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Chief Executive Officer
Lisa brings many years of experience in clinical and management positions to Wayside House. She served as administrator of The Cottages of the Palm Beaches, deputy director and director of programs at Treasure Coast Health Planning Council, executive director of COMPASS, and a contract manager at the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. She has a degree in criminal justice from Auburn University and master’s degree in counseling and psychology from Troy State University.
Chief Financial Officer
Erin joined Wayside House with years of experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment facilities. She has provided a multitude of services from marketing and referral, to admissions and data management in Palm Beach County, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She served as senior business analyst for Sprout Health Group in New Jersey and at KIPU Systems in Miami. She was director of intake at Livengrin Foundation in Pennsylvania, and locally served as director of admissions at Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches and manager of health information management at The Watershed.
She holds a BA in political science and women’s studies from Rutger’s University and a juris doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law.
Chief Development Officer
Tamara (Tammie) Sellman, a former public-school educator, developed a passion for fundraising while working in a Baltimore City elementary school. She recognized the importance of funding in an under-served area and met the challenge by designing and developing ways in which to raise funds. Prior to joining the team at Wayside House, Tammie demonstrated her fundraising acumen while working as the Development Director at The Salvation Army in Durham, NC. While there, she secured hundreds of thousands of dollars through grant writing, corporate support, planned giving initiatives, and individual donations. Tammie truly enjoys getting to know donors through personal interactions.
Tammie holds a BS in education and a M.Ed. in math and science education. Her love of children translates into raising funds for women so that they may be better mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts to the children in their lives. She has a tremendous passion for fundraising for the recovery community. “I feel truly blessed and honored to be able to raise funds for Wayside House programs that are designed to change the lives of women as they recover from addiction.”
Chief Administrative Officer
Ashley Foy comes to Wayside House as a self-described “generalist” who has experience within all facets of the behavioral healthcare industry. Ashley has over 13 years’ experience formalizing internal processes, managing technical and administrative employees, achieving strategic goals and overseeing daily compliance operations. She is dedicated to achieving the highest level objectives through efficiency and innovation both internally and externally. Ashley served as Health Information Systems and Digital Marketing Administrator for Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, Inc. for 10 years. She then transitioned to the COO of UDT Software helping to create an EMR embedded with compliance and optimal usability.
Working as Wayside’s Chief Administrative Officer she plans to be a motivating change leader, exceeding quality assurance goals, creating efficiency, training development, problem and project prioritization and more. She is always growing her expert knowledge of quality patient care, Joint Commission standards, and state regulations. Ashley approaches problems with a unique perspective that allows her to implement changes and processes that improve the productivity and make the patient care experience exceptional. “I am passionate about recovery and helping to inspire others to offer their best selves, and I feel excited to contribute my experience to such an amazing team!”
Her holds a a BS in Healthcare Administration from Palm Beach State College and earned a Certificate as a Medical Business Manager and Digital Marketer from FAU’s Executive Education Program.
APRN advance practice registered nurse
Joan is dually certified as a family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She completed her advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) at Florida Atlantic University in 2011 and has served as the ARNP to many well-known and respected substance abuse treatment centers and local hospital.
Chief Clinical Officer
Michelle Fyfe is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Qualified Supervisor (QS), a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP), and a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator (CRRA).
Michelle has been making an impact on lives and helping others since 1997. She has vast experience and knowledge in the field of addictions and mental health. She has held several positions in for-profit and non-profit agencies. She sees therapy as a journey of self-discovery and self-realization. Michelle’s approach to therapy is cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and client-centered. She is compassionate, empathic, and supportive in engaging clients and assisting her clients with achieving their goals.
Michelle joined the Wayside House team in September of 2021 as the Chief Clinical Officer. She will uphold the mission of Wayside House by ensuring it is a safe, healing environment that helps women with drug and alcohol use by providing them with tools to rebuild their lives, reconnect with loved ones and recover from active addiction.
Residential Therapist/Lead Therapist
Cassidy is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in community psychology. She is an associate professional counselor in the State of Georgia. Cassidy’s experience began at community mental health in Georgia, working with school-age children from 7-21 as the primary therapist and merged into working with adult outpatient clients who struggled with a variety of mental illnesses.
