Our Professional Team

Lisa McWhorter, MS, CAP

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.

Erin H. Sherman

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.

Tammie Sellman

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.”

Ashley Foy BS, CMBM

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.

Marc Schlosser, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Marc Schlosser has been a practicing physician for over 30 years in Palm Beach County.  His advanced medical training includes board certification as an OB/GYN and Bariatrics as a specialist in Obesity Medicine. Dr. Schlosser holds a SAMHSA Buprenorphine Waiver and has completed a fellowship in Addiction Medicine and Bariatric Medicine (ASBP). Dr Schlosser is a Diplomate of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and the American Board of Obesity Medicine.Dr. Schlosser completed his medical training at the University of Miami Medical School, Jackson Memorial Hospital.  

Jacqueline Boutrouille, M.D. P.A.,

Psychiatrist

Dr. Boutrouille is a Diplomat Of The American Board Of Psychiatry & Neurology, Diplomat Of The American Board Of Addiction and Outpatient Detoxification Certified.  For the past 24 years she has been dedicating her time to the field of Addiction.  Over the the past six years she  discovered a new passion, teaching  substance abuse to young physicians during their residency. She is the owner and medical director for Addiction and Recovery Solutions, LLC in Tamarac, FL and is assistant professor for psychiatry and substance abuse at University Pavilion in Tamarac.

Joan Donnelly Morris, ARNP FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

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.

Michelle Fyfe, LMHC, QS, CAP, CRRA

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.

Dahana Emile

IOP/OP Therapist

Dahana Emile completed her Master of Science degree in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She completed supervised training and internship with Pax Recovery Center helping adults with substance use disorders and mental health disorders.  Dahana has experience working with substance use disorders and mental health concerns. She utilizes a variety of techniques that guides individuals through themes of compassion, confidence, identity, inspiration, and purpose.

Cassidy Ferguson, APC

Day Treatment/Outpatient 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.

Christine Weeks

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. 

Sarah Mehan

Therapist IOP/OP

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.  

Dana Barczewski, CAC

Adjunct Therapist

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.

Priscilla Berardo, LMHC

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.

Alison Sharp

LCSW

Alison first entered into human services quite by accident in 1988 when she came upon a sidewalk booth that was looking for volunteers for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City.  She signed up to be a pediatric buddy, and before long became employed in the field; working in multiple settings through 1994 as AIDS decimated a generation of men, women, and children.  During this period, she enrolled in Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, where she received her Master of Social Work in 1999.  Since completion of her degree, Alison has worked with an array of populations in arenas such as child welfare, geriatric case management, end-of-life care, and community mental health with adults, teens and children.

In 2012, she sought out a new challenge in the substance abuse treatment field as a case manager. Following this role, Alison transitioned into a therapist position, offering individual, family and group therapy by drawing on techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing; as well as a working knowledge of 12-step principles and practices. 

Alison sees her work in this field as a calling and feels fortunate to have walked beside so many on their journeys to recovery. 

Jessica Loeb

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Jessica Loeb, MS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, is a dedicated therapeutic professional with over seven years of experience in clinical mental health, social services, and case management.  She has a Master’s of Science in marriage and family therapy degree from St. Thomas University and her Bachelor of Arts in English from New College of Florida.

Her work is grounded in multiple therapeutic models; and would call her style eclectic and adaptable to the needs of her clients.  She uses Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help her focus on her client’s goals and strengths, MRI/Brief Strategic Therapy to help her understand the nature of problems and patterns, and Bowen Family Systems to go deeper into her client’s unique family histories. 

Jessica’s counseling style is warm, engaging, conversational, and collaborative. She believes in the power of authenticity, humor, and radical honesty in paving the way for making change. Recognizing people’s strengths and encouraging those around her is in her nature.  Jessica tries to thread the needle between challenging her clients to grow, while being able to see the various elements in their lives from multiple perspectives

Michelle Wichter

Residential 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.

Doreen Clancy

Peer Specialist

Cynthia Riordan

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.

Elizabeth Giglio

Case Manager

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 since June 2020, has served as Case Manager.

Elizabeth is a proud alumni of Wayside House’s residential treatment program. In January 2020, she celebrated her third 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.

Kristen Sanabria

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.

Kathy Maenza

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.

Laura Edge, MSW, MTBC

Music Therapist

Laura is a board-certified music therapist who graduated from the University of Kansas.  She has over 20 years’ experience, sharing her passion for the therapeutic, evidence-based benefits of music therapy.  She has worked with children and adults in hospice, bereavement, substance use, hospital, and memory units.  Laura also received her graduate degree in social work in 2013 from Florida Atlantic University.

She is currently a registered clinical social worker intern, pursuing licensure. Laura utilizes various therapeutic approaches to empower children, adults, and seniors in various settings.  She has worked with diverse populations who are facing substance use, grief/loss, Alzheimer’s/dementia, domestic violence, anxiety, and depression issues.  Laura implements a wide-ranging therapeutic approach, embodying strengths-based, music therapy, experiential techniques, cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, family systems theory, and solution-focused therapy. 

Carole Oliver, Counselor, MEd, TEP, LPC

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.

Amy Milin, LCSW

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.

Julia Manfre, LMHC

Group Facilitator

Julia has been working in mental health and substance abuse treatment since 2013. Prior to her role as group facilitator, she worked as an outpatient therapist for Wayside House and Family group facilitator. She earned her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida. Julia has a private practice in Boca Raton that specializes in empowering women by helping them heal from past trauma and she is the host of the Self-Care Solutions Podcast. Julia is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM), and Trauma-Focused

Alexandra Pachter

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.

Rhonda Beth Fritzshall

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. 

Marlene Passell

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.

Heather Silversmith RD/LDN

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.