Staff – Herndon

Heather Baker, LCSW-S, CEDS-S

Executive Director, CEO

she/her/hers

Heather Baker is the founder and CEO of Prosperity since 2012. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Supervisor, and EMDR practitioner who has been passionate and driven to help clients heal from their eating disorders for over 16 years.  As the founder and sole owner of Prosperity in 2012, she ensures that everyone who comes to Prosperity receives the best possible care and believes that they can reach a full recovery.  Heather opened a second location in Norfolk, Virginia, the first to bring eating disorder care to the Tidewater regions. In 2012 and 2014, Heather trained under Pia Melody in the PIT Model for trauma with a specialty in inner-child work and has also completed advanced training under Daniel Merlis, LCSW, and Amanda Roberts, PhD in EMDR. Heather has been incorporating using EMDR with clients with eating disorders to not only help with relief from traumatic memories but also to incorporate change in one’s negative beliefs about themselves that affect their body image, confidence, and a sense of low self-worth. In March of 2022, Heather opened her third center in the Tidewater Region to reach all those who have been unserved for years.

Heather is on the Board of Directors for the REDC. 

Member of  IEADP in Richmond and Fairfax and CEDS Supervisor

Member of the National Association of Social Workers

Member of the National Eating Disorders Association

Katrina Baron, PMHNP, RN, MSN

Medical Director

she/her/hers

Michelle Schwake

COO, Human Resource Director

 she/her/hers

Michelle became a central role at Prosperity in 2017 as she began managing operational functions. As the company has grown, so have her responsibilities. Michelle’s enthusiasm for doing a little bit of everything, from administration and HR to billing and IT, led to her eventually taking the lead in Human Resources and Operations where she plays a critical role in keeping things running smoothly for all of our locations. Michelle has a gift for creating the best workplace for all employees as per the mission of Prosperity. She has given a lot of thought and energy to making Prosperity a place where clients and employees feel cared for.

Michelle grew up in the Midwest. She and her husband Jodi and two children, Ceara and Silas, enjoyed raising goats, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and cows, as well as many rescue animals,  on their farm in Iowa for many years. In 2015, they visited Virginia on vacation and fell in love with the mountains and beaches. Tired of the cold midwestern winters, they decided they were ready for adventure, and packed up and moved across the country. Michelle is a huge animal lover, and her family currently shares their home with two Siberian  Huskies, Vixen and Leo, and two cats Jess and Squeak. She enjoys staying active by exploring Virginia’s many trails and parks with the dogs as well as biking and skating. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, drawing, and decorating. 

One of her favorite tasks at work is helping to design, decorate, and shop for furniture for Prosperity’s beautiful, home-like offices. Making clients feel welcome and comfortable is a priority. Michelle has helped Prosperity grow to be a thriving place for employees to work and has helped to create a dynamic workplace that strives to serve all individuals with respect and professionalism.

 Michelle is certificated in Human Resource Management from Cornell University.

Amy Taddeo, LPC

Clinical Director

she/her/hers

Amy has been a clinican at Prosperity since 2016 and the  Clinical Director at Prosperity’s Herndon location where she works with all clinical staff members to ensure that the highest quality of care is being provided.  As a professional counselor, she also provides individual, group, and family therapy services. Amy has been with Prosperity for six years, beginning as a Master’s level intern in 2016.  Prior to joining the Prosperity team, Amy worked in a variety of treatment settings including a day center for acute mental health and George Mason University’s MASONLIFE program.

Amy graduated from Marymount University in 2017 with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to that, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University. She is a member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) and is currently working toward her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) certification.

Amy has had a lifelong passion for eating disorder advocacy, education, and awareness. She understands that seeking treatment is a difficult decision and is passionate about being an encouraging support to individuals and families embarking on this journey.  She uses a person-centered approach to therapy that allows her clients to be their own experts, and to use their understanding of their experiences as a baseline for healing. In this, she also utilizes techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Amy’s approach is warm, empowering, and utilizes unconditional positive regard.

