PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Scarlett Black, Psy.D., LPC, RPT

Dr. Black joined Center for Discovery in early 2018. Dr. Black earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology with a specialization in child and pain management. She is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist. She has also completed her training in EMDR and is working towards certification. Dr. Black completed her clinical internship in New York at Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric
Center and has extensive experience working in the field of psychology with diverse populations in residential, inpatient and outpatient facilities across the United States. She oversaw several schools in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) South Region, providing crisis intervention and counseling services to at-risk youth and their families. Dr. Black has since
relocated to Florida where she has worked with treatment centers, providing evidence-based practices that address substance abuse disorders, complex trauma, grief and loss, mood disorders, and anger management for both adolescents and adult patients. Dr. Black is continually pursuing growth and strongly believes that whatever the mind can perceive you can achieve. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and Association of Play Therapy. She strives to create a safe and supportive atmosphere for all
patients to foster insight and create lasting change.

ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Erica Waldron, LMHC

Erica joined Center for Discovery in early 2019. She is a Florida licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with over 10 years of counseling experience. Throughout her life, Erica has been passionate about helping others and feels fortunate enough to have made a career out of it.

Erica received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and graduated with her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. While at PBAU, Erica counseled undergraduate students at the university’s counseling center. While earning her master’s degree, Erica also trained and worked with women who struggled with various eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. She has extensive experience working with male and female adults and adolescents, couples and families who live with anxiety disorders, depression, co-dependency, addictions and eating disorders.

She is currently on the Board of Directors for The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. Erica strives to create a comfortable, safe, judgement-free zone—a place where patients can share, gain a new understanding of themselves, and find the balance that is missing in their lives. She encourages her patients to plant themselves where they will bloom.  

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Jessica Montoya

Jessica graduated from Florida Atlantic University with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She continued her education at Palm Beach Atlantic University where she obtained a master’s degree in mental health counseling. Jessica uses her creative and explorative nature while in therapy to incorporate various evidence-based treatment styles. She allows patients to gain their autonomy through treatment. Jessica works collaboratively with patients and their families and is passionate about addressing the impact cultural backgrounds and diversity can have on an individual’s eating disorder and mental health needs. Jessica is bilingual in Spanish and English, allowing her to work with families where language may be a barrier. Jessica is engaged in the community through volunteering for the Alliance of Eating Disorders Awareness. One of Jessica’s career goals is to gain her certification as an eating disorder specialist. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys being around her family and friends.