The Clinical Team
Mia S. Elwood, MSW, LCSW, SEP
Founder & Clinical Director
Mia S. Elwood, founder and clinical director of Healthy Futures, is an Arizona Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. She has been in practice since 1996.
Specializing in eating disorders, Mia worked seven years at an inpatient and partial hospitalization eating disorder program. When the clinic closed in 2003, this led her to create an Intensive Outpatient Program for her new company, Healthy Futures. Since that time, Mia and her team of professionals have helped countless patients overcome their struggles with anorexia, bulimia and overeating, as well as anxiety disorders and depression.
After struggling in adolescence with eating, weight, and mood issues, her career has been focused on helping individuals recover fully from weight and eating issues. Her warm, down to earth, “been there” approach, along with her extensive experience and education in these areas help individuals and families feel safe and filled with hope. Her overall goal for clients with eating and weight problems is to help them have happier and healthier futures where weight becomes exactly what it should be – simply a number on the scale.
In addition to eating disorders, Mia helps clients fight depression and anxiety, as well as help individuals and couples overcome relationship problems. Mia does a great deal of teaching in her therapy and uses dialectical behavioral therapy skills training as one model. Another guiding force in her work is Somatic Experiencing®, a trauma healing technique that works with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Mia teaches clients to re-parent and safely reconnect with themselves, creating a nurturing home inside.
She greatly believes in using an individual or family’s strengths to help them overcome their current problems. Because of her background in social work, Mia emphasizes the systems impacting the person and their family. She especially enjoys working with people and their families and witnessing change and growth within the family system.
Originally from Nebraska, Mia earned her master’s degree in social work (1995), with an emphasis in marital and family therapy from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She lives with her husband, Todd, (her high school sweetheart) in Fountain Hills, Arizona. They have two adult children, Tiger and Lucas, and a rescue dog named Teddy.
Chris Tatsumi, LCSW
Therapist
Chris earned his Masters Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and his Bachelors of Social Work from Arizona State University.
Prior to earning his master’s degree, Chris spent two years working with at-risk adolescents in the foster care system. During his master’s program, he specialized in providing care for people that struggled with addiction.
After working with people that struggled with eating disorders in the addiction and foster care settings, Chris decided that he wanted to specialize in working with people that struggle with eating disorders. Since then, Chris has treated people with eating disorders in the inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization program, and intensive outpatient levels of care.
Chris uses a client-centered approach and specializes in DBT and CBT therapy.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys covering the Arizona State University football and basketball teams with Devils Digest. He is also an avid traveler and hiker.
Julia MacDonald, MS, LAC
Mental Health Counselor
Julia joined Healthy Futures in 2016 as a student intern while earning her Masters In Professional Counseling at Grand Canyon University. Upon completing her degree in 2017, she received her credentialing as a Licensed Associate Counselor. In addition to her career in behavioral health, Julia has been working for more than 25 years in nonprofit fundraising.
She has pursued specialized training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing, finding both modalities to be very powerful in her own life as well as with her patients at Healthy Futures. Her approachable personality makes her easy to connect with.
Julia is an Arizona native and is living amongst the mountains and pine trees in Flagstaff. She has two adult children she travels to visit as often as she can! In her free time Julia loves traveling, hiking, watching documentaries, and listening to a variety of podcasts.
Laurie Geraghty, LCSW, DTR
Clinical Social Worker & Nutritionist
Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Nutritionist at Healthy Futures.
Laurie has more than 15 years of professional experience in the field of eating disorders. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University and has eight years of experience as a Social Worker.
Laurie has experience as a Social Worker in an inpatient Psychiatric facility as well as a Medical Hospital. Laurie has been working with individuals with eating issues since 1997. Her experience includes working with individuals with anorexia, bulimia, and overeating disorders as well as childhood feeding problems.
Laurie also has experience working with childhood obesity and utilizes the Shapedown concept. Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Nutrition Professional, Laurie is able to use both areas of expertise to assist individuals.
Jessica McCall, LPC
Therapist & Counselor
Jessica serves as the Clinical Operations Manager and as a primary therapist for Healthy Futures. She is an Arizona state Licensed Professional Counselor and has been in practice since 2010 treating eating disorders, with specialties in ARFID, adolescent emotional eating, performers and athletes, as well as the Somatic Experiencing trauma healing approach. With counseling experience at the Inpatient, IOP, and OP levels, Jessica brings experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training, Somatic Experiencing Trauma Healing, Multimodal/CBT theories, expressive arts therapies, as well as other various styles of experiential group work.
