Dr. Carlo DiClemente is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and director of several departmental centers: the MDQUIT Tobacco Resource Center, the Center for Community Collaboration, and the Home Visiting Training Center. He is known for his work developing and applying the Transtheoretical Model of Intentional Behavior Change and his contributions to understanding motivation and change. He has published numerous articles and books including Addiction and Change: How Addictions Develop and Addicted People Recover, Changing for Good; and multiple professional books Substance Abuse Treatment and the Stages of Change, and Group Treatment for Substance Abuse: A Stages of Change Therapy Manual.

With more than 25 years’ experience in technology management, operations, finance and investment banking and 18 years of political and government understanding and knowledge, Mr. Dorman has driven Credible from a start-up with a Mission to improve the quality of care in behavioral health to a profitable, financially stable company with over 300 Partner Agencies across 27 states, annual revenues exceeding $20,000,000 and more than 150 staff. Prior to starting Credible and growing Credible to a leadership role in the Behavioral Health Enterprise software market, Mr. Dorman managed a $40 million e-Commerce division for Lockheed Martin. Previously, Mr. Dorman worked in the private sector managing turn-around’s and proving investment banking and management consulting. Prior to his MBA, Mr. Dorman worked in county and state government in Maryland as well as on Capitol Hill. He earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware.
 

Lori Jean became the Director for Five Sisters Ranch before it opened in August of 2011. Lori Jean was chosen to direct the development of Five Sisters Ranch because of her passion and commitment to highlighting the importance of treating people with Relationship Challenges. She brings both her personal journey and her years of research into all her presentations.  She is current, passionate, and determined to demystify the complexities that are associated with Relational Challenges. In addition to being the Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Five Sisters Ranch, Lori Jean is a trained interventionist, a certified Relationship Coach, and is the Founder of Pivot… A Relational Alignment Group.

Dr. Sabet is the Director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida and an Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. With Patrick J. Kennedy, he is the co-founder of Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana). He is also a policy consultant to numerous domestic and international organizations through his company, the Policy Solutions Lab. In addition, he advises several non-governmental organizations working to reduce drug abuse and its consequences, and serves in an international role as an advisor, in various capacities, to the United Nations and other multi-national organizations. Dr. Sabet’s regular blog is housed at the Huffington Post and he regularly contributes to opinion-editorial pages, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and the Los Angeles Times. Two of his op-eds published since 2011 have earned him a “Five Best Columns” distinction by The Atlantic. He is the winner of the 2014 Nils Bejerot Award for Global Drug Prevention, given at Stockholm City Hall by the anti-drug organization chaired by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden and the John P. McGovern Award for Drug Prevention given by the Institute for Behavior and Health, and Robert DuPont, the founding director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy and Masters of Science from Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar in 2007 and 2002, respectively, and his B.A. with high honors in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001.

Theo has been working as a care manager at WestBridge for the past two years. He has multiple years of experience working with people with co-occurring disorders as a mentor and recovery specialist.

Kenneth Blum, PhD made global headlines with his co-discovery of the “Reward Gene,” (Addiction Gene) published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1990. Subsequent discoveries lead Dr Blum to coin the phrases “Brain Reward Cascade” and “Reward Deficiency Syndrome.” Dr. Blum is considered by many as the father of “Psychiatric Genetics” and Neuroadaptagen Amino-Acid Therapy (NAAT). Working in the fields of neuropsychiatry and genetics, nutritional genetics and pharmacogenetics, Kenneth Blum’s research has been recognized through numerous awards. As a former full professor at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, he was also Chief of the Division of Addictive Diseases, Chief of the Division of Substance and Alcohol Misuse, and Director of the Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics at the University of Texas Health Science Center (San Antonio, Texas). He holds numerous patents worldwide, has published 13 books and written or contributed to over 500 papers published in scientific or medical journals. Dr. Blum is currently an adjunct full professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine and Mcknight Brain Institute (Gainesville, Florida).

Dexter W. Braff, MBA, MS, MA, is the President of The Braff Group, the nation's leading health care mergers and acquisitions advisor (source:Thomson Reuters).  Since its founding in 1998,  the firm has completed more than 250 health care deals.      With nearly 30 years of experience representing health care service companies, Dexter is recognized as the industry expert in health care M & A. He has written feature articles that have appeared in numerous Health Care industry publications including The Remington Report, HomeCare Magazine, Caring Magazine, Specialty Pharmacy News, and HME News, and has written a chapter in the Handbook of Business Valuation published by John Wiley & Sons. He is frequently interviewed on various topics regarding health car mergers and acquisitions by news outlets including Bloomberg News,  CNBC, USA Today, and numerous health care sector publications . Additionally, the firm is the publisher of marketWATCH, a quarterly review of mergers and acquisitions activity in five industry segments: Behavioral Health Care, Urgent Care, Home Health and Hospice, Pharmacy Services, and Home Medical Equipment.       Dexter holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, a Masters of Science from the University of Oregon, a Bachelors of Arts from Cornell University, and received the Vincent W. Lanfear Award for academic achievement.

Dana C. Branson, PhD, LCSW has been working in the field of addictions for the past 18 years with Family Counseling Center, is an adjust instructor at Southeast Missouri State University for the Social Work and Psychology Departments, and has published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy (APA).  Branson’s practice is focused primarily with women and adolescents and incorporates the many diverse dynamics of rural social work.  Branson received her BS in Psychology and Sociology from Southwest Baptist University, her MSW from University of Kansas, and her PhD from Northcentral University.   Branson has participated in overseas social work opportunities in Ireland and Belarus.