Cassidy’s work focuses on several different areas including Neurodevelopmental disorders, Substance abuse, Grief/Loss, Anxiety disorders, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anger management, Relationship problems, difficult life transitions, poor coping skills, and work/school stressors. Cassidy currently works as a Residential Therapist/Outpatient Therapist for Wayside House. Cassidy is a known blogger, mental health advocate, and author of a self-care book entitled “Self-Careish: A Daily Affirmation Journal” to help encourage everyone to enhance their self-care plan to help with everyday stress. She takes a realistic approach to therapy and believes in helping her clients evolve into a healthier version of themselves.
Clinical Assessor and Group Facilitator
Christine earned an undergraduate degree in special education and psychology with a specialized focus in socially deviant behavior. She then continued on to earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling and art therapy with additional training in eco-psychology, applied behavior analysis, learning disabilities, and crisis management instructing. She is pursuing additional credentials in substance abuse and expanding her skill set in clinical assessments. She is licensed as a teacher, and counselor in NJ. Additionally, she is a registered art therapist, and a credentialed member of the American Art Therapy Association, American Counseling Association, and National Association of Special Education Teachers.
Christine has worked in a variety of settings including K-12 education, day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, various dual-diagnosis treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, child and family services, case management, and private practice. Currently, she is the Clinical Assessor and a Group Facilitator at Wayside House.
Christine’s approach to counseling and art therapy is holistic and rooted in the formation of a strong therapeutic relationship. She is able to adapt to the clients’ unique needs, meeting individuals where they are at using therapeutic modalities including Positive Psychology, Family Systems, Person-Centered, CBT, MI, DBT, MBCT, SFBT, and trauma-focused interventions. She allows space for the therapeutic process to unfold as the therapeutic relationship develops. She aims to provide empathic presence for you to gain awareness and work through issues that arise during these processes. She offers art making as a powerful tool on this journey. The imagery may awaken insight while activating blocked emotions and levels of creativity that may have never been explored. Her philosophy supports the belief that we all hold the wisdom and courage within us; to live the life we imagined.
Lead Therapist
Sarah Mehan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of North Florida and Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lynn University. Prior to coming to Wayside House, she worked as a primary therapist at a residential high-risk treatment facility for male adolescents at Palm Beach Youth Academy. In this position, Sarah provided group, individual and family counseling focused on improving day-to-day functioning to increase flexibility, improve social skills and develop frustration tolerance to effectively interact with peers and authority figures.
Emphasizing a collaborative approach, Sarah combines techniques from evidence-based practices of cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and family systems theory to accomplish positive treatment outcomes. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is currently working towards licensure in the state of Florida.
IOP/OP Program Supervisor
Priscilla has been working in the field of mental health counseling since 2011. She earned a specialist degree in education, master’s degree in mental health counseling, and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida State University. Priscilla is a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors. She has prior experience providing substance abuse counseling in detox level of care, and counseling to individuals and families. Priscilla mainly applies the Cognitive Behavioral approach to counseling, while incorporating aspects from other counseling approaches, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy.
PHP Therapist
Michelle is a graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a Master’s degree in counseling. She held licensure in the State of Illinois with 10 years’ experience with dual diagnosis treatment and a specialization in addiction. Michelle has worked in nonprofit residential treatment for the majority of her career primarily with a women’s-only population.
Michelle’s work focuses on several different areas including serious mental illness, substance abuse, grief/loss, anxiety disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, difficult life transitions and healthy identity development in women for empowerment and relapse prevention. Michelle currently works as a Primary Residential Therapist for Wayside House. Michelle utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach primarily with a cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapy foundation to identify and challenge unhealthy cognitive and behavioral cycles fostering low self- worth, low self-compassion and difficulty with self-forgiveness. She utilizes a realistic approach to therapy to meet each individual client where they are in the recovery process to promote motivation for healthy change.
Peer Counselor
Dana has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse since 2013. She is a certified addictions counselor and has experience ranging from case management and group facilitation, human trafficking collisions, and as an individual counselor for the department of corrections to aid in rehabilitating repeat offenders back into society. Dana utilizes multiple therapeutic approaches in her groups and gauges her decisions based on the individual’s needs. Dana likes to implement balance by using a spiritual approach for psychological matters. She designs group plans that promote self-worth, releasing self-imposed limitations, and shifting self-perception by using motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and inner child healing.
Peer Specialist
Medical Case Management/Peer Support
Cindy began her affiliation at Wayside House as a residential client, receiving treatment in 2014. She has maintained her sobriety and celebrated 6 years clean and sober in January 2020. Cindy was determined to give back and after working at Gratitude House, she joined the Wayside team in August 2018 as a Client Advocate and later received training in Peer Services. With a strong commitment to her recovery program, she now also conducts peer support sessions and facilitates onsite AA meetings, passing on her experience, strength, and hope to current clients.
