Elizabeth Bena, BA, LSW
Residential Treatment Counselor
Liz is a Licensed Social worker working with clients as a Residential Treatment Counselor at Oak House. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Ursuline College and has had experience working with residents of a nursing home/rehabilitation center.
Liz enjoys being outdoors, going for walks, and nature in general.
Christine Brodzinski, M.Ed, LPCC
Central Intake/Outpatient Counselor
Christine is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and is the intake counselor for the Painesville office. She also manages the residential treatment admission list and placement of individuals into residential treatment at Lake-Geauga Recovery Center. Christine utilizes a variety of treatment methods when working with individuals, including cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and reality therapy.
Christine has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University and a Master of Education in Community Counseling from Georgia Southern University. Christine also completed the required coursework and internship hours at Cleveland State University and is licensed as a school counselor for the state of Ohio.
Cassandra Brown
Outpatient Counselor
Update coming soon!
Brandon Bowles
Substance Use Disorder Liaison
Brandan is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor working with adults who have a substance abuse diagnosis at our Lake House residential facility. Brandan works with clients who are court-ordered and self-admitted to this program. He helps facilitate the recovery process through motivational interviewing and assisting the client through the stages of change. Brandan previously worked with the homeless population in downtown Cleveland and assisted them in obtaining and keeping housing as well as linking to other resources and entitlements.
Brandan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Ohio University. Go Bobcats!
Fun Facts: In his spare time, Brandan enjoys gardening and planting flowers. He is also an amateur astronomer and participates in stargazing activities and events.
Jessica Chapman, MSW, LSW
Outpatient Counselor
Jessica is a Licensed Social Worker who is working as an outpatient counselor at the Painesville office. Jessica facilitates outpatient aftercare and relapse prevention group therapy, provides individual counseling, conducts assessments, and develops individualized treatment plans for incoming clients. Jessica implements a variety of treatment methods including motivational interviewing, person-centered, strengths-based approaches, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Ursuline College and a Master of Social Work degree from Cleveland State University. Jessica has completed specialized training in case management, chemical dependency, and mental health first aid. Jessica is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Phi Alpha Honor Society, Social Work.
Sally Charney, B.S., LSW, LCDCIII
Outpatient Counselor
Sally is an Outpatient Counselor at LGRC and facilitates the Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program in the Chardon office. She works with male and female adults and implements various treatment methods, including Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Sally obtained her B.S. in Sociology/Political Science from Frostburg State College and has a passion for dogs (Cocker Spaniels) and cats (various breeds) and has one dog and 2 cats of her own. She has been a member of the Geauga County Common Pleas Drug Court since 6/7/19.
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic, MSW, LSW, LICDC, CCTP, GAMB
Outpatient Counselor
AA, AAS, AS from Lakeland
BSW from YSU
MSW from University of Akron Ph Alpha (Honors)
minor in Psch
Certified in Trauma
Person-centered (trauma-informed care), skilled in CBT, Motivational Enhancement Therapy
First Responder Program, Aftercare, Alternatives
Currently studying for LISW
Member of NASW
FUN FACT: Major Steelers fan! Love spending time with family – including my black lab!
Susan Gear, LPCC-S, LSW, LICDC-CS
Dual Diagnosis Counselor II
Susan is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor working with adults with substance use and mental health disorders in the assessment, treatment planning, MH Psychotherapy and SUD Psychotherapy, Dual Diagnosis Intensive Outpatient Program and Dual Diagnosis Aftercare Program. She has worked with the substance use population with mental health disorders as a Dual Diagnosis at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers since 2003. Susan implements a variety of treatment methods, including dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy and continues to receive training on current and newer methods. She has a 2 year degree in social work, 4 year degree in Psychology from Ohio University and a Masters in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Toledo, in the field of special education. Susan has been employed at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers since 2001, primarily working with individuals with substance use disorders while working toward the development of the Dual Diagnosis Program.
