Staffing Profile

Jerry Goldfarb, CEO and Partner, is an addictions specialist with over 15 years experience in the field of counseling and development of addiction centers. He participated in the design and implementation of the first treatment center in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He brings his comprehensive experience in facilities design and program development, combined with his successful history in the area of government and community relations.

John Giordano, CCJS, MAC, CAP, Executive Director of Clinical Services and Partner, is a graduate of the American Institute for Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy in New York. He has an in-depth background in the area of holistic approach to addiction treatment, nutritional counseling and vitamin therapy. A member of the National Association of Forensic Counselors, he has served as a court-appointed special advisor. His expertise encompasses dysfunctional family dynamics and treatment for abuse / trauma, attention deficit disorder, behavioral problems and self-esteem issues. With over 17 years of addiction experience, Mr. Giordano has designed, owned and operated several facilities here and abroad.

Gerald H. Goldfarb, B.S., M.B.A., Business Development/Marketing Consultant, Mr. Goldfarb holds an M.B.A in computer information systems from Georgia State University and a Bachelors of Science in Finance and Multi- National Business Operations from Florida State University. Mr. Goldfarb was a Managing Director and founding member of Austin Tech, LLC, a technology based organization located in Austin, Texas and was closely involved with the creation and development of its? products, marketing strategies, product documentation, proposals, financial forecasts and business plans. His responsibilities were to direct and guide the future focus of the company?s products and strategies in the marketplace. Currently, Mr. Goldfarb oversee?s Holistic?s online marketing, branding, relationship building and musiness development.

Stephen Kahn, MD, Medical Director, is a graduate of the University of Bologna, Italy; he completed his Psychiatric Residency at the Long Island Jewish Hillside Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York. He has maintained the position of Medical Director, Attending Physician and Psychiatric Consultant at treatment centers dealing with drug, alcohol and eating disorders.

Deborah Mash, Ph.D., Detox Consultant, is a faculty member in the Department of Neurology of the University of Miami School of Medicine with a secondary appointment in Cellular Molecular Pharmacology. Dr. Mash's area of expertise is called Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience and her doctoral dissertation was on Alzheimer's disease and the study of how the brain degenerates and how to restore function to the brain. Mash completed a fellowship at Harvard University and joined the faculty at the University of Miami in 1986. Dr. Mash has studied brain illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, but much of her work has centered on drug abuse, how drugs affect the brain and why certain people are more vulnerable to addictions. She is currently studying Ibogaine, a drug originating in the Iboga plant, which has been shown by anecdotal evidence and some animal tests to have anti- addiction properties.

S. Alana Gissen, LCSW, Clinical Director, S. Alana Gissen graduated from Barry University MSW in 1992. She received her license in clinical social work (LCSW) in 1995. Her specializations are addictions, P.T.S.D (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and therapeutic game development. She has worked in addictions in various settings including: JMH Hospital, Florida Power and Light, Dade County Public Schools + Non Profit Addiction Therapy Center. She has extensive experience working with children and adults post natural disasters. She has been trained by N.O.V.A. (National Organization of Victim Assistance) and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) on Responding and Assisting Victims of natural disasters. Alana developed a therapeutic gameboard to help children express their feelings about the natural disaster they experienced. This game board has been used for victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters in Florida and Hawaii.

Anne B Ruben, BA, MS, LHFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in substance abuse and mental health issues. Additionally, she has experience as group facilitator for HIV/AIDS support groups both homosexual and heterosexual through the South Beach Aids Project and Positive Connections in Miami. Currently, a counselor for Pre k ? 8 at St. Joseph School, Miami Beach. Private practice in pre-marital, family and couples counseling.

Mary Tiffany, MS, Counselor, Mary?s professional credentials include over twenty years in marketing, human resource management and business development in health care, manufacturing, retail and high tech environments. She gained her international experience while employed with a health care organization serving the European and Mid-eastern arenas. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, she has gained international recognition for her approaches to human relations in businesses as a consultant, professional speaker, and author and executive coach with a private practice for over 15
years.

Denise Whetsel, LMHC, B.S. in Psychology, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Counselor, Denise is a licensed mental health counselor who is a member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association and has achieved a Diplomat status with the American Psychotherapy Association. Denise has over 25 years of clinical experience with an individualized focus on children, adolescent and adults with a combined Axis I and Axis II diagnosis. During the last 8 years, Ms. Whetsel has specialized her focus to include personality disorders that often underlie addictions and eating disorders.

Denise graduated from Ball State University in 1978 with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Therapy and worked as a therapist in the music and art therapy department in a community mental health setting in Indiana until 1987. At that time she moved to Sarasota, Florida where she worked as residential manager, therapist and a program director of a day treatment program for dual diagnosed individuals. In addition, Ms. Whetsel has been a director of a partial hospital inpatient program for dual diagnosis patients and a consultant and a supervisor for numerous clinics and mental heath centers in southern Florida. Ms. Whetsel co founded and operated a residential program for eating disorders with the institute for human potential for two years in North Miami Beach, FL.