Meet the Team
A Behavioral Health Expert, A Former Investment Banker, and a Team of Mental Health Veterans
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Attacking Mental Illness in 5 “Lanes”
CLINICAL
Ben Brafman, MS, LHMC
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Ben Brafman
CO-FOUNDER, GENERAL MANAGER
Credentials & Accolades
- Destination Hope – President & CEO
- The Academy for Addiction Professionals – President & CEO
- Rx Angels – President & CEO
- Sullivan Pharmacy – President & CEO
- Barry University – Mental Health Counseling and Family Therapy
Mr. Ben Brafman, MS, LMHC, CAP is Co-Founder and Clinical Director of SBMHC. He has founded a multitude of programs focusing on addiction, men’s issues, eating disorders and personality disorders. Ben was Founder, President and CEO of Destination Hope, a treatment center specializing in substance abuse and mental health disorders, established in 2007. Ben is also the founder, President and CEO of The Academy for Addiction Professionals. The Academy is a school geared toward preparing professionals for the field of addiction by assisting students in getting their CBHT, CAS, CAC, and CAP. Additionally, Ben is also Founder, President and CEO of Rx Angels, a non-profit organization. Its main purpose is to help families that cannot afford medication and treatment for their mentally ill loved ones.
Ben has been in the field of behavioral health for 25 years. He has developed several programs in the South Florida area and has been instrumental in teaching other professionals how to effectively manage their clinical programs. Ben is recognized as a leading authority in behavioral health and a pioneer in clinical services. He is also actively involved in several community services programs. He has helped families all over the country from Atlanta, Georgia to Santa Barbara, California. He is a published author in the area of dual diagnosis and behavioral health. Additionally, Ben is a leading expert in family issues related to addiction and its impact on the system of family, having positively influenced thousands of families in his career.
Ben has a dual Masters from Barry University in Counseling and Family Therapy. Mr. Brafman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He is also a Certified Addiction Professional and trains supervisors in the state of Florida to supervise others effectively. He resides in Parkland, Florida with his wife, Suzanne, and his 3 children Abigail, Jacob and Elijah. He has completed several marathons and is currently working on publishing books in the area of addiction, mental illness and behavioral health.
PSYCHIATRIC
DR. RicK Seely, MD
DIRECTOR OF PSYCHIATRY
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Richard Seely
DIRECTOR OF PSYCHIATRY
Credentials & Accolades
- Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine – Board Certified
- Florida Medical Center – Psychiartrist
- Florida Society of Addiction Medicine – Officer & Director
- Profes sionals Resource Network – Evaluator & Provider
- Princeton University – AB
- Jefferson Medical College – MD
Dr. Richard Seely educated at Princeton University, Jefferson Medical College, and University of Miami residency in psychiatry, Dr. Rick Seely is Board-certified in psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry, and also in addiction medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He serves as an evaluator and provider for Florida’s Impaired Professionals Programs and for professional sports teams, and as a consultant to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
Dr. Seely is an addiction medicine psychiatrist who has served as medical director of addiction treatment centers in South Florida since 1990 and has had the privilege of assessing and treating over 100,000 individuals suffering from the disease of addiction. He has taught addiction psychiatry at medical schools for over 35 years and supervises psychiatric resident physicians in addiction medicine.
In long-term recovery from addiction himself, Dr. Seely empathizes with patients and provides clear, consistent, and compassionate guidance in their recovery efforts. He imparts his experience and knowledge in a manner consistent with humility and dedication to spreading the message of hope and recovery.
MEDICAL
DR. LINDA DOLIN, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Linda Dolin
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Credentials & Accolades
- Destination Hope – Medical Director
- House of Hope – Medical Director
- Florida Medical Center – Internal Medicine Physician
- Florida University Hospital – Internal Medicine Physician
- Milestones in Recovery – Internal Medicine Physician
- MedPsych Consultants – Founding Partner
Dr. Linda Dolin is the Medical Director of The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. She received her medical degree from Chicago Medical School and went on to complete her residency at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Dolin brings nearly 32 years of experience as a practicing internal medical physician to her role as medical director at SBMHC. Her medical practice consists entirely of inpatient and outpatient clients with psychiatric diagnoses. Dr. Dolin’s passion is helping people recover from mental illnesses with accurate and intuitive diagnoses which inform effective treatment plans.
SPIRITUAL
PETER MARINELLI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Through the Archway
Peter Marinelli
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Through the Archway
Credentials & Accolades
- International Circuit – Speaker
- Certified Interventionist
- National Council on Alcoholism – Speaker
- Through The Archway – Founder
- FHE Health Sober Living Program with Peter Marinelli
Peter Marinelli, Certified Interventionist and published author, has been sober since 1988 and has dedicated his life to helping others recover from alcoholism and drug addiction. He created the spiritual immersion program at Through The Archway which became the core spiritual component of the SBMHC dual-diagnosis treatment curriculum. As an international circuit speaker, Peter has given hundreds of talks across the U.S. and Europe on subjects related to recovery.
He has spoken at hundreds of treatment centers, universities and