Santa Rosa Staff

Dr. Christine Pappas

 Regional Clinical Director for La Ventana. Dr. Pappas earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2003 and her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2005. She has over fourteen years experience in providing treatment for diverse populations utilizing a multidisciplinary theoretical lens. Her work includes counseling individuals, families, and couples recovering from eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions,  trauma, mood disorders, and life style transitions. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in both residential and outpatient settings, as well as group homes, public schools, and juvenile hall. She has a private practice in San Francisco treating people in recovery from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, and Obesity, as well as various mood disorders and abuse. Dr. Pappas also has experience working in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (New Dawn Recovery), she works in conjunction with Association of Professionals Treating Eating Disorders in San Francisco, and has over six years of experience working at Recovery Systems in Mill Valley.  Dr. Pappas was an Adjunct Professor at Argosy University in the Bay Area, where she taught graduate level courses.  Dr. Pappas is the President of the San Francisco Bay Area iaedp, International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation, which she started to help bring a high level of education and support to professionals in the area.  Dr. Pappas possesses the passion to help support those in recovery and can relate to the profound grief that addiction may cause. For the past thirty years she has witnessed a loved one suffer from alcohol and drug addiction, as well as Anorexia and Bulimia. Dr. Pappas herself has learned to live with an autoimmune disease, culminating in the gift of developing a healthier relationship with food and her body. Dr. Pappas’s philosophy is that “food is medicine that refuels our body and mind in a balanced and healing manner.”  With her extensive theoretical background, Dr. Pappas utilizes a family system and psychodynamic therapeutic modality while integrating cognitive behavioral, narrative, and experiential therapies in her practice. Given the psychological and physiological complexities of eating disorders, Dr. Pappas incorporates a comprehensive treatment team approach and feels that community connection and awareness is vital to a successful recovery.

 Will Formaker

MFT, Program Director – received his Master of Science degree in Counseling from the California State University, Hayward.  He has been counseling individuals and families for over forty years. Recently, he celebrated the twentieth year anniversary of his solo  psychotherapy practice in Santa Rosa, CA. He participated in the grand opening of Memorial Hospice as one of their original social workers, delivering home services to the dying and their families. Later he worked for the Quest IOP for Eating Disorders in Santa Rosa providing group,family and individual counseling until their closing in 2007. He has continued specializing in eating disorder treatment in his private practice, as well as depression, anxiety and other related diagnosis. He is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

 Anny Ha

RD -Anny received her Master’s Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from Loma Linda University. Her accomplishments at Loma Linda included facilitating the creation of the first campus community garden and serving as its lead gardener, heading the nutrition education committee of the student nutrition council, and preparing nutritious foods for the Healthy People Conference three years in a row.  Prior to matriculating at Loma Linda, Anny discovered her passion for food and nutrition while working as a cook in a vegan, macrobiotic restaurant and starting her own nutritional catering business.  Anny is deeply passionate about equipping and empowering people to establish healthier relationships with food and to “trust their own process, and watch for signs of spring.”

 Hannah Saffold

RD, CSP – Hannah is a Santa Rosa native who graduated summa cum laude from UC Davis with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition. She completed her dietetic internship at UC San Francisco where she was hired onto staff as clinical dietitian following completion of her internship in 2006. In addition to being a registered dietitian, she is also a board certified specialist in pediatric nutrition. Hannah brings with her years of extensive inpatient and outpatient clinical nutrition experience. Hannah strives to create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to discover freedom from suffering around food, eating, and preoccupation with weight. She is passionate about inspiring healing in others and giving back to the community from which she grew up. Hannah will be opening her Nutrition Therapy private practice in Santa Rosa in the Summer 2013 for those struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, weight issues, and those in need of nutrition counseling and support.

