Mandi Sjogren Duggan LMHC, NCC comes to Unity Recovery Center, Inc. with a diverse background in addiction and clinical management. She began her substance abuse career in 1999 at Catholic Social Services in Pennsylvania, and has been employed by Family Recovery in Georgia, and other Florida Drug Rehab Centers such as The Watershed, and The Renaissance Institute. Most recently, Mandi has experience in assisting drug rehab facilities become licensed by DCF and accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO). Mandi is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, holds a National Certified Counselor credential, and is a Florida Qualified Supervisor.

Dr. Mark Hernandez M.D., P.A is excited to be a part of the Unity Recovery Center team. He has been practicing in the field of addictions for over 10 years. He began his training in the Dominican Republic and completed his residency training with Jackson Memorial Hospital. In the past he has worked with pharmaceutical companies to research psychotropic medications for Anxiety, Alzheimer's Disease, Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and Neuopathy. Most recently Dr. Hernandez was the Medical Director of The Watershed of the Palm Beaches. In addition to his private practice, he is associated with North Shore Medical Center, Palmetto General Hospital, Florida Medical Center, and Larkin Hospital.

A recent graduate of the University of Florida with her Bachelor of Science degree. Stacy comes to Unity with a strong desire to help others. She has gained this passion due to her experiences with family and friends who have battled the disease of addiction. Stacy strives to ensure the highest quality and most personalized treatment for all individuals. She works hard everyday to make sure that all client needs are met, and that they receive the utmost treatment. Her main goal is to help create and facilitate the most seamless recovery experience possible.

Greg joined Unity recovery Center in 2010. He started in the field as a Corrections Officer in 1992 working with both mental health and substance abuse clients. He joined the Wedge Medical center in 1992 as a primary therapist treating Children, Adolescents, Adults as well as Dual Diagnosis and Criminal Justice clients. After relocating to Florida in 2002, Greg became Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Choices Recovery Center in Ft Pierce. He transitioned to Program Director of Florida Center for Recovery in 2004 and then moved To Twelve Oaks in 2008 as Marketing Director. Greg has held every position in a treatment center. He applies his 20 years of experience with our admissions team.

Emily Stevens, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, Provisional MHC comes to Unity Recovery Center from Atlanta, Georgia with over 18 years of clinical experience with diverse populations. Her unique background and approach with emerging brain-based research and interventions such as EEG/QEEG, neurofeedback, alpha-stim/CES, BAUD and AVS has provided her with a unique approach to working with clients with a variety of disorders and dual diagnosis. She began working with addiction clients in 1994 with the Peniston Protocol and began developing specialized protocols for individuals with multiple treatment experiences to better address their dual diagnosis needs in treatment. In 1995, she provided the first of several regional brain-based dual-diagnosis trainings for the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse and has been an invited speaker at numerous conferences including the Summit Addictions Conference providing specialized dual diagnosis training to addictions professionals from around the country. Her research and publications have focused on innovative brain-based approaches to improve treatment outcomes with depression, anxiety, ADHD and addiction with a comprehensive mind, body and spirit approach to treat the whole person. As a professional and consultant with Neurobehavioral Consulting she has worked with an array of programs over the years from Psychological Sciences Institute, Florence McDonnell Center, Everwell, Camelot, Georgia Baptist Children's Homes, Inner Harbour – Youth Villages, MEDS-PDN, PESI and more providing training and brain-based program development. She is a frequent speaker and has presented to hundreds of audiences, which include television news appearances, conferences, educational and radio programs.

James was born and raised in Southwest Florida, and graduated from LaBelle High School in May 2006. Upon graduating he pursued playing college football in Canton, Missouri at Culver-Stockton College through 2007. One year later he transferred to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL where he finished his AA degree geared towards Business Administration. James has worked at Gainesville Health & Fitness as Facility Supervisor. During his work experience with GHF he is also a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM).

Though his work experience and schooling he has gained an abundance of knowledge regarding business management. During this process he has found his true passion of helping others. The substance abuse field gives him the opportunity to pursue his passion of helping others on a daily basis, which is second to none. He enjoys learning new things and maximizing his potential, as well as those that are around him.

