Meet the Staff
"Living the life you want is possible!"
-Lisa C. Palmer, PhD, LMFT, CHT of The Renew Center of Florida
Dr. Lisa C. Palmer, PhD, LMFT, CHTDr. Palmer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; Certified Hypnotherapist; Trained in Mediation; and completed ground-breaking research focusing on the drive to self-starvation amongst anorexic immigrant women to the U.S. Dr. Palmer is President of the Palm Beach Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a AAMFT Clinical member and has been designated to the prestigious position of AAMFT Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. This allows Dr. Palmer to supervise registered interns in the State of Florida towards licensure, as well as Licensed therapists to become supervisors.
Dr. Palmer is Founder and Program Director of The Renew Center of Florida and has extensive experience working with trauma, eating disorders, addictions, and relationships in a variety of mental health settings including at several inpatient, residential and outpatient facilities. She has worked with thousands of individuals, couples and families throughout the course of her career. She is also highly trained to work with those suffering from a variety of complex co-occurring mental health and relational issues, including but not limited to schizophrenia, Dissociative Identity Disorder, personality and mood disorders, and trauma.
In the realm of eating disorders, Dr. Palmer is known for establishing the first ethnicity, culture and identity group in the U.S. at the renowned inpatient treatment facility, which earned her national recognition. She founded a successful eating disorders program called WISE at Hollywood Pavilion Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and served as the Clinical Director. The program is currently one of the few in the US accepting Medicare for the treatment of eating disorders. During her term as director participants in the program achieved extraordinary success and healing, many of whom experienced long-term benefits of recovery for the first time in years. The WISE Program (Women’s Institute for Self-Empowerment and Sensible Eating) now extends to The Renew Center of Florida in Boca Raton under Dr. Palmer’s leadership. The Boca Raton program is a modification of the original design, customized for the clients The Renew Center serves.
Dr. Palmer's work in the eating disorder field and beyond has been attractive to numerous magazine, television, and radio publications. She has also published articles, one of which appeared in the professional Journal of Feminist Family Therapy and Family Therapy Magazine. Additionally, Dr. Palmer founded the popular www.MyEDHelp.com in 2006. She also serves as an adjunct professor for Master's and Doctoral students at Nova Southeastern University, and is an appointed keynote speaker for the university's signature alumni events. Additionally, Dr. Palmer hosts a weekly Radio Talk Show on 1470AM. The radio show also appears on BlogTalkRadio.com and features a variety of renowned experts and authors on creating life balance.
Dr. Palmer attended University of Vermont and studied philosophy and pre-medicine. She then graduated from New York University with a dual degree in journalism and sociology. She later earned a Master's degree in marriage and family therapy followed by a Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. After achieving national recognition as the youngest state delegate at Miss USA in her early years, she then pursued the field of broadcast journalism. She entered an interesting career as a general assignment TV news reporter working at a variety of media outlets throughout the country; worked at The White House, where she served as an intern for the press secretary’s office covering vice-presidential and presidential radio news events; had a stint at CNN in Atlanta, where she served as an editorial assistant turned weekend writer; and as a television news reporter at CBS and NBC affiliates. She later changed her career path to develop an expertise in psychotherapy.
While Dr. Palmer now spends much of her time behind the scenes developing programs, doing research, writing articles, and helping clients to reinvent themselves and overcome obstacles, her passion has not faltered. She is dedicated to coaching and healing individuals and families on ways to manifest their dreams and aspirations in their everyday lives. She brings a breadth of knowledge, experience, compassion, and dedication to every endeavor she commits herself to and believes that balance and recovery is possible.
Dr. Palmer on the Radio:
Listen to recent radio shows by clicking on this link and listening to the Blogtalk Radio Player. http://www.therenewcenter.com/dr_palmer_radio.htm
Dr. Bill Tollefson, PhD-Director of PTSD and TraumaPatients enrolled in the PTSD and Trauma Program will have the unique opportunity to work closely with internationally known Trauma expert Dr. Bill Tollefson. William Tollefson, Ph.D., known as Dr. Bill to clients and colleagues alike, is a nationally known author, publisher, international speaker and certified Life Coach. Dr. Bill is a well-known expert amongst his peers on the effects of trauma and abuse and has developed highly effective and simple techniques for relieving some of the worst effects of Post Traumatic Stress. He has traveled extensively educating others on the effects and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) and his techniques. Dr. Bill's mission is to help free others from memories of past hurtful events which hinder their growth possibilities in business and personal life. Dr. Bill's book, Separated From the Light: A Path Back from Psychological Trauma, puts forth his theories and principles for stopping the haunting memories from the experience of trauma and abuse. He has also created CD's and DVD's for both survivors and professionals that teach his Rapid Reduction Technique, which is the same ground-breaking, process that he uses in his practice. Incorporating these techniques into life coaching sessions, Dr. Bill can help anyone develop the healing life skills necessary to take back their personal authority from memories of past trauma and abuse and move forward in life. "A New Beginning Starts with You"~ Dr. Bill
Amelia Fandrey, MS, MFT, IMT, Counselor/Intensive TherapyAmelia Fandrey is a dynamic leader who has motivated countless children, teens, couples, families, and individuals to first recognize the process of what is working in one’s life and then how to expand on and maximize one’s abilities to achieve desired goals. Amelia assists Dr. Palmer on many of her cases, and does co-therapy for The Renew Center for intensive therapy. She works from Narrative and Solution-Focused approach and practices coaching, consultation, education, & therapy. Amelia believes that enhancing one’s abilities can create more opportunities in life and usually begins with the process of making one small change; however, small change is not easy and requires hard work.