 Alecia Singer

LMFT, RYT- Alecia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in expressive arts therapy. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. For the last ten years, she has been working in a variety of clinical settings with adults, children, families and groups addressing issues of trauma, addiction, eating disorders and body image. She has been a therapist and has led groups at CPMC, New Dawn Eating Disorders Recovery Program and at the APTED (Association of Professionals Treating Eating Disorders) clinic. She also has a private practice in San Francisco. Alecia believes that optimal health comes from integrating body, mind and spirit and incorporates expressive arts therapy, EMDR, movement, guided imagery and mindfulness into her therapy practice.

 Christi Paulson

MBA – Marketing Director . Christi comes to La Ventana with over fifteen years of outreach and sales experience in the healthcare and technology industry. She has been a nationally top ranked account manager with numerous awards such as the winner’s circle trip and rookie of the year. She has worked as a medical marketing manager in the past and has developed website and on line presence to improve exposure and sales. Christi managed press releases as well as social media campaigns. She has a passion to help those suffering from eating disorders and has been personally exposed to the disease within her friendships. She earned her MBA from the University of Dallas and her BA in Business and Marketing from Cameron University in Oklahoma.  Christi is the Speaker Chair for WAAT, Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment, Marketing Chair for iaedp, International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation, and a member of APTED and CAMFT.

Ashly Thompson

Community Outreach – Ashly has lived in the Santa Rosa area for 25 years. She comes to La Ventana with 5 years experience in the sales and marketing field, where she has been recognized with a Top Sales Achievement Award for 2011. She is passionate about the process of recovery after being exposed to eating disorders and addictions throughout her life, and is currently pursuing her degree in Nutritional Science to become a Clinical Nutritionist in the field of eating disorders. When Ashly is not at work, she is most likely in a yoga class, skiing in Tahoe, or trying a new restaurant with her husband.

 Nikita DeJesus

Nikita is from New York City and has recently joined La Ventana as the Office Administrator here in Santa Rosa. She has studied Medical Billing and Coding and is working on becoming certified in both fields. She is interested in the program because she believes everyone should live to the fullest with no regrets and loves what the company stands for and represents.

Frances Hopkins

Frances comes to La Ventana with a diverse background in teaching and supervision the housing sector of La Ventana. She has also held the position of administrative assistant working directly under the supervision of Dr. Pappas at La Ventana.   She has traveled the world extensively and has moved into the human resources division at La Ventana to oversee the growing company needs.

 Lisette Fraser

 B.S. – Chief Operating Officer (COO)   Lisette “CJ” Fraser has worked at La Ventana over the past six years in several strategic positions and has an extensive background in the treatment of Eating Disorders and Drug & Alcohol addiction.  She holds a degree in Human Service Management and is currently working toward her license in alcohol and drug counseling. She has a depth of knowledge in relationship building within the industry and is skilled in effective communication for the field of recovery. Lisette also carries a personal experience with the family dynamics surrounding addiction and has a passion for the education and awareness of this devastating disease. As COO Lisette is responsible for the day to day operations of all La Ventana locations and reports directly to the CEO.

 Marcelina Corredera

Admissions Specialist – Marcelina Corredera is the admissions specialist at La Ventana, who is currently working towards her CADC at Oxnard College.  She has been involved in recovery over 7 years, and has been working in treatment over the last year. Marcelina is a single parent raising her son in Thousand Oaks. During her free time Marcelina enjoys volunteering her time at her son’s school. Marcelina knows what it takes to live life without drugs and alcohol and the first step towards freedom is treatment. Marcelina feels very blessed to have a job where she can help people with drug and alcohol addiction live clean and sober lives. Marcelina hopes to one day be working with pregnant and single mothers working towards recovery.

 Steve Zamarripa

CEO – Steve has worked in the Eating Disorder and Addiction field for the past six years. He has as a personal journey to help others with eating disorders and drug and alcohol addiction. His mother was affected by the disease and left this world too young from complications of living years with an eating disorder and his father sufferd from the disease of alcoholism. Steve wanted to work at a treatment center that was affordable with excellent treatment and long term care for recovery. He has found in La Ventana a way to give back to the world and help others live a long and healthy life. Steve was born and raised in Southern California and earned his BA from USC and his MBA from Columbia University.