When she’s not at Prosperity you can find Amy outdoors enjoying nature with her rescue dog, Mason. She is also a photographer and enjoys capturing photos of her dog, the adventures they have together, and Virginia’s beautiful scenery.

Susan Kouzel, RDN, CEDS

Nutrition Director

she/her/hers

Susan has been working at Prosperity as a Registered Dietitian since 2016. She is passionate about helping individuals struggling with eating disorders, of any kind, to redefine their relationship with food. Susan holds true to the “all foods fit” nutrition philosophy, implementing principles of balance, variety, and intuitive eating. She practices from a HAES (Health at Every Size) lens and works to educate other healthcare providers in hopes that we can change the world by fighting back against diet culture. Susan’s passion projects include speaking events at middle school and high schools and educating teachers and counselors on how to safely convey nutrition and health information to children and adolescents. Susan graduated with a Bachelors in Nutrition from Radford University in 2015. She completed her dietetic internship through Lenoir Rhyne University in Asheville, North Carolina in 2016. She is currently in the process of becoming a CEDRD (Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian) through IAEDP (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals). She is a member of IAEDP and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In her spare time, Susan enjoys aerial yoga and spending time outdoors. She is an avid animal lover. Susan believes in a highly individualized treatment approach, walking alongside clients to help them navigate the process of healing mind, body, and spirit.

Susan is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Katherine “Kat” Little

Facility Manager and Compliance Officer

she/her/hers

Adrianna Rodriguez, MS, MFT, CFBT

Family and Individual Therapist, Certified in Family Based Therapy (Maudsley)

she/her/hers

Adrianna is a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience. Adrianna has been with Prosperity since its opening in 2012 and has celebrated her 11 years.  She has played an integral role as Prosperity’s family therapist, FBT facilitator, and supervisor. Her main focus is working with the entire family system to increase healthy lines of communication, problem problem-solving, and help each family reach their unique goals. Adrianna is certified as a Family Based Treatment (FBT) provider. FBT is also known as the Maudsley Approach. FBT is an evidence-based treatment approach and the treatment of choice for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. We are lucky to have one of a few certified FBT providers in the state of Virginia right here at Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center!

The certification process, through the Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders, was designed by Daniel LeGrange, PhD, and James Locke, MD, the developers of FBT. Adrianna has worked with cases involving high-conflict parents, recently divorced couples, significant adolescent or parent pathology, and heightened suicide risk. She has also successfully used modified versions of FBT to treat young adults and spouses with eating disorders. 

Adrianna is passionate about helping families in their journey towards full recovery and deeper connections. She helps facilitate an increase in self-awareness and family dynamics. In her spare time, Adrianna enjoys spending time with her husband and kids. She is fluent in English and Spanish and offers services in both languages.

Allison Gasko- Backman, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

she/her/hers

Allison Gasca-Backman (LCSW/MPH) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing individual, group, and family therapy to clients in the PHP and IOP levels of care at Prosperity. Allison has been with Prosperity since August of 2021, following working in a community mental health setting, working first with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of human rights violations, and then with individuals in a PHP level of care at a local psychiatric hospital. Allison graduated with a dual Master’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University in 2017, and she focused on learning methods to help individuals and communities work through and heal from trauma. Since then, Allison has worked with individuals of all ages who are struggling with depression, anxiety, past trauma, disordered eating and exercise, grief, and issues with identity formation.

As a practitioner, Allison pulls from a variety of techniques and theories, as she believes that a “one size fits all” approach can harm clients and does not allow them to express their needs fully. Allison pulls from models such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Liberation Health, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy, and she uses a strengths-based, empowerment-focused approach. Allison considers her clients to be the experts of their own experience, and she simply serves as a consultant to help them identify where and how they want to grow into their best selves.

