Meet the Team

Ellie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida, seizing valuable opportunities to intern at various departments of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office in Orange County, Orlando. In her role as a victim advocate, she provided indispensable support to victims of violent crimes, accompanying them through hearings and depositions.

Driven by her passion for aiding individuals facing mental health and substance use disorders, Ellie pursued a Master’s degree at Florida Atlantic University. During her studies, she dedicated herself to making a positive impact by interning at a local addiction treatment program.

Whether engaging with clients individually or in group settings, Ellie adopts an eclectic approach to therapy, recognizing the unique responses of each individual. Her practice encompasses psychodynamic theory, delving into clients’ childhood experiences, past and present relationships, and personality styles in relation to current life patterns. Additionally, she employs cognitive behavioral approaches aimed at shifting perspectives and outcomes.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Ellie is an accomplished artist who studied fine art at Palm Beach State College. Integrating her passion for art with therapy, Ellie specializes in creative expression therapies such as Sand Tray Therapy, Psychodrama, and expressive art. She firmly believes that exploring through action can yield profound insights, heightened self-awareness, and the motivation to lead a fulfilling life.

Dedicated to the well-being of individuals on their journey towards healing, growth, and self-discovery, Ellie combines her diverse skill set, artistic talents, and therapeutic expertise to create a holistic and impactful approach to mental health support.

Stephanie is a dedicated mental health professional who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and went on to achieve her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. Committed to the belief that therapy is universally beneficial, Stephanie recognizes the initial apprehension that individuals may feel when embarking on their therapeutic journey.

With a client-centered approach, Stephanie meets individuals where they are, providing unwavering support through the challenges that have led them to seek therapy. She places significant emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, considering it the cornerstone of effective therapy. Stephanie takes pride in cultivating unique connections and fostering trust with each client.

Stephanie’s therapeutic methodology encompasses a comprehensive and holistic approach, ensuring optimal support for clients in reaching their goals. Her passion lies in assisting teens and adults in navigating a spectrum of issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, self-worth, substance abuse, and life adjustments.

Demonstrating her commitment to professional development, Stephanie is a Master’s Level Certified Addictions Counselor and holds international certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Furthermore, she has received specialized training in EMDR trauma therapy, to support clients impacted by trauma.

In her practice, Stephanie strives to create a safe and empowering space for individuals to explore their challenges, fostering growth and resilience. With her wealth of expertise and compassionate approach, Stephanie is dedicated to helping clients improve their well-being.

Dalva, originally from Pennsylvania, commenced her remarkable journey to long-term sobriety in 2019. Since 2020, she has been working in behavioral healthcare, starting as a dedicated Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) and progressing to the role of Case Manager at a local dual diagnosis treatment facility. Dalva’s commitment centers on providing assistance to individuals navigating the complexities of substance use disorder and severe mental illness.

Her personal experience in the realm of recovery serves as a driver of Dalva’s profound passion for aiding others on similar paths. Whether offering a compassionate ear or practical guidance, Dalva derives immense joy from supporting individuals through challenging periods. In her capacity as a Case Manager, Dalva collaborates closely with clients, developing personalized plans to ensure comprehensive support at every step of their journey.

Dalva’s journey from sobriety to her current professional role reflects not only her resilience but also her dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges. Her authentic empathy and hands-on experience, position Dalva as a valuable ally for individuals seeking support and guidance on their path to recovery.

My recovery journey began on May 27th, 2018. Before that, I struggled with my sense of self and purpose, often feeling defined by negativity and hopelessness, and disconnected from my potential. Entering inpatient treatment on that date was a turning point.

Treatment allowed me to re-examine my life and challenges, prompting deep reflection on the future I desired and the reasons for change. I had reached a point of complete exhaustion with my current state. I recognized the unsustainability of my lifestyle and its impact on those around me. Initially, self-recognition was difficult, but through dedicated effort and introspection, I began to rediscover myself.

Committing to this inner work, I gradually developed self-respect and self-love. I learned self-compassion, accepted my past, clarified my values, and prioritized a healthier relationship with myself. I realized the importance of internal work before meaningfully engaging with others. I also recognized that many former interests no longer aligned with my goals and embraced new, healthy pursuits such as meditation, fitness, and authentic connections with like-minded individuals.

Today, I am privileged to work in the treatment and recovery field, supporting others in building fulfilling lives. My experience includes working with individuals facing addiction, mental health challenges, and eating disorders. I am trained in client de-escalation and bring extensive experience from addiction recovery. I am knowledgeable about the 12-step model and comfortable working with diverse populations.

My primary motivation is empowering individuals to achieve a future they once thought unattainable. I am deeply passionate about this work and fully committed to supporting others in their recovery journeys. I recently completed training through SEI, earning certifications in Spirituality and Ethics, as well as my Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) certificate. I intend to take the RCP designation exam and eventually pursue the CAI course to become a certified interventionist.

