Clinical Director

Dr. Chipps specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma. She is a regular presenter at conferences on topics such the client/therapist relationship, creativity in the treatment of eating disorders, and treating dissociative disorders. Her own recovery from an eating disorder and substance dependence gives Sarah an inside perspective that helps her both support and challenge clients.

“Being well equipped for life means having skills for managing whatever life events come our way. Hard things and situations are going to happen and if I’m well equipped I’ll be able to take a pause and decide how I want to respond in both joyous and difficult times.”

Dr. Chipps’ favorite DBT skill is Check the Facts.

“There have been many times in my life when I have believed that my emotions were telling me the truth, and I ended up in a lot of unnecessary fear. Fortunately, I have a very “bad” imagination, most of my fears don’t come true, and by using Check the Facts, I can calm my active imagination down more quickly these days.”

Director of Training

Dr. Julie Trim is a DBT-LBC Certified Clinician and has 15 years of treating eating disorders at the residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient levels of care. Dr. Trim developed the UCSD Adult Eating Disorders Program in 2009 and subsequently served as Director. Dr. Trim provides ongoing supervision and consultation to colleagues (including the Well Equipped team!), publishes in scientific journals, and participates in cutting-edge clinical research.

“Well Equipped to me means having the tools to be able to live the life you want. It means acting in accordance with your values and navigating life’s challenges with resilience and growth.”

Dr. Trim’s favorite clinical skill is Dialectics/ Walking the Middle Path.

“I really value balance in all areas of life, and tend to see things in “gray” as opposed to black and white.”

Program Therapist

Ari is a DBT trained therapist with previous experience working in a DBT IOP setting and consultation team. Ari is a huge fan of DBT and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Ari on our team!

“Being well-equipped for life would translate to our having the skills needed to effectively modulate emotional lability and mood-dependent behaviors as well as learning to trust and validate our own thoughts, behaviors, and emotional experiences. While this is far from an easy task, the hope would be that ultimately, with these capacities, we would be able to move through life in a way that is generally aligned with our long-term values and goals”

Ari’s favorite DBT skill is Meaning (from IMPROVE).
”When in a state of suffering or distress, or when faced with the suffering of others, I often turn towards a sense of meaning, purpose, and values to motivate me to move forward in acceptance and problem solving.” 

Director of Admissions

Kristin is our admissions all star! She brings over 15 years of diverse program administrative and marketing experience to her role as Director of Admissions.

“Being the initial point of contact, it is my job to make sure that all of our clients feel they are in a safe space, where each individual is guaranteed excellent care and service.”

Program Therapist

Cassandra Rampino, LMSW, is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive space for her clients to navigate life’s challenges and become their best selves. She places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, viewing it as a crucial element in the healing process. From the very first session, Cassandra communicates to her clients that she is not a therapist who merely nods and says, “I understand.” Instead, she actively engages with them, identifying and challenging current thought patterns that shape their self-perception and worldview.

With a background in financial marketing consulting before transitioning to social work, Cassandra brings a unique skill set honed through experiences in high-stress, fast-paced work environments. Her time as a business student and in finance equips her to work effectively with clients managing symptoms in similar settings. Cassandra’s therapeutic experiences in both nonprofit and educational settings have prepared her to work with adolescents and adults during all phases of life.

Cassandra is known for her empathetic, warm, and direct approach. She practices with a strengths-based perspective, utilizing a range of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), to guide clients on their healing journey.

Outside of the office, Cassandra enjoys practicing yoga, spending quality time with friends, and baking.

Program Therapist

Dayveliz is a passionate and empathetic individual who is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at New York University. She has always been drawn to helping and building meaningful connections with people. With her warm presence, Dayveliz creates a safe and non-judgmental space for her clients to share their thoughts and feelings. Her goal is to make clients feel welcome and to establish a solid therapeutic alliance.

Throughout her academic journey, Dayveliz has gained extensive knowledge of various therapeutic approaches and techniques and she is committed to ongoing professional development. She believes in a collaborative approach to therapy and works closely with her clients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs and goals.

In her free time, Dayveliz enjoys watching reruns of Doctor Who, playing card games, and listening to a podcast while cooking. She is excited to continue her journey as a counselor in training and looks forward to making a positive impact on the lives of her clients.