Allison is aware of the often negative impacts that the dominant worldview places on all of us, and she is attuned to the fact that society treats everyone differently based on their various intersecting identities. Allison also believes that Eating Disorders are a social justice issue and are rooted in harmful, oppressive ideologies. She is comfortable discussing privilege and oppression and how these concepts differentially impact clients, especially with regard to race, culture, health/ability status, body size, religion, sexuality, and gender identity. She is also eager to be your co-conspirator in challenging and breaking down some of these structural barriers in order to help you find your own voice and to live more freely and wholly in your identity. Many of us have received and internalized messaging that we are not good enough and that we need to change our bodies in order to be better and to feel better; Allison wants to help you believe that you are enough exactly as you are.

Marilid “Mari” Mendez, MA (Resident on Counseling)

Therapist

she/her/hers

Marilid “Mari”  Mendez is a Resident in Counseling under the supervision of Heidi Murphy, LPC-S, CDBT, providing individual, family, and group therapy services for Prosperity clients at the partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels. Mari graduated from Marymount University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in 2021. Mari has been with Prosperity since 2021 and comes to Prosperity with over 5 years of experience working within mental health in both residential and outpatient programs. She has worked with clients of all ages. Mari focuses on developing body acceptance and body neutrality by working from Health at Every Size (HAES) and “all foods fit” perspectives. Mari works from an integrative approach which uses techniques from different modalities such as Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, among others that can best suit the client. . Mari is passionate about advocating for mental health and eating disorders within different communities specifically within the Latino/Hispanic Community. As well as empowering individuals to believe in themselves and help guide each to finding their own voice. Mari strives to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can be vulnerable and develop progress within their journeys. 

Outside of work, Mari enjoys spending time with her partner and son, listening and dancing to music, watching sports, and trying new foods and recipes. Mari is fluent in both English and Spanish and can provide services in both. 

Lauren Rule, RD

Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Intake Specialist

she/her/hers

Lauren Rule, nutrition intake coordinator, completes nutrition intakes for potential clients, assists in care coordination, and provides nutrition services as a dietitian. Lauren has been with the company since 2021 and prior to coming to Prosperity, Lauren worked four years at the residential level of care for Eating Disorders. Lauren graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.A. and received her master’s degree in nutrition from George Mason University. Lauren completed her ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship with Iowa State University. In her downtime, Lauren enjoys baking, reading, trying new activities, and having a quiet night in with her cats. Lauren believes food is medicine for the body and soul. Lauren really strives to rebuild the connection between her clients and food. She is dedicated to working with all eating disorders and has a particular interest in binge eating disorders. Lauren believes in a safe environment for all bodies and that health cannot and should not be determined by body size.

Emily McDonough, MPP, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

she/her/hers

Emily joined the Prosperity team as a RDN in 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science from the University of the District of Columbia and completed her dietetic internship and master’s degree through Iowa State University. Emily has had extensive experience working with clients at the residential treatment center level as well as an outpatient level. Emily takes a non-diet, all foods fit, weight inclusive approach to nutrition counseling. She is passionate about helping clients challenge disordered food beliefs and reduce anxiety around food through food exposures and nutrition education. Emily supports clients in building a foundation of eating experiences to facilitate a transition to intuitive eating. Clients receive guidance about achieving nutrition balance throughout the day, portions and meal timing, as well as how to identify hunger and fullness cues inherent in their bodies. When not at work, Emily spends most of her time with her husband and two children, she enjoys reading, traveling, and eating macaroni and cheese. 

Emily is a member of:

• The Academy for Eating Disorders
• The National Eating Disorder Association
• International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians

Paula Payne, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

she/her/hers

Paula has been an integral part of the Prosperity Nutrition Team since 2018. Paula was our Nutrition Director for 5 years and is now working part-time at Prosperity in her semi-retirement. Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from James Madison University and a Bachelor’s in Agriculture from Ohio State University. She also earned a Master of Science degree in nutrition from the University of New Hampshire and completed her American Dietetic Association Internship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University. Prior to her career as a dietitian, Ms. Payne taught chemistry and physics at several independent schools. Paula has a passion for horses and country living. When she is not working, she can be found caring for her donkey, Elvis, or training her horse, Sarah for dressage. In 2015, Ms. Payne became a certified eating disorder registered dietitian, and is a member of the following organizations:

• International Association of Eating Disorder Professions
• American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• National Eating Disorder Association
• International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians.

