The Eating Disorders team comprises medical providers and mental health practitioners who work closely together to provide appropriate assessment of, and treatment for, students with a range of eating, weight, and body image concerns.
Students initially demonstrating an eating concern will see a therapist, a nutritionist, and a medical provider for individualized assessments. The team then reviews initial assessments and makes recommendations for treatment.
Consider making an appointment with the team when experiencing one or more of these concerns:
- Significant preoccupation or dissatisfaction with your body shape or weight
- Self-worth is unduly influenced by your body image
- Persistent food restriction due to a fear of gaining weight
- Persistent over-exercising
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating
- Recurrent inappropriate behaviors in an effort to control weight, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics and so forth
Please call 212-854-2878 to schedule an appointment with a member of this team.
Eating Disorders Concerns Team Members
Dr. Weiyen Chung joined Columbia Health in 2019. She received her Psy.D. from William James College, M.Med.Sc. from The University of Hong Kong, and her B.A. in Biology from Boston University. Prior to joining Columbia Health, Weiyen completed her pre-doctoral training at Astor Services for Children & Families in their outpatient and day treatment programs located in the Bronx. She also completed clinical externships at a public high school as well as both outpatient and residential settings, treating patients with adjustment issues, family and relationship conflict, depression, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, survivors of physical and sexual abuse, and veterans with substance use issues.
Weiyen’s clinical interests include neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), trauma, anxiety, depression, and acculturation. In her clinical work, Weiyen strives to create a safe and collaborative environment while integrating mindfulness and cognitive behavior therapy strategies.
Education
- Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, William James College
- M.Med.Sc., Medical Science, The University of Hong Kong
- B.A., Biology, Boston University
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed to practice psychology in the state of New York
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
Languages Spoken
- English
Siobhan (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023 and currently serves as Senior Clinical Case Manager. As the leader of the case management team, she supervises and directs the vision of the team and builds collaborative relationships with internal departments and external community resources while also ensuring that the team is providing comprehensive and effective follow-up for students with chronic or acute complex medical health conditions.
Before her role as Senior Clinical Case Manager, she was a Registered Nurse on the East Clinical Team where she provided pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
Siobhan started her nursing career in 2018 as a cardiac surgery ICU nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital and then transitioned to travel nursing. As a travel nurse, Siobhan worked in various ICUs (cardiac surgery, trauma, medical), outpatient surgery centers, and women’s health clinics throughout Anchorage, New York City, Seattle, Savannah, and Tampa. From working in a variety of settings, she realized that she was passionate about patient education and community health.
Outside of nursing, Siobhan enjoys writing, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.
Professional Experience
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Swedish Medical Center
- Tampa General Hospital
Education
- M.S.N Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
- B.S. Biology and Creative Writing, Loyola University Maryland
Certifications and Licensure
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Registered Nurse: New York, Alaska, Washington, and Florida
Published Articles
- Han, HR., McKenna, S., Nkimbeng, M. et al. (2019) A Systematic Review of Community Health Center Based Interventions for People with Diabetes. J Community Health 44, 1253–1280
- Lehmijoki-Garner, M., Lewis, S., & McKenna, S. (2019). How to guide your pre-nursing students to reach their optimal career in nursing, Advisor, 9-14
Sara Kaplan joined Columbia Health in 2022. Prior to joining Counseling and Psychological Services, she completed her pre-doctoral internship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Throughout her clinical training, Sara gained clinical experience through clinical externships at New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, Bellevue Hospital Center, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and Long Island University’s Psychological Services Center.
Clinically, Sara works primarily from a relational psychodynamic perspective, and she believes that the trust and safety of the therapeutic relationship is essential for therapy to be successful. Sara also has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based approaches to treatment. She believes that flexibility is key in therapy and works to individualize treatment to fit each of her patient’s unique needs. Sara is interested in helping students navigate a variety of issues, including those related to identity and self-esteem, disordered eating and body image difficulties, relationship concerns, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Professional Experience
- Post-doctoral Fellowship: Columbia University, Counseling and Psychological Services
- Pre-doctoral Clinical Internship: Mount Sinai Beth Israel
- Pre-Doctoral Clinical Externship: NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis
- Predoctoral Clinical Externship: Bellevue Hospital Center
- Predoctoral Clinical Externship: Mount Sinai Beth Israel
- Predoctoral Clinical Externship: LIU Brooklyn Psychological Services Center
Education
- Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from LIU Brooklyn
- M.S. in Neuroscience from Tulane University
- B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University
Awards and Honors
- LIU Brooklyn Dissertation Award
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
- Division 39 (Psychoanalysis, Division of the American Psychological Association)
Renee Gibbs joined Columbia Health in 2020 after nine years of psychology practice in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Gibbs provided treatment and led program development efforts in eating disorder treatment and training, including serving as the national lead trainer and consultant for the Eating Disorder Initiative. In addition to eating disorder treatment, Dr. Gibbs's work has included multidisciplinary therapy for gender transition and gender dysphoria, program development for severe and persistent mental illness, and delivery and adaptations of dialectical behavior therapy. Her primary career goals are to improve multidisciplinary care and psychotherapeutic outcomes for eating disorder patients and increase access to eating disorder treatment in public health settings.
