donna Otter, MA -
Expressive Arts Therapist
Donna works in the arts to help patients break free of perfectionism, develop trust and spontaneity, and get out of their heads and into their bodies. Donna received her education at the Expressive Arts Institute in San Diego and the European Graduate School in Switzerland. Her thesis, "Cooking Without A Recipe, Weighing in Without A Scale," demonstrates the efficacy of intuitive art making with patients with eating disorders. She has been active in the San Diego arts community for nearly two decades, including participation in Story Arts and Playback Theater. Her relaxed and playful style is a comfort to those struggling with control issues and the Expressive Arts are a nourishing component to treatment, offering patients a way to ease anxiety, develop body awareness and connect to their internal source of guidance.
Hayley Parry, MFTI -
Program Therapist
Hayley earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from San Diego State University and currently holds her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to joining the team at Montecatini, Hayley earned experience working with adolescents, children, adults, couples and families in residential settings as well as in-home counseling. Hayley specializes in utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy as well as family systems to assist each patient in creating a healthier lifestyle.
Sharon Zimbler, MFT -
Program Therapist
Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University's Fine Arts Division. After moving to San Diego from Miami, Florida, Sharon earned her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California School of Professional Psychology Division at Alliant International University. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Psychology degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sharon has experience working with individuals, couples and families as well as group therapy. She also has experience working with substance abuse and eating disorders. In addition, Sharon worked as a school based therapist in the Escondido school district which allowed her to work with high risk children and their families. Sharon's theoretical approaches include family systems theory and the 12 step model of recovery. Sharon uses her knowledge and passion to promote recovery in her community.
Kelly Jean Dammeyer -
Fitness Instructor
Kelly Jean Dammeyer is a certified health and fitness professional and spiritual mentor. Kelly began her educational process in the field of health and fitness in 1998. As she grew to understand that her support for others was on a much deeper level than just the physical, she completed a three year program where she received her certification as a spiritual mentor and facilitator with the Center for Soulful Living.
Kelly Jean holds the following Certifications: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), Nia, Pilates, Yoga, Qi Gong, First Aid, CPR, Level III Macrobiotics,
Certified Spiritual Mentor and Facilitator for the Center for Soulful Living.
Christi Middlesworth, BA
Intake Coordinator
Christi Middlesworth brings a compassionate understanding of the complex experience eating disorder patients and their families live with. With a B.A. from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and a strong education in varied communication skills, she offers a warm welcome to the Montecatini family. Christi’s background in social work and mental health has been concentrated in eating disorders recovery for over five years. She believes it is every individual’s right to be treated with kindness and respect. When Christi is not at work, she is enjoying the wealth of outdoor recreation activities found in beautiful southern California or exploring new places, traveling and learning languages.
Lynette Kalama -
Office/Operations Manager
Lynette has worked in the Medical field for more than 25 years. Her experience has been in Long Term Care Pharmacy and Drug and Psychiatric Hospitals as the Billing and Office Manager. Lynette has an extensive background in insurance and third party billing. She is also dedicated to creating a positive and healthy environment for the patients and staff and ensuring everyone's needs are met.
Nancy Staycer, LCSW -
Manager, Outpatient Services
Nancy earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and got her Master's degree in Social Work in 2001 from San Diego State University. After completing over 3200 hours of training, she received her License as a Clinical Social Worker. Her training includes substance abuse, anger management, effective communication, conflict resolution, and stress and crisis management. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults using individual, couples, family and group therapy at both the outpatient level as well as the residential level. In addition to eating disorders, her experience also includes adoption issues, grief and loss, PTSD and child abuse. Beyond her professional experience, she also has personal experience with the 12-step model of recovery and uses examples from her own struggles and successes, in order to instill a sense of understanding and ultimately hope for those battling addiction.
Amy Darneille, B.A. -
Residential Patient Assistant Supervisor
Amy graduated from California State University, Chico in 2000 with a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Her professional experience includes counseling and coaching work with adolescents in the independent boarding school setting and in non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Montecatini as the Residential Patient Assistant Supervisor, Amy worked as a resident assistant at a sister facility of CRC Health Group in Reno, NV.
Cassie Riddle, BS -
Professional Relations Coordinator
Cassie is a Cum Laude graduate of Montana State University--Billings, where she earned a B.S. in Sociology. During the course of her study, she was honored by the National Dean's List for her academic achievements. Cassie had filled the role of Intake Coordinator before accepting her current position of Professional Relations Coordinator in charge of marketing. Prior to joining the Montecatini staff, Cassie had earned professional experience through work in the mental health, long-term care, and social services fields.
Danielle Beck-Ellsworth
Program Therapist
Danielle received her Bachelors of Science in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. She completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and is currently a doctoral candidate in the PsyD program at Alliant International University. Danielle is a seasoned specialist in obesity and eating disorder prevention and has experience with treatment of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Her grounded presence creates a calm, safe place for patients to feel comfortable. Metaphors, systems theory, family therapy, mindfulness, and sense of self work are all incorporated into Danielle's treatment of patients.
