Our Staff

For an operational diagram of Transformation Center click here.

click for counseling staff, or wellness staff

Counseling Staff

Tejinder Saini, M.D.

Dr. Saini serves as the medical director for the Transformation Center. He is one of our communities most recognized psychiatrists. He received his medical training in India and completed his Psychiatry Residency at the University of Tennessee, in 1986. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is certified by the American Board of Managed Care Medicine and by the American Board of Disability Examiners. Dr. Saini enjoys working with adolescents and adults.

He specializes in:
Mood disorders- Eating disorders
Anxiety disorders - Psychotic disorders
Chemical dependency

Dr. Saini provides psychiatric assessment and medication review for all Transformation clients and supervises weekly staffing meetings during which each clients treatment plan is assessed and modified. He also admits patients to Lakeside Behavioral Health, Community Behavioral Health and Methodist Healthcare Hospital and consults at Baptist Memorial Hospital and Methodist Hospital. Dr. Saini is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Tennessee Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

Nancy Johnson

EdD, LPC/MHSP

Dr. Nancy Johnson, doctoral degree in Counseling and Education from The University of Memphis. Masters degree in Community Agency Counseling from The University of Memphis. Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology with minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.

Dr. Johnson has been a licensed professional counselor for ten years with over 25 years experience working in mental health settings. Dr. Johnson was given West Tennessee Counseling Association’s Private Sector Counselor of the Year Award in 2008. Dr. Johnson works with a variety of counseling issues that include: addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and crisis management. “Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate especially for women and children.” Dr. Johnson is a member of the Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA) and past president of the TCA division of Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association.

Teri Hardister McCann Ph.D.

Dr. Teri Hardister McCann 
Licensed Psychologist - Health Service Provider
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Doctor of Philosophy, Social & Personality Psychology, Kansas State University
Masters of Science, Clinical Psychology, Mississippi State University
Bachelor of Science, Psychology and English, University of North Alabama
University of North Texas, postgraduate education in social and emotional needs of the gifted and talented.

Clinical Director of Eating Disorder IOP

Dr. Teri McCann is a licensed psychologist and certified rehabilitation counselor who primarily focuses on the psychological well-being of children, adolescents and women.  As a therapist for over 20 years, Dr. McCann has provided therapy to individuals and groups in a wide variety of settings.  Her calm and relaxed personal style and holistic approach to the individual needs of each client are beneficial to the therapeutic relationship and  healing. Dr. McCann believes the physical health of the individual, along with the development of positive social support structures and behavioral education are important components of long-term mental health.

Dr. McCann works with individuals and groups and can provide a range of psychological and diagnostic testing and assessments. Vocational testing includes career assessment and guidance.  Dr. McCann completed her doctoral dissertation on Food Cognitions Among Grade School Children which coincides with her interest in working with patients with eating disorders. She also has a special interest in the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented children.

In her own words
The journey through adolescence and into adulthood is often challenging for adolescent females.  Conflicting messages and social stressors are routine.   The interaction between life experiences and the biological influences that lead to depression and maladaptive behavior is complex.  My role as part of The Transformations IOP for Adolescent Females is to provide empathic therapeutic interventions focused on uncovering pain and replacing maladaptive behavior with healthy alternatives.   Ultimately, the goal of a successful treatment program is to bring order to life’s chaos and to replace despair with hope.   As a therapist, I am trained to provide a client-centered approach that seeks to resolve problems before they escalate.  Work with adolescent girls is especially rewarding because of the opportunity to provide positive changes that will last a lifetime.  My interest in working with clients with eating disorders arose naturally out of my interest in working with young women.  Early in my career, while working with older adolescents and young adults at a college counseling center, I became aware of the “epidemic” nature of eating disorders on college campuses.  In an effort to try to understand how children’s food cognitions contribute to maladaptive eating patters and eating disorders, I devoted my doctoral research to understanding how children think about food and make food choices. The Transformation Center allows me to practice psychology in a unique and holistic environment that allows self-discovery and healing in an atmosphere of safety and tranquility.

Susan M. Hulett,

MS RD LDN
Licensed Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
Magna Cum Laude Rosary College (now Dominican University)
Masters- Northern Illinois University
Clinical Internship- Ingalls Hospital, Harvey, Illinois


Susan has had the opportunity to work in a variety of setting including private practice, clinical practice, and community dietetics. She has counseled and helped hundreds of individuals change their eating behaviors and reduce their risk of developing degenerative diseases. Counseling individuals with medical diagnoses through medical nutrition therapy remains a large part of her practice. This includes treating individuals who have eating disorders, diabetes, weight management problems as well as other medical diagnoses. Preventing the onset of diseases through improved nutrition is of paramount importance.
 
Working at the Transformation Center eating disorders program has been very challenging and rewarding. Establishing improved eating patterns and meeting the individualized needs of each patient both nutritionally and psychological brings a more balanced lifestyle to those suffering from eating disorders. Many patients find it amazing that eating healthy doesn’t lead to putting on excess weight. The sense of  improved  well being through the stabilization of body weight and improved nutrition  often leads to maintenance of changed behaviors.

 
Susan’s philosophy is one of empowering individuals with the knowledge they need so that they are able to take what they have learned and accomplished through nutrition therapy and apply it to their daily life long after therapy has ended.  Her approach is highly individualized with the goal being lifestyle change that works for the individual.
 
She is able to deliver state-of-the-art medical nutrition therapy with a focus on practical solutions.

Patricia Duda

MA, NCC
National Certified Counselor by the NBCC
Therapist and Program Representative

Patricia received her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida. After receiving her degree, she worked at the Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders before moving to the Memphis area. She now works in the Eating Disorders Intensive Outpatient Program as an individual and group therapist. Her areas of interest include body image and self-esteem as well as family counseling. Patricia also works as a Program Representive, raising awareness of Eating Disorders and the availability of services offered to the community.

Dr. Castleberry has over five years of clinical experience with adolescents and adults in various settings and over eight years of experience conducting research regarding human problem solving and adult attachment in romantic relationships. Dr. Castleberry believes that just as physical health must be maintained, so too must the mind be nourished and nurtured. To this end, Dr. Castleberry develops a personal and professional relationship with each client to determine her or his unique needs. Therapy is conducted primarily in the Cognitive Behavioral modality with an emphasis not just on exploration of personal issues but also primary skills training to enhance coping, interpersonal assertiveness, self esteem and self compassion.

Dr. Castleberry’s interests include:

Mood Disorders and Anxiety
Couples’ Counseling
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Career Counseling
Assessment of Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning

Disabilities

Andrea G. Cooper

MS, RD, LDN

Andrea Cooper is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Tenessee.  She graduated from the University of Memphis in 2004 with a Master's Degree in Clinical Nutrition.  She completed her Residency work with Eating Disorders.  She has spent the last three years working in Geriatrics and Weight Management.  Andrea's interest in Eating Disorders started after her recovery from her own personal eating disorder.

Jennifer Albright

Art Therapist,

MA, ATR

Jennifer Albright received her Master's Degree in Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC/ MHSP. She has worked in a variety of settings in Memphis and Jackson, TN, focusing primarily on work with adolescents.  She has worked with a range of issues from autism to sexual abuse (both clients with problem sexual behaviors and victims) to attachment issues. She is currently working with adolescents in long term alcohol and drug treatment (residential). She serves on the board for the Mason YMCA Community Action Program. Jennifer joined the team at The Transformation Center to provide art therapy services for the adolescent females in the program and to do private practice in our Women’s counseling Center.

Her thoughts on Art Therapy:

"Given the challenges of communication for teenagers, art therapy can often bridge the gap for adolescents and assist them with processing about their emotions. This can help them express their feelings more effectively, bring their true feelings to the surface, and sometimes enhance discussions with their families. Most of all, art can be a fun way to promote therapeutic rapport/ relationships. I usually work in my sessions to use whatever works to try to help my clients get their voices heard. Tom Robbins the author probably said it best when he wrote, 'In the haunted house of life, art is the only stair that doesn't creak.'"

Sylvia White

RD, LDN, LPC

Sylvia White received her Master's Degree in Community Agency Counseling from the University of Memphis in 2004.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1989.  She has been practicing as a registered dietitian since 1989 in multiple settings, including hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, long term care settings, home health, hospice, and private practice.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider and has worked at Delta Medical Center on the Transformed Life Psychiatric Unit, and had a private practice since 2004.  She practices at The Transformation Center with a focus in on eating disorders, weight management, emotional eating, diabetes, general nutrition, depression, and anxiety.  She works with adolescents and adults.

Debra B. Fitzgerald 

MS, CRC, LPC/MHSP – Therapist

Debra received her BA in Psychology (2002) and her MS in Counseling (2004) from The University of Memphis.  Debra is a licensed professional counselor, along with holding a national certification of CRC, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.  Debra has worked in mental health settings for the past five years with adults who have issues such as addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, and grief. 

Debra is a member of American Counseling Association (ACA), American Psychological Association (APA), Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA), and National Rehabilitation Association (NRA).  She has presented at both state and national conferences on various counseling topics.  Debra’s area of expertise is working with dual diagnosis clients; those who have both substance abuse issues and mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar mood disorder. Debra is an advocate for eliminating the stigma associated with being in recovery from mental illness and addictions. Debra enjoys working with those who have co-occurring disorders, and is an advocate for the elimination of stigma surrounding mental illness and addictions. 

Demarcus C. Davis

B.S. Psychology - Mississippi College
M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy - Mississippi College
Pursuing Ed.D. in Counseling -
University of Memphis

Special Areas Of Interest:

Couples Counseling, Cognitive Therapy for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, phobias, and trauma, Multi-cultural Counseling, Adjust--ment Disorders, Anger management, Impaired Professionals, Stress Management, Sleep Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Self-esteem

Patricia Hughes

Patricia brings over 18 years of experience in the management of mental health organizations. She has consulted with many of the leading practices in Memphis. She is an expert in dealing with insurance companies in determining and negotiating benefits. Patricia presents therapeutic findings to insurance companies for their review as it relates to continuing treatment review. Patricia also presents our programs to other mental health professionals and physicians.

Chip Smith

Chip Smith is the CEO of Transformation Inc. He has 30 years of experience as an employee of or as consultant to non-profit organizations. He has a B.A. degree in business and a Master's degree in Educational Administration. He has done post graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a published author, father of one and husband of 37 years. Mr. Smith is also a licensed massage therapist and personal fitness trainer and ordained minister. He has also served as headmaster of the Vail Mountain School and Director of Business and Development at Evangelical Christian school.

back to top

Wellness Staff

Darece Caralucci

Darece Caralucci danced with Ballet Boston for eleven years and is a highly talented Stott Pilates instructor. Her classes are a joy to take. If you get sore – she can handle that too because she is one of our premier massage therapists. What a combination.

Jessica Fredrick

Jessica Fredrick is the lead instructor at the Yoga Center of Cordova. Her years of experience as a ballet student and instructor combined with her Yoga Fit certification brings a unique blend of style to the Center. Jessica understands the different styles of yoga and knows how to personalize a yoga program to meet your individual needs.
She has a keen eye to help you keep your form effective and safe at the same time. She has been teaching in the Memphis area for several years. She is also AFAA certified, water aerobic certified, has a Masters degree in Education and is finishing her Stott Pilates certification. You will enjoy her classes and make great strides under her watchful eye.

Amy Williams

CPT National Academy of Sports Medicine, CTA

Hi- I am originally from Lone Star, Texas. Throughout my childhood I was very active in dance, gymnastics, drill team and cheerleading but I also have a history of obesity in my family and have seen first hand the difficulties which that can cause.

Today I reside in East Memphis. All through my adult life I have maintained a very high interest in health and fitness. In the last six years I have

transformed my life with my eating habits and fitness regimen. I also love to run and have participated in many 5K races in the Memphis and surrounding area. I really love to train for races by running on

the Wolf River trails by Shelby Farms. Health and wellness is such a passion in my life that I became a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I also genuinely love to help people and have found my calling in life.

I chose the NASM certification is because it was the most respected and well known certification program. I am pleased to use my skills at The Transformation Center where I can put all my efforts in my clients well being without over charging them and pushing supplements. Being a personal trainer is very rewarding and demanding and more than anything

I'm happy that I can help others achieve their health and fitness goals.

back to top

The Transformation Center and Associates

1088 Rogers Road
Cordova, TN 38018

(click here for map)

(901)755-1396
toll free:
1-866-777-8092
fax: (901)757-4212

info@transformationmemphis.com