Dr. Gibbs completed her doctoral degree at Seattle Pacific University in 2011 and training experiences in public mental health and VA settings. Her interests outside of work include her family, international travel, and dance.
Professional Experience
- Lead Trainer and Consultant, VA Central Office Eating Disorder Initiative
- Research Psychologist, West Haven VA Medical Center, PRIME Center for Innovation
- Staff Psychologist, Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System
Education
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University
- M.A. Psychology, Seattle Pacific University
- B.A. Psychology, Seattle Pacific University
Certifications and Licensure
- New York State License in Progress
- Arkansas State License
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
- Academy of Eating Disorders
Rafaela De La Huerta, FNP, joined Medical Services in 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director, Clinical Services in 2024. She is also a member of the West Practice Clinical Care Team. Rafaela provides primary care services for students with a focus on health promotion and education, providing treatment for acute and chronic injury and illness, and comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services including offering long-acting reversible contraception.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Rafaela worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in community health in the Bronx, New York, serving the healthcare needs of patients across the lifespan, including in-school-based health centers where she focused on adolescent reproductive health. She began her career as Paramedic/Firefighter and later in Nursing and it was in these roles that she became acutely aware of health care disparities/social determinants of health and the need to prevent illness and injury with access to primary care.
When she isn't working, she enjoys outdoor sports, traveling, spending time in nature, and time with family.
Professional Experience
- Morris Heights Health Center, Bronx, NY
- Institute for Family Health/ Care for the Homeless, New York, NY
- City of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue
Education
- M.S.N., Columbia University, with a sub-specialty in Women’s Health
- B.S.N., Columbia University, - "entry to practice" award recipient
- B.A. with Distinction, Pace University in New York
Certifications and Licensure
- New York State Family Nurse Practitioner
- Board Certified in Family Primary Care
Languages Spoken
- English
- Spanish
Kristen (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023. She is a member of the West Clinical Team. She provides pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
She has been working as a nurse for four years. She began her career working in both inpatient and outpatient positions and then transitioned to school nursing. She is excited to continue her nursing journey in the college health field.
Outside of work she enjoys reading, trying new recipes, going to concerts, and exploring the city.
Professional Experience
- Leman Manhattan Preparatory School – New York, NY
- EF Academy - Thornwood, NY
- NYU Langone Medical Center – New York, NY
Education
- B.S., Nursing – State University of New York at Binghamton
Certifications and Licensure
- Registered Nurse – New York
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Languages Spoken
- English
Jenna Klorfein (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2025.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Jenna worked as a social worker for five years at several high schools throughout New York City. She has extensive experience working with youth involved in the child welfare system, having worked as both an individual and family therapist with families in home and outpatient settings. Jenna completed an internship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel working with patients living with HIV in substance use recovery, where she also worked in the emergency room with survivors of sexual assault.
Jenna works primarily from a psychodynamic lens and is influenced by attachment and object relations theories. She is currently enrolled in a one-year infant observation seminar through the Anni Bergman Parent-Infant program and seeks to complete further psychoanalytic training.
Her clinical interests include trauma, depression, anxiety, body image, eating disorders, and interpersonal/ relational concerns. She writes creative non-fiction and particularly enjoys working with writers and artists to navigate creative blocks.
Education
- M.S.W, New York University
- B.A., Brown University
Certifications and Licensure
- LCSW in New York State
- Anni Bergan One-Year Infant Observation Seminar
- DBT skills for Families and Adolescents
- Seminar in Field Instruction
- School Social Worker in New York State
Languages Spoken
- English
Dr. Eduvigis Cruz-Arrieta joined CPS in February 2018. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience in health psychology. Prior to Columbia, she was a supervising psychologist at Lincoln Medical Center, part of the NYC Health & Hospital/Physicians Affiliates Group of NY. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of medical psychology at the CUNY School of Medicine.
She has been dedicated to providing quality care to underserved communities in NYC. As staff member of the CUMC Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Blood & Marrow Transplantation service, she served as Chair of its Diversity & Health Disparities Committee of the Children's Oncology Group. In her role, she participated in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill representing the viewpoints of stakeholders about disparities in healthcare.
Dr. Cruz-Arrieta received her B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, followed by a M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She completed her clinical internship and pre-doctoral fellowship at NYU Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship program, and received her doctorate from the City University of New York Graduate Center at City College. Her expertise and interests includes mood disorders, chronic illness, eating disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress, life transitions (loss, grief, and end of life), multicultural concerns, as well as diversity and health disparity-related issues, complementary medicine (body/mind coping strategies; hypnosis; homeopathy), and psychology and the arts.
