Meet the dedicated Addiction Treatment Specialists Florida families have relied on since 1976. Our medical and clinical staff provide expert care across our South Florida locations.
Our team includes licensed therapists, nurse practitioners, and board-certified psychiatrists. We focus on evidence-based treatment and personalized recovery plans for every individual.
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.
As one of our primary counselors, Juanita facilitates process groups, meets with clients for individual therapy, completes quality interventions with clients, provides 12-step education, and leads music and art therapy. She also dedicates her time to collaborating with other staff members to ensure the highest quality care possible for our clients. In addition to being a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), Juanita has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a concentration in Addiction Studies. With 21 years of recovery and 19 years of experience working in substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities, Juanita utilizes her expertise to help our clients succeed. Originally from Newark, NJ, Juanita has resided in South Florida for over 30 years. She is a guitarist and DJ, and enjoys spending time with her two children, five grandchildren, and her pit bull, Boomer.
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.
Linden Cheney is a newly Licensed Practical Nurse specializing in the substance abuse field. Linden has worked in the addiction field for over 30 years, which has provided her the experience to become well adapted in Rapid Resolution Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and other evidence-based therapeutic practices. Linden has a deep passion for helping people recover from addiction. This passion is what led her to get her nursing license. She desires to play a part in transforming people’s lives by helping them both medically and emotionally recover.
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.
Charlotte is an RN who joined Beachcomber one year ago. She brings with her over 30 years of nursing experience and approximately 15 years have been working in A&D Treatment in the capacity as a detox nurse and she retuned back to college to pursue further education to work with alcoholics and drug addicts and is currently working in Residential, PHP/HIOP and IOP as a group facilitator.
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.
Mary joined The Beachcomber in July 2024 but has been working in the substance use treatment industry since 2023. Due to her own personal experiences, Mary is passionate about helping others suffering from substance use and mental health issues. Mary resides in Delray Beach, FL with her dog, Winston and enjoys spending time with him, going to the beach, and being with her close friends and family.
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.
Andrew Kosow has been a Primary Therapist at Beachcomber for three years and has worked at other facilities as a Primary Therapist and Family Therapist since 2018. Andrew earned his Masters of Science in Licensed Mental Health Counseling from Lynn University in 2019 and has an undergraduate psychology degree from Emory University.
Andrew came to Florida for alcohol treatment in 2015 and stayed in Sober Living for two years while going through his steps and also earning an Addiction Counseling degree from Palm Beach State College. Andrew started his career as an intern and group facilitator at a treatment
center but was promoted to therapist within a year while in school.
Andrew is a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous and believes that honesty, non-judgment, and humor are the cornerstones of a successful therapeutic relationship
Michael Giorgi is a former Catholic priest. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Pontifical College of the Josephinum, and studied Adolescent Counseling at Fordham University. He taught high school for many years and served as a counselor to both students and families. Coming to The Beachcomber with 25+ years of sobriety and over 30 years of experience in this field, Michael serves as counselor for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning Clients (LGBTQ). He brings a much-needed element into the field of recovery, with a specific program designed for the LGBTQ community. Michael facilitates both men’s and women’s groups and conducts individual and family counseling. Michael has served in many roles in the LGBTQ community, including Co-Chair of the Florida Roundup and President of Lambda North, the 12-step Alternative Clubhouse for Recovery in Lake Worth, Florida. In addition to working for The Beachcomber, he has a business, Dream Wedding Ceremonies, and serves as a non-denominational Minister, officiating weddings throughout Florida.
Erin is a dedicated and experienced Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 30 years in the medical field and 28 years as a nurse. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from SouthUniversity, graduating summa cum laude, and is currently advancing her expertise by completing a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree at Wilkes University. Passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centered care, she integrates both traditional medicine and holistic wellness approaches to support overall health and well-being. Her commitment to lifelong learning and compassionate care drives her practice, ensuring that each patient receives personalized and thoughtful treatment.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys traveling, spending time with family, snorkeling, and
beachcombing. A devoted animal lover, she shares her home with four cats and finds joy in the simple pleasures of nature and the ocean.
Kathryn Smith is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to her work. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Certificate in Addictions from Florida Atlantic University and has three years of experience working across a variety of clinical settings. Kathryn supports individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, substance use, and family dysfunction. Her work emphasizes self-discovery, personal growth, and sustainable change, creating a supportive space where clients feel heard and empowered. Kathryn is deeply committed to helping individuals move forward in healthy, meaningful ways and takes pride in being a trusted guide on their journey toward emotional well-being.
Karen is a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Candidate who brings both professional experience and personal understanding to her work in the recovery field. Since entering the field in 2021, she has worked across the full continuum of care, including detox, residential, PHP, and IOP levels of treatment. Karen began her career as a Behavioral Health Technician and worked her way into a counseling role through dedication, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others find lasting sobriety.
As someone in recovery herself, Karen understands the courage it takes for individuals to seek help and begin rebuilding their lives. She takes pride in being client-focused and believes strongly in providing individualized care that meets each person where they are in their recovery journey. Karen believes recovery is built through honesty, connection, and learning how to live life on life’s terms with the support of others.
Karen’s passion for this work is deeply personal. After losing her sister to addiction in 2022, she became even more committed to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use. She feels honored to walk alongside individuals in recovery and is dedicated to helping others find hope, healing, and the freedom that comes with lasting sobriety.