Amelia received her Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Marriage and Family Therapy. While acquiring this degree she interned at the Brief Therapy Institute at Nova Southeastern University. After her internship at Nova’s Brief Therapy Institute she began her internship with Project SUPERB; Anti-bullying program in Broward County Schools. While working in this program she counseled elementary and middle school students as well as taught a curriculum to give children the tools they need to defend themselves against bullying.
Amelia has been working with couples and families and is a registered intern with the State of Florida. She has experience providing clinical services to couples, families, children and adolescents in various settings. Amelia has worked individually and in group settings with a clinically-diverse population of clients. Her focus includes working with clients who are dealing with issues centered around self-esteem, parent-child conflict, anger management, communication skills, couple conflict, domestic violence, depression, female and male survivors of sexual abuse, individuals whom have committed sexual offenses and family violence.
"Effective therapy is a collaborative art. I allow my clients to lead while I follow. Therapy is the dynamic flow between validating and accepting clients exactly as they are and safely moving them toward change and understanding"
Kelly Scavone, MS, MFT-Counselor and Program DevelopmentKelly Scavone, M.S. is a counselor trained in marriage and family therapy. She is passionate about working with children and their families, and has been doing so for more than 5 years. Her experience as an early childhood educator and special education counselor has given her the knowledge that comes when working with and advocating for children with autism and special needs. Her past position as a residential counselor has given her experience in working with children and youth who are recovering from eating disorders, severe trauma, depression, anxiety and attachment disorders, and dual diagnosis. After receiving her B.S. in psychology from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, she went on to receive her masters from Nova Southeastern University with a specialization in marriage and family counseling. Kelly is proud to be a part of the Renew Center.
Nicole Andrews, RD, LD/N, Registered Dietician/NutritionistNicole is passionate about helping people achieve optimal health through coaching, education and motivation. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Florida and was elected for the Outstanding Dietetics Award in Recognition of Emerging Leadership and Achievement presented by the American Dietetic Association. Nicole graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and holds certifications in First Line Therapy and the Psychology of Eating. Nicole also implements the Functional Medicine Model approach to health & disease prevention in her daily practice.
Her foundational belief lies in the natural healing of all health modalities by incorporating healthy eating and lifestyle habits, appropriate supplementation and a heightened awareness of the mind-body connection in our daily lives. Nicole has worked in a variety of settings such as clinical, private practice, wellness centers, drug & alcohol treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, and with home health agencies.
She has experience treating a wide variety of health modalities such as heart disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, disordered eating, weight management and mood disorders to name a few. Some clients come with the request of how to simply eat healthier, fit simple healthy cooking into their life, have more energy and to ultimately separate fact from fiction when it comes to food, supplements and living a healthy lifestyle. Nicole is also the creator and producer of her own nutrition education video entitled, Eat Right Now The complete guide to no nonsense healthy eating. Health, healing and happiness are words she lives by and is committed to encourage others to do the same.
 Brooke Chancey (Anandi)- Kripalu Yoga Mind-Body Specialist
Brooke Chancey joins The Renew Center of Florida and is certified in Kripalu Yoga. She focuses her techniques on the unique needs of our clients. Her client focused approach evolved from her own Yoga experience and personal journey. Brooke took a year off from the corporate world and decided to immerse herself to extensively study the art and practice of Yoga. She then began devoting her time to helping others deal with panic, anxiety and other related issues using this Eastern Philosophy. Brooke earned her certification from PremYoga Center in West Palm Beach, FL and has been teaching Kripalu Yoga in South Florida for 3 years. At the PremYoga Center she was trained by founder Acharya Premshakti and co-founder of the famous Kripalu Yoga Center in Stockbridge, MA. She was drawn to Kripalu Yoga because of its strong focus on compassion, self-empowerment and self acceptance. Brooke has also studied Phoenix Rising School of Yoga and Movement Therapy which offers training in leading-edge, body-mind healing practice in Bristol, VT and New York, New York. Brooke instructs with a lighthearted, loving and compassionate approach.
 Dana Risucci, MSW, LCSW, Co-Therapy and Addictions Specialist
Dana is a highly experienced and compassionate therapist in the field of addictions and dual-diagnosis. She is a licensed clinical social worker who received her bachelors degree in social psychology and master's degree in social work at Florida Atlantic University. She is well known in the recovery community for her dedication and track record in helping numerous individuals to transform their lives in the face of addictions. She comes to Renew Center after serving at premier centers in the recovery field, and assists Dr. Palmer with special projects and counseling for substance abuse.
Sherry Dansky, LMHC, ATR-Art TherapistSherry comes to The Renew Center of Florida with decades of experience in the mental health field and as an art therapist and mental health counselor. She was featured in the movie "Starving for Affection", and utilizes the medium of art and creative expression to help individuals explore their inner world and transform their lives through their use of creative methods.
Balance is Possible...Live the Life You've Imagined
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