Dr. Anita Johnston

At Moonpointe: A Focus Center for Eating Disorders we have a caring and experienced staff.

Professional Staff:
• Anita Johnston, Ph.D., Senior Expert and Weekly Consultant to Program
  Graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  Co-founder and Director, Anorexia and Bulimia Center of Hawaii, author of several publications including, "Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling". Anita contributes to the master treatment plan of every patient, facilitating weekly treatment team meetings to ensure every patients unique needs are being met.
• Blake DeFoor, Director
  Graduate from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, BS Sociology. Blake has been the Director of Admissions at Focus Healthcare since 2007. He has been instrumental in developing new admissions standards and procedures; as well as ensuring patients receive the best customer service.
• Gail Gnade, Clinical Psychologist
  Gail Gnade holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Fuller Theological Seminary and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Tennessee. She holds the Clinical Psychologist at our Moonpointe facility. Gail has experience in working with patients who suffer from eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety and personality disorders and has experience in conducting individual, family and chemical dependency therapy. She has served as guest lecturer speaking on such topics as Chemical Dependency: The Development Model of Recovery, Women and Mental Health, Eating Disorders: A Bio-Psychosocial Perspective.
• Annie Wills, Clinical Psychologist
  As a psychologist and life coach, Annie utilizes her education (Ed.D. from Vanderbilt), experience (20+ years in private practice), and intuition to work with women in Moonpointe´s Compulsive and Emotional Eating Program. She facilitates the Food and Feelings group, which helps women address their disordered eating patterns and learn new coping skills.
• Catherine Zook-Bell, Clinical Psychologist
  I believe that therapy is at its best when clients feel accepted and understood and I understand every person is an individual with unique strengths and challenges. I approach clients through warmth, compassion, and challenge. My goal is to work with my clients toward a shared vision of better health and wellness. I earned my doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia and am a Licensed Psychologist. I work with adults on a full range of issues including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, trauma and recovery, eating disorders, and obesity.
• Karen Wetherall, Registered Dietician
  Karen Wetherall is the Registered Dietitian for the Anorexia and Bulimia program at Moonpointe. She is also the Dietetic Internship Director at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has been the Sports Nutritionist for the Lady Vols for ten years. She maintains a private practice in Knoxville working with clients with eating disorders and weight issues.
  
  Karen received her BS from Marymount College of Fordham University, and her MS in Nutrition Education from Boston University. She is on the board of directors for the Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee and is the Past-President of the Knoxville District Dietetic Association (KDDA), and was awarded the KDDA and TDA Outstanding Dietitian in 2009.
  
  Karen is married, she has three step-daughters and three grandchildren. She enjoys staying active, traveling, cooking healthy food and baking decadent desserts.
• Siri Khalsa-Semel, Registered Dietician
  Siri completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nutrition science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After graduate school, Siri stayed at UT to complete her dietetic internship. Now a Registered Dietitian and TN Licensed Nutritionist of 8 years, Siri is the Director of the Compulsive and Emotional Eating program at Moonointe and also works in private practice as a weight management coach for overweight and obese women.
  
  Siri opened her private practice in January, 2008 and has developed a comprehensive mind-body-spirit approach to healthy weight management. Siri´s goal is to one day open a spiritual retreat center for women.
• Bonnie Watson, Director of Admissions
  Bonnie graduated form the University of Tennessee, in Chattanooga with a BS in Psychology and a M.Ed in Community Counseling. Bonnie has clinical experience working with eating disorders, substance abuse and sexual offenders. In addition to her duties as Director of Admissions, she also is a Group Facilitator at Moonpointe A Focus center for eating Disorders in Knoxville, TN.
• Denise Cutshaw, LPC/MHSP
  Denise is a Licensed Professional Counselor that works with the Moonpointe program facilitating the Process Group and the Food and Feelings Group. Denise also has a private practice located in downtown Knoxville. Denise has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families affected by many different issues. Her particular interests include counseling those affected by depression, anxiety, life stress, parenting issues, and eating disorders.
• Patty Dougherty, Yoga Instructor
  Patty is one of the Body Connections Instructors at Moonpointe. She moved back to Knoxville in 2010 after spending 10 years in Los Angeles studying and practicing yoga and yogic philosophy. A 2009 graduate of Cloud Nine Yoga in California, her specialties include Gentle Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Patty studied anatomy and Yoga Basics under Simone Market a student of Erich Shiffmann and Iyengar Yoga with Michael Rucculo of Life Yoga Center both in Hermosa Beach, California. Patty is certified in Restorative Yoga with Jillian Pransky, Director of Restorative Yoga with Yoga Works.
  
  Patty understands the physical roadblocks that come with living a plus-size life, and she is as gentle and kind in the classroom as she learned to be with herself and her own body. Patty's goal is to help open the body and find space to breathe and to move - enabling the opportunity for radiant physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Namaste.
• Elizabeth Cole, Nia Instructor
  Elizabeth has attained, black belt in the Nia Techinique, completing all four of the intensive trainings. She has been teaching in the Knoxville area for over seven years allowing Nia to become her lifestyle. Elizabeth also holds a Masters in Speech Language Pathology and works in a private clinical setting. She has three children and is originally from of Kentucky.

As a Center of Excellence, all of our clinicans, are seasoned, experienced, and hold a minimum of a masters degree in their field.