Justin Baksh recently graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Justin is currently working towards his Master's in Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. Justin loves being in this field because of how rewarding it has been to help people with their journey towards recovery. Justin has a strong dedication to helping others which he accomplishes by using strategies of attention to detail, time management, and communication learned while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Justin dedicates his time to ensure each client has all of their needs met by finding community resources tailored to their individual needs. Justin also ensures all of our clients have tangible and realistic aftercare plans and expectations.

Jared and his team are responsible to keep the facility in running order, including set up, design, maintenance, and janitoral aspects of the facility. Jared has been in the construction business for over 11 years. He has been a project manger for many large scale developments and several government contracts for military infrastructure. He is in recovery himself and enjoys working in a treatment center trying to help others start their lives of recovery.

Soteros Maniatty, CPA comes to Unity Recovery Center with over 18 years experience in the executive financial management area, including eight years within the mental health industry. Other positions included being Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Palm Beach Zoo. While there, his responsibilities included overseeing the construction of a $40.0 million redevelopment project, being responsible for day to day operations as well as managing a $70.0 million portfolio. At previous positions, he monitored the cash flow for a $2.0 billion publicly-traded global services organization and acted as a Government Regulator for the Captive Insurance industry domiciled in the State of Vermont He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Vermont and holds a license in good standing as an active CPA from the State of Vermont.

Barry University, Miami FL

With over 15 years experience in residential and commercial property management, Susan is eager to fulfill her desire to utilize her skills and knowledge in an industry that helps others. Sharing Jason Ackner's vision of providing highest quality, personalized addiction treatment, Susan works creatively and diligently with individuals and their families to make treatment available and affordable. Susan is part of a team of professionals that understands the pain and suffering of addiction and is passionate bringing recovery to the addict and their families.

Kim Creech is our Accounts Payable and Payroll Administrator. She has 20+ years in Accounts Payable mostly in the construction industry. She worked for O'Connor and Taylor, Inc. for 7 years as a Project Manger's assistant. She has been with Unity Recovery Center, Inc. since 2009 and has helped build Unity to what it is today; a caring and compassionate facility. Kim has a family history of Alcoholism in her family and can relate to the people who come into Unity Recovery Center, Inc. with understanding and compassion.

Lynn Nessel is our Billing Team Leader and she brings to Unity thirty years of expertise in healthcare management and billing; with the last five years specifically spent in the behavioral health field. Prior to joining our team, Lynn worked at C.A.R.E. Treatment Center in North Palm Beach, FL. Lynn is responsible for handling all aspects of our insurance billing and is available to answer any insurance questions that you may have. Her experience coupled with her compassion to help others allows our clients to rest easy knowing that they are in good hands and focus on what really matters—their recovery.

Heather's experience includes working for Fortune 500 Companies in areas such as sales, marketing, office management, and customer service. "Personal experiences with people in my life gave me the passion to help others change their lives to become more happy and independent while remaining humble and supportive".

After working and growing up in the nursing home business, Nicole M. DeFontes of Baltimore, Maryland currently serves as Director of Utilization Review for Unity Recovery Center. Nicole has worked at other treatment centers during her professional career and is particularly proud of her role at Unity. Nicole works hard to make sure that each client receives the proper insurance coverage in order to provide the most possible time in treatment which gives these recovering individuals the best chance for a successful recovery. Ms. DeFontes is passionate about her work and takes a personal interest in providing the best possible service for each and every client that walks in the doors of Unity Recovery Center.

Lisa Worth, LPN who started her journey working on the crisis help line at Lake View health systems, she then worked at Florida Center for Recovery for 7 years starting on the help line and progressing to the Utilization Review Department. Lisa then continued her journey at Choices Recovery Center as the Admissions director. Currently holds a position at Unity Recovery Center as Utilization Review and was previously a case manager. She has a broad experience in various aspects of substance abuse treatment and a passion for this field and enjoys helping others.

Susan joined Unity with 15 years of innovative strategies for growing small and large organizations. She comes to us with experiences in designing and implementing employee benefits programs, new hire orientations, managing staffing processes and developing meaningful job descriptions and bonus goals. Experience in resolving employee issues, creating initiatives improving employee satisfaction and retention and designing effective staffing strategies to target top talent. She is also a professional member of the Society of Human Resource Management.

Crystal "Nicky" Morris comes to us after completing her Master of Arts Degree in Student Personnel Services, Counseling from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Currently, she holds the National Certified Counselor credential. Early in her education Nicky identified the field of addictions as a special interest. Nicky has experience in intensive outpatient programs and inpatient treatment centers that have met various client needs from addictions to other mental health problems. Nicky also has experience working with adolescents, adults, as well as senior populations.

Nicky's professional accomplishments include presenting at several local and national conferences, membership in American Counseling Association, and co-authoring a journal article on the topic of cyberbullying. Other professional interests include activity based therapy and meditation exercises. Nicky is currently working on obtaining Mental Health Counseling Licensure. Counseling is a passion for Nicky and she loves the difference that therapy can make in one's life.

Lisa has been in the nursing field for 21 years and has extensive experience in neurosurgery and pain management. After training at The Florida Back Institute she opened and managed their satellite office in Stuart Florida. She has also worked in all aspects of internal medicine, including office nursing as well as fieldwork and chart review for a local Home Health Organization. She is relatively new to the rehab community, however, feels she has learned as much as our clients and thrives in the opportunity to be a part of something as important as a second chance at life.

Cathleen is originally from New York and has fifteen years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health and addiction programs. She completed a Masters Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Drugs and Alcohol in 1997 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addiction Professional and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Additionally, she is a Licensed Qualified Supervisor for mental health and social work students and registered interns. Most recently, she attained training and education in rapid resolution trauma therapy and is a Certified Practitioner in Rapid Resolution Therapy.

David Gibbs M.A., LMHC, CAP, ICDC brings over 18 years of experience to the Unity Recovery Center, Inc. family. David's diverse background in addiction, mental health, and clinical management brings a unique approach to the chemical dependency treatment arena. David has worked in both the for profit and non –profit environment in every level of the continuum of care, ranging from Inpatient, Partial hospitalization, residential, and outpatient. David's professional experience has included Program Development, Clinical Management, Marketing and presenting at both local and national levels.

David is also licensed as Licensed Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor III in Ohio. David is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, and is a Florida Qualified Supervisor.

Heather comes to us with a BA in Child and Family Studies from Stony Brook University NY. She has worked 10+ years in helping families to access care in NY for UHC and Not for Profit. She was the Director of Child Health Plus Program, Health and Welfare Council of Long Island. Heather has a passion for experiential therapy including Equine Assisted Psycho-Therapy.

She is currently completing her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Springfield University Tampa Campus. She has been sober 20 years and is grateful to be able to use her experience in recovery with others. Previous work history in substance abuse and mental health include the Hanley Center/Gatelodge. Heather began her journey with Unity in May 2011 as clinical intern and in Admissions in July 2011.

Tricia Epple graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL with a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Tricia is currently in the process of becoming a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern with the state of Florida.

Tricia's prior employment includes Martin Girls Academy in Stuart, FL, a High Risk Florida Juvenile Justice Residential Facility for Adolescent Girls providing therapeutic services. Tricia has interned at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL at the inpatient psychiatric unit. Tricia was a volunteer at Palm Beach County's Victim Services Unit as a Victim's Advocate. Tricia has also been afforded the opportunity to train police officers on effective communication techniques and crisis intervention strategies to assist with hostage negotiation situations.

Tricia has experience working with individuals who come from various backgrounds and have had struggles with substance abuse, self mutilation, suicidal ideation, traumatic experiences, and who are dually diagnosed. Tricia dedicates her time to providing clients with quality therapeutic services treating each client as the unique individuals they are. Tricia strives to assist clients with developing the tools necessary to lead sober and healthy lifestyles and is passionate about helping those who are in need and desire to have a positive future.

Tatiana Bergstrom, MA comes to Unity Recovery Center, Inc. with a diverse background in addiction and mental health services. She began her mental health career at Community Connections, Inc. Washington County Mental Health, and Fletcher Allen Healthcare Inpatient Psychiatry. She then broadened her spectrum in addictions with a history of working for the Drug Abuse and Treatment Association and Ambrosia South LLC. She also has a history of working in parole and probation for the Federal Government assisting mentally ill, substance abusing offenders with reintegration into society. Tatiana holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from New England College and a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University - Washington, D.C. campus and the American School of Psychology. She brings to Unity a passion for recovery and a positive attitude!