Eduvigis is originally from Puerto Rico and Spanish is her first language. She has resided in New York City since 1988, after retiring from professional classical ballet dancing and serving as an educator with Ballets de San Juan. Eduvigis believes in people’s capacity for continuous change and renewal, as they identify and fortify their inner strengths. Her goal is to help members of the Columbia University community to reach their goals.
Professional Experience
- Senior Psychologist, Adult/Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services, HHC Lincoln Medical Center/Physicians Affiliate Group of New York
- Supervising Psychologist, Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation & Psychiatry Divisions, Columbia University Medical Center
- Senior Psychologist, Stephen D. Hassenfeld Center for Children with Cancer & Blood Disorders, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Senior Psychologist, Child & Adolescent Outpatient Clinic Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU Langone Medical Center
Education
- Ph.D. and M.Phil., CUNY Graduate Center
- M.A. and B.A., University of Puerto Rico
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed to practice psychology in the state of New York
- American Board of Professional Psychology, Clinical Health Psychology
Published Articles
- Bhatia M, Kolva E, Cimini L, Jin Z, Satwani P, Savone M, George D, GarvinJ, Paz ML, Briamonte C, Cruz-Arrieta E, Sands S. Health Related Quality of Life following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease, Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (2015), doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.12.007.
- Cruz-Arrieta, E., Weinshank, L.: Multidisciplinary Approach to Psychosocial Care: The Stephen D. Hassenfeld Model. Primary Psychiatry. 2008; 15(7): 63-67
- Cruz-Arrieta, E., Pill-swallowing training in pediatric cancer: a brief report. Primary Psychiatry. 2008; 15(7): 49-53
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
- American Board of Professional Psychology
- Children’s Oncology Group/National Cancer Institute
- New York State Psychological Association
- Asociación de Psicólogos de Puerto Rico
Colby Golder has provided nutrition therapy since she received a master’s degree in nutrition from Teachers College at Columbia University in 2009. As part of her clinical training in dietetics, Colby worked at the eating disorder unit of the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She was part of a multidisciplinary team that focused on the research and treatment of eating disorders for in-patient care.
Most recently, Colby worked at the prestigious Renfrew Center for eating disorders in New York City. Colby was involved in every level of therapeutic care including the day program, the intensive outpatient program, and individual nutrition counseling. She gained vast experience in nutrition therapy for those struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive exercise, and other forms of disordered eating. She routinely conducted weekly group sessions that focused on nutrition education, the management of therapeutic meals, and post-meal support therapy.
In addition to her work at Medical Services, Colby also works in a private practice focusing on nutrition, eating disorders, and weight management by working with patients to cultivate a healthy relationship with food.
Professional Experience
- Renfrew Center of New York
- Private Practice in Nutrition
Education
- M.S., Nutrition Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
- B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Certifications and Licensure
- R.D.N., Certification of Dietetic Registration
- C.D.N, New York State Dietetic Association
Memberships
- Academy for Eating Disorders
Brittany (she/her/they/them) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined Columbia Health in February 2023. After receiving their M.S.W. in 2018, Brittany spent the next few years providing a wide range of services to adult professionals working in the entertainment and performing arts community through her work at The Actors Fund of America. Brittany has also worked at New York University’s Wellness Exchange providing crisis response and case management to students.
Brittany has a particular interest in working with students seeking support around eating disorders, body image, gender identity, sexuality, non-normative relationship structures, and general anxiety or life transition concerns.
Professional Experience
- New York University
- The Actors Fund of America
Education
- M.S.W., New York University
- B.S., Psychology, Michigan State University
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed to practice social work in the State of New York
Languages Spoken
- English
Dr. Annette Santiago-España joined Columbia Health in 2006. She became clinical team leader of the Eating Disorders Team in 2007. Prior to Columbia, Annette served as a psychologist at Princeton University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Indiana State University, M.A. at Andrews University, and B.A. at Rutgers University. She completed an internship in professional psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center.
Annette's professional interests include eating disorders and body image, mindfulness and spirituality, acculturation and racial/ethnic identity development. In addition to individual therapy, Annette also facilitates the women of color support group. She enjoys helping students and communities identify strengths and resources that promote healthy development.
Professional Experience
- Princeton University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center
Education
- Ph.D., Indiana State University
- M.A., Andrews University
- B.A., Rutgers University
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed to practice psychology in the States of New York and New Jersey
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
Languages Spoken
- Spanish
- English
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Medical Services during business hours at 212-854-7426.
Schedule an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services via the Patient Portal or by calling 212-854-2878.
The Eating Disorders team can also coach and consult with concerned friends, roommates, parents, athletic staff, deans, residence-life staff, and faculty.
Support Groups and Workshops
When there is sufficient student interest, we offer a variety of groups and workshops that may be of interest, including Making Peace with Food and Reawakening Your Healthy Self: Eating Concerns Group for Women.