Chief Executive Officer: Peter Harrigan
Peter A. Harrigan CEO of the Orchid Recovery Center is a respected addiction industry leader. Peter has been committed to research based holistic treatment, and provides state of the art holistic treatment services in his network of centers. Orchid Recovery Center provides Holistic Detox Services, Residential Treatment Centers, and Out Patient Services through-out the United States.
Chief Operating Officer: Evelyn Olavarria
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare/substance abuse programs in Illinois and Florida, Ms. Olavarria brings a diverse set of talents and skills to The Orchid team. She has been at The Orchid since its inception and works closely with the Clinical Treatment Team, clients and their families towards the ultimate goal of “helping women heal”. Her background as an administrator and facilities manager is blended with a special interest in helping to guide women with their spiritual and emotional journey in early recovery.
Outreach Coordinator: Loren Seaman
Ms. Seaman has been with The Orchid since its inception after deciding to make a career change that allowed a lifelong dream to come true of working in the substance abuse field. Her experience in marketing and public relations and her primary goal of “helping women heal” is what sparked her career at The Orchid. Loren’s unfaltering dedication to her work is only shadowed by her ongoing commitment to be able to provide women with the quality treatment services that they deserve. “I am honored and blessed to work with our caring staff and inspired by all they do to change the lives of every individual who walks through our doors.”
Administrative Assistant: Justine Taylor
Justine has been a part of the Orchid team as a behavioral health tech for a year, in that position she worked closely with the clients on a day to day basis. As administrative assistant her duties include overseeing the Orchid Alumni, assisting with admissions, verifying benefits and works closely with both the administrative and clinical teams.
Medical Director: Mark G. Agresti, MD, PA
One of the nation’s top experts in the psycho-social aspects of addiction, Dr. Agresti brings his tremendous knowledge and extensive treatment experience to The Orchid. Dr. Argesti has been a practicing psychiatrist for over a decade and has proudly served as the Chairman of the Department of Psychology at the highly-prestigious Columbia Hospital.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Karen Coakley, MSN, ARNP, BC
Karen is on staff as a Psychiatric Mental Health and Medical Nurse Practitioner. Karen’s medical background spans over 30 years having started as an Emergency room Nurse. As each client is admitted, Karen expeditiously evaluates their medical and psychiatric needs. Karen combines her compassion and astute skill of medication management to formulate an individual protocol to effect a successful outcome for each of her clients.
CLINICAL TREATMENT TEAM
Clinical Program Director: Tina DePaolis, LMHC, NCC, CAP, CCJAP
Ms. DePaolis has worked in the field of addictions and mental health for over 20 years, with an emphasis on severe personality and mood disorders. Ms. DePaolis is the rarest of professionals, who has held high-profile positions at several levels within the industry, including therapist, director and consultant in a number of different modalities. Tina has also developed and supervised programs for managed care, legally involved clients, offenders and victims of domestic violence and genderl-specific treatment. Tina was trained in experiential therapy, family sculpting and psychodrama early in her career under the tutelage of Lois Klocek, MS who studied under Mary Lee Zawadski who was featured in Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse’s video entitled “Another Chance”. She is knowledgeable in all regulatory and ethical guidelines of treatment services. Tina is a skilled trainer and a nationally renowned speaker on a variety of topics related to substance abuse and mental illness. She is the Clinical Treatment Team Leader and oversees the clinical aspects of all client cases and provides supervision to the clinical staff. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Addictions Professional, and Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional and is also a Certified Pet Therapist.
Lead Therapist: Mindy Appel, LCSW, ACSW, DCSW
After receiving her Master’s Degree from the well-regarded program at Tulane University, Ms. Appel has focused her professional efforts on her passions: PTSD and women’s issues related to addictions, codependency, anxiety and depression. Her therapeutic training and style lends itself to the special needs of those individuals with severe trauma and dual diagnosis. For 20 years, she maintained a successful private practice in New Orleans, Mindy relocated to South Florida and joined the staff of The Orchid. She received specialized training in experiential therapy, psychodrama and family therapy from Ann Salter, LCSW, and Carey Matthews, Med, both of whom studied family therapy under Virginia Satir, Gestalt and group therapy under John Heider and worked with Sharon and Joe Cruse in family and addictions focused experiential group work.
Therapist: Laura Ward, MA, TCP, CAP
Ms. Ward has worked in the field of substance dependence for over 10 years specializing in the care of women with trauma. Laura trained at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Her master’s degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology emphasizes the importance of modern therapeutic techniques. Laura has been trained in psychodrama, Jungian dreamwork and Gestalt. Additionally, Laura is a Certified Addiction Professional with the state of Florida. Laura’s education includes the tutelage of Stanislav Grof, Tian Dayton, and Duey Freedman. Her breadth of knowledge extends from both her educational studies and her time in the field working both with individual clients and as a group facilitator.
Case Manager: Michelle Sena, BSW
Mrs. Sena holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Marywood College in Scranton, PA. Prior to joining Orchid, she was the Outreach Coordinator at Sunset House, an extended care treatment facility for men in recovery, where she provided Case Management, Marketing and Fundraising services. Before moving to Florida, Mrs. Sena was a Social Worker for several years in the Philadelphia, PA area. She also has a varied business background as a corporate recruiter within Fortune 500 healthcare companies and government contracting organizations. At Orchid, Michelle’s role encompasses new admissions, group facilitation, and aftercare planning. Michelle is passionate about recovery, and strives to help her client’s discover the tools necessary for successful sobriety.
HOLISTIC ADJUNCT PRACTIONERS
Acupuncture: Dr. Randal Lyons AP, LAc
Dr. Lyons is one of the United States’ top acupuncturist and seamlessly melds auricular therapy with proven-successful traditional oriental medical techniques. He is a Board Certified Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbologist, a licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine and consultant to treatment centers throughout the world. He is the author of “Opening the Eyes of the Heart”.
Meditation: Maya Malay, MA – Theology
Ms. Malay hold a Masters degree in Theology and is a Pastoral Counselor. She incorporates the application of a variety of modalities including: rebirthing, meditation and breath work. Maya is able to help clients to address their painful issues through loving support and an open heart. Her experience and techniques are in perfect harmony with the holistic approach of The Orchid.
Creative Arts Therapy: Frances Flanagan-Earl, M.A. CAP
Ms. Flanagan-Earl has earned a nationwide reputation as one of the top creative arts therapists and Certified Addictions Professionals in the world of addiction recovery. She has decades of experience developing and facilitating healing arts programs for women in recovery. Additionally, Frances utilizes a variety of artistic mediums such as imagery, collage, color and clay to assist in the development of spirituality, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Yoga Instructor: Angelina Lucia
Angelina has spent the past decade-plus mastering her craft as a yoga practitioner. She is a certified Tri Yoga Instructor, a Level 1 & 2 certified radiant Child Instructor and a Certified Yoga Arts Instructor who studied directly under the tutelage of the heralded Master Duncan Wong. She is the founder and Director of Bindu Yoga Studio and is a nationally certified and state licensed massage therapist.
Conscious Eating: Giri Bek, RHN
Giri’s own healing journey brought her to the Healing Arts over 15 years ago. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Transformational Breath Facilitator and Reiki practitioner. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, she offers the clients at Orchid an Introduction to the “Conscious Eating” paradigm, an expanded approach to nourishment on all levels; mind, body and spirit.
Nutritionist: Kathy Willow, NC
Kathy Willow is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and graduate of the Global College of Natural Medicine in Santa Cruz, CA. She is committed to teaching the women at Orchid how to make a healthy diet a part of their lifestyle; and why it is so important during times of healing and recovery.
Massage Therapy: Julie Feldman, L.M.T.
Julie is a well trained, heart centered professional with over 20 years of exprience in the field of massage therapy, working primarily with women in recovery. She blends Swedish, Deep Tissue, Raindrop Therapy, Reiki, Chakra Balancing, Active and Passive Stretching and Breathwork into her massage sessions. She is also a Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor and a glass artist with a line of recovery jewelry.