Mr. Cabral graduated from the University of Colorado with a master's degree in Clinical Psychology. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Colorado State Certified Level III Addictions Counselor. Mr. Cabral has worked in mental health and addictions since 2002 in  therapeutic settings to include residential and intensive outpatient, judicial systems and community mental health. He has worked with various populations, including adolescents, sex offenders, persistent mental illness and the Spanish speaking population. Areas of expertise include aggression replacement, emotion regulation and working with dually diagnosed clients.

Jean Campbell, LCSW, TEP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Board Certified Trainer, Educator and Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, and a Trainer and Practitioner of Psychodramatic Bodywork®.  Jean received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University and trained at the Psychodrama Training Institute in New York. She is the former Family Program Director at Inter-Care in New York, former Clinical Director of Clearview Extended Care in Los Angeles and has worked in the substance abuse and mental health field for more than 20 years.  Jean is the President Emeritus of the Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment and is a Fellow of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama.  Jean has trained clinicians on a national and international level, and as Director of the Action Institute of California, uses action methods in businesses, medical and mental health settings to effect change on a body, mind and spiritual level.

Fatina came to the addiction field by way of trauma research and a desire to empower others who were self-harming through substance and addiction based processes. Fatina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Dance Movement Therapist. She facilities the DBT and 12 Step oriented Intensive Outpatient Program at NorthStar Transitions. Fatina integrates body and movement based approaches to facilitate integration and choice in bodily experience to promote capacity for healing in behavioral health challenges.

Stefanie Carnes, PhD is the President of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals, a training institute and professional organization for addiction professionals, and a national clinical consultant for Elements Behavioral Health.  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an AAMFT approved supervisor.  Her area of expertise includes working with patients and families struggling with multiple addictions such as sexual addiction, eating disorders and chemical dependency.  Dr. Carnes is also a certified sex addiction therapist and supervisor, specializing in therapy for couples and families struggling with sexual addiction.  She presents regularly at conferences at both the state and national levels.  She is also the author of numerous publications including her books, Mending a Shattered Heart: A Guide for Partners of Sex Addicts, and Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts, and Facing Addiction: Starting Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs.

Florida.

 

David has been working in the behavioral health field for over 20 years, and has 10+ years’ experience working with people who have sought substance use treatment. David earned his Masters of Social Work degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in 1995 and then his Masters of Business Administration from Webster University in 2004. David returned to Bridgeway in November of 2008 to work as the Director of Quality and Standards after spending time working at Anthem and Christian Hospital. He and his wife, Betsy, moved to the St. Louis area in 2000 so she could attend Washington University and fell in love with the city. They enjoy the active lifestyle of St. Louis with their two children Nate and Max.

Dr. Diego Coira is Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center.   Dr. Diego Coira is Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center.  He is board certified in Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Integrative Health Administration.  Dr. Coira was named to the 2014 & 2015 list of Best New York Doctors by New York Magazine, Inside Jersey Magazine and was selected to the 2014 & 2015 list of top doctors in Psychiatry by Castle Conelly.  He received the 2002 Teaching Excellence Award from New Jersey Medical School and the Institute for Nursing 2009 APPLE Award acknowledging Physician Partners Liaison Excellence.

Ben Cort is business development manager for the Center for Addiction Recovery and Rehabilitation (CeDAR), part of the University of Colorado Health system. Sober since 1996, Cort is a junior fellow at the University of Florida’s Drug Policy Institute and serves on the boards of Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) and the Stout Street Foundation. From 2007 to 2012, he helped start, sat on the board of, and was the first full-time employee of Phoenix Multisport, a nonprofit that builds sober communities around sport and healthy activities. Until 2007, Cort was a director at an S&P 500 firm.

Michael R. DeLeon is a successfully acclimated ex-offender who, after nearly 8 years of drug addiction and gang involvement, spent 12 years in state prison and halfway houses for a gang-related homicide. Since Michael’s release from prison, he has earned 3 Associate's Degrees, a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Management with a minor in Criminal Justice, and a CADC Certificate. Mr. DeLeon is now in the process of obtaining his Master's Degree in Social Work at Rutgers University School of Social Work as well as obtaining his LCADC. He is the founder of Steered Straight, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 2000 designed with the intention of carrying a message to youth and young adults regarding the extreme dangers of drugs, gang involvement and criminal activity.  Michael spends his time developing Steered Straight by stressing the importance of young men and women making sound, rational decisions in their day-to-day lives. Michael also founded the Project Pride Program while incarcerated in prison. Project Pride is still in existence as one of the nation’s most successful outreach programs at the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Michael has spoken to over 2 million students and young adults as a motivational speaker in many facilities delivering evidence-based student programs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Washington, DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia and Florida.  Michael wrote, directed and produced “Kids Are Dying,” a documentary on New Jersey’s Overdose Epidemic, in 2013 that won three Film Festival Nominations and Awards for the REEL Recovery Film Festivals in New York, Los Angeles and Delray Beach, Florida.  Michael wrote, directed and produced, “An American Epidemic”, a documentary on the national overdose epidemic plaguing the country.  Released in January, 2015, it is being considered by numerous cable television program.