Outside of work, I cherish time spent with my fiancé, friends, and family. I find joy in simple pleasures, like quiet evenings with a good movie. Sobriety has gifted me a life exceeding my former expectations, and I am grateful daily for the opportunity to live it and help others achieve the same.

In 2021, James arrived in South Florida seeking treatment, where he was launched on a vigorous and ultimately transformative journey to recovery. Recognizing the ecstatic feeling he gained from helping others cope with their own internal worlds, he found work as a Counselor’s Assistant at a dual-diagnosis treatment center the moment the opportunity presented itself. There, his passionate and empathetic work with clients was recognized, and he quickly progressed to the clinical team, with a focus on helping others relate to themselves through a lens of compassion and agency. This served to fuel James’s desire to always infuse career with giving back to the world around him.

With extensive experience in working with those struggling with substance abuse and mental health, James received the credentials of Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). Using said experience, he seeks to help his clients develop the life skills necessary to meet their individual goals, while emphasizing the importance of meeting them where they are at. James is always sure to bring a profound level of patience and compassion to the table when working with others, knowing it can be a struggle to have both for themselves.

Having gone through their own long road to recovery, James is fully dedicated to working with others on their own arduous journey. He uses an empathetic, compassionate and individualized approach to helping clients realize their own goals, and thrives on seeing their emerging progress.

David Samaniego is a compassionate and experienced Behavioral Health Case Manager based in Delray Beach, Florida. With over five years of hands-on experience in the behavioral health field, David has worked with individuals across all levels of care — from outpatient services to crisis intervention and residential treatment. His career has been shaped not only by his professional training but also by his personal journey of recovery and resilience.

In 2020, David made the life-changing decision to confront his own struggles with addiction and has been sober ever since. This firsthand experience gives him a deep, empathetic understanding of the challenges his clients face — and a powerful ability to connect with them on a human level. He approaches every case with authenticity, compassion, and a belief that recovery is always possible.

David specializes in care coordination, client advocacy, discharge planning, and helping individuals navigate complex systems of support. He is especially passionate about working with those facing addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, providing the guidance and encouragement needed to move toward lasting stability and growth.

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, David brings a diverse and grounded perspective to his work. Now based in South Florida, he is dedicated to advocating for accessible, person-centered behavioral health care and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

A Florida native born and raised in Palm Beach County, Brittney Owens brings over five years of experience in the treatment industry to her role as Case Manager. Prior to joining the case management team, she served for three years as a supervisor of the Behavioral Health Technician team at a leading mental health and addiction facility.

With eight years of personal recovery, Brittney has dedicated her life to helping others overcome addiction and mental health challenges. Her lived experience allows her to connect with clients on a deeper level, making her a reliable and relatable listener and motivator. She takes pride in building trust with clients, supporting them on their path to recovery, and encouraging them to explore new hobbies and interests through meaningful outings and engagement.

Outside of work, Brittney is a devoted mother to her 19-year-old daughter and an active volunteer at a local food bank. She holds current CPR certification and remains committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care every step of the way.

I’ve had a passion for enriching the lives of others since I was a kid; as a child I was the comedic relief, the best friend giving out relationship advice as a teenager, and as an adult, the person who loved bringing people together to foster connection.  Working in the helping professions has been a labor of love, and at this point, I wouldn’t change a thing about the journey. As I’ve matured in my career, I’ve embraced the challenge of integrating all of my personal and professional parts to bring a greater sense of personal insight, awareness and genuineness to my clinical practice. It’s prompted an evolution of my therapeutic identity and allowed me to move through the world in more authentic, personally powerful ways.

My clinical style is rooted in the humanistic principles of genuineness, authenticity, and the belief in folks’ innate propensity for healing. My training has helped me to believe in, witness, and cultivate a de-pathologized perspective of struggle and suffering so that change can be more accessible through strengths-based intervention. At the core of any clinical encounter with me is a feedback-informed, collaborative relationship built on mutual appreciation and respect. I strive to create an environment of safety, nurturing, and potential that is tailored to each person’s personal intersections of culture, psychology, and internal narrative.

I was educated at Florida Atlantic University in South Florida  and received degrees in psychology (bachelor’s and master’s in experimental psychology), clinical mental health counseling (master’s) and counseling education (doctorate). I went on to pursue advanced training in specific modalities of psychotherapy, including psychodynamic Adlerian work, Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples, and the Gottman Method for couples counseling. I was fortunate to learn from experts in the fields of trauma, couples therapy, and clinical effectiveness. Over the last decade of study and practice, I’ve been able to build on these experiences, additionally writing and researching on issues related to spirituality in clinical practice, sexuality and sex-positive practices, professional values, and wellness.