As Clinical Director of our Ft. Lauderdale location, Genna Risucci is responsible for managing the clinical staff and overseeing the well-being of the clients. Genna is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and she is certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy and Terry Gorski’s Relapse Prevention method. In May 2015, Genna graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Master’s degree in Counselor Education, with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In June 2017, she received her license in Mental Health Counseling. Genna grew up in Utica, NY, but she has lived in South Florida for six years. She loves running, hiking, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
As the Clinical Director of our Residential program in Delray Beach, Kelsey is responsible for managing the clinical staff and overseeing the well-being of clients. Kelsey received her Bachelor’s degree in 2016 from Palm Beach Atlantic University and has since graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, January of 2020. Kelsey has been working in the recovery field since 2019 and loves the ability to come to work daily and potentially have some positive impact on someone’s life. She loves spreading joy, gratitude, and positivity to patients and others that surround her. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Kelsey teaches day-to-day goals, reinforcing skills related to sobriety, healthy habits, and self-care routines to those struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders. Kelsey was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, but has called South Florida her home since 2012. She loves working out, running, and spending time with family and her dogs, Simba and Petey.
Eron migrated from Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995 after spending 18 years as a practicing psychotherapist, licensed as a Clinical Psychologist. Eron and his family have resided in Coral Springs for the last 25 years. He has worked in the field of substance abuse, both as a therapist and as a Behavioral Health Supervisor for Broward Addictions Recovery Centers’ (BARC) residential facility in Coral Springs for almost 20 years.
During that time, he supervised a group of eight counselors and techs, and focused on developing quality teamwork. He is qualified as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has attained certifications as a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), as a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), and as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS). He also received training in Certified Best Practices (CBT), and solution-focused therapy. He remains committed to working both as an individual therapist and as a team player within an eclectic theoretical framework, ensuring that it works effectively, is demonstrably ethical, is quality of life improving, and causes no harm to clients.
Eron retired from BARC in 2017, and still enjoys retirement. He has recently begun feeling a call to return to work in a part-time capacity in the front lines of addictions/recovery therapy. Eron is grateful for the opportunity to join The Beachcomber as a part-time employee and a member of the therapeutic team.
Ed Cejka is one of our new primary counselors in the evening for the IOP Program in Boynton Beach. Ed is a Master’s Level Counselor with state, national, and international credentials for over 20 years, and has been treating clients in recovery and with mental health concerns for over 25 years. He has been working with both adult and adolescent populations. He has clinical experience in addiction and has served over the years as a Clinical Director, Compliance Officer, and CEO administrator. Ed is also a Catholic priest. He is semi-retired in ministry, but serves the communities of Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Ed previously worked for the Archdiocese of Newark at the parish level, extensively with the homeless and addicted. He is noted for involvement in feeding programs for the poor and working to get treatment programs for recovering addicts. Ed also ran a medical clinic and dental clinic for the inner-city poor.
Ed is a graduate of Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary, and holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services. He has been teaching as an Adjunct Professor in Philosophy and Theology at Barry University in Florida for over 20 years. When Ed moved to Florida, he decided to live in the Palm Beach area He has two parrots he raised from babies, and has many horticultural interests. They keep him happy and always in awe of what God and nature can provide us humans when seeking serenity. He also has interests in Astronomy and Geology and has been on archeological expeditions in Ireland.
He brings many years of professional, non-judgmental caring to those suffering addiction and seeking serenity. His specialties include working with families, developing systems of coping, and relationship building. He has been teaching and educating people on how to reduce or extinguish unhealthy co-dependency traits, empowerment of women, LGBT communities, and education to identify domestic violence.
Ed has worked for the Broward sheriff’s office as a therapist in the Broward jail system. He has extensive forensic training and is a court liaison for Broward Co. and Palm Beach Co. He is well known for his contribution in the drug courts and Marchman Act advocacy. He serves on the Broward Interdisciplinary Partnership on Addiction. Ed is one who loves and cares that others are loved as well.
Ty Cowell joined The Beachcomber in 2019 after working at several other treatment facilities in the Palm Beach area and elsewhere for the last 13 years. Originally from Brooklyn, Ty now calls the Boynton Beach area home. Ty is currently enrolled at Springfield College of Tampa to earn his Master’s degree in Substance Abuse and Human Services. In his spare time, Ty likes to spend time with his family, play basketball, and work out at the gym.
Nancy Ewing was born in the Finger Lakes area of New York. Nancy received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in New York in psychology and education. Nancy has worked in substance abuse treatment centers, mental health clinics, psychiatric centers, a college counseling center, private practice, and as both an administrator and a clinician. Nancy has been in recovery for over 30 years. She specializes in working with trauma, co-occurring disorders, and families. When she’s not working, Nancy enjoys music more than anything else. She enjoys traveling and going to the movies. Nancy says, “I like to laugh”. Her favorite thing about working at the Beachcomber is the people she works with. She says that everyone is very compassionate, professional, and a pleasure to be around.
Dr. Culina has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years. She received her Medical Degree at University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1983. She completed residency training in Neuropsychiatry at University of Belgrade in 1992, and in Psychiatry at University of Miami /Jackson Memorial Hospital in 2007. Dr. Culina is board certified in General Psychiatry (2009) and Addiction Medicine (2014), and has more than eight years of experience in the field of addiction.