Chris has worked as a clinical supervisor for an outpatient addiction treatment program and is currently working with Griffin Recovery Enterprises as a trainer and consultant specializing in treating males, trauma, and addiction.  A person in recovery himself, Chris is passionate about helping others in their own personal journeys in recovery. A Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (LCDP), and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor (LCDCS). Chris graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work (MSW). Chris is passionate about working with men affected by addiction and trauma and has dedicated his practice to this focus. As a father, husband, son, and friend Chris believes in developing healthy family and interpersonal relationships is essential to sustained recovery.

Annie Fahy, RN, LCSW is a behavior change specialist in the areas of health wellness and letting go of destructive patterns. Since 2004 she has been is recognized as a dynamic national  trainer,expert and presenter in Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and Reducing Compassion Fatigue. She has recently authored a chapter in the The Praeger Handbook of Community Health on addictions and in 2007  composed a feature article for The Journal of Social Work: The Unbearable Fatigue of Compassion: Notes from a Substance Abuse  Counselor Who Dreams of Working at Starbuck’s.  Annie runs writing workshops that support writing as a creative and healing tool for both writers and non writers.  She is currently facilitates writing workshops for the homeless and transitionally housed  in Asheville, NC and editing a book of poetry for publication next year. She is a consultant and trainer facilitating organizational change through adaptation of Motivational Interviewing and other client centered principals and EBP's.  Annie is affiliated with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), the Harm Reduction Therapy Center in San Francisco (HRTC) and the Amherst Writers and Artists Association ( AWA). Her trainings are multimodal and experiential and she consistently gets high ratings from participants.

Dr. Feliciano is a Clinical Psychologist, licensed in Puerto Rico.  She is currently the Drug Abuse Treatment Program Coordinator for the Nonresidential Treatment in FCC Yazoo City, a Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional complex.  After completing a doctoral degree with emphasis in family psychology with immigrant populations, she has specialized and became certified as a provider for substance abuse treatment since 2007, working in different settings such as inpatient programs, IOP, and establishing an IOP for Juvenile Drug Court in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Dianne Grantham Fidelibus has worked in the Addictions field since 1979.  She served on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP) for seven years, 2006 – 2013, and was Board Chair 2010 - 2012.  She was the 2001 Prevention Counsel’s Presidents Award recipient. She currently serves as an OCDP Education Committee member.  She is the President of the Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Service Educators

Eileen has 40 years of work experience in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.  She was a member of the NH Licensing Board for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors.  She has provided rehabilitative supervision to impaired/struggling mental health practitioners for the NH Board of Mental Health Practice. She is the Chief of Clinical Services for WestBridge.

Selina Fritze has her BA in Sociology and Anthropology. She has been working in the treatment field at Foundations Recovery Network for the past 8 years. During that time, she helped start and build up the department’s outcomes collection program. She has participated in developing federally and state funded grants as well as conducted evaluations for several community, non-profit treatment programs awarded TCE-HIV and Drug Court SAMHSA grant funding.  Selina is currently the Research Manager at Foundations Recovery Network

Beck is originally from Los Angeles, CA. Beck completed undergraduate work in the field of Sociology with a focus on Gender, Sexuality, and Addiction from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Beck's undergraduate thesis was a study on addiction in LGBTQ rural communities. Beck’s master’s degree is in Addiction Studies from Hazelden. Beck received an Excellence in Writing Award from Hazelden graduate program; the paper focused on training addiction counselors to give better treatment to LGBTQ clients. Beck has facilitated trainings and given lectures around the country at conferences, to prisons, to schools, to treatment centers and everywhere in between focusing on LGBTQ communities and addiction. Beck is very passionate about the Transgender community and the effects of addiction and stigma within the Trans*/LGBQ populations. Beck continues to train clinicians and facility staff on LGBTQ issues, help facilities establish LGBT inclusive policies, and provide program development for facilities that want to expand their services to LGBTQ populations. Beck is currently the NorthEast Professional Outreach Representative for The Refuge-A Healing Place in Ocklawaha, Florida

Daniel Gemp has been the President and CEO of Dreamscape Marketing since its founding in 2005. While at Dreamscape, Dan has originated custom strategies for the effective implementation of internet and search marketing as well as social/mobile advertising campaigns. He maintains consultative focus on extremely efficient and proprietary search engine optimization techniques focused on Return-On-Investment driven methodologies and metrics.  A graduate of Villanova University’s school of business, Dan applies financial modeling and international experience to Dreamscape’s campaigns to consult partners on a cost-per-action model. Dreamscape engineers and develops custom solutions for small to large treatment centers and recovery service providers with targeted research, products, and content-centric campaigns that result in new revenue streams, increased brand awareness, implementation of new lead development systems, and direct sales activation. With the rise of the burgeoning mobile web/app market, Dan has also positioned Dreamscape as a thought leader on system design and mobile

Jennifer Golick, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, is the clinical director of Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services.  Jennifer has over 16 years of clinical experience in a variety of outpatient and residential treatment facilities treating severe mental illness, chronic pain and addiction.  Jennifer’s clinical specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Motivational Interviewing and family systems models focusing on helping individuals and families identify problematic patterns of thinking in order to affect systemic change.  Jennifer has co-authored several published articles and has been a clinical consultant for an episode of This Week with George Stephanopoulos as well as with the BBC Health Documentary Department.   She is also a seasoned public speaker and has been a featured keynote speaker on Addiction Treatment in professional and academic settings.

She is The Administrative Director of the Department of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center & Co-Director of The Debra Simon Center for Integrative Behavioral Health and Wellness.

Dianne Grantham Fidelibus has worked in the Addictions field since 1979.  She served on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP) for seven years, 2006 – 2013, and was Board Chair 2010 - 2012.  She was the 2001 Prevention Counsel’s Presidents Award recipient. She currently serves as an OCDP Education Committee member.  She is the President of the Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Service Educators (OCADHSE). She is an Associate Professor at Columbus State Community College overseeing the addictions curriculum in the associate degree and the advanced addictions studies certificate.  She has given numerous presentations for organizations such as Ohio Addiction Studies Institute, Gateway Education Series, Columbus State Community College scholarship professional education series and OCADHSE conferences.  She has dedicated much of her career in activities that promote professional development for both students and licensed professionals.

Dan Griffin has worked in the mental health and addictions field for over two decades. He is recognized internationally as an expert on males and trauma. In the fall of 2015, Griffin was honored to be named as a senior fellow at The Meadows.Griffin’s newest book, A Man's Way through Relationships, is the first trauma-informed book written to help men create healthy relationships while navigating the challenges of internalizing the "Man Rules." Griffin’s is also the author, A Man’s Way through the Twelve Steps, is the first trauma-informed book to take a holistic look at men’s sobriety. He also co-authored Helping Men Recover, the first comprehensive gender-responsive and trauma-informed curriculum for men. Griffin’s graduate work was centered on the social construction of masculinity in the culture of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Peter Gusman LPC NBCC, CCGC-Mo and KCGC-Ks, is owner of Northland Counseling Services in Kansas City MO, which provides comprehensive mental health and addictions counseling in both Missouri and Kansas. Peter has twenty plus years of experience with mental health counseling, assisting families and gamblers. He has extensive experience with working with families of recently deployed or returning military, embedded on and off base personnel as far away as Germany.

David Heffron is a Vice president of Operations for Telecare Corporation. David has worked in the field of behavioral health for over 34 years. David has worked as a front line clinician and a manager in both inpatient and field based services. As the leader of Telecare’s Recovery Centered Clinical System, David leads and trains staff at all levels in a recovery, strengths based approach to engaging individuals with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring conditions. David understands that an individual’s readiness for change must come from that individual’s unique hopes and dreams and a strong internal belief that they can once again, control their life’s journey.

Dr. Hemphill is the Chief Clinical Officer of Lakeview Health, a premier addiction treatment facility. He is responsible for the planning, organizing, implementing and directing of the company's behavioral health and clinical services incorporating cost effective methodologies while ensuring the clinical quality of those served.   As a member of the Lakeview Health Executive Leadership team, he works collaboratively with medical, clinical, and nursing staff leaders in decision-making structures and processes.    His leadership engagement has positioned him to pioneer the assessment and treatment of professionals with ‘Disruptive’ behavior which included validating a monitoring instrument (DBI).  In 2013, Dr. Hemphill co-authored Taming Disruptive Behavior published by the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE.)  A 25-year veteran of the addiction and behavioral health field, Dr. Hemphill presents papers and facilitates workshops at local, regional and national conferences and has published articles in the field of trauma, personality disorders, and addictions.  With two advanced degrees from Tulane University, he also holds an adjunct professorship at Tulane University School of Social Work and LSU Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry.

Matt Ignacio (Tohono O’odham), MSSW worked with the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC until Fall of 2015. He worked for the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) as Project Manager overseeing 4 federally funded training, education and capacity-building assistance programs. Matt served as lead author for a 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded publication titled: Action, Compassion and Healing: Working with Injection Drug Users in Native Communities. Prior to NNAAPC, Matt worked in the Michael Palm Center for AIDS Care and Support at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). GMHC is the world's first and largest AIDS service organization located in New York City. While at GMHC, Matt helped develop, implement and evaluate GMHC’s first sterile syringe access program. Matt received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2000, and in 2008, received his Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University’s School of Social Work. He is also a 2010 graduate of the Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship Program and recently served as a board member for the Harm Reduction Action Center. Matt is now pursing his PhD at the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Lana Isaacson is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Level III, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is also a post-graduate student at Denver Family Institute pursuing her LMFT. Lana has 10 years of experience working in a variety of treatment settings- a transitional residential treatment center for adults with dual diagnoses, intensive outpatient programs for adults and their families and another agency for adolescents and their families, DUI counseling groups, street outreach, and private practice. Lana is a passionate advocate for building a bridge between the addictions counseling and family therapy fields to ensure that recovery is offered to all family members.

Ed Jones, PhD is Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning for the Institute for Health and Productivity Management.  Dr. Jones is a clinical psychologist who has served in a variety of management roles related to behavioral healthcare and behaviorally-focused wellness programs.  He served for five years as President of the Commercial Division for ValueOptions, and prior to that he served as the Chief Clinical Officer for PacifiCare Behavioral Health (PBH).  He has published extensively on the development of outcomes management systems as a core technology in behavioral healthcare, and he implemented these systems both at PBH and ValueOptions. 

A self-taught renaissance man, West Jones was a regional director at the nation’s largest media market research firm by age 17 and founded his own startup by age 18. Today West is the Founder of Incredible Marketing, a leading digital marketing agency serving recovery centers, sober living, detox facilities, private physicians, and others in the medical space. More recently, West founded AddictionRecovery.com to help addicts and their families find help and rehabilitation information for the treatment of addiction. His wealth of experience and insight frequently attract offers to speak at industry conferences in both the United States and Australia on the subjects of digital marketing and brand management for medical and recovery enterprises. In addition to being a musician, published author, and professional photographer, West is an avid surfer, kayaker, fisherman and all-around waterman at heart who still manages to travel the world. West considers himself an entrepreneur & creativity with the motto that life is too short not to enjoy and too valuable not to help others enjoy it too. In all his varied pursuits, West strives to make a difference and stay inspired.

Andrew D. Kessler, JD, is founder and principal of Slingshot Solutions LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in behavioral health policy.  With 15 years of policy experience- and over a decade in behavioral health- Kessler is a fixture in circles that advocate for substance abuse treatment, prevention, and research.  He collaborates frequently with congressional offices, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and other federal actors.   Kessler has written legislation and report language published by both the House and Senate, and has presented orally before such bodies as the Scientific Management Review Board, the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, and the National Conference on Addictive Disorders.    Kessler received his Bachelor of Arts in 1993 from Washington University in St. Louis.  In 1999, he graduated from American University’s Washington College of Law. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with his wife and two children.

Crystal King is a graduate of Grand Rapid Community College and currently I am currently seeking a Bachelor of Social Work degree at Grand Valley State University. I am a Case Manager/Peer Advocate at Arbor Circle. I am a person in long term recovery for over 9 years. I am a MCBAP approved Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Michigan. I have been trained in Seeking Safety and I am also a trainer. I am have been trained in the Lies That Bind  a cognitive restructuring methodology. I have presented on Seeking Safety and the implementation of peers at the SUD Conference 2015 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Michael Kragt, PhD, CAC III, is a licensed psychologist, certified addictions counselor, and the executive director of Grace Counseling in Littleton, Colorado.  Michael earned his master's degree in psychology from the University of Denver in 1990 and his doctorate degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1995.  Michael pursued clinical experience and additional training in addictions recovery and treatment and became a certified addictions counselor, level 3, in Colorado in 1999.  Michael has worked in hospitals, residential treatment programs, day treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings.  Clinical specialties include addiction recovery, couples counseling, family therapy, and treatment of depressions and anxiety.  Michael has a particular passion for facilitating healing in relationships that have been damaged by addictions, infidelity, and untreated mental health conditions.  Michael is married with four children in a blended, bicultural family.

As she would speak with individuals with no resources, and then later in the day visit treatment centers with empty beds, it became clear that this equation needed a solution. From that experience, 10,000 Beds was born.  Today, 10,000 Beds operates with a 100% volunteer staff and board, with funding from individual donors, grants and foundations, and through strategic partnerships with treatment centers throughout the United States who commit to providing at least one scholarship bed per year for a minimum of 30 days of treatment.

Denise Lopez currently holds the position of Senior Director of Marketing & Business Development for the White Deer Run Treatment Network of Acadia Healthcare. A graduate of Gannon University, she received both her Associate of the Arts and Bachelor of the Arts in Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Juvenile Corrections, entering the addictions field as a therapist for offenders. Denise has worked in all levels of care in the both the adult and adolescent treatment fields, possessing 20+ years of experience. She moved into the marketing side of treatment 15 years ago, and currently supervises a team of 20 staff that includes marketers, alumni coordinators and mobile assessors. Her management philosophy and leadership skills emphasize patient care, customer service, professional development and employee engagement

 

 

Alan Lyme, LISW, brings respected and innovative clinical and program management skills as the Director of Training for the Phoenix Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Alan, with over 20 years in the field, teaches nationally on Motivational Interviewing, Clinical Supervision, SBIRT, the Family Transition Model, and Working with Men. He received a BSW from Florida Atlantic University and a MSW from Barry University in Miami. Alan is a member of MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers), an Internationally Certified Clinical Supervisor, and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Jeffrey C. Lynne, Esq. is an honors graduate of the University of Florida in Criminal Justice and an honors graduate from the University of Miami School of Law. After serving as a state prosecutor in the Economic Crimes Division and working for the City of Boca Raton and then the national law firm of Akerman LLP, Mr. Lynne moved his practice to Delray Beach, Florida where he represents individuals and business entities relating to zoning, real estate, business structuring, marketing, regulatory compliance and litigation pertaining to substance abuse treatment facilities and sober living residences. Mr. Lynne has been recognized across the nation as an sought-after speaker and thought leader in the progressive public dialogue about the role that substance use disorder treatment has within our communities and the fundamental need and right to provide safe and affordable housing for those who are both in treatment for addiction and alcoholism as well as those who are established in their recovery. Mr. Lynne most recently served as co-counsel in the case of The Caron Foundation of Florida, Inc. v. City of Delray Beach, 879 F.Supp.2d 1353 (S.D. Fla. 2012), which case reaffirmed that government agencies may not discriminate against providers of treatment services with regards to local zoning and housing. Mr. Lynne is a regular contributor to the blog “SoberZoneLaw News” where he discusses emerging legal and business trends in behavioral health care and specifically Substance Use Disorder treatment and associated housing.

Scott Madover, PhD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Regional Director for Telecare. He is an expert in the field of co-occurring conditions. For over 30 years he has dedicated himself to integrating and understanding the complexities of substance abuse and mental health. He currently oversees ACT/FSP programs as wells as a MHRC and crisis stabilization program. These different program types give Scott a wealth of information on working with clients who have a co-occurring condition.  Scott is a certified Motivational Interviewing trainer.

