Our Staff

FOUNDER

Nicole is a registered dietitian who has worked with eating disorders for over 9 years since working at eating disorder PHP/IOP program centers, as well as outpatient. Nicole has experience in working with adolescents, adults, older adults, and families. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with her Bachelor’s in Food and Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics, and completed her dietetic internship through CSULB. In her free time, she also volunteers at a local free clinic for those that don’t have access to health insurance in the community. Nicole is also a trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+, HAES provider. She believes in fighting weight stigma and providing a safe space for all types of bodies and genders to exist.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Cheryl Lvovsky, MSW, is a social work professional bringing a background in healthcare, supportive counseling, and patient advocacy to the field of eating disorders. Her experience in palliative care, hospice, gerontology, and disability advocacy has centered on helping individuals and families navigate complex health challenges with dignity, compassion, and informed choice.

Throughout her career, Cheryl has conducted comprehensive psychosocial assessments, provided emotional support, facilitated sensitive family discussions, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans. Her work has included cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions, helping patients understand the relationship between emotional and physical well-being, and addressing barriers to treatment. These skills provide a strong foundation for supporting individuals affected by eating disorders and the families involved in their care.

Cheryl brings particular experience in navigating difficult conversations, respecting individual values, and connecting people with appropriate services. Her background in advocacy also informs her attention to healthcare access and the social circumstances that can affect engagement in care.

Cheryl earned her Master of Social Work with a focus on gerontology and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She also holds a post-MSW Palliative Care Certificate from the CSU Institute for Palliative Care and has served as a graduate social work field instructor, professional presenter, and university guest lecturer. Across her work, she remains committed to compassionate, collaborative care that recognizes the whole person.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Justin has a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from UC Santa Barbara and years of leadership experience in and out of the service industry. He has a passion for serving the LGBTQ+ community and creating safe spaces for people to heal. He is pursuing a master's degree in social work with the hopes of discovering new methods to identify and heal religious trauma in LGBTQ+ adults. 

REGISTERED DIETITIAN [ELIGIBLE]

Gabriela holds a Master of Science in Nutrition and is passionate about helping individuals develop a more peaceful and positive relationship with food. Her approach to nutrition care centers on compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based education, with an emphasis on meeting clients where they are and supporting them throughout their recovery journey.

As a Mexican American nutrition professional, she appreciates the ways culture, traditions, and personal experiences shape our relationships with food. She is passionate about making nutrition information accessible and creating a supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places, trying cuisines from different cultures, spending time in nature, and making memories with her family.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN [ELIGIBLE]

Amber Calderon-Bugarin is a Registered Dietitian (eligible) with an emphasis in sports nutrition, and a background in kinesiology. She lived in the Bay Area for 10 years, where she earned her B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish studies in 2019 at the University of San Francisco, California. Simultaneously, she worked as a program director in the community non-profit setting. This experience shaped her commitment to positive-impact service, empathy-driven care, hope and resilience, and sharing joy through her positivity.  

While living in the Bay Area, Amber decided to pursue her nutrition and dietetics career and returned to higher education in 2020. She completed her M.S. in the Graduate Program (GP) in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics at CSULB in 2026. Amber is driven by helping people with sustainable, client-centered goals. She also prioritizes providing evidence-based information that is appropriate for individual needs. On her spare time, she enjoys being active in nature, exploring LA’s coffee shop and restaurant scene, and spending time with her friends and family.