Fun Facts: Susan is an active church member. She loves yard work, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Christie Gigliott, BSPH, CHES
Tobacco Prevention Specialist
Christie is a Certified Health Education Specialist who holds a B.S. in Public Health (Concentration: Health Promotion & Community Health Education) from Kent State University. She also obtained the ATOD Prevention Certification from KSU. As the Tobacco Prevention Specialist, she coordinates a large portion of the Tobacco Prevention Grant, awarded to LGRC from the Ohio Department of Health. Christie’s grant responsibilities include policy development, media promotion, cessation service advancement, health equity, and community stakeholder collaboration. She is a member of the Ohio Public Health Association and participates in the Ohio Prevention Network. Christie also brings knowledge from working with Local Public Health Departments, previously being a Health Educator for several years.
Fun Facts: Christie is a permaculturist who loves gardening and being outdoors. She also volunteers for Keep Akron Beautiful and assists with theatrical productions for the Lorain County Palace Youth Theatre. Her dream (one day) is to build a program that combines Mental Health therapies and eco-friendly gardening.
David Hanlon, LICDC/CS
Director of Residential Services
Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Clinical Supervisor.
Thirty seven years’ experience working in the Chemical Dependency Treatment field. Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and admissions to all residential treatment and recovery houses.
Fun Facts: Dave enjoys golfing and fishing.
Susan Hull, MSSA, LISW-S
Residential Treatment Manager
Susan is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervisory designation. Susan manages the Men’s Residential Treatment Program, which includes 2 residential houses and 3 sober living houses. Susan completed a BA in Social Work at Ursuline College in 2008 and then her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 2009. She has over 10 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including crisis response, structured outpatient programs, large nonprofit hospitals, and hospice settings. Susan has also taught social work and related courses at the Lakeland Community College and Ursuline College. She has provided clinical and administrative supervision to social work students, interns, and professionals. She has a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals and groups across the life span. Susan is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, Ursuline College Social Work Program Advisory Board, and Lake County ADAMHS Board Trauma Response Team,
Susan uses a variety of techniques and skills drawn from recognized therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused, Psychoeducation, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and relaxation. A holistic, strength-based, person-centered approach guides her practice.
Alexis Konnoff
Outpatient Counselor
Update coming soon!
Margaret Kukla
Residential Counselor
Margaret is a Licensed Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. Margaret started her career as Residential Counselor after completing her internship with Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. She has completed her course work in chemical dependency and applied for her LCDC III. Margaret utilizes evidence based treatment modalities which include Person Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Faith Lewis, MSSA, LISW-S, LICDC
Residential Treatment Manager
Faith is an independently licensed social worker, experienced with working with individuals and families. She works with clients to build a trusting relationship with her clients, so that together they can find the most effective approach, using the client’s own unique strengths and talents to find realistic solutions to their problems. Utilizing a client-centered approach, she helps clients get “unstuck” using a variety of techniques and skills from recognized therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Strengths-Based Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic Therapy and Psychoeducation.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Ursuline College. She earned her Masters of Social Science Degree from Case Western Reserve University. She currently works with individuals providing substance use and mental health counseling and provides clinical supervision to social workers seeking independent licensure and Bachelor and Master Level Social Work Students
Lana Lewis
Outpatient Counselor
Update coming soon!
Leslie Macdonald, LSW, MSSA
Residential Treatment Counselor
Leslie is a Licensed Social Worker and works as a residential treatment counselor at Oak House. She works with women who have a substance use problem who need a high level of care offered by LGRC residential services. Leslie facilitates residential groups in addition to providing individual counseling. She also facilitates Aftercare. Leslie utilizes evidence based treatment modalities which include Person Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also provides psycho-education and teaches mindfulness. One of Leslie’s goals is to become certified in Animal Assisted Therapy and bring the healing powers of animals to clients who have substance use disorders.
Leslie earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Youngstown State University and a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. This degree included a concentration in substance use.
