Kelsey is a registered dietitian who is dedicated to creating a safe space for her clients and leads her practice with compassion and understanding. She offers inclusive care through a non-diet, weight-neutral, Health At every Size® (HAES®) approach. She has experience working with clients struggling with disordered eating patterns, eating disorders, metabolism, intuitive eating, cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and sports nutrition. Kelsey believes that building strong foundational relationships with her clients is key to helping them reach their full potential. By having a strong understanding of her clients, she is better able to help her clients heal their relationship with food and thus empower them to move forward with making other positive changes in their lives.
Before joining Healthier Tomorrows, Kelsey worked as an Outpatient Registered Dietitian where she focused on empowering her clients toward change and creating a better relationship with both food and their bodies. Additionally, Kelsey has experience in sports performance nutrition where she has worked with recreational and collegiate athletes in reaching their maximum potential, while considering mental health and physical health. She continuously enjoys teaching athletes, students, the community, and adults the importance of nutrition in ways that are both comprehendible and personalized.
In addition, Kelsey has taught a university-level Introduction to Nutrition course to athletes and students alike. Lastly, Kelsey has been a part of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (RIAND) since her college career, and currently serves as RIAND’s Nominating Committee Chair.
Kelsey received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island (URI). She also earned her Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from URI where she simultaneously completed her dietetic internship with focus on clinical nutrition and research.
Over her career as a student and dietitian, Kelsey has been honored to receive the following awards given by the Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Outstanding Dietetics Student of the Year (2018), Outstanding Dietetic Intern of the Year (2019), and Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (2022).
In her free time, Kelsey loves to lift heavy weights, try coffee from local shops in Providence, RI, read books (fantasy, mystery, fiction), be outside as much as she can by hiking, going to the beach, and exploring different countries and areas of the world with her fiancé.
Jessie is a registered dietitian who is passionate about providing nutrition counseling to individuals with eating disorders, chronic dieters, and those wishing to improve their relationship with food and their bodies. She believes that there is no one diet for optimal health, because everyone’s nutritional, emotional and physical needs vary. She uses a non-diet approach to work with each client to build a pattern of eating that best suits their individual needs. Jessie is comfortable working with individuals with co-occurring mental health concerns like addiction, anxiety, and depression, and has personal experience with working a 12-step program. She believes that nutrition plays a vital role in recovery from mental and physical health issues, and hopes to provide a safe space for clients to feel comfortable discussing all aspects of health.
Jessie received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from The University of Michigan and her Post-Bachelor Certificate in Dietetics from Wayne State University. During her clinical training, Jessie completed a clinical rotation at St. John Ascension hospital, where she spent much of her time in the behavioral health unit. In addition to nutrition counseling, Jessie has experience in long-term care, food service and adolescent eating disorder recovery programs.
Outside of helping her clients, Jessie loves spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys staying active with running, dancing and attending live music events, but also loves staying home curled up with her cat and a good book. Book recommendations are always welcome!
Alessandra is a registered dietitian who learned at a young age the impact of nutrition after struggling with health issues. Alessandra incorporates functional nutrition and root cause analysis to dig deep into what is going on, taking a whole client approach. She combines this approach with intuitive eating and the Health at Every Size philosophy. Alessandra meets her clients where they are and helps them to find ways to build on what they are doing well while filling in the gaps to get them where they want to go. Alessandra takes pride in supporting her clients as they embark on their health and wellness journey through thoughtful conversation, education, and barrier exploration.
Alessandra received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, where she also completed her clinical training. She is also a Health Coach, certified by the National Health Coaching Society. She is currently pursuing a board certification in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.
Prior to joining Healthier Tomorrows, Alessandra worked in a variety of outpatient settings, where she worked with clients diagnosed with disordered eating, chronic kidney disease, pediatric and adolescent nutrition, GI concerns, and other health conditions.
Alessandra loves spending time with her husband, her son, and her two dogs, Maverick and Molly. She enjoys running, cooking, traveling, gardening, and hiking. Alessandra is excited to provide virtual nutrition education, counseling, and support!
Cara is a registered and licensed dietitian and an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who enjoys walking alongside clients in their health journeys to provide tailored support that meets their needs and fosters a positive relationship with food. She believes food is meant for both nourishment and enjoyment and strives to help individuals worry about food less so they can focus more on what’s important to them. Prior to joining the Healthier Tomorrows team, Cara worked in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. She has particular interests in women’s, pediatric, and adolescent health. As an IBCLC, she loves sharing her passion for breastfeeding with families and offering breastfeeding education and support to help them meet their infant feeding goals.
Cara attended North Carolina State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Nutrition and dietetic internship through Meredith College. She completed her lactation coursework and clinical lactation training to become an IBCLC through North Carolina State University.
Outside of work, Cara enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and church community, baking, reading, and cheering on the NC State Wolfpack!
Natalie Stine, RD is a registered dietitian with a passion for helping clients who are struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating behavior. She strives to help clients move toward a more peaceful relationship with food, body acceptance and trust, and integrating movement in an intuitive and joyful way. Natalie is Health at Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating aligned in her philosophies around food and bodies, and is currently working toward becoming a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Her approach to counseling prioritizes walking alongside her clients as opposed to pushing or pulling them to a specific external health destination.
Before joining Healthier Tomorrows, Natalie worked with clients struggling with eating disorders at higher levels of care. She has experience at the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care with adolescent and adult patients with all types of eating disorder diagnoses. Natalie also has experience working in sports performance nutrition with professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.
Natalie received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She completed her dietetic internship at Adagio Health, a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
In her free time, Natalie loves weightlifting, watching reality TV shows, and spending time with her husband and son.
Grace is a registered and licensed dietitian who enjoys helping people develop and maintain a healthy relationship with food. She empowers people to move away from fad diets and diet culture to a more intuitive and mindful way of eating. She takes an individualized approach with each client to help them achieve their nutritional goals. Additionally, being Nigerian-born and Houston-raised, Grace has had the opportunity to work with people from various backgrounds. She believes that healthy living does not have to exclude traditional foods.
Grace received her Bachelor’s of Science in Human Food and Nutrition from the University of Houston. She went on to complete her dietetic internship through Marywood University with a focus on mental health and nutrition. She began her career working in behavioral hospitals and helping patients make the connection between their nutritional and mental health. Grace has extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help those struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating on their road to recovery.
In her free time, Grace loves traveling nationally and internationally, reading, and playing with her pups. She is fluent in her native tongue – Igbo – and is currently learning French!
Emily is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about helping others achieve optimal wellness and build a healthy relationship with food and their body. Emily takes a functional/lifestyle medicine approach to nutrition, where she focuses on understanding the whole person and working with her clients to help them resolve their unique health concerns. She strives to provide a safe and empathetic environment where every client feels understood, empowered, and encouraged when discussing food and lifestyle.
Emily holds a Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Villanova University.
In her free time, Emily enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and discovering new recipes to test out with family and friends. Her last name – DaCosta – means “of the coast” which is surely on point because of her love for the ocean and the beach!
Julia is a registered dietitian who is passionate about educating and empowering clients to improve their health and overall quality of life. She believes that all foods fit into a healthy lifestyle and implements intuitive eating principles into her practice. Julia takes a non-judgmental, empathetic, and hopeful approach when addressing food and body image. She works collaboratively with her clients to create individualized and sustainable changes by building supportive and trusting relationships. She strives to shed light on harmful dieting myths and reframe thinking patterns to lead to a more balanced and fulfilled life.
Julia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Arkansas. She completed her internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she worked closely with clients focused on diabetes management and heart health. Prior to joining Healthier Tomorrows, Julia worked in a residential facility with clients recovering from substance abuse, eating disorders and disordered eating.
In her free time, she loves taking ballet classes, hiking, running, listening to music, and creating new recipes. She has found that virtual nutrition counseling can encompass more than just discussion and she enjoys being able to provide meal time support, meal prep and virtual cooking guidance to her clients.
Lauren is a registered and licensed dietitian with a passion for helping individuals who are struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders. She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she received her dual Bachelor’s in Dietetics and Kinesiology, along with her Master’s in Exercise Science. She went on to complete her dietetic internship through the University of Chicago Medicine, Ingalls Memorial Hospital.
Lauren is devoted to creating a safe space to work through eating disorders and disordered eating, and is Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned. She helps guide individuals towards achieving food freedom, body neutrality/acceptance, and integrating exercise in a meaningful way. She prioritizes creating positive, sustainable behavior changes by taking a holistic approach to health which includes food, movement, and mindset.
In her spare time Lauren loves weightlifting, yoga, trying new coffee shops, and playing with her dog!
Sarita is a registered and licensed dietitian, who believes in helping each client learn, develop, and apply skills to find a balanced relationship with food, and live their best life. She uses effective listening, empathy, open communication, and humor to connect with her clients, and she works with her clients to create a supportive environment where they can find autonomy and confidence. Sarita believes in the power of small steps and how they can build lasting, lifelong change. As part of supporting her clients, Sarita also enjoys collaborating with clinicians from multiple disciplines, and she recognizes the value in a team-based approach to providing patient care and support.
Before joining Healthier Tomorrows, Sarita worked at the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care, and she has significant experience working with clients with eating, mood, and anxiety disorders. Sarita also has an interest in performance nutrition and has experience working with athletes as well as those needing special dietary accommodations and those with general health and wellness needs.
In her role as Clinical Supervisor, Sarita provides individual and group training, case consultation and supervision to the dietitians at Healthier Tomorrows.
Sarita attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, and completed her dietetic internship and earned her Master of Science in Nutrition at Northern Illinois University.
Sarita is also a registered out-of-state telehealth provider with the Florida Department of Health and is available to provide telehealth sessions to Florida residents.
Outside of time spent working with her clients and providing clinical supervision, Sarita enjoys traveling, laughing and having fun with friends and family, cooking, music, and movies.