Philip McCabe, PhD, CSW, CAS, CDVC, DRCC, is a Health Educator for Rutgers School Of Public Health, in the Office of Public Health Practice, LGBT Healthcare Instructor for Rutgers School of Nursing, facilitator for the NJ Medical School/UBHC Psychology Internship Training and an adjunct instructor for Rutgers Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies. Mr. McCabe serves on the Board of Directors of NALGAP: The Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and their Allies, and holds the position of President. He contributed to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment’s, “A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals” as a principal writer on family issues.

Mr. Millette has 28 years of experience in the behavioral health and addiction recovery field in the roles of clinician, educator, supervisor and administrator. His competencies include clinical best practice implementation, innovation in treatment delivery systems, recovery oriented systems of care, integrated care models, academic training, and organizational leadership and development. He previously served as the Executive Director of Treatment Services at Pavillon International in North Carolina, a nationally known center for the treatment of addictions and related mental health disorders. In addition, he has held top administrative positions at prominent treatment facilities within the state of Florida, including Hanley-Hazelden. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Assumption College and his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Nova University. Mr. Millette is a Licensed Addiction and Mental Health Counselor.

Shannon is a certified facilitator and licensed psychologist. Since 1997 she has led  organizational development projects; directed program implementation, management, and  research; provided large group facilitation (including action planning and strategic planning); as well as developed and facilitated training and learning communities. Since 2007 Shannon has focused on initiative-based organizational development -- guiding  workgroups and organizations to co-create change through the design and implementation of  an innovation project, program, or process.

Siobhan holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Florida International University where she later became an adjunct Professor teaching Program Planning and Evaluation and participated in a National Institute of Mental Health grant, USDOE evaluations and local evaluations of at-risk youth.  She pioneered the use of report card technologies in the joint United Way, Children Now and Dade Community Foundation Project “Report Card on the Status of Children’s Services in Dade County.  Siobhan is certified as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), ARISE Interventionist and Master Addiction Counselor.

Lorie Obernauer, PhD, founder and president of LO Group, Inc. is an addiction recovery life coach and a recovery educator and consultant. In her private practice, Lorie coaches clients who are in all stages of recovery, empowering them to create joyful, balanced lives.Consulting and education services for addiction treatment organizations focus on the design, development, and implementation of robust recovery support and alumni services programs.   In her past position at CeDAR, Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation, Lorie pioneered an innovative Recovery Support Services program that includes recovery education for patients and recovery coaching services for alumni. Lorie is also the founder of TPAS, Treatment Professional in Alumni Services, a national organization that champions treatment center alumni professionals and long term recovery support initiatives.

At Menninger, John O’Neill is the Director of Addiction Services. Mr. O’Neill holds a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and is a licensed clinical social worker, chemical dependency counselor and a certified addiction counselor (sex addiction). He has presented at over 50 conferences and frequently contributes to local and national media. He has appeared on ESPN, National Public Radio, Fox News, NPR, XM Radio, and KTRH Radio.  He has managed the employee assistance program services for a major league baseball team for ten seasons.

Janna Phillips is a Licensed Addictions Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been a family therapist in the Denver area for the past 10 years. Since 2013, she has taught at the graduate and post-graduate levels in the areas of family therapy and relational substance abuse treatment. She is also an enthusiastic and systemic supervisor for therapists going toward their clinical licenses.

Bari K. Platter, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC is a Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist with over thirty years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings.  Ms. Platter is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) trainer and a certified Crucial Conversations trainer.  Additional areas of expertise include Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Communication, Cultural Competency and Case Management. She is a nationally recognized speaker/ trainer and is published in the areas of addiction, cultural competency and mental health nursing. Ms. Platter and her co-author, Osvaldo Cabral, MA, LPC, CAC III, have published a curriculum (published by Hazelden Publications) , Integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy with the Twelve Steps (2012). Ms. Platter also serves as a peer reviewer for the journal of the International Nursing Society on Addictions. A former Senior Instructor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing, Ms. Platter currently holds a position as a Clinical Associate.

Dr. Tamara has been privileged to work in the field of eating disorders for over 30 years. She spent 16 years as an Associate Professor and Director of the Eating Disorder Program at the University of Kansas - School of Medicine, four years as Co-director of the PATH Eating Disorders Clinic, and three years at Wichita Psychiatric Consultants as the Director of eating disorder services before coming to Eating Disorder Center of Denver. Dr. Pryor conducts research and has published articles examining personality disorders, substance use disorders, multi-impulsive behavior, sexual functioning, and cognitive rigidity, and most recently fMRI studies examining brain activity in the eating disordered individual. She has presented both nationally and internationally, and she co-authored a prevention curriculum and textbook as well as co-authored 3 chapters in a textbook on Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse. Dr. Pryor is a founding member of the Eating Disorder Research Society, a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Eating Disorders Association. She has a MSW from Wayne State University, a MA in Rehabilitation Counseling, as well as a PhD in Psychology from Southern Illinois University. She completed a fellowship in child psychiatry and a fellowship in eating disorders at the University of Kansas - School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.

