At Freedom Institute, we are very proud of our team of skilled and talented professionals who are constantly strengthening their practice through continued study, participation in professional conferences and active membership in professional associations. In this way, Freedom Institute sustains its high quality services through integrating the best knowledge in the field.

As we celebrate more than 30 years of offering hope and help to those affected by chemical dependency, we salute our staff for their dedication, commitment and teamwork:

	Michael Noth, LCSW, CASAC – Clinical Program Director Michael joined the Freedom Institute as a full-time staff member in 2007. He came from Cornerstone of Medical Arts Center Hospital where he was Clinical Director. Over the past decade, Michael has worked in a variety of treatment modalities. Michael is a graduate of the Hunter School of Social Work.
	Rachel Russell – Director of Development Rachel joined Freedom Institute in June, 2007. She brings 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, primarily in youth and family services. Prior to her work in development, she was involved in direct service and program management.
	Dr. Dan Mierlak – Medical Director After completing residency, chief residency and a research fellowship in HIV psychiatry at Cornell-Payne Whitney Clinic, Dan completed his addiction psychiatry fellowship at Bellevue Hospital under Dr. Marc Galanter. There he served as unit chief for the Bellevue MICA-TC, a modified therapeutic community for homeless dually-diagnosed men housed in the Bellevue men's shelter. In 1998, Dan left Bellevue to become Director for Psychiatric Services at Smithers. Since 2000, Dan has been in full time private practice focusing on psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy of dually-diagnosed patients, and has served on the voluntary faculty at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
	Charlanne Zepf Bauerlein, LCSW – Director of Adolescent Programs Charlanne serves as the Director of Freedom Institute’s Independent School Program as well as overseeing the Institute's Adolescent Clinical Program. Charlanne is a skilled clinician who works with adolescents and their families. After more than ten years, she continues to build the School Program and her team of adolescent specialists who work in over 50 New York area independent schools. Charlanne also serves as the Student Assistance Counselor at Greenwich Academy in Connecticut.

Clinical Team

	Barbara Bock, LCSW – Family Therapist Barbara Bock has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She has specialized in chronic medical illness, including addiction, and its effect on families and significant others for many years. Barbara joined Freedom Institute in 2008 and is currently a family therapist in Freedom Institute's Family Program.
	Mary Bohnen, LMHC, CASAC – Director of Client Services Mary worked for seven years as a therapist at the Breakthrough Outpatient Program at Gracie Square Hospital prior to coming to Freedom Institute in 1999. She is currently the Director of Client Services.
	Fran Calafatello, LCSW, CASAC-T – Adult Counselor Fran Calafatello joined Freedom Institute in September 2008 as an individual counselor and group facilitator. Fran had a career in fashion before obtaining an MSW from Fordham Graduate School of Social Services. She has trained at Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy and completed training in Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addiction at the William Alanson White Institute. Prior to joining Freedom Institute she provided psychotherapy to young adults and their families.
	Richard Cino, LCSW – Adult Counselor Rich Cino has worked at Freedom Institute since June of 2002. Rich previously worked at Hazelden Out Patient services and The Realization Center, both in NYC. He completed his psychoanalytic training at Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis and trained at the Gestalt Associates, both in NYC. Rich is trained and certified in Shiatsu Body Work for treatment of addiction and somatic healing.
	Mary Condon – Intervention Consultant Mary Condon has been with Freedom Institute for more than 30 years and works closely with Connie Murray facilitating Interventions and family consultations. Mary is a charter member and current Treasurer of the Association of Intervention Specialists, a network of professionals throughout the country and abroad.
	Alex Dayton, MA – Adult and Adolescent Counselor Alex joined Freedom Institute in 2009 as an adult and adolescent counselor. Alex Received his Master’s from NYU and completed his training at Bellevue hospital working with adults with both chronic mental illness and addiction and at FEGS. Additionally Alex has worked with adults, adolescents, and children at the Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy and works on a research team at the Center for Health, Identity, behavior and Prevention Studies conducting HIV and substance abuse research.
	Dr. Michael Fayne, Ph.D. – Clinical Supervisor Dr. Fayne joined the Freedom Institute staff in 2005 as Advanced Clinical Supervisor. His professional career included a decade at the Smithers Center. He also served as Director of Inpatient Addiction in the Department of Psychiatry at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
	Laurie Kaplan, LCSW – Adult Counselor Laurie is the Co-Director of the Ackerman Institute's Diversity and Social Work Training Program and teaches in the externship program at the Institute. She has worked in residential treatment centers, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and in the public schools. Ms. Kaplan has taught family therapy in many community agencies and hospitals throughout the metropolitan area and has presented nationally and internationally on substance abuse.
	Sandy Kennedy, CASAC – Compliance Coordinator, Adult Counselor Sandy has been with Freedom Institute since 1996. He worked in the world of international banking prior to receiving his credential as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor.
	Margaret Klein, LCSW – Family Therapist Margaret joined the Freedom Institute Clinical Program in March 2006. She treats individuals, couples and families. Prior to joining Freedom Institute, she worked as Director of Family Services at Inter-Care. Margaret holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from New York University and has trained at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
	Maria Kratsios, LMSW – Adult and Adolescent Counselor Maria joined Freedom Institute in the fall of 2008. She facilitates groups in the Intensive Outpatient Program and works individually with adults, young adults and adolescents in recovery. Prior to becoming a social worker, Maria had a ten-year career in investment banking. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College and a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University.
	John Laud, CASAC – Marketing Director John has been a CASAC since 1980. He had a long career at The Smither’s Treatment Center from 1979 to 2000, where he was a counselor for 10 years and Director of Marketing. John has served as Secretary and Vice President of the Employee Assistance Programs of New York, serving the corporate and city agencies. He has been with Freedom Institute since 1981, where he serves as a counselor and Marketing Director.
	William Lawson, CASAC-T – Adult Counselor Billy has been associated with Freedom Institute since receiving his CASAC-T in 2008. Prior to working at the Institute he served as a group facilitator at Stuyvesant Square. He has almost 40 years in the private sector and is the CEO of a women's retail footwear company which has nine stores in the tri-state area.
	Connie Murray – Intervention Specialist Connie joined Freedom Institute in its infancy, and for over 30 years has been committed to the mission of its founder, Mona Mansell. She served as Executive Director until 2007, and serves as the President of Freedom Institute, a member of the Board of Directors and a Senior Consultant. Connie is particularly dedicated to the Intervention process and is a charter member of the Association of Intervention Specialists.
	Rachel Ravin, LCSW – Adult Counselor Rachel Ravin joined the staff of Freedom Institute in December 2007. She facilitates group and individual work with adult clients in early recovery. Rachel earned a master's degree at NYU's School of Social Work in 1994. She is doing post-graduate work at the Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training and has attended professional development workshops in psychodrama. Prior to coming to Freedom Institute, Rachel taught substance abuse prevention to middle school students in Vermont and worked with clients in early recovery at the Realization Center and Inter-Care in New York City.
	Anita Ronis, LMSW, CASAC – Adult Therapist Anita Ronis has been a member of Freedom Institute's staff since 1992. She initially served as a Group Facilitator and Consultant, while still working as an Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing at a major real estate firm. In 2002, she joined the clinical team full-time as a therapist. From 2007 to early 2010, Anita served as Freedom Institute's Executive Director, overseeing the operations and development of the organization. She recently stepped down from that position to fully dedicate her time and attention to clinical work. She continues to work part-time as a therapist at the Institute.
	Carrie Sanders, MPH, LCSW – Family Program Coordinator / Family Therapist Carrie joined the Freedom Institute in 2009 as the Family Program Coordinator. Carrie has a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University, and worked for ten years doing program development, clinical research and policy work in HIV, cancer and substance abuse. Carrie then graduated from Hunter School of Social Work and worked for several years providing family therapy in the child welfare system. Carrie also has experience as a clinical supervisor and she is currently in training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.

Independent School Program

	Lisa Abroms Herz, LCSW – Clinical Director of Adolescent Programs Lisa is the Clinical Director of Adolescent Programs at Freedom Institute. She has been with Freedom Institute for more than 15 years and has been dedicated to the Institute's mission of better serving adolescents and their families. She treats adolescents and adults for depression, anxiety, eating disorders.
	Tessa Kleeman, LMHC – Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist, MA Counseling Psychology Tessa serves as Supervisor to the Independent School Program counselors who conduct educational workshops with students, parents and faculty at independent schools throughout New York City. She is the Student Assistance Counselor at The Dalton School and The Trevor Day School. As the Director of Professional Development, Tessa facilitates skill-building workshops on "How to Respond Effectively to Students Regarding Substance Abuse," for faculty and administrators of independent schools on-site at Freedom Institute.
	Katherine Prudente, LCAT, RDT – Counselor, Independent School Program Katherine is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in New York and Registered Drama Therapist. She joined the Freedom Institute as a Counselor in 2009. Previously, Katherine provided home-based family and individual therapy and foster care placement with HeartShare Human Services of New York for 3 years. Additionally, she has acted as an on-site mental health counselor in New York City's public schools through Counseling in Schools, National Network. Katherine holds a BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and an MA in Drama Therapy from NYU, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.
	Marjorie Terry, LMSW – Coordinator, Independent School Program Marjorie is a Prevention Education Counselor in the independent schools. She is the Student Assistance Counselor at the Chapin School. She is also responsible for scheduling student, parent, and faculty workshops. Prior to receiving her MSW, Marjorie worked as a recruiter and diversity specialist in the Financial Services industry. Marjorie is a graduate of Hunter College School of Social Work.

Administrative Support Staff

	Taina Batista – Billing Manager Taina began at the Freedom Institute in 2009. Taina brings with her a wealth of experience specializing in payroll, human resources and insurance. Taina has been involved with administrative work for over 6 years. She is extremely personable, a huge team player, and excellent at detail oriented work and multi-tasking. She hopes to return to school in the near future to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Business and Human Resource Management.
	Ashley Dickerson – Receptionist Ashley joined the Freedom Institute in the Fall of 2009. As a sincere, personable individual she is dedicated to the Institute's mission of offering hope. With a background in the arts and a passion and commitment to individual recovery, she has combined her love for people and the arts by transitioning into the non-profit world.
	Jennifer Flores – Office Manager Jennifer began at Freedom Institute in 2009. Her passion for helping others began when she was a Peer Educator at Community Counseling & Mediation at a very young age. She brings with her extensive experience in client service, management and human resources. She is currently attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice and completing her Bachelor's degree in Forensic Psychology.
	Kathryn Hecht – Communications Coordinator Kathryn comes to Freedom Institute following many years as an actress. She then assisted two of the industry's top real estate investment brokers. After volunteering and raising research funds through cycling, Kathryn decided to turn her focus to the non-profit world. In July 2007, Kathryn joined Freedom Institute as the Development Coordinator.
	Maria Mack – Project Coordinator Maria joined the Freedom Institute team as Project Coordinator in the Summer of 2009. She previously worked as a Project Manager for Nickelodeon and Marketing Coordinator for Lonely Planet Publications. Her transition into the non-profit sector came after volunteering at Austin Recovery in Austin, TX and Hazelden's Outpatient Center in New York.