Admissions Coordinator
Kristen Sanabria joined the Wayside House admissions team in 2020. Here, she assists with coordinating care for women seeking substance abuse treatment. She carefully guides potential Wayside House clients through the admissions process. Kristen has extensive experience in the addiction community, working in admissions, alumni coordination and as a behavioral health technician. She is knowledgeable about insurance plans and coverage pertaining to addiction treatment and is experienced in conducting assessments.
She is adept at crisis management, conflict resolution, and working within an interdisciplinary team.
Admissions
Elizabeth Giglio came to Wayside House in October of 2018 with over two decades of professional experience in the fields of law, finance, and property management. She began her career at Wayside in the role of Social Enterprise Manager and has served as Case Manager and now in admissions.
Elizabeth is a proud alumni of Wayside House’s residential treatment program. In January 2021, she celebrated her fourth year of sobriety. Elizabeth strives to provide clients with the same high standard of compassionate care that she received while in treatment. She hopes to utilize her prior experiences with addiction towards assisting clients with rebuilding their lives and navigating a path towards a sustainable plan for recovery.
Director of the Posner Career Center
Kathy earned a Master’s degree in social work at Barry University. She is a registered clinical social worker intern and is pursuing licensure in the State of Florida. Kathy has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, substance-abuse, job coaching and placement. Currently, she is the Director of Posner Career Center at Wayside House. Kathy brings over 20 years’ experience in substance-abuse and mental health. Kathy is proud to work at Wayside House and is passionate about giving back to the community through engagement and empowering women to live a positive lifestyle. She believes that work is important in early recovery and guiding women to find their purpose is just as important. She believes everyone needs understanding and encouragement.
Psychodrama Trainer/Therapist
Carole Oliver is a licensed professional counselor and a trainer, educator and practitioner in group psychotherapy and psychodrama (TEP). She is currently conducting psychodrama groups and trainings at Wayside House. She has 40 years of counseling, coaching, group psychotherapy and psychodrama experience. She is board certified by the American Board of Examiners in psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy.
As a Fellow of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, she has served on the Executive Council for the ASGPP, presenting at their conferences for the last 30 years. In 2014, she received the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama prestigious Hannah Weiner Award. Ms. Oliver has presented psychodrama trainings both internationally and nationally. Her latest international training was in Trinidad, The British West Indies in 2015.
Group Facilitator
Amy Milin, LCSW first entered the social work field when she took a year off to travel and volunteer. Amy received her Master’s in Social work in 2013 from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Counselor and a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida. Since the completion of her degree, Amy has worked with an array of populations dealing with substance use, trauma, anxiety, Infertility, women’s issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, and eating disorders. She has provided community-based mental health for adults and teens. Amy has a private practice in Boca Raton. She uses an eclectic approach that incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Experiential techniques, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Motivational interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Certified Yoga Therapist & Instructor
Alexandra Pachter is a functional and Integrative Yoga Therapist at Wayside House. She has dedicated her life to the self-study and practice of the limbs of Yoga, as well as working within the community teaching yoga and healing.
Alexandra is a C-IAYT (Certified International Associate of Yoga Therapy) IYT1000 (Integrative Yoga Therapist 1000 Hours of Training) an E-RYT500 (Experienced Yoga Teacher of 500 Hours of Training), and a YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider).
Alexandra began her yogic studies in 2012 at the Prem Yoga School, a Kripalu Yoga affiliated school. Alexandra is also a Reiki Master Healer, and studied under Scott Friedman at the Reiki For You School, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Alexandra also works with a wide range of individuals including others who are deep into their path of yoga, beginners of yoga, those who are suffering from chronic stress, those seeking healing/change, athletes, veterans, Alzheimer’s, individuals dealing with a wide range of addictions, and individuals dealing with PTSD.
Alexandra believes deeply in the healing aspects of yoga and the mind-body-spirit connection, and in a nourishing self-care regimen. She brings her knowledge and passion of yoga to Wayside House and stresses the importance of yoga in recovery.
Equine Therapist and Parenting Educator
Rhonda has spent the last 30 years devoted to assisting families and children on their journey of healing and recovery from addiction. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is board certified through the State of Florida as a mental health professional. She earned her Parenting Educator Certification in 2000.