Leslie is enjoying this employment opportunity as a second career. She used to do fashion photography and is a published photographer. She spent 5 years in NYC learning her craft by working for other photographers and shooting in any spare time. Leslie still is a passionate photographer and now photographs landscapes and animals and is working on a book of driftwood photos.
Drena Mongo
Outpatient Counselor
Update coming soon!
Annamarie Murphy
Outpatient Counselor
Update coming soon!
Matthew Petersen, OCPS
Prevention Specialist
Matt is a Prevention Specialist working in Geauga County. He works alongside local decision makers, school personnel, and religious organizations to help the Geauga County community establish systems that will help protect the residents from the harms of substance abuse. Matt sits as the Co-Chair to the Prevention Committee of the Geauga County Opiate Prevention HUB, he sits on the Suicide Prevention Coalition, he is a member of the Lake Geauga Ashtabula Tobacco Prevention Coalition, as well as the Tobacco Prevention Health Equity Committee of Geauga County. He is a certified trainer of the Prime For Life evidenced based curriculum. Matt has a B.A in Chemical Dependency Counseling from the University of Cincinnati.
Fun Facts: Matt is a volunteer with the Breeders & Feeders 4-H club. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends on the weekends.
Dionne Schebor
Residential Counselor
My name is Dionne Schebor, but everyone calls me DeeDee. I was born and raised in Cincinnati and lived there until 2012, when I moved to Pittsburgh. After my husband passed away in November 2017, I relocated to this area, and currently live in Willoughby. I enrolled in college following my husband’s death, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction and Recovery.
My personal journey with recovery as well as my education led me to Lake-Geauga Recovery Center in spring of 2019. I was hired as a Program Assistant for Oak House and it was my first experience working in residential treatment. Throughout my time as a PA, I was able to work in both men’s and women’s residential treatment, and discovered my true passion for the field of addiction recovery.
I left Lake Geauga in July of 2021 to focus on my education. I graduated with my Bachelor degree in May of this year and obtained my LCDC III soon after. I recently began my Masters of Social Work program at Liberty University, and am excited to continue expanding my education. I am grateful to be back with Lake-Geauga Recovery Center as a counselor at Concord Pines. I sincerely love what I do and it is truly humbling to witness the miracle of recovery among our wonderful clients!
Brian Thatcher
Residential Counselor
Brian is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with 20 plus years of experience working with clients in adolescents through adults in different environments such as Residential, Correctional and outpatient. Brian has a BA in Sociology/Criminology and has been working at LGRC Residential since 2005. Brian is person centered utilizing Motivation Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques.
Dawn Thompson
Counselor
Dawn’s first contact with Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers was as a client in March of 2006. Having completed residential treatment, aftercare and then volunteering for the agency she was asked to join the agency in May of 2008 as a Program Assistant at Oak House. With hard work and the support of the agency she was able to achieve her dream of Residential Treatment Counselor in June of 2011. In 2015 she took a sabbatical to achieve her college degree and further her training and currently works for Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers Chardon Office. “My passion is to help those struggling to reach their hopes and dreams. I can do this through education, referrals and modeling the solution”.
Raheem Tyus
Residential Counselor
Raheem is a Residential counselor with SUD individual, family and group therapy experience. Raheem has experience working with the adult and adolescent population. He takes a solution driven approach to therapy, assisting those he has the privilege to serve identify effective solutions.
Raheem is passionate about helping others in all areas of life and is excited to be a member of Lake Geauga Recovery Center.
Roben L. Watkins, LICDC/CS
Outpatient Program Manager
I am a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor / Clinical Supervisor
I began working in the Chemical Dependency Treatment Field in 1988. Responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of all Outpatient Services
Karen Winslow, LCDCII
Outpatient Counselor
Karen has thirty-three years’ experience in all levels of chemical dependency treatment in the adult population. Her qualifications include; intake, assessment, screening, treatment planning, group counseling, individual counseling, case management and crisis intervention.
Karen is currently the primary counselor for the Family Awareness Groups at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. She has an Associates of Applied Science, Human Services from Lakeland Community College.