Erin Kelly, BS, RD

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

she/her/hers

Erin is a Registered Dietitian who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from West Virginia University and completed her Dietetic internship at Marshall University. Erin has worked at Prosperity for two years, continuously working on honing her expertise in promoting a holistic approach to nutrition. Her core nutrition philosophy aligns with the principles of “All Foods Fit,” “Health at Every Size,” and the “Anti-Diet” movement, underlining the importance of fostering a nourishing and positive relationship with food, movement, and one’s body. Specializing in the field, Erin works passionately with adolescents and adults, guiding them on the path to recovery from eating disorders. Erin enjoys providing nutrition education and collaborating closely with clients to empower them in achieving lasting health and wellness. In her free time, Erin enjoys reading and writing, as well as crochet, roller skating, and traveling with friends.

Samantha Surprenant, B.A

Nutrition Tech Manager

she/her

Sam has been working as a nutrition technician since 2021 until recently becoming the Nutrition Tech Manager. She graduated from the University of North Carolina with a B.A. in Exercise Sport Science and is currently in school to get her Master’s in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the RDN certification. Sam believes in using evidenced based nutrition information to help clients improve their relationship with food and their body. In addition to this, she strives to create a safe and inclusive space for all bodies! She is passionate about educating clients about the “all foods fit” mindset and supporting them through their recovery. When Sam is not working, she can be found at the beach with her dog Miso and a good book

Leslie Johnson

Chef

she/her/hers

Leslie joined Prosperity in July of 2019 as an Executive Chef. Before working with Prosperity, Leslie started her professional journey 30 years ago, working in the high-tech field in various positions in marketing and advertising.

While working for IBM, Leslie attended the Johnson and Wales culinary program on the weekend. After attending Johnson and Wales, Leslie started her own Personal Chef business. The primary focus of her business is providing cooking services for people with various eating challenges. In addition to managing her business, Leslie has held various positions in the food industry, such as serving as a Catering Manager for a large supermarket chain in New Jersey, preparing food for people with intellectual disabilities, and working as Food Service Manager for Fairfax County Public Schools.

When not cooking, Leslie spends time with her husband, Kevin, and two teenagers, Darius and Grace, and her dog, Peyton.

Niki LeJune, Bachelors in Psychology, Sociology 

Clinical Intake Coordinator

she/her/hers

Niki is the Clinical Intake Coordinator at Prosperity where she assesses incoming clients for the appropriate amount of support needed to achieve recovery and help families and individuals navigate the treatment process. Niki is a graduate of Christopher Newport University and holds a Bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. 

Her experience has centered around care coordination and eating disorders. Niki started her journey at Prosperity as a Nutrition Technician, providing meal support and group therapy to individuals in recovery. She has since been promoted to the Clinical Intake Coordinator. Clinically, Niki has worked with individuals in various capacities, has traveled to different Prosperity locations to offer support to their teams and patients, and has an extensive understanding of Prosperity’s program and recovery process. 

Niki is passionate about helping individuals redefine their relationship with themselves through education on social structures and self-compassion. Niki believes in individualized care and understands the often negative impacts of a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Through her current role, Niki hopes to inspire individuals who are struggling to take the next step in their recovery from an eating disorder by finding the right support for them.

 Outside of work, Niki enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family.

Winnie

Prosperity Pet

she/her/hers

Winnie is a favorite at Prosperity. She is three years old and has experience at making people smile, giggle and relieve tension. She especially loves working in groups.