Kenneth spent the first 2 years of his career working as a Clinical Dietitian at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Since then, he has worked in multiple eating disorder, substance abuse, and mental health residential/outpatient treatment centers, as well as other hospital and long-term care facilities. Kenneth also has specialized expertise in sports nutrition, dietary supplements, diabetes, and gender affirming care. His dietetic internship included community, food service, and clinical rotations at the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Plantation General Hospital, and Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, Florida. Additionally, Kenneth spent the last two months of his internship working at the Renfrew Center for eating disorders in Coconut Creek, Florida, working closely with the residential, partial-hospitalization, and intensive outpatient eating disorder and co-occurring substance abuse populations.
Kenneth’s passion for dietetics/nutrition started with running cross country/track in high school. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Kenneth began studying dietetics/nutrition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he also ran NCAA cross country/track. Kenneth earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics/Nutrition at Keiser University in Pembroke Pines, FL, graduating summa cum laude. He is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN), and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Diabetes Association, and International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals. In addition to providing medical nutrition therapy to his patients/clients, Kenneth also applies his knowledge of sports nutrition to optimize his performance as a competitive marathon runner. He has completed the Toronto, Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Berlin marathons with a personal record of 2:57.00.
Scott is a Clinical Counselor and Therapist with nine years of experience specializing in addiction treatment. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami and has obtained multiple certifications, including Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and
Supports (2023), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) from the Florida Certification Board (2024), and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC & RC) through the Florida Certification Board (2024).
Throughout his career he has honed his skills in various therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Crisis Management, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Relapse Prevention, and Living in Balance. He conducts both group counseling and individual sessions, providing support to adults and adolescents with mental health and substance use issues. He has collaborated with the court systems to
assist mandated clients.
His mission is to help clients achieve balance and recovery in their lives.
Hayley Cole has been a registered nurse for the past 16 years, specializing in the fields of
substance abuse, mental health and home health. Hayley received her Bachelors of Science in
Nursing, from Florida Atlantic University. Hayley has a strong passion for helping others
struggling with addiction.
Brandon was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, and has built a career in addiction treatment and client care. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University, he began his career as a Senior BHT at the Drug Abuse Foundation, where he later got promoted to Facility Manager, and managed their Men’s 82-bed Residential and Extended Care programs.
Brandon went on to work as a Lead Case Manager at Banyan Treatment Centers before becoming the Clinical Administrator at Beachcomber Boynton Beach in 2023. In this role, he is responsible for case management, client intakes, and ensuring quality care for all clients.
In his free time, Brandon enjoys playing video games, working out, biking, and spending time
with his cat.
Paul has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State College in California, Pa. and a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, Paul holds the credential of Certified Addiction Professional from the Florida Certification Board.
Paul has worked it the treatment industry since 1995. He has held a variety of positions since that time. He has been a behavioral health technician at a psychiatric hospital/treatment center, a therapist for two separate Intensive Outpatient Programs, a primary therapist at a residential treatment program, and the Senior Therapist for that same program. Paul has also served as Admission Director of three South Florida treatment centers and Compliance Officer / Director for two programs.
Currently, Paul is facilitating therapy groups on a per diem basis at several local programs.
Cheryl has over 10 years of experience in the addiction/mental health field, working with adults who have substance use and mental health diagnoses. She is a caring and compassionate therapist that focuses on her client’s strengths to empower and support them to make their own positive and healthy lifestyle choices. She is dedicated to helping her clients and their families through their journey of recovery. She is 15 years sober as well. She is a certified recovery support specialist (CRSS) Certified addiction counselor (CAC), Internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor (ICADC), nationally certified food addiction coach (NCFAC), Nationally Certified Nutritional Recovery Coach (NCNRC), and Nationally Certified Intervention
Professional (NCIP).
Sean Rhoades serves as the Case Manager at The Beachcomber’s Fort Lauderdale office, where he combines professional expertise with personal experience to support clients on their recovery journeys. Having begun his own journey in treatment as a client at the Beachcomber,
Sean offers a unique perspective and deep empathy for individuals working toward recovery. He started his career in the field as a Behavioral Health Technician at another treatment center and quickly earned a promotion to Case Manager. In November 2023, Sean joined The
Beachcomber team, where his dedication and compassion make a lasting impact.
Sean is currently pursuing a degree in Social Work at Florida Atlantic University, and in his free time, he enjoys expressing his creativity through DJing and exploring ways to embrace fun and connection in recovery. Music has always been a meaningful part of his life, allowing him to
inspire and bring joy to others. Sean is passionate about fostering a vibrant sense of community and demonstrating that recovery can be both fulfilling and empowering.
Brandon Triche is a primary therapist at The Beachcomber’s Fort Lauderdale office, where he specializes in working with individuals suffering from addiction and trauma (PTSD). A former client of The
Beachcomber, Brandon has a deeply personal connection to the center’s mission. He began his career in treatment at another facility as a primary therapist, where he quickly developed expertise in addiction and
trauma. In August 2024, Brandon joined The Beachcomber team, bringing specialized training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) for PTSD. Over the years, he has had the privilege of working with diverse individuals from various backgrounds, including military personnel, adults, LGBTQ+ clients, and BIPOC communities.
Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lynn University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in counseling at Florida
Atlantic University, where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the counseling department. Outside of his professional work, Brandon enjoys attending music shows and embracing the fun and freedom that comes with sobriety. His unique blend of personal experience, advanced professional training, and dedication to client care allows him to connect deeply with those he serves, guiding them toward healing and transformation.
