ABOUT US
Peak Serenity Counseling & Nutrition is a therapy practice devoted to meeting the mental health needs of adolescents, family, and adults living in Colorado and Virginia. We embrace a weight-inclusive approach that emphasizes mental health and well-being over weight loss. We believe that health can be achieved at every size, and that weight and behaviors are influenced by genetics, environment, and other factors – not just personal control.
Our goal is to help clients find self-acceptance and inner serenity by rejecting diet culture’s emphasis on external appearance. We promote size-diversity and respect for all bodies. Our counselors address issues like body image, disordered eating, size stigma, and social barriers to health equity.
Clients explore their whole selves – body, mind and spirit. We take a holistic perspective that looks beyond the numbers on a scale. Our nutrition services offer non-diet, weight-neutral support for developing sustainable, joyful eating habits. We collaborate with like-minded healthcare providers to give compassionate care.
By focusing inward on self-care rather than outward on appearance, clients can discover their innate wellness. We believe serenity comes from embracing one’s authentic self without judgement, no matter their size.
Insurance Accepted:
- Preferred Provider for BlueCross BlueShield/Anthem PPO (HMO in Virginia)
“No Surprises” Act and Good Faith Estimate
As of January 1, 2022 new legislation is in effect which requires healthcare providers to provide an estimate of treatment costs for patients who do not have insurance, or who are not using insurance benefits. This is called a Good Faith Estimate. Please read more about the No Surprises Act and your rights to a Good Faith Estimate here.
OUR FOUNDER
CRISTA STUDER, MS, LPC, RDN, CEDS-C, NCC
As a licensed professional counselor and a registered dietitian nutritionist, I work with clients to help them become self-sufficient and independent in developing healthy behaviors. I am passionate about helping clients identify their feelings, needs, and wants while learning how to effectively process and express these needs. I have over ten years of experience working in a variety of settings from hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, doctors’ offices, and outpatient counseling.
I earned a bachelor of science in dietetics from The Ohio State University and completed my dietetic internship with an emphasis in pediatrics at Saint Louis University. After working at a treatment center for eating disorders, I recognized the connection between disordered eating behaviors and mental health. For many people, their troubled relationship with food is not the problem, but rather a symptom of deeper emotional issues. To deepen my work in empowering clients to achieve their optimal mental health, I earned a Master’s in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
My love for nature, climbing and adventure is the inspiration behind Peak Serenity. As the pandemic changed the world of medicine and therapy to a Telehealth model, I was encouraged to expand my life and my practice to Colorado. Peak Serenity Counseling & Nutrition was created as a reflection of my personal mantra to living life to the fullest. I look forward to partnering with you as you find your own sense of peak serenity.
Certifications & Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO & VA)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist - Consultant
National Certified Counselor
Memberships
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH)
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IADEP)
International Federation of Eating Disorders Dietitians (IFEDD)
OUR TEAM
LEIGH ROBERTS, MSW, LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I obtained my Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University and have over ten years of experience working in the human services field. I am excited to be a part of the Peak Serenity team and look forward to getting to know you!
I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, attachment disorders, grief and loss, substance use, disordered eating, and the effects of trauma. I am an Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR) therapist, and combine Internal Family Systems (parts) work, and strengths-based, cognitive reframing approaches. I also integrate mindfulness exercises and somatic awareness in my work.
I believe that our early life experiences impact us, much more than we may realize. I am passionate about helping people explore and resolve the effects of traumatic experiences that linger to this day. Depression, anxiety, disordered eating and substance use – these are all symptoms of previous suffering and pain. They do not define you! Every individual is strong, resilient, and possesses the ability to heal. My goal is to help facilitate this process through creating a safe, respectful, and compassionate space for you to be yourself.
AARON VALDES, MA, LPC
I am a bilingual licensed professional counselor, fluent in English and Spanish, with over 25 years of experience as a therapist. As a mental health professional based in Northern Virginia, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and their families. Every individual and family has the ability to overcome their struggles, no matter how daunting they may seem, and I am honored to be a part of that journey with my clients. Together, we will create a plan individualized for your personal situation in a safe environment to overcome barriers and uncover a more fulfilling life.
After earning my master’s degree in community counseling from George Washington University, I worked with families who emigrated from Latin America. This personal milestone helped me support those families through the trauma that migrating can cause. I work closely with my clients on their journey to help them improve their close relationships and overcome their challenges. It is inspiring for me to see my clients become the best, happiest version of themselves.
I specialize in helping clients who struggle with trauma, depression, and anxiety. I will be right by your side to assist you in creating a healthy sense of attachment among your family unit. I am experienced in supporting parents develop strategies to help their children learn independence and have a healthy connection with their family. Additionally, I can help you develop useful strategies as a parent to best support your child and help them thrive, improve your ability to connect with your pre-teen or teenager, maintain healthy close relationships, and improve trust within relationships in times where it may have been compromised. I am looking forward to working with you and to applying my career practicing as a licensed counselor to meet your specific personal needs!
ERIN CARRIGAN, MA, RMHC-I, LPCC, LLPC
I earned my Bachelor of Science in psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling specializing in Child and Adolescent Development from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership as well as pursuing my Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) certification.
I specialize in working with individuals in their struggle with accepting who they are, gaining neutrality with their body image concerns as well as those struggling with eating disorders including Binge Eating Disorder, Anorexia, Bulimia, OSFED and ARFID. I also work with those struggling with family and relationship dynamics and strive for improved communication and understanding in those dynamics. In addition, I have experience with common co-occurring disorders; OCD, Borderline PD, Anxiety and Depression.
I am Health At Every Size (HAES) informed along with a body trust provider. I have significant experience and training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for those struggling with OCD and Eating Disorders. I am also highly trained in RO-DBT. I love to take therapy outside the four walls and lean into experiential therapy using the outdoors as a healing component.
I have maintained recovery and recovered from an ED but believe recovery is lifelong. While I struggled with an ED, I also struggled with OCD, anxiety and depression. I have been able to steer my journey of healing, not only from a personal insight, but professional insight as well. While I bring these insights to sessions, I also value breaking barriers and stigma related to mental health but welcoming a fellow recovery warrior and guiding those with compassion, understanding and real life values.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my French Bulldogs, Molly and Peaches. I love spending time in the great outdoors, exploring new cultures, traveling, attending music concerts, learning, diving into a self-help book on the beach and, of course, laughing.
SAM KIM, MSW, LCSW, MAC
I enjoy helping people identify and find clarity about what is going on, where they want to be, and the obstacles that might be keeping them stuck. I work collaboratively with my clients to explore what they are experiencing in the present while exploring the past and gaining insight into thoughts and behavior patterns that have shaped feelings and harmful beliefs. This insight is vital, but it is just the foundation for healing and growth. I use an evidence-based, integrative approach to understand your unique personal, subjective experience, supporting your journey toward mental and emotional health. As a therapist, I rely on several approaches including Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Poly Vagal Theory.
Sometimes we don’t know what it is that is keeping us from reaching our goals, feeling better or even how to get there, but the answer is often within us and completely attainable through honest exploration, discovery, and diligent practice. I enjoy supporting holistic health, life balance, and positive habits. I work with adults and older teens on regulating anxiety, depression, improving relationships, and I have lots of experience supporting those in a 12 Step recovery program. Therapy really does help you find your best self.
I began my career in counseling in 1992 and received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2019. I hold a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in both Virginia and Colorado.
Certifications & Credentials
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)
SKYE HARRIS, MS, RDN
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about helping those of all genders and ages 12+, who are struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders. My passion lies in helping clients to heal their relationship with food, movement, and themselves. I practice with an ‘All Foods Fit’ nutrition model and use a Health at Every Size® and weight neutral approach while incorporating intuitive eating principles with clients if/when they are ready. I enjoy helping clients understand complicated evidence-based science in an easy to understand way, and help them apply what they learn in their everyday life. I believe in meeting clients where they are, and ensuring they feel safe and never judged as I help them navigate challenges around eating.
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology from Christopher Newport University and my Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In addition, I completed the Dietitian Education Program and my dietetic internship through UAB. I have experience working with eating disorders at the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient (PHP/IOP) levels of care. I am currently working towards getting credentialed as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). In my free time, I love trying a new restaurant, exploring outdoors, or relaxing with my two cats.
Sandra Novkovic, M.Ed, LPCC, RIC
If you find yourself feeling stuck in your personal life, career, or relationships, you’ve come to the right place. I blend various evidence-based methods of therapy to help people heal and discover their true, authentic selves. I believe that the therapy process is sacred. I am passionate about creating a comfortable, safe space for clients to process and explore their emotions. Some of my main areas of interest include helping clients increase their overall self-esteem, navigate interpersonal and romantic relationships, eating disorders, life/career transitions, and healing from heartbreak.
I practice through a HAES (Health at Every Size) informed lens and implement intuitive eating and mindful movement/exercise. Some days you might want to engage in a form of exercise and other days you want to rest, and that is ok. I value breaking the stigma of being held to a strict diet and exercise plan to reach both mental and physical health. I will work with you to help you build trust in your body’s needs and restore your relationship with food and exercise.
I work collaboratively with clients through a trauma-informed lens. I implement a psychodynamic approach to connect our past experiences with our present selves. I consider the whole person through a Holistic approach to connect one’s mind, body, and spirit to reach overall well-being.
Whether you have been to therapy before or are continuing therapy, welcome! I’m glad you’re here. Therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach and I will work with you to find what approach helps your unique journey.
In my free time, I love to be outdoors, bake sweet treats, spend time with loved ones, and visit local coffee shops. I look forward to learning more about you and working with you!
TESTIMONIALS
As a Psychiatrist it has been a true pleasure to collaborate with Crista Studer. She is not only knowledgeable in Eating Disorders but has experience with several programs and the levels of care offered. She has been able to make a significant impact on my patients young and old and inspire them to make the lifestyle changes they need for overall better health - sometimes in as little as one consultation. I look forward to our continued collaboration.
I connected with Crista in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University. We both came from backgrounds as dietitians specializing in disordered eating patterns and eating disorders. I’ve always been impressed with her vast knowledge in dietetics and her magnetic energy. She has immense compassion for helping people and has the highest ethical regard for her clients. When I entered into the field of counseling, I sought out Crista to supervise me in my role working with an outpatient adolescent eating disorder clinic. Without her amazing expertise and guidance, I would have been lost! I continue to seek her opinion when faced with complicated nutrition-related cases. Crista’s unique merging of dietetics with mental health counseling makes her an important asset in helping those struggling with their relationship with food. She is a gift to all those she encounters!
As a Physician who treats patients with eating disorders, I have worked with Crista Studer extensively. She is an outstanding practitioner that I highly respect. It is obvious to me that she is committed to safe, efficient and effective patient care. A hallmark of this is seen in the extent to which she makes certain that we are in frequent communication about our shared clients. Her therapeutic approach combining mental health counseling and nutrition therapy makes her an incredibly skilled clinician at understanding the psychology behind the addiction and mind altering effects of disordered eating. Thus, she is an outstanding therapist and dietitian that I am able to recommend with confidence to my patients.
As a dietitian in the field of Eating Disorders, I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing Crista Studer for many years. Crista is very passionate about her work, which shows in her commitment to her clients and the individualized care that she provides. Crista values the importance of team collaboration and staying up to date on the best practices for the field. I would highly recommend Crista Studer.
I have known Crista for over five years and we have shared many mutual clients. She quickly became my go-to referral for anyone in need of nutrition support or eating disorder treatment. As she broadened her scope by becoming a licensed professional counselor, in addition to being a registered dietitian nutritionist, she became an invaluable asset to the treatment community. Crista brings an unmatched passion and energy level to her work. She looks at every client as a whole person, helping them heal from the inside out. My own experience working with Crista matches what her clients tell me; she is caring, direct, professional, and dedicated to helping clients improve their lives!