Joe Reis is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has practiced in various psychiatric settings for the past 20 years. He currently directs the day to day operations of the Post Deployment Health Reassessment program (PDHRA). The PDHRA program fulfills a contract LHI has with the Department of Defense to screen Service Members when they return from combat operations. Mr. reis speaks Nationally at numerous Department of Defense conferences regarding deployment related health conditions.

Eric Schmidt, CEO of New Roads Behavioral Health, has worked in the behavioral health and substance abuse field for the past 27 years. He has served and currently serves primarily in key executive level positions for community-based behavioral health care/substance abuse treatment organizations. Eric boasts both a Masters of Science in Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration. Besides his business and administrative success, Eric, as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, provides a variety of clinical services. Eric has extensive experience conducting clinical trainings and presentations highlighting a range of techniques, topics, and theoretical designs. Further, Eric is adjunct faculty for the University of Utah School of Social Work, where he teaches a variety of clinical and professional development courses.

Mark R. Shields, M.Ed, LPC, CRAADC has 30 years behavioral health experience in prison, halfway house, hospital and community-based organizations. He is the Director of the Missouri Access to Recovery Grant for  the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health.

As Clinical Director of BetNoMore Gambling Programs with Assessment Counseling Solutions, St. Louis Missouri, Smith’s approach to family treatment is well established.  He has spoken extensively on the topic throughout the US. As a counselor, licensed clinical social worker, and nationally recognized trainer, he has been an active teaching clinician and administrator for well over two decades.  Smith has provided basic and advanced clinical training in gambling, co-occurring disorders, clinical supervision, spirituality and substance abuse for many years.  His most recent major, innovative workshops include self care, grief, meditation, and complementary medical approaches (including labyrinth work and cross cultural drumming)  to both addiction and the spirituality of wellness.

Since 2003 Kristen has tailored her marketing expertise to the recovery industry.  Her passion is making it easier for families to navigate decisions about treatment in the midst of a highly emotional, crisis management state of mind.  Her industry-specific speaking engagements have included NAATP and The Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders.  Kristen is now the Director of Marketing for A New Path, based out of Carbondale, CO and San Rafael, CA.  Prior to working with A New Path, Kristen spent 8 years with La Hacienda Treatment Center.  When she is not marketing you can find her on her yoga mat!

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Stuyt, MD is a board certified Addiction Psychiatrist and the Medical Director for the Circle Program at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, a 90-day inpatient treatment program, funded by the state of Colorado, for persons with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse who have failed other levels of treatment. She has been working in the field of addiction psychiatry since 1990 and joined the Circle Program at CMHIP in 1999. She was instrumental in helping the Circle Program to become tobacco free in January 2000 and has been a strong advocate of the need to address all addictions at the same time, including tobacco, in order to improve outcomes. In addition Dr. Stuyt is a Senior Instructor in the University of Colorado HSC, Department of Psychiatry. She has been actively incorporating complementary treatments into the Circle Program since 2000, including the 5-point ear acupuncture NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol, Meridian based therapies such as Emotion Freedom Technique, biofeedback based on heart rate variability and Brain Synchronization Therapy (similar to EMDR) to help patients recover from trauma which is often underlying addiction and chronic pain issues. She became a NADA acudetox specialist in 2000 and a NADA registered trainer in 2008.

After graduating from Drake University with a BA in International Relations, Lena worked as a Community Support Staff, assisting women with cognitive disabilities in reaching goals and living healthy lifestyles in Iowa City.  She was able to blend her interests in human rights, global health, and community building as a Master of Public Health student at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.  While at the College of Public Health, Lena worked on various health communications campaigns, including a Safe Teen Driving social media campaign and a video campaign in Lima, Peru.  She graduated with her MPH in August 2014 and began working at the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC in November 2014.  At the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC, Lena assists with curriculum development and manages technical assistance projects.

Martha Thompson completed both her doctorate and master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, MO.  Dr. Thompson is the Owner of Empower the Mind LLC. She provides outpatient mental health / drug and alcohol treatment, clinical training and consultation for professionals in the field.  Dr. Thompson has worked in various community services agencies including addiction treatment, domestic violence shelters and jails.    Dr. Thompson was awarded the 2013 Certified Professional of the Year Award by the PA Certification Board.  Over the last several years she has taught at Harrisburg Area Community College, Alvernia University and Lebanon Valley College.  In addition to her academics and teaching she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has completed Certification for the American Academy of Pain Medicine in Pain Management and Biofeedback Certification International Alliance requirements in both Biofeedback and EEG.  This additional training allows for a broad basis to meet a variety of needs for working with diverse populations.    She is a straight forward, honest person who conveys genuine concern for the wellbeing of clients.  As a teacher and trainer, she enjoys the opportunity to share her passion in an effort to inspire others.  Her philosophy is that teaching ten therapists can reach hundreds of clients where she may only be able to reach ten!

Gina de Peralta Thorne has two decades of experience working in the field of prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.  Her background in health communications and health promotions has evolved in both the public and private sectors working in local, regional and national organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher learning in Florida, New York, Ohio.    She has provided leadership support in residential treatment working with admissions, clinical and alumni.  She is currently the Vice President of Marketing for Lakeview Health providing support to individuals and families to learn more about the addiction treatment services offered.  Co-Chair for TPAS (Treatment Professionals Alumni Services) she helps foster growth for alumni leadership to grow Recovery Oriented Systems of Care within residential facilities.

