Top Employee Assistance Program Experts 2025

Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Clinical Anxiety and Trauma Treatment Professional. She is also certified in Brainspotting and trained in EMDR. Erena has twenty-one years of practical and professional experience as an active clinician, teacher, and supervisor. She has worked in a variety of community, psychiatric, in-home, and private practice settings with hundreds of complex cases. Erena is a sought-after writer, speaker, and consultant and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, Women's Health, and MEL magazine. She has reviewed book proposals for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is an Advisory Board Member for the CPTSD Foundation. Erena serves as the Founder and Continuing Education Director of EngagedMinds, a national Continuing Education business providing training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

Garrett Diamantides is a dedicated substance abuse and mental health business owner with over a decade of experience in the industry. Growing up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, he has been passionate about supporting others on their recovery journeys since achieving his own in 2006. Garrett combines personal experience with professional expertise to create impactful programs that foster healing and resilience in the community. Committed to advocacy and education, he strives to break the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders.

I’m a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, deeply committed to making a difference in mental and behavioral health. My journey is personal, shaped by the impact that mental health has had on the lives of my family and friends. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing the quality and accessibility of care, and my time at Penn Medicine inspired me to develop Alpas, a company focused on creating better environments for healing across various healthcare fields. Graduating summa cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University in Healthcare Administration, I’ve always been driven to go beyond individual care and address broader public health needs. My mission is simple yet powerful: to transform healthcare for the better, one initiative at a time.

I entered the field of recovery as a drug and alcohol counselor, driven by a deep understanding of the importance of treatment and a newfound sense of purpose. This calling led me to make a career change that I approach with immense gratitude. Over time, I transitioned into the role of Director at Serenity Services, and I now serve as the CEO of Ascendant NY. My journey, shaped by both personal and professional experiences, fuels my commitment to providing treatment with humility, compassion, and dignity. As a leader, I work closely with my team to evolve the traditional culture of detox facilities, striving to fill the gaps where treatment often falls short. I’m dedicated to creating individualized, client-centered care, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, valued, and supported.

I’m Peter Lai, the Chief Financial Officer at Engage Wellness. I oversee all aspects of the company’s financial management, providing strategic direction to teams in accounting and controls, financial planning, tax, treasury, and investor relations. My role involves partnering with business leaders to execute strategies that drive profitable growth. With over 20 years of financial management experience, I’ve held leadership roles in diverse industries. Before joining Engage Wellness, I served as the CFO for Haven Health Management, specializing in clinical, medical, and psychiatric care for substance use and mental health disorders. I’ve also held financial management positions at Lenovo and ADT Security Services. I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

I am the co-founder of Epiphany Wellness, bringing over five years of experience in the Behavioral Health industry, with a focus on Outreach and Business Development. My journey in this field is deeply personal, as I am in long-term recovery myself, a perspective that allows me to connect meaningfully with those suffering from Substance Use Disorder. I firmly believe that helping others is essential to lasting recovery and personal growth. At Epiphany Wellness, my goal is to create an environment that inspires our staff to support clients as they find their way back to a life of health and happiness. Drawing from my previous experiences, I am dedicated to shaping the future of our organization by implementing the latest clinical strategies and improvement indicators. This commitment ensures that we provide the highest standard of care, ultimately supporting the success of both our clients and Epiphany Wellness as a whole.

Kirsten Tretbar is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) with a rich background in filmmaking and theater. She believes that healing comes from finding balance—through humor, playfulness, and a deep understanding of the emotional patterns shaped by our family history and culture. Based in her hometown of Kansas City, Kirsten spent 25 years living and working in Los Angeles and the UK. Before becoming a therapist, she was an award-winning TV producer, indie filmmaker, and actress, best known for her farm documentary ZENITH, which aired nationally on NBC in 2003. She has also taught acting and filmmaking in Los Angeles. Kirsten holds an MFA in Acting from USC and an MS in Family Therapy from Friends University. She is a subject matter expert in family/systemic therapy and neuroscience-based techniques for regulating the nervous system. Her area of expertise is working with creative artists, gifted, neurodivergent, and twice exceptional kids, adults, and their families.

Anand Mehta is the Executive Director at AMFM Mental Health Treatment Center, a leading inpatient mental health treatment facility. With over a decade of experience in mental health care, Anand is dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting recovery through evidence-based and holistic treatment approaches.

I am the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Wellness Retreat, where I've dedicated over 12 years to advancing behavioral health and helping individuals find their path to recovery. My journey in this field has been driven by a hands-on approach and a commitment to innovative strategies, making Paramount Wellness Retreat a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse. My background in marketing, research, and team-building has been invaluable in navigating the substance abuse treatment industry, allowing me to build effective leadership teams and enhance the operational efficiency of our programs. I am deeply passionate about behavioral health and am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals seeking recovery.

Rod Mitchell is a Registered Psychologist who specializes in helping individuals manage overwhelming emotions and improve relationships. With over a decade of experience, he divides his time between his private practice, Emotions Therapy Calgary, and working with victims and perpetrators of family violence at an emergency shelter.