Team Showcase
Stephen Boyarsky – Brother Stevie B. helps clients develop a healthy relationship with God through spiritual counseling and extensive knowledge of God’s word. Brother Stevie B. is the Ministry Leader of the Recovery Bible Study of Ft. Lauderdale. (recoverybiblestudy.org) Stevie believes he is blessed to be the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery, in Dania, Fl.
Doctor Valdivia is an experimented Psychiatrist with more than 35 years of experience. He completed 4 years of Residency in General Psychiatry and Subspecialty in Geriatric Psychiatry ( July 1980- June 1984 ) at the University of Miami. Degree of Licensure in Medicine and Surgery with Grade of Excellence at University of Salamanca, Spain ( March 1980 ) and he completed a Fellowship in General Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Medical Center ( July 1983-October 1985 ).
Honorary Member of International Foundation of Neurosciences, ( June 1987 – present ).
He has his private practice in Miami Beach since 1984 that combines with the position of Medical Director and he is been very active in multiple Research Programs in Miami. His previous Clinical Positions as a Medical Director of Broward Center for Mental Health and Medical Director at Continuum Partial Hospitalization Program make him a reference in the Psychiatry of Miami.
John Charos grew up in Queens, New York John struggled with drug addiction for many years. Now with over 20 years in the South Florida recovery community, John has devoted a large part of his life helping young men overcome the same addictions he struggled with for so long. John keeps recovery and his relationship with God first in his life and is eager to help patients reach a happy and joyous recovery.
Mark is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional and Qualified Supervisor. Mark has over 20 years of counseling experience working with diverse populations including at risk youth, juvenile delinquents, and over the past several years, he has worked exclusively in adult substance abuse treatment. He has worked as a Primary Therapist, and Clinical Director at various treatment centers.
Mark employs an empathic and motivational approach to working with clients. Mark utilizes personal knowledge from being in recovery himself to connect with clients. Mark likes to develop understanding and connection with what each client is struggling with as they progress in treatment.
Mark is well versed in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement, but also uses a variety of other interventions to keep clients engaged and active in their own treatment. Mark is particularly gifted at recognizing the barriers and challenges or early recovery and his mission is to aid all clients to negotiate the physical, emotional, and psychological hardships that present as each client is working through these challenges.
Mark is also a proponent of aiding clients to develop better help seeking skills with the knowledge that being vulnerable, asking for, and receiving help in positive ways starts in treatment, but needs to expand during and after treatment so that clients can begin to thrive again and live rich and full lives.
Patty Charos is our Intake Coordinator and handles all our Human Resource responsibilities. During the intake process Patty establishes a relationship with the new client and explains our Christian and Spiritual approach with God and how our IOP Program works. Patty works with clients and their families for guidance with financial and insurance verification.
Stephen Jackson, CAP, BHT, CRRA has been in the recovery community in South Florida for the past seven years. He has worked as a behavior health technician and in housing management for the past six years. He has a passion for helping others. He demonstrations this passion on a daily basis by helping the newcomer who is just getting started in recovery process. He makes himself completely available 24 hours a day for his staff and takes pride in his working relationships.
Allison Konovalova is dedicated to helping others struggling with addiction and mental illness. She provides crisis counseling, individual counseling, couples counseling, family, and group therapy. Allison focuses on treating substance abuse and mental health issues in the context of family systems theory; as well as using cognitive behavioral, narrative, reality, structural, and eclectic therapy approaches. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a member of the AAMFT.
Dori comes to us with over 30 years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field. Dori has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology which she received from Malone University. In addition, Dori a Master of Science Degree in Varying Exceptionalities from Nova Southeastern University. Dori has worked with diverse populations including children and adults with autism as well as various learning and behavioral disorders. Dori has worked in the substance abuse field for the past 15 years where she has worked with dually-diagnosed adults in various settings including a faith-based homeless shelter and traditional treatment centers
Dori has a strong background in applied behavioral analysis as well as Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Dori also is highly skilled at teaching clients coping skills including anger management and self-calming skills. Dori utilizes a variety of techniques to engage clients and help them increase their motivation for long-term recovery
Mark works in business development at JC’s Recovery Center. His responsibilities include working with other centers to find each patient the care that will best meet their needs on an individual basis. He also acts as an advocate for current patients, and helps them with questions and concerns during their stay at our center.
Brandon Hammer started working at JC’s Recovery a few years ago as a Housing Manager where he developed and sharpened the skills needed to help people struggling with addiction. Now, as an Office and Case Manager in our Treatment Center, Brandon specializes in building rapport with the clients and providing peer mentorship. Brandon is passionate about assisting clients and their families based on a spiritual approach to help guide them through the recovery process. Being an active member of both the AA and CR community. He believes, through the 12 steps and a personal relationship with God, each client can learn to use their greatest struggles and turn them into their greatest strengths. His ability to organize and multitask while applying his experience and compassion to every situation, proves to be effective when establishing relationships and making a positive difference while encouraging those that are struggling in the shadows to step out into the light.
Deanne is a Registered Nurse passionately committed to the holistic health of our clients. She is a faithful and devout Christian attending the same church for the last 25 years. She has been close to the recovery community for over 27 years and understands the struggles for both the addict and their families. She is known for her joie de vivre and positivity, always seeking to be excellent in all her endeavors. Her goal in life is to love well and live well, always glorifying and acknowledging her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
