Dena Cabrera, Psy.D- Manager of Education and Outreach

Cabrera manages and participates in the Remuda Ranch Speaker’s Bureau. She has over 10 years of experience at Remuda and previously served in roles that included Clinical Specialist, Staff Psychologist, Clinical Marketing Representative and member of the National Speaker’s Bureau.  

Dr. Cabrera has a diverse clinical background involving individual, family, and group therapy with both medical and psychiatric populations. She has particular professional interests and specialized training in neuropsychological and psychological assessment, as well as the cognitive-behavioral treatment of patients with neuro-developmental disorders, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Dr. Cabrera received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and both a M.A. in Clinical Psychology and a Psy.D. Degree in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Arizona Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association and the International Association of Eating Disorders

Ralph Carson, LD, RD, Ph.D.- Licensed/Registered Dietician

Carson is a Clinical Dietician with almost 30 years of experience with specialization in eating disorders, obesity, sports nutrition and obesity surgery. He also works as an Exercise Physiologist consultant. He has affiliations with multiple eating disorder, medical and addiction hospitals nationally. He has teaching experience at University of Alabama, Tuskegee University, Auburn University, Oakwood College and University of TN Women’s Athletic Program.  Carson has participated in research related to nutrition, eating disorders, IB investigation, weight management and obesity. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications.

Dr. Carson received a B.S. from Duke University, a B.H.T. Pathology from Duke University Medical School, a B.S. in Food & Nutrition from Oakwood College and a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Auburn University. He is licensed as a Dietician in Alabama, is a Registered Dietician with the American Dietetic Association, certified as a Personal Trainer with Coopers Institute Aerobic Research, sits on the Psychology Committee of the American Association of Bariatric Surgeons. He is a member of multiple professional organizations and is a Board Member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. 

Deborah Russo, Psy.D- Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Russo has almost 10 years of experience at Remuda working in community outreach and as a member of the National Speaker’s Bureau.  Dr. Russo has extensive eating disorders experience in areas that include program development, participation in media projects, teaching/training experience, research and she has written multiple papers and journal publications.  She received the Cover Girl/Glamour Magazine “Women at their Best” Regional Award in 1999 for contributions in the field of eating disorders transforming culture toward positive imagery of females.

Dr. Russo received a B.A. in Psychology/Women’s Studies from the University of South Florida, a M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Florida as well as a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. She earned a Psy.D in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. Russo has a Pre-Doctoral Residency from the Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and the VA Medical Center in Augusta Georgia. She completed a Post-Doctoral Residency Program at the Renfrew Center Residential Eating Disorders Program in Coconut Creek, Florida.  She is licensed as a Psychologist in the State of Georgia. She is affiliated with the Academy of Eating Disorders, National Association of Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders Info Network and the Georgia Psychological Association.