OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Transformations leadership team is committed to helping our treatment center run at its best so our clients have the tools and support they need to succeed. The decisions we make and steps we take follow the goal of providing effective, personalized treatment that helps people live their lives in a new way. At the same time, we’re focused on keeping our treatment center sustainable and growing to help as many people as we can for as long as we can. Every member of our leadership team embodies our core values of integrity, innovation and growth. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our center while keeping the care of each client at the forefront of our ever-changing industry. All of our decisions that we make are based on helping people. That’s our mission and our guiding principle.
Lisa Fluxman
Executive Director of Client Services
Meet Lisa Fluxman, Executive Director of Client Services at Transformations. Lisa oversees the Client Services division, including Alumni, Admissions, Client Services Administration, Client Advocate Services and Community Outreach. Lisa’s 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and executive management has helped the Client Services department grow in leaps and bounds. She continues to steer the department forward. Lisa shares her passion through relationship management; sales, customer service and helping her team grow as they help clients achieve success in recovery.
Dr. Rachel Needle
Vice President
Dr. Rachel Needle is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Sex Therapist. She obtained her M.S. and Doctor of Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She graduated Cum Laude with her B.A. in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University. Dr. Needle completed an internship in clinical psychology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: Robert Wood Medical School in Piscataway.
Dr. Needle has specialized training in behavioral health and since 2006, has been a clinical consultant for treatment centers specializing in substance use disorders. Dr. Needle is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences, in the Masters in Forensic Psychology, and in the Doctorate in Criminal Justice programs, at Nova Southeastern University. Her clinical research interests include substance abuse and the impact of substance use on relationships and the family, sexual function and dysfunction, relationship concerns, sexual compulsivity, battered women and trauma.
Sergio Muriel
LMHC, CAP
Executive Vice President of Clinical Services
Sergio is a Certified International Alcohol and Drug Counselor as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Professional in the state of Florida. His passion and vision is to help people, and their families, that have been affected by the disease of addiction and mental health. Sergio has his Master’s Degree in Education, from Florida Atlantic University, where he majored in mental health and rehabilitation counseling.
Sergio has over 15 years of experience in the fields of mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. His previous positions included serving as Executive Director, Admissions Director, Assistant Clinical Director, Primary Therapist, Judicial Services Coordinator, Family Therapist, and BHT Supervisor in the behavioral health industry. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Sergio brings his extensive substance use and mental health experience with him as a valuable member of the Transformations team.
Matthew Hirsch
President
Matt has his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, with a Minor in Psychology, from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. In his role as President, he works closely with the company owner overseeing operations, billing and collections and important decision-making processes.
Since 2010, Matt has held many roles at Transformations Treatment Center. Previously he worked as our Director of Admissions and Executive Vice President of Administration, where he directed the Admissions and Outreach personnel.
Embracing our core values of integrity, innovation and growth, Matt is responsible for providing strategic leadership and works diligently to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies for Transformations.
Geoff Spillias
BS, Psychology, BS, Communications
Executive Vice President of Operations
Geoff earned two bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Interpersonal Communications from the University of Central Florida. He began working at Transformations in 2009, bringing extensive business experience from previous positions he held. As Executive Vice President of Operations, he oversees all company projects & operations.
Dr. Jawad Daud
Medical Director
Dr. Daud is a board-certified Psychiatrist in both General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. In addition to treating substance use disorders, his interests include the treatment of individuals suffering from mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, as well as anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Many times patients suffer from both substance use disorders and psychiatric illness and he truly believes the optimum treatment of both is essential. He encourages a multifaceted approach including medication management and therapy but also emphasizes the importance of an overall well-being which includes additional measures such as nutrition and exercise. He has abundant experience in the medical detoxification of patients suffering from alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid addictions. Additionally, he enjoys working with patients in the setting of rehabilitation.
Dr. Daud completed his internship and residency training at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. This training took place at multiple hospitals including Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Hospital. Furthermore, he takes pride in training at the Miami VA where he proudly served our veterans by providing multiple services including residential PTSD and substance abuse treatment, outpatient PTSD services and inpatient and emergency Psychiatric services. While in training he was chosen for the highly respected position of chief resident. He went on to complete a specialty fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry which was also at the University of Miami.
In addition to his medical training, Dr. Daud completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health at the NIH in Washington D.C.
Chris Hanaka
Director of Operations
Originally from the Boston area, Chris has resided in South Florida for the past six years and has been with Transformations since January 2011. Chris started with the company as a BHT and now oversees a staff of 70+ employees, spread over 11 different properties.
Prior to joining Transformations, Chris spent the majority of his professional career working in the media/entertainment industries, managing marketing campaigns for emerging artists, products and services. He is a 2003 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in English and history.
Jamie Salsberg
LCSW, CAP, MPH, Over 30 Team
Assistant Clinical Director
Jamie obtained a master’s degree in Social Work in 2013 from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. She has experience with family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy and transformational therapy as well as addiction. She also earned a master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University in 2004 and has a background in clinical research, toxicology and nutrition. Jamie received her undergraduate degree from Duke University.
Laura Lawrence
Director of Outpatient and Family Services
Laura graduated from Adelphi University on Long Island with a Masters degree in education. She completed her addiction studies at the Outreach Institute also on Long Island and received her CAP certification after relocating to Florida in 2009. Laura is a Certified Family Coach and has extensive experience as a therapist, director and family coach.
Laura began Transformation’s outpatient program in 2013 and now oversees that department as well as the Family Matters program.
Helana Cabral
Director of Alumni Services
Nationally Certified Recovery Coach
Intervention Training Certified
Helana Cabral is the Director of Alumni Services. She competently leads the alumni staff and continuously gives support and understanding to alumni, as only someone who has completed the program can.
Helana left her family and friends in Massachusetts to come to Florida. There she received her chance for a clean and happy life through attendance of Transformations Treatment Center’s rehabilitation program, and now wants to share that same gift with others.
Helana uses her leadership skills to help others in the community through her own journey of recovery and has a passion for this program. She is excited about sharing her experience, strength and hope with the alumni and seeing the alumni program grow and flourish.
Alec Duncan
Director of Marketing
Alec Duncan has over 15 years of marketing experience, 7+ of which have been dedicated to the behavioral health industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Florida International University and has served as Web Chair on the board of the South Florida Internet Marketing Association.
Gay Lynn Grigas
MS, CAP Therapist, Residential Services, Adult Team
Education and Training Director
Gay Lynn earned a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Michigan School of Professional Psychology in Farmington Hills. She has over 18 years of experience working as a Psychotherapist, Recovery Counselor and Ordained Clergy for people seeking spiritual and psychological recovery. She’s an expert facilitator who brings a wealth of skills and talents from her work in residential treatment centers and individual and group counseling. Gay Lynn is a commercially published author of several self-help books.
Adi Olivkovitch
Director of Admissions
Adi began her career at Transformations in 2010, bringing with her many years of customer service and PR experience. Her compassionate approach creates a pleasant experience for clients and loved ones inquiring about treatment. Adi’s passion for helping others aids her in achieving good results with her clients.
Dr. Charles Tracy Sands
DC Chiropractor/Holistic Medicine
Dr. Charles Tracy Sands is a Florida native, born and raised the in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area. He is a graduate of Pompano Beach High School, where he received athletic honors in track and cross-country. He completed his Doctorate in Chiropractic degree from Texas Chiropractic College in 1984. Immediately afterwards, he joined his father’s practice in Pompano Beach, Florida, which had been in existence since 1954.
Dr. Sands has maintained a highly successful chiropractic, clinical nutrition and holistic practice for many years. His focus is on holistic addiction therapy, nutritional counseling, sports injuries of the spine and extremities, chronic pain conditions affecting the neck and back and chronic health conditions. Dr. Sands is well versed in the holistic management of drug and alcohol addiction and has formulated several nutritional products designed specifically for people in recovery. His formulations have shown to be effective in helping to manage mood disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and many other health conditions.
Professional Memberships:
• American Chiropractic Association
• Council on Nutrition for the ACA
• Florida Chiropractic Association
• International Chiropractic Knights of the Round Table
Dr. Sands is an influential speaker who has an avid interest in holistic healing. This has allowed him to lecture nationally and internationally on the value of good health and nutrition and the importance these elements have in relation to overall wellness.
Megan Garvey
LCSW MCAP Therapist
Clinical Director
As director of the clinical department, Megan empowers her team to utilize evidence-based interventions that each therapist is passionate about depending on client needs assessment, as she feels that a clinician’s passions for specific treatment models trickle down to effective client care. She implements a strengths-based perspective and utilizes behavioral approaches which assist clients in seeing the changes that are necessary to build a life worth staying sober for.
Megan joined the Transformations team after earning her master’s degree in Social Work with honors from Florida Atlantic University in 2013. In addition to her formal education, Megan provides top-quality therapeutic services to clients struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. Megan is EMDR trained and specializes in working with clients who struggle with unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression and PTSD. She has extensive training in psychodrama and started out her career working with vulnerable children of addicts and alcoholics in 2009.
During her time at Transformations she has helped to develop and implement a trauma track, a tracking system for effective client care, and supervises clinical interns every semester to ensure top quality professionals in the field of addiction.