Dr. Jim Tracy has been conducting Professional and Family Interventions for over 20 years. He is a nationally recognized speaker and educator in the areas of Impaired Health Care Professionals, Opiate Addiction secondary to Chronic Pain and Systemic Family Interventions. He is an expert in providing extensive monitoring services and family case management, and has experience in program development and facilitating family programs for some of the most respected treatment centers in the country.    Dr. Jim Tracy graduated in 1979 from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and he practiced General Dentistry for 18 years before making a change to help Families through Systemic Family Interventions while continuing work in helping Impaired Health Professionals.

Dr. Arthur S. Trotzky, an internationally known addiction treatment specialist, directs a project providing online aftercare services for the Israel Anti-Drug Authority in Jerusalem. Dr. Trotzky is a pioneer in online, group aftercare and established Online Group Therapy, while case manager in the Recovering Professionals Program at Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, Georgia.  Prior to his work at Ridgeview, Dr. Trotzky was a senior staff therapist for the Kibbutz Child and Family Clinic for 27 years and Clinical Director of Israel's first twelve-step rehabilitation center.

My name is Nicole Ward, I am a person in long term recovery of 15 years. I have been employed at Arbor Circle for 4 years. My goal is to work with individuals with substance abuse and mental health. I would like further my education and continue increase my knowledge base of substance abuse.

Michael Weiner received his PhD in Psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1970. He has taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and at The Rochester Institute of Technology.   He has been helping chemically dependent adults, adolescents, and their families since 1986. He held the position of Outpatient Treatment Director at Park Ridge Chemical Dependency in Rochester New York (1986-1993) and Treatment Director for the Addictions Recovery Center at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, New York 1994-1995).  Dr. Weiner has been the Director for Assessments/Education/and Research, Program Director, and Consultant for Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches/Seaside Palm Beach since 1999.   He continues to publish in professional journals and to at professional conferences. Most recent topics have been spirituality in recovery, and the impact of the ASAM 2013 criteria.  Dr. Weiner is an Associate member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Florida Society of Addiction Medicine (FSAM)   He was the proud was the2012 recipient of the “Vision Award” presented by Sierra Tucson for scientific contributions to the field of addictions.

Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S, Senior Vice President of National Clinical Development for Elements Behavioral Health, has developed and overseen multiple addiction and co-occurring mental health programs for nearly a dozen high-end treatment facilities across the country, including Promises Treatment Centers, The Ranch in Tennessee, and The Right Step in Texas. He also helped integrate Dr. Brene Brown’s Daring Way © Program into the Elements system. Past programs developed include The Sexual Recovery Institute in CA and Life Healing Center in NM. Mr. Weiss is a speaker and subject expert on the intersection of human intimacy and digital technology as well as sexual addiction for major media outlets including: The Oprah Winfrey Network, The NY Times, The LA Times, The Daily Beast and CNN among many others. Rob is the author of Sex Addiction 101: A Basic Guide to Healing from Sex, Love, and Porn Addiction (2015) and Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men (2013). He has also co-authored both Closer Together, Further Apart (2014) and Always Turned On: Sex Addiction in the Digital Age (2015) with Jennifer Schneider MD.  Mr Weiss currently blogs weekly for Psychology Today, Huffington Post, Psych Central, Counselor Magazine, and Addiction.com.

Meredith K. Wodrich, MS, LADC has worked in the field of addiction /co-occurring disorders treatment for 24 years. She has worked in a variety of clinical and administrative positions in treatment settings such as University of Minnesota, Fairview Hospital and River Ridge Treatment Center in Minnesota.   At River Ridge, Ms. Wodrich served as the Clinical Director and Director of Human Resources and participated in efforts to pilot and train staff in many of the recovery oriented, trauma informed, and gender responsive curricula written by Stephanie Covington.  She is currently the Behavioral Health Supervisor for Women’s Residential Programs at CeDAR, the Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Hospital. Ms. Wodrich received her BA in Art Therapy at Mt Mary College, her certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling at St. Mary’s Campus, the College of St. Catherine. Her MS in Experiential Education was obtained through Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her specialization has been developing activity-based therapy techniques applied in substance abuse treatment settings. Ms. Wodrich has been sought after for consultation in numerous behavioral health care settings that are working towards integrating mental health and trauma informed care into their practice. She specializes in program development and staff training.

Mary is a Licensed Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor who has over 30 years’ experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary is the Chief Executive Officer for WestBridge, an organization that provides integrated treatment for men with dual disorders in residential and community settings. Mary is Past President of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with primary focus in Interviewing and Attending Skills; Motivational Interviewing; Stages of Change Theory; Integrating treatment of Co-occurring Disorders; Group Counseling for Co-occurring Disorders, Strength Based Treatment for Dual Disorders and Evidence Based Practices for Dual Disorders.

Jeff Zacharias, LCSW, CSAT. CAADC, BRI-I, RDDP has extensive clinical experience in both the mental health and addictions fields. Currently, he is the President/Clinical Director of New Hope Recovery Center in Chicago. and maintains a private practice there as well. His areas of interest including working with all forms of addiction, severe and persistent mental health issues, trauma and its impact on recovery especially within the LGBTQI community. He is a member of NASW, NALGAP and NAADAC and is currently the Board of Directors for NALGAP. He has extensive experience speaking on issues related to addiction and the LGBTQI community most notably at NADC, NAADAC, NASW-IL, CCSAD and NASW - National and NAMI - National.