Our Team

Laurel Mellin

Founder and CEO

Laurel Mellin is an associate clinical professor of family and community medicine and pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, and the director of the Emotional Brain Training Center of Excellence, the national coordinating center for EBT research, Center for Health and Community. She directs the Institute for Health Solutions, and is the founder of the method.
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Kelly McGrath

Director of Operations

Kelly McGrath has directed the operations for the Institute for Health Solutions since 2001, and oversees the management of the office, including administrative and financial operations and the coordination of training services including retreats and national and regional meetings. She supervises the administration of EBT coaches and group facilitators and participates in the planning committee for the development of the Institute.

Igor Mitrovic

Scientific Director

IIgor Mitrovic is an associate adjunct professor of Department of Physiology and Stomatology and a neurobiologist. He has received numerous teaching awards and is a recipient of the Henry J. Kaiser Award for Excellence in Teaching as well as the Academic Senate's Award for Distinction in Teaching. Dr. Mitrovic is the scientific director of the Institute for Health Solutions, and has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the conceptual basis of the method in recent years.

Deanne Hamilton

Director of Professional Training

Deanne Hamilton is the director of professional training for the Institute for Health Solutions and has been a certified provider of the method for more than 20 years. Her activities involve continuing education for health professional programs, orientation of providers in training and the quality assurance issues in provider training. She is a Certified EBT Provider: Level 6 (Trainer).

Judy Zehr

Director of Clinical Education

Judy Zehr is the Director of Clinical Education for the Institute for Health Solutions and has been a certified provider of the method for more than 20 years. Her activities involve continuing education for health professional programs, orientation of providers in training and the quality assurance issues in provider training. She is a Certified EBT Provider: Level 6 (Trainer). Judy has made important contributions to the conceptual model of the through her integration of neuroscience and attachment theory.

Justin Ludwig

IT Manager / Webmaster

Justin Ludwig a much welcomed recent addition to the EBT Team. He coordinates the internet technology for the Institute and is constantly working on to the new website to make it as informative and user friendly as possible.

Brandon McGrath

Director of Support Services

Brandon McGrath has contributed to the development of the Institute since 2003.
His current role includes the coordinating of telegroups and to provide all the support necessary to both participants and providers to get the most out of EBT.

Cynthia Moore

Director, EBT Center of Excellence, University of Virginia

Cynthis Moore is an EBT Provider (Level 6) Training and has coordinated the development of an EBT Center of Excellence at the University of Virginia. Her interest in nutrition, lifestyle and wellness has been reflected in her integration of EBT into these services at the University. In addition, her interest in research and professional training has been instrumental on developing collaborative relationships among EBT clinicians and researchers.

David Ingebritsen

Director, EBT Center of Excellence, Idaho

David Ingebritsen is a psychologist and addiction specialist. He is an EBT Provider (Level 6) Trainer, and consults with the Institute on the application of EBT for chemical dependency. David speaks widely on iissues of chemical dependency, including developing continuing education programs on chemical dependency for EBT providers.

Jackie Placidi

Coordinator, EBT Mentors

Jackie Placidi is the coordinator of EBT Mentors who volunteer to support the development of the method and the Institute. In addition, Jackie coordinates research projects on the method, currently a study that compares the brain states of participants who are new to EBT and those who have completed the training.

Lindsey Fish DePeña

Clinical Fellow

Lindsey Fish DePeña is a physician and has contributed to the method since 2006, first participating in a course in the method while in medical school, and later studying neuroplasticity and EBT and conducting research on the use of EBT with medical residents. Lindsey has provided numerous lectures on the method to providers at annual meetings of the Institute and continues to consult on the development of the method for health professionals.

Jena Walter

IHS Board Member

Jena Walter is a psychotherapist and member of the board of the Institute for Health Solutions. Jena has contributed to the method since 2001 as the Clinical Director of the Institute, contributing to the planning of the structure of the professional training of EBT providers that is currently in place. As a board member she contributes perspectives on both the development of the Institute and understandings from mental health.

Deirdre Taylor

IHS Board Member

Deirdre Taylor is a member of the board of the Institute for Health Solutions, and an EBT Provider. Her diverse experience includes positions as the publisher of Spirituality and Health magazine, organizational planning, and executive coaching. She has been an advisor to the Institute since 2004 and contributed to the development of the marketing plan and publications for the method.

Kathleen Flickinger

IHS Board Member

Kathleen Flickinger has contributed to the development of the Institute for Health Solutions since 1997. Currently she is a member of the board of directors. Her background in finance and banking has been helping in contributing to the Institute’s financial planning and development. Her current interest in non-profit organizations that focus on attachment theory and fostering a secure attachment is consistent with EBT.

Ann Squires

Consultant and Advisor

Ann Squires has provided consultation and support to the Institute for Health Solutions since 2002, as a member of the board of directors, and later as a consultant on the fundraising and non-profit organization structure and functioning. Ann continues to be an important advisor to the Institute and support new directions in the development of the organization.