Jessica completed her two master’s degrees from Argosy University, Phoenix in search of her passion. Upon completion of a Sport and Exercise Psychology Masters and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters, Jessica continues to further her skills as a counselor as a long-term member of Healthy Futures treatment team. Jessica manages community outreach and student training at Healthy Futures, as well as providing exercise and movement specific groups and treatment.
Jessica’s caring and comforting nature embodies her therapeutic approach. With a background in sport psychology and team building activities, she engages groups with fun and creative techniques to enhance the therapeutic process. Her experience as a dancer and ballet instructor, in addition to several traditional and non-traditional sports/activities gives her a wide range of skills from which to turn into experiential therapies for individuals and groups. Jessica spends her free time with her family, getting outside when the weather is nice, and dancing through life!
Joshua Rubin, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Joshua is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the field since 2005. Having realized during his undergraduate years that psychology was easily the most interesting and rewarding of his studies, he selected community counseling as the focus of his master’s degree. After graduation, he spent a year working with teenagers and adults at a Phoenix community mental health agency. This confirmed to him that a career in psychology was the goal but also that further education would be important. As such, the final portion of his graduate studies was earning a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Denver.
Since completing graduate school, Josh has had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of clinical settings and with an array of diverse populations. His generalist training includes experience at university counseling centers, in forensic settings, at a primary healthcare center, and as a medical consultant for the state. His professional areas of interest include group psychotherapy, clinical assessment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, clinical supervision, and, of course, individual therapy. Josh places a high value on diversity and multicultural competence in both his personal and professional life.
Having had the opportunity to grow up in the east valley, Josh found his way back to the valley of sun several years ago. When not working as a clinical psychologist, Josh is a devout music lover, an avid moviegoer, a runner, and loves exploring the many quality dining destinations to be found in the metro Phoenix area.
Cali Dumas, MS, CPC
Clinical Provider
Caroline “Cali” Dumas, MS, CPC, serves as a Clinical Provider for Healthy Futures combining her clinical and administrative skills to support the treatment process for patients and their families.
She earned her Master of Science in General Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2012 and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Communication Arts from Austin College in 2008. In 2021, she became a Certified Professional Coach through the GROW Training Institute. Cali is a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders. Her passion for working with individuals exhibiting an eating disorder and co-occurring mental health issues began in 2008 as a Behavioral Health Technician in a residential treatment center. This experience led her to pursue graduate studies to be able to provide effective and life-saving treatment for individuals with eating disorders.
She is experienced in conducting individual, family, and group therapy as well as psychological assessments and has worked in outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential settings for the treatment of eating disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Her training includes Family-Based Treatment (also known as the Maudsley Method), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she has experience as a Clinical Administrative Coordinator and Clinical Liaison for a partial hospitalization program for adults with eating disorders.
Cali supports and empowers families and individuals through the recovery process with compassionate, understanding, and evidence-based care. She has a passion for working with this population and their loved ones and sharing the message that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
She is an Arizona native and enjoys hiking with her family, singing, and reading in her free time.
Julie Hendin, MA, CPLC
Clinical Provider
Julie Hendin, MA, CPLC, earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, an all-women’s college in Pennsylvania. Julie first came to Healthy Futures as an intern, spending a year working with our clients. She graduated in 2012 from Argosy University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Most recently, she completed her certification as a Professional Life Coach, and is passionate about helping others find a safe space for healing.
Julie grew up in Arizona, and while she’s not a native, she has lived in Phoenix most of her life. Julie is a mother to five children – four sons and a daughter, and is a stepmom to her husband’s four adult children and three grandchildren. She finds her strengths in working with disordered eating, difficult family dynamics, providing support during emotionally trying times, and creating change with DBT skills and coaching.
Outside of work, Julie loves traveling – she has basic language skills in French and Spanish, as well as cooking, swimming, and spending time with her dogs, Pepper and Toffee.
Varsha Prasad, LCSW
Outpatient Therapist/Family Therapist
Varsha Prasad, LMSW, provides outpatient therapy at Healthy Futures. She specializes in family therapy and trauma.
Varsha has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and has received training in EMDR and Emotion Focused Therapy for both individuals and families. Varsha’s approach centers on creating a safe and collaborative space and providing individuals and families with the tools and support needed to heal and grow.
Varsha loves the outdoors, animals, books, and spending time with her family.
Cindy Dean, LAC
Mental Health Counselor
Cindy joined Healthy Futures as a student intern while earning her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. After completing her studies and obtaining her credentialing as a Licensed Associate Counselor, Cindy began her new role here at Healthy Futures. Cindy has prior experience working with the Gila River Community in crisis and trauma care as well as working with at risk youth. She has obtained special training in treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, group crisis intervention, and assisting individuals in crisis.
Before her role as a counselor, Cindy was a part time teacher within the Scottsdale school systems and a full-time mom. When she is not working, Cindy enjoys traveling with her husband of 24 years to visit their daughters in their college towns. She also loves laughing and spending time with girlfriends, yoga, hiking, and reading.
The Nutrition Team
Sheila Way, RD
Registered Dietitian
Sheila is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about helping patients restore their relationship with food, with the ultimate goal of finding food freedom. She has worked in all levels of care for eating disorder treatment including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. These experiences have given her the ability to meet her patients where they are at in their recovery journey, while providing nutritional support to help them grow in their healing process.
Sheila earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nutrition Dietetics from Arizona State University, where she studied abroad in parts of Europe, specifically Italy and Greece, learning concepts of nutrition on a global level and studying mediterranean cuisine. Sheila completed her Dietetic Internship through Iowa State University, where she was able to study abroad again, this time to Ghana, Africa, conducting nutrition research in rural Ghanaian communities.
Sheila currently specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and is pursuing the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). Sheila strongly values incorporating education with experiential learning through meal exposure groups, meal processing, and nutrition education groups; these are her favorite activities to do with patients!
Laurie Geraghty, LCSW, DTR
Clinical Social Worker & Nutritionist
Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Nutritionist at Healthy Futures.
Laurie has more than 15 years of professional experience in the field of eating disorders. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University and has eight years of experience as a Social Worker.
Laurie has experience as a Social Worker in an inpatient Psychiatric facility as well as a Medical Hospital. Laurie has been working with individuals with eating issues since 1997. Her experience includes working with individuals with anorexia, bulimia, and overeating disorders as well as childhood feeding problems.
Laurie also has experience working with childhood obesity and utilizes the Shapedown concept. Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Nutrition Professional, Laurie is able to use both areas of expertise to assist individuals.
Dena Walker, BS
Nutritionist
Dena is a nutritionist for Healthy Futures. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Arizona State University. Dena has worked more than 12 years for the Food and Nutrition Department for Mesa Public Schools. She has more than 10 years experience in inpatient and outpatient eating disorder clinics. She has experience with teaching nutrition and making various meal plans for clients as well as their families.
Dena has a passion for helping those struggling with eating disorders of all ages. She enjoys teaching subjects such as fad diets, vitamins and mineral supplements, exercise, carbohydrates, fats, protein and metabolism. Dena believes that food can be a healthy part of anyone’s life and one of her goals is to motivate and support clients in various ways to increase a healthy lifestyle.
Currently, Dena is enrolled at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition in New York City to become a Certified Holistic Health Coach. This is an exciting time for Dena, as she plans to blend her scientific approach with a holistic approach to better serve her clients.
If you need a unique nutrition professional, Dena is it. She is bubbly and has a way of making our nutritional needs common sense.
Brandi Koch, RD
Registered Dietician
Brandi Koch, is a Registered Dietitian who has dedicated her career to helping those struggling with an eating disorder. Brandi has worked in a variety of eating disorder treatment settings over the years which has given her extensive experience working with clients at all stages of recovery. Brandi especially enjoys working alongside adolescents and their parents to help them through the difficult journey of recovery. Brandi’s goal in working with her clients is to meet them where they are at in their recovery and work toward building a healthy relationship with food and working toward intuitive eating. Brandi uses humor balanced with knowledge to help challenge the clients eating disorders and work toward lasting change.
Brandi graduated in 2001 with her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Brandi graduated in 2011 with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With these two degrees Brand is able to provide excellent nutrition education and support along with being empathetic.
In her free time Brandi enjoys spending time with her four kids, traveling, going to movies, trying new restaurants or playing games. She also enjoys living in the Sonoran Desert, with hiking and paddle boarding being her two favorite activities. Brandi also loves spending time playing with her two cats.
The Exercise Team
Kelley Aungst, NSCA-CPT
Exercise Consultant
Kelley joined the Healthy Futures team as an exercise consultant in 2011.
After many years of her own emotional eating and yo-yo dieting, she is dedicated to helping others find joy and a sense of wellbeing through movement. Kelley has a passion for exercise and loves helping others feel and experience the same benefits that she has.
Kelley earned and received her diploma in Personal Training in 2009. She then qualified for her professional certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Personal Trainer.
She has lectured for a local internal medicine practice on the science behind exercise and memory.
In addition to her continued work with Healthy Futures, she is the owner of Bodywise by Kelley, and trains individuals in her private North Phoenix studio. Kelley also travels to clients that are elderly, or have special needs and are unable to exercise at her location.
Kelley’s mission is to help others find a healthy balance of exercise and improve their quality of life.
Contact Kelley at (602) 620-2233 or Kelley@bodywisebykelley.com.
Jessica McCall, LAC, MA
Therapist & Counselor
Jessica serves as a therapist for Healthy Futures. She is an Arizona state Licensed Associate Counselor and been in practice with eating disorder treatment since 2010. She handles initial intake assessments and provides individual and group therapy at Healthy Futures.
Jessica has experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training, Multimodal/CBT theories, expressive arts therapies, as well as other various styles of experiential group work.
With a background in sport psychology and team building activities, she engages groups with fun and creative techniques to enhance the therapeutic process. Her experience as a dancer and ballet instructor, in addition to several traditional and non-traditional sports and activities gives her a wide range of skills from which to draw and implement into experiential therapies for individuals and groups.
Jessica completed her two master’s degrees from Argosy University, Phoenix in search of her passion. Upon completion of a Sport and Exercise Psychology Masters and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters, Jessica continues to further her skills toward completion of her LPC. Jessica has also recently completed two years of Somatic Experiencing trauma healing training, working toward her SEP.
Jessica has experience in treating eating disorders, ARFID, and adolescent emotional eating in addition to general mental health. Jessica’s caring and comforting nature embodies her therapeutic approach. Jessica spends her free time with her family, getting outside when the weather is nice, and dancing through life!
The Administration Team
Norena Kaufman
Office Coordinator/Manager
Norena Kaufman serves as the Clinical Office Manager and Coordinator for Healthy Futures. Her main objective is to ensure all patients feel welcomed and are provided with the education and tools needed to begin, and continue treatment with Healthy Futures from the beginning to the end of their program.
She is currently studying to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Healthcare Management. Norena’s background includes experience in business finance and hospitality. Norena shares an empathetic approach to mental health care and has personal experience in treatment that has given her a strong passion to help others take steps toward recovery. In her free time, she is blessed to be a mother to a sweet little boy, enjoys time participating in events with her church, and traveling all around Arizona for new hiking trails and fun adventures.
Denise Regeski
Medical Records Director
Bio coming soon…
Crystal Lira
Business Office Coordinator
Crystal is an Arizona native who earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics Degree from Arizona State University in 2012, and is a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR). She has experience in both the nutrition and boutique fitness industry and came to Healthy Futures with intentions to continue supporting individuals’ journey to live their best, healthiest lives.
When Crystal is not working, she enjoys the outdoors – especially hiking and paddle boarding – exploring new places, and time with friends, family, and her furry sidekick pup, Louie. She looks forward to meeting and working with you!
Recent Videos & Articles
Minute of Mindfulness with Mia – ActivityAugust 12, 2024 - 7:41 am
Minute of Mindfulness with Mia – Radical Acceptance and Circle BreathingDecember 7, 2023 - 12:17 pm
A Minute of Mindfulness Breathe In, Breathe OutMay 23, 2023 - 9:56 am
Mia Elwood’s Acceptance Speech for the Lifetime Achievement AwardMay 10, 2023 - 10:53 am
