About Dawn

Dawn Smith-Theodore, LMFT is a specialist in the treatment of eating disorders. Dawn has a private practice in Agoura Hills and Westwood, CA, and she was the Director of Day Treatment Services for Monte Nido and Affiliates.  She was the owner of “Carousel” a transitional living home for women with eating disorders and chemical dependency, with her colleague, Terry Eagan, MD.

Dawn worked for seven years at Monte Nido Residential Treatment Center in Malibu, CA with women suffering from anorexia, bulimia and exercise addiction. She has worked as a primary therapist as well as a facilitator of the weekly multi-family group, cognitive behavioral, dance therapy and creativity groups. She worked for 6 years as an Eating Disorder Consultant for Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, where she worked with adolescents who suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism in addition to having an eating disorder. Dawn was the Clinical Director of the Eating Disorder Center of California in Brentwood (Los Angeles) for 5 years. Dawn worked as the National Director of Day Treatment Services for Monte Nido and Affiliates for 4 years. Dawn is also a consultant for Alsana Treatment Centers. 

She was also an eating disorder consultant at Wonderland Treatment Center in Los Angeles. She appeared on Health Zone with Amy Hendel and Recovery Talk Network as a therapist with a specialty in the eating disorder field. She has also been a guest teacher at Pepperdine University and California State Dominguez Hills. She recently spoke on a panel about Women’s Issues in Recovery at the Southern California Recovery Summit. Dawn appeared with Tracey Gold in the Lifetime Television show about the treatment of eating disorders entitled Starving Secrets. Dawn is a national speaker having recently spoken to the dance department at Boston Conservatory, The Joffrey Ballet School, The Frank Sinatra School of Performing Arts in New York City, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hollywood Connection, Steps on Broadway, Maria’s Project, and Dallas Conservatory. Dawn is recovered from Anorexia Nervosa herself.

Dawn and her partner, Monika Saigal, RD, who is also a former professional dancer present Dancer Wellness Workshops around the country to educate young dancers, parents and dance educators about how to be a healthy dancer.  Dawn and Monika will be presenting at the International Association of Dance, Medicine and Science in Helsinki, Finland in October, 2018. 

In addition to her work as a therapist, Dawn owned and operated her dance studio, A Step in Time School of Dance in Calabasas, CA for 25 years. During her ownership, Dawn has traveled the globe with her students giving them opportunities to perform at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Cruise Ships, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and The Radio City Christmas Show at the Nokia Theatre. Dawn continues to teach dance and is currently working with dance conventions and Ballet companies to educate them about eating disorders in the dance world. She is the co-owner of Cross Pointe Dance with her long time friend, Dana Stackpole former American Ballet Theatre and Broadway Star.  Cross Pointe Dance is a Master Class Series and Performance opportunity for young dancers. She is the author of the book about dancers and eating disorders, TuTu Thin.

Education

Bachelor of Arts from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in Psychology and Social Work 

Masters of Arts from Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA in Clinical Psychology.

Certifications

Dawn is a member of CAMFTIADMS and IAEDP. She also served as Vice President on the Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors for IAEDP.  Dawn is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist.