Our Team
Deacon Shoenberger, PH.D.
Dr. Shoenberger is ASMBS certified and has been the director of Behavioral Health for two MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) Centers of Excellence and is a current partner in a nationally-accredited outpatient surgery center. He is also the clinical director of Health Psychology Associates, a community-based outpatient mental health facility specializing in providing both general mental health services and integrated behavioral healthcare services. Dr. Shoenberger provides direct care and also provides training and supervision in all aspects of health psychology. He is widely published in the field of health psychology, including bariatric surgery, integrated behavioral healthcare, substance abuse, and primary care psychology. He has developed and directed integrated care programs in bariatric surgery clinics, pain management clinics, primary care clinics, community healthcare clinics, endocrinology clinics, hospital settings, and substance abuse treatment facilities.
Mark Conte
Mark Conte is the current CEO of Nevada Surgical Associates and Sage Surgical and Neuromodulation Center in Reno, NV. He has over two decades of experience in surgical practice management and administration and has overseen the certification of two Bariatric Centers of Excellence through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program and an Ambulatory Surgery Center through the Quad A Global Accreditation Authority. He has developed comprehensive integrated programs in bariatrics, vascular surgery, colorectal surgery, wound care, and neuromodulation for incontinence. Mark has also directed marketing and patient retention efforts for several large surgical practices, and intimately understands all of the aspects that contribute to growing a successful bariatric surgery practice.
Natalie Sanchez, MFT
Natalie Sanchez, LMFT is an AAMFT accredited supervisor and a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (BCBC) through the American Board of Bariatric Clinicians. She also holds an ASMBS certification and has been recognized for her supervision and training efforts in health psychology. In addition to providing direct patient care she provides consultation to organizations interested in promoting mental health, has developed multiple behavioral health treatment programs implemented in medical settings, provides ongoing training in behavioral health and integrated care, and has been the clinical director for several mental health and integrated healthcare agencies. She currently directs a comprehensive bariatric surgery pre- and post-surgical follow-up program that is a collaboration between an outpatient mental health practice and an MBSAQIP Bariatric Center of Excellence that helps patients meet pre-surgical requirements, track progress, examine the emotional relationship with food, and incorporate coping strategies for long term success.
Matt Boland, PH.D.
Dr. Boland completed a PhD at the University of Nevada and a clinical research fellowship at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He has worked as lead clinician and psychological evaluator for over 10 years in a MBSAQIP Bariatric Center of Excellence. He has also worked in the areas of pain psychology assessment and treatment through multiple nationally-recognized chronic pain treatment centers and as a medicolegal and forensic expert evaluator. Dr. Boland provides direct care and has worked as a clinical supervisor in bariatrics, chronic pain, and behavioral medicine for both clinical psychology doctoral and medical school residency programs. He has published scientific research in the areas of emotion regulation/self-regulation, stress and coping, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. Dr. Boland also specializes in mental health education, working with established online medical education publications and as a university lecturer. He teaches university courses on motivation and emotion, psychopathology, psychological trauma, psychology of gender, and principles of evidence-based treatment.
Andrew Ahrendt, PH.D.
Dr. Ahrendt is a licensed clinical health psychologist, psychological advisor, and clinical supervisor specializing in bariatric psychology, clinical weight management, and behavioral health. He has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of surgical and non-surgical weight loss, maladaptive eating behaviors, trauma/PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and insomnia. As the current lead psychologist for Nebraska Medicine’s bariatric program, Dr. Ahrendt plays a key role in assessment and provision of psychological support for individuals pursuing weight loss interventions. He also serves as the acting director for the 2025–2026 Health Psychology Internship Track at Nebraska Medicine and provides education and supervision for University of Nebraska Medical Center psychiatry residents in regard to cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral health. His training and experience have provided him with in-depth expertise in the psychological aspects of bariatric care, including pre-surgical evaluation, post-surgical adjustment, and long-term behavioral health strategies for weight management.
Chad Doerr, Psy.D
Dr. Doerr is a licensed psychologist. He has experience providing outpatient mental health counseling and direct care within integrative healthcare settings, including bariatric surgery clinics, university health centers, and pain management clinics. Dr. Doerr has directed, developed, and advised behavioral healthcare components of multidisciplinary treatment teams within college athletic departments including UNLV, Nebraska, UC Davis, and James Madison University. He is also listed in the United States Olympic and Paralympic (USOPC) Registry of Mental Health Providers. Dr. Doerr is a Community Faculty member of UNR’s School of Medicine, providing training on counseling and behavioral health interventions to medical students. Dr. Doerr has specialized training in exercise and habit psychology interventions, with the goal of helping patients develop tools to foster long-term sustainable behavior change aligned with their values and priorities.
Kayla Kaiser, PSY.D
Dr. Kaiser supports individuals in managing chronic conditions, making healthy lifestyle changes, and coping with stress. She
conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery candidates, ensuring that individuals are mentally and emotionally prepared for the journey ahead. She also helps patients with chronic pain to develop coping strategies to improve their quality of life and manage pain effectively. In addition to her work in surgery preparation and pain management, she also provides neurocognitive and developmental evaluations to assess cognitive functioning and identify developmental disorders, identifying areas of strength and need.
Michelle Gates, CPC
Michelle Gates is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has multiple years of experience working in the field of health psychology and offering integrated behavioral health services at Health Psychology Associates. She has received training in ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) guidelines and participates in regular collaborative care meetings in addition to obtaining ongoing education regarding the environmental and psychological factors that can contribute to chronic health conditions. Michelle also has experience in exercise and nutrition coaching at a women’s wellness center, and she is passionate about helping people of all ages and stages of life obtain the knowledge and support needed to work towards improved physical and mental health. She brings a compassionate and non-judgmental patient-centered approach to helping people become more empowered to engage in the life they want.
Dakota Freshman
Dakota is our Bariatric Care Coordinator. He ensures the smooth and efficient flow of daily operations within the bariatric program. One of Dakota's key responsibilities involves meticulous tracking of patients throughout their weight loss journey, both before and after surgery. This includes monitoring their progress, coordinating appointments, and ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to achieve successful outcomes.