Director of Castlewood Treatment Center Steps Down; Psychologist Who Dealt with Eating Disorders Has

A psychologist who was sued by four women for allegedly brainwashing them at Castlewood Treatment Center for eating disorders is no longer leading the center or its expansion facility in California.

Mark Schwartz, who founded the west St. Louis County inpatient center about 12 years ago, was still listed as a staff member earlier this month on the websites of the Castlewood Treatment Center and Monarch Cove facility in northern California. The references have since been removed. Schwartz and his partner Lori Galperin stepped down from daily operation of the centers in December, according to a Castlewood Treatment spokesman Jim Bates of a Los Angeles-based public relations firm. Bates would not elaborate on the change.

Nancy Albus, who previously worked as a director at the Castlewood Treatment Center, was elected CEO in December by the board of directors, which includes Schwartz and Galperin. Albus could not be reached for comment.

Four women have filed separate lawsuits in St. Louis County Circuit Court since 2011 against the Castlewood Castlewood and Schwartz with similar allegations that they were hypnotized between 2007 and 2010 and brainwashed into believing they were members of satanic cults.