Eating Disorders Association of Maine (EDAM) is a network of like-minded people and organizations dedicated to promoting health and wellness at every size, body acceptance, and the prevention of eating disorders and disordered eating throughout Maine. We provide identification of resources, training, education, awareness, and support for individuals, families, treatment providers and communities throughout the state. EDAM wishes to offer hope, help and support to all who are impacted by eating disorders.
The Need for the Eating Disorder Association of Maine
An estimated 10 million females and 1 million males are battling eating disorders according to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Eating Disorders Association. Anorexia nervosa has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness in the country.
40% of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15-19 years old, and the incidence continues to increase.
The mortality rate associated with anorexia is 12 times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death for females 15-24 years old.
Only 30% of people with anorexia receive mental health care.
Only 6% of people with bulimia receive mental health care.
Intervention and treatment within the first 6 months of developing disordered eating is crucial and is associated with better recovery outcomes.
In Maine, there is one program that provides intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization—the New England Eating Disorders (NEED) Program at Sweetser in Saco and there is one residential treatment center that specializes in treating co-occurring disorders - Crossroads Treatment Facility in Portland.
Many medical and mental health providers in Maine are not aware of the resources and treatment options available, are isolated from other providers with whom they may collaborate, and could benefit from more training and experience in the treatment of eating disorders.
Teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, college professionals, and other concerned adults who work with children and young adults are aware of the prevalence of eating disorders, but are unsure of how to respond. They could benefit from collaboration with others, especially in the areas of prevention, screening and early intervention.
Primary Care Physicians, Pediatricians and other health professionals are challenged by knowing mental health providers or registered dietitians who specialize in eating disorders treatment.
There is a lot of confusing and incorrect information circulating about healthy eating, obesity, exercise, and other eating and weight issues that may influence a person’s eating behaviors and distorted thinking. Our nation’s “war on obesity,” diet mentality, and thin ideal is a primary and constant factor in the development of eating disorders.
Meet the EDAM Board Members
Sarah (Say) Carnahan, MA, MSW, LCSW - President
Sarah (Say) Carnahan (she/her) is an LCSW, and the Director of Mental Health and Counseling Services at the University of Maine Farmington. Sarah got her clinical MSW as well as her M.A. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from The Ohio State University. While there, Sarah received training through The Center for Balanced Living, which was then an independent, nonprofit treatment eating disorder treatment center run by Dr. Laura Hill. (Since then, CBL has become part of The Emily Program.) As a therapist, Sarah uses an integrative approach with a strong undercurrent of DBT. She also has significant training and experience in working with folks in the LGBTQIA+ community. Sarah is passionate about providing consultation and education for those who want to learn more about working with people with eating disorders.
Kathleen Hart, Ph.D. - Vice President
Kathleen received her doctorate from Boston College and trained in clinical psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital and The Cambridge Hospital. Dr. Hart completed her Pre-doctoral Internship at The Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She also worked at Bethesda Hospital, Colorado both on the adult Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse units. Now in private practice, Dr. Hart works with teens and adults with eating and anxiety disorders using behavioral treatments including: Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Family Based Treatment (The Maudsley Method) and Mindfulness Training. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Hart devoted a portion of her career to research. She studied the relationship between parental attachment, sex roles and eating disorders. Her findings are published in the Journal of Psychological Assessment, Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Sex Roles.
Laura Sproch, PhD - Treasurer
Dr. Sproch is a clinical psychologist and the owner of Vibrant Psychology, a teletherapy outpatient practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. She is a clinical psychologist committed to evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, which has guided the supervisory, educational, clinical, research, administrative, and outreach work that she has been involved in. In particular, she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, family-based therapy, and interpersonal therapy in the treatment that she provides. Dr. Sproch was previously the program director of the New England Eating Disorders Program at Sweetser, a comprehensive eating disorder-specialized treatment program in southern Maine. Prior to her work in Maine, Dr. Sproch was the research coordinator at The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt (Baltimore, MD) and also trained at Friends Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) and ‘Ai Pono Eating Disorder Program (Honolulu, HI). Dr. Sproch received her doctorate from Hofstra University in Clinical and School Psychology and her undergraduate degree from Vassar College.
Lindsay Susi, MSW - Secretary
Lindsay Susi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and outpatient therapist with New Roots Healing Center in Freeport, Maine, treating adolescents and adults with eating disorders. Previously, she was the Clinical Director of the New England Eating Disorders (NEED) Program at Sweetser, a comprehensive eating disorder treatment program located in southern Maine. She began her work in eating disorders as an intern with this program in 2013 and became a full-time clinician with NEED in 2016. Her clinical experience includes using evidenced-based practices to address disordered eating patterns, behavioral challenges, motivational challenges, communication issues, and interpersonal relationship issues through individual, group and family therapy. Her focus of treatment includes use of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal and solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing and mindfulness techniques. She is passionate about working with individuals to address and re-work their relationship with food/body and has extensive experience in working with adolescents, adults, families and supports in clinical settings.
Kathryn Best, LCSW - Events Planning
Kathryn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a special interest and training in eating disorders, disordered eating and body image. She earned her Master’s degree from the University of New England and has worked primarily with transition aged youth (ages 15 to 26). Most recently, she has worked at the South Portland Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine clinic in the multidisciplinary eating disorder program. Currently, she serves as a Staff Counselor at Colby College where she provides individual counseling, group facilitation and special programming.
Josh Palermo, MS, RD, LD, CSN - Membership
Josh is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian specializing in eating disorders and sports nutrition. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from San Diego State University and completed a research-focused Master’s degree and Dietetic Internship at Simmons University in Boston, MA, with specialized concentrations in eating disorders nd sports nutrition. Josh currently serves as the Campus Dietitian at Bates Collège, where he provides individualized nutrition counseling and develops programming to support student wellness and cultivate a more balanced relationship with food. Additionally, Josh sees private practice clients at Kaleidoscope Eating Disorder and Diet Recovery Center providing nutrition counseling for individuals navigating eating disorders, disordered eating and chronic dieting. Grounded in an anti-diet, weight-inclusive framework his approach integrates scientific evidence with compassion and practicality. As a former athlete, he recognizes that while nutrition is vital for performance and health, food also carries personal, social and emotional meaning, Josh helps clients cultivate trust in their bodies and develop a sustainable, empowered relationship with foods.
Jacqueline Plachta, M.Ac, Dipl. AC - Website/Communication
Jacqueline Plachta is a licensed Oriental Medicine practitioner who is working with Taoist Five Element Chinese Medicine in the area of addiction, trauma and chronic illness. Her private practice is located in Brunswick and Portland, ME. Jacqueline has been working with alternative therapies for recovery from eating disorders for over 20 years. She comes to the board with an extensive background in organizational and technical skills from previous board positions in non-profit organizations.
Cynthia Robbins, M.D., MS, FAAP - Events Planning
Cynthia Robbins is a dually board-certified adolescent and pediatric provider. She obtained her medical degree from Case Western School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH; completed a pediatrics residency at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital; and completed fellowship in adolescent medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. She practiced in Indianapolis for the first twelve years of her career prior to moving to Maine where she now is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Tufts School of Medicine. She sees young people aged 10-26 at the South Portland Adolescent and Young Adult clinic for primary care and adolescent specialty care, and a large portion of her practice includes patients with eating disorders. She leads the multidisciplinary eating disorder program at the South Portland clinic and is highly involved in programming for patients admitted to the Maine Health Barbara Bush Hospital for eating disorders.