Rhonda’s passion, and desire to help children and parents led her to Wayside House in 1989. While volunteering at Wayside, Rhonda facilitated a support group for children of mothers in the treatment after care program. She became a Certified Parenting Educator and went on to design and implement the first parenting program for mothers struggling with addiction.
She received her Natural Lifemanship fundamentals Certification and is currently in the intensive certification process of Natural Lifemanship. She co-founded HERD Foundation in 2018. It provides equine therapy and learning to South Florida veterans, youth in foster care, and adults that have aged out of foster care.
Marketing and Communications Director
Marlene has worked with Wayside House since 2013, writing grants, handling media requested, managing the website and social media, and developing Wayside House’s written materials. A former award-winning journalist at the Palm Beach Post, and public information director for Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County for 23 years, Marlene holds a degree in mass communications from Michigan State University.
Dietitian
Heather Silversmith RD, LD/N is a registered dietitian/nutritionist with over 20 years of experience. She graduated in 1995 from Miami University with a BS in nutrition and went on to Columbia University in New York City for graduate school. A large part of her career was spent working at the Renfrew Center, where she honed her specialty in eating disorder treatment work. After 18 years working in the residential setting, she went out on her own as a private practice/consultant dietitian. Her practice covers all facets of nutrition including chronic diseases, eating disorders and substance abuse. Heather loves working with the staff at Wayside House to offer the clients the very best in nutritional care.
“I have always supported Wayside House — I know women who have come through their program and support all they do. If you don’t know about this fabulous place I encourage you to become involved and find out more — they are an anchor in Delray Beach and their history speaks for itself.”
Nancy S.
“I went through Wayside House & it was the first place that actually felt like home to me. The staff actually care about their clients and their sobriety. I worked through so much here without fear of being judged. I love wayside & it will always have a special place in my heart along with ALL the amazing women who work there.”
Mandy W
I so wish I could tell the girls how much Wayside saved my life, and after 31 years sober, it still is just “One Day at a Time” and “The Serenity Prayer.” I will always remember those first days of being at Wayside and how the girls , the counselors , and the House put me back on track to living a fulfilled and Sober life . I followed the AA steps, got a wonderful sponsor and have followed that path ever since. — Pamela R.
“Thank you Wayside for being there for her when she needed your help the most!!!” Woohoo!!!
Wayside taught me how to be a woman and live life clean & sober!
Alexandra N.
“Wayside is more than treatment. It is a home. I grew up emotionally in that little house. I was there for 9 months and they were the best 9 months of my life. To have time to learn about yourself and take the time to focus on yourself is such a blessing. The plants I planted are still there. I see them in the photos. Such a special place!!”
Amanda O.
This is an excellent treatment facility and all women down in Delray Beach, FL. …if you have anything you can send to help these young/older women, believe me anything is appreciated. This place and God did wonders for my girl.
Amy G
Wayside House is where i went to rehab & they are AMAZING!! Its a 90 day program & alot of the girls have absolutely nothing when they move into the house. If your feel generous, or just want to help, it’s a worthy cause!! Mandy W.
“What a rich heritage Wayside House has!”
“It was so nice to hear from Wayside House. I am still employed and I love my job!!! I will have 9 months on the 21st of October…..All thanks to Wayside and you ladies at the Posner Center!!!!🤗”
“Tonight’s Wayside House Anniversary meeting and listening to the journey’s with 1,2,6,22,29 and 33 years in sobriety empowered my heart! So happy for one of the girls I sent to Wayside House.”
“Wayside does such good work in our community.”
“I just wanted to thank you for how you and the team make the world a better place. I won’t claim to understand the things you sacrifice, but you are truly wonderful for doing so.“
“I highly recommend Wayside Women’s in Delray Beach. My daughter completed their wonderful program, she’ll have 2 years July 1st. They have an active alumni. I couldn’t say enough good things about them, they’ve been doing this since mid70’s.”
“ Thankful for my sobriety and for Wayside! “
“Wayside House was and is an amazing place to me. I am on a journey that is better than I could have ever imagined. The strength of the women that came before me, that are beside me, and those that are there now teach me how to live “.
“Wayside saved my life and I will never be able to repay them for everything they have done for me.”
“Wayside house saved my daughter’s life. She transformed into the beautiful woman I knew she could be. It’s only been a few months but one day at a time she and I are enjoying her recovery journey!!!”
“We appreciate all that you do to help individuals in recovery, demonstrating God’s love in our community. Your staff at Wayside House continue to help in so many ways, women and their families that need the love, care and support that you are able to provide. Thank you so much for all you do for them. May God continue to bless you, your staff and your volunteers each and every day for the light you provide for our community.”
“ Wayside is “the light”! Congratulations on the article in the Palm Beach Post for all you do to make the commitment to help those in need.”
“I will always be grateful to Wayside for giving my daughter the tools and knowledge to live a sober life on the outside. You changed her life thank you thank you thank you, may all the people that pass through your wonderful cozy house succeed in sobriety as well.”
“I am sober and happy today thanks to Wayside.”
“Having the opportunity to go to Wayside was the best thing I’ve ever done. They lovingly deconstructed my life so I could put it back together. They are a serious program that gave me the ability to understand myself in a way I never thought was possible. They didn’t baby me and they taught me how to be beautifully authentic with myself and those around me. I really can’t thank them enough.”
“Please keep up your wonderful work; the kids of south Florida need you.”
“I am making this donation and thank you for all you do!”
“Celebrating 29 years 7/22/2016. Sponsoring, 3-5 meetings a week, and forever grateful to Wayside House!”
“I will be celebrating my 17th year clean and sober. PLEASE share with the celebrants that I am with them in spirit even though I can’t be with them. Wayside rocks! Remind them to stay until the magic happens.”
“I just want to give a shout out to the Wayside staff and alumni who organized and participated in the first annual gratitude dinner. The entire evening was absolutely devine! Wayside House saved my life and I am so very happy that you are at the helm.”
“Just walking down memory lane! I Love Wayside House! I went through twice!! LOL!! Clean and sober today! Love to all the women! XOXO”
“Thank you to Marlies and the Posner Center because without your guidance I wouldn’t have been pushed to pursue what I love and want out of a job and school. You’re amazing!”
“Proud to be a donor supporter of your efforts.”
“Wayside House saved my life. It was a place that gave me a purpose to follow my dreams. And gave me a life that I never thought could be possible. It is a place where God lives in the lives of so many recovering women. Thank you.”
“So many miracles and beautiful souls are at Wayside. It’s a very special place.”
“What an incredible gift to have gone to Wayside House. Keep up the great work!”
“I’m so grateful to be a Wayside Winner 12/89 . One day at a Time.”
“I have to commend Wayside House. They are a 1st class treatment center.”
“I went through Wayside House in 1991 and have been clean and sober for 23 years. I have had four children, two grandchildren, and am happily married. The aftercare and parenting groups that Wayside had is something that helped me so very much as a new parent who was fairly new in recovery. I now have a Bachelor’s degree in social work and am working on a Master’s degree in counseling specializing in addictions counseling. If I had not been placed in Wayside House so many years ago I would have never been able to achieve the things that I have in my life. I am forever grateful for the blessing it has had in my life!”
“Wayside is the benchmark by which I hold other similar facilities too.”
“I know many women whose lives have been greatly impacted by the quality support they experienced while enrolled and residing in your program. My first hand knowledge dates back to 1980 and I can attest to Wayside’s long tradition of excellence.”
“Wayside House saved my sobriety at a critical time in my life. My HP knew I needed to be there and surrounded by strong women who believed in me. Thank you!”
“ My life has changed very deeply. I have been given the gift of life in sobriety and treating it like a present.”
“I hated God & tried not to believe in any higher power before getting sober. Now I know that each day is a gift and that all things are possible through my spiritual connection. All of life is a miracle and for the ultimate good.”
“I just wanted to send my gratitude and thanks for all you have done for me and thousands of women out there recovering from addictions.”
“God bless your work at Wayside.”
“Thank you for all that you have done to make me experience Wayside and the true change in my life through this program. I am grateful.”
“To all of you fortunate enough to celebrate the holidays at Wayside, I hope you find peace and happiness. My Christmas at Wayside was one of the best ever as I received the lasting gift of sobriety. God Bless you all!”
“ My children have been returned and I have found God.”
“Wayside House and God have given me a life I never thought I deserved.”
“Wayside House played a very big role in treating our daughter. We will be forever grateful for you and our blessings from the Lord.”
“ I have restored relationships with my family and learned how to love others. I am accountable, help and trust others and enjoy living life. I have peace and I don’t worry. I know that everything is going to be OK. I also attend three meetings a week and sponsor several women.”
“ By spending time with my awesome God every morning who saved me by touching my life while at Wayside. God continues to draw me close to him.”
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