independent program affiliates

Sandy Lotan, MD, FA, PA
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist

Dr. Sandra Lotan trained at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Dallas. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology. Throughout her career, she has served with organizations advocating for the needs and rights of children and adolescents. Her work at Girls to Women Health and Wellness complements her existing private practice at her Addison and Highland Park offices. Her areas of interest include eating disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, self-esteem issues and ADHD.

As the daughter of two parents who were actively involved in the field of education, Dr. Lotan has sought to educate others throughout her career. "I offer medical knowledge, educational tools and help with coping skills in a supportive environment which allows young women to achieve a healthier, enriched and well-balanced life."

Cathey Soutter, PhD, LPC
Psychologist

Dr. Soutter has many years of experience counseling young women at Southern Methodist University and excels in handling complex issues regarding eating disorders, relationships, sexuality, and sexual and family violence. In addition to working with Girls in Motion, Dr. Soutter has developed highly successful eating disorders programs, peer education programs, and community outreach projects. She offers counseling services for patients ages 16 and older. Dr. Soutter earned her MA in Clinical & Counseling Psychology and PhD in Psychology from Southern Methodist University and is an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department, teaching Psychology of Women.

Arlene Sachs, PhD
Educational Psychologist

Dr. Sachs offers psycho-educational assessment and educational consultation for children, adolescents, and young adults. She performs testing and evaluations for the purposes of diagnosing learning differences, detecting special academic needs, and guiding appropriate school placement. Additionally, she offers individual instruction in reading, writing, math, and study skills. She earned her Masters Degrees in Reading and Early Childhood Education and her PhD in Cognition and Special Education from Vanderbilt University. In addition to her existing private practice and her tutoring service, Academic Bridges, Dr. Sachs is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Speaking topics include: Interpreting Educational Assessments, Appropriate Academic Placement, and Learning Strategies. She offers individualized tutoring by arrangement.

Ellen Chernoff Simon, M.Ed., M.S., L.P.C.
Psychotherapist

Ellen Chernoff Simon is a board-licensed pychotherapist specializing in behavioral health and pain management. Using the mind-body modalities of biofeedback, meditation, interactive guided imagery and medical hypnosis, she is dedicated to enhancing health and quality of life.

Diane J. Boddy, M. Ed., L.P.C., C.A.R.T., C.D.V.C
Licensed Professional Counselor

Diane Boddy has maintained her private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1997. Diane's specialties include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, family issues, relationship aggression, domestic violence, parenting and custody/visitation. She is on the Texas Board of Examiners for Professional Counselors and has taught counseling classes at the Master’s level, as well as continuing education for professionals. Diane earned her Masters in Education from Texas Women's University and has published several articles in professional publications and medical textbooks.

Theodora (Tedi) H. Koehn, Psy. D., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor

Dr. Koehn received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College in Los Angeles. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. After moving to Dallas in 2003, Dr. Koehn completed the program in Postgraduate Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Koehn spent over ten years working in non-profit clinics where she developed her passion to "empower women to have the best life possible for themselves." Working with children, adolescents and adult women, she came to specialize in treating anxiety, grief and depression, especially as they impact relationships. In June of 2007, Dr. Koehn was certified as a Grief Recovery specialist and will be offering 12 week group programs to help women move beyond any significant loss.

Barbara Carr-Goodman, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker

As the middle school counselor for Levine Academy, Ms. Carr-Goodman has counseled individual students and families on personal emotional, social, and academic issues. She has extensive experience with group dynamics, leadership building, and self-esteem programming. Her vast knowledge of the various academic settings in the Dallas community inform her understanding of issues of school placement and transitions for middle and high school students. Ms. Carr-Goodman earned her MSW from University of Texas in Austin.

Mandy Golman, MS
Health Educator, FAN Club Leader, Girls to Women Health and Wellness
Executive Director, Girls in Motion

Mandy Golman addresses issues such as women’s wellness, nutrition, eating disorders, parenting, adolescent sexuality, peer pressure, and substance abuse. She holds a Masters from Texas Women’s University and is a Ph.D. candidate in Health Education. She has extensive experience with peer education programming, both as an adjunct professor for Southern Methodist University and as the director of TeenAge Communication Theater (TACT). She has received national attention for developing Girls in Motion, a non-profit, mentor-based fitness and nutrition program for 4th and 5th grade girls.

Speaking topics include: Raising Sexually Healthy Children, Teens and Sexuality, Instilling a Positive Body Image, Healthy Eating, Eating Disorders, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Contraception.

Marla Ablon, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian

Marla Ablon holds a Bachelors degree in Clinical Dietetics from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center of Dallas. Her areas of expertise are in general pediatrics, childhood obesity, family nutrition and disease prevention. Additional areas of experience include vegetarian diets for the entire family, pediatric high cholesterol patients. She has assisted area dietitians in research topics such as alternative protein sources and Jewish dietary laws. She has also been involved in volunteer breastfeeding counseling with La Leche League for six years.

Speaking topics include: Nutrients Your Child Needs, Five Ways to Influence Your Child’s Eating Habits, and Lunch Box Make-Overs.

Pam Chin-Lai, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian

Pam Chin-Lai, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian with expertise in treating adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. She has a passion for gently guiding clients towards normalizing their eating, improving body image, and ultimately living a fuller life. Pam, who has multiple years of experience, received her BS in Nutrition from Louisiana State University, interned at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, and completed her MS from Texas Woman's University.

Speaking topics include: "How to Improve Your Chances of Raising a Child Without an Eating Disorder", "My Feet are Too Big, I'm Taller than All of the Boys... Developing a Positive Body Image During Puberty."

Shani Romick, MS, CCC/SLP
Communication Skills Specialist

A speech-language pathologist, Ms. Romick addresses communication skills for youth and adults who feel awkward and unsure of their interpersonal communication abilities. She addresses general conversation skills in addition to specific skills training for school or business presentations, interviews, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah and special event speeches. She is particularly adept at addressing needs of patients with general shyness, social anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s, and learning differences (including auditory processing disorders).

Stephanie Wulfe Epstein, RMT, RYT
Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Fitness & CPR Instructor

Ms. Epstein’s work involves both body and mind. She holds licenses and certificates from the American Massage Therapy Association, the Cooper Aerobics Center, the Arthritis Foundation, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Council on Exercise. She has worked with multiple hospital and community organizations, as well as with many school-based programs. She has taught ballet and directed and choreographed theater productions. She is the author of "Guided Meditation", a CD.

Speaking topics include: yoga, meditation, journaling, and mind-body awareness.