Staff at Avalon

Avalon Centers, Inc., the Clinical Team Leaders

Art Boese, Owner and Board Member

A message about the Founder

Art Boese, Owner and Board Member of Avalon Eating Disorder Treatment Center comes by his work honestly. He is the father of three young women, and has seen his children and their friends struggle with body image and eating disorders. While many parents feel helpless, Art and his wife Kit have made it their personal mission to help Avalon succeed in helping those with eating disorders.

Art is devoted to working very hard daily in support of Avalon. While it has been operating for nine years since 1998, Avalon far exceeds the national average for the recovery of patients. He has made it a point to surround himself with the finest people in the field. Both the Boese family and the Avalon family are extremely proud of what they have achieved.



Maria Nickolova, MD - Co-Medical Director
Maria Nickolova, MD is a board certified psychiatrist with extensive experience in psychopharmacology. She is a graduate of the University of Buffalo Psychiatry Residency and has had extensive experience in Buffalo's psychiatric community. She has previously worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings at Buffalo General Hospital, Erie County Medical Center and the Horizons Human Services outpatient centers. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Program Chair at Western New York Psychiatric Society and a Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Department of Psychiatry. She serves as co-medical director of Avalon Center - an Eating Disorder Treatment Program for adolescents and adults in Williamsville, New York.



Maria Cartagena, MD - Co-Medical Director
Dr. Maria Cartagena is a board certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry. She currently is an attending psychiatrist at BryLin Hospitals in Buffalo, New York and is part of private practice group at Suburban Psychiatric Associates in Amherst, New York. Dr. Cartagena trained at the University of Buffalo Department of Psychiatry Residency, located at Erie County Medical Center. She served as medical director of the Blue Suite at Kaleida Health's Buffalo General Hospital's Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and at the Community Mental Health Center from 2000 to 2005. In addition to her current private practice at Suburban Psychiatric Associates and work at a local domiciliary, Mary Agnes Manor, she serves as co-medical director of Avalon Center - an Eating Disorder Treatment Program for adolescents and adults in Williamsville, New York.



Jayne Haley, BSN, BA, CASAC - Executive Director
Jayne Haley earned a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Bachelor in Psychology and Religious Studies from Canisius College. She is also a New York State Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Jayne has extensive experience in both mental health and substance abuse treatment. Jayne's clinical experience includes 13 years at BryLin Hospitals where she worked with patients with eating disorders, psychiatric disorders, and chemical dependency. At BryLin Hospitals, Jayne served in a variety of roles including Nursing Supervisor, Nurse Manager, Clinical Supervisor, Director of Inpatient and Outpatient Chemical Dependency Services, and Vice President of Patient Care Services.



Lisa Rychlicki, Registered Dietician - Nutrition Director
Lisa graduated in 1980 from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor Degree in Dietetics.
For several years, Lisa worked at Boston City Hospital as the Chief Clinical Dietician. She has also worked as a Nutrition Consultant and at Nutrition Dynamics conducting nutritional presentations for the community and local corporations. As Nutrition Director, Lisa provides nutrition education, therapeutic supervised meals and snacks, and individualized meal planning. Lisa also works with clients to stimulate awareness of thoughts and emotions behind eating disordered behaviors.



Colleen Myers, Registered Nurse - Intake Coordinator
Colleen is a registered nurse with a 17-year history of psychiatric nursing with expertise in mental health, chemical dependency, and eating disorders. She has been a member of the Avalon clinical team since 1998. Colleen works closely with patients during the intake and admission process and throughout their stay. She conducts a weekly group and provides medical monitoring of patients vital signs and weight.



Laura Weston, RN, CASAC – Therapist
Laura is a Registered Nurse and a New York State Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). She has over 20 years of experience in mental health, chemical dependency, and family counseling. Her previous work experience includes BryLin Hospitals and Mid Erie Human Services where she provided treatment for patients with a variety of mental illnesses and addictions. Laura’s expertise in relapse prevention provides eating disordered patients with the knowledge and support they need in order to maintain a successful recovery.



Anita Gozdzialski, MS, LMHC – Therapist
Anita obtained her Masters of Professional Counseling Degree from Georgia State University. She is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) as well as National Certified Counselor (NCC). Anita has worked in a number of mental health facilities including Horizon Health Services, The Anxiety & Stress Management Institute, and Pathways Transition & New Learning Center. Her diversified background has provided her with therapeutic expertise in providing individual, group, couples, and family therapy. She also has significant experience working adolescents.



Heather Canti, LCSW – Therapist
Heather earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Heather has experience working with both children and adults suffering from numerous psychological disorders. She has worked in a number of mental health facilities including Spectrum Human Services and Western New York Institute for the Psychotherapies. She has also worked with students and their families in the Tonawanda School District. As part of Avalon’s continuing care program, Heather facilitates Avalon’s Recovery Support Group.



April Harrington, MS Counseling Education, CRC - Yoga Instructor
April obtained her Masters Degree in Counseling Education from Canisius Collge in Buffalo, N.Y. She is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Registered Yoga Teacher. April has experience working with both mental health and chemical dependency patients. As part of Avalon's holistic approach to treatment, April conducts a weekly Yoga class.



Katie Foley, MS, ATR – Art Therapist
Katie is a Registered Art Therapist who earned her Masters Degree from State University College at Buffalo, NY. Katie has developed her clinical expertise working in a variety of settings including Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Niagara Hospice, Lewiston & Porter Central School District, and Alcoholism Council in Niagara County. Katie's weekly Art Therapy Group is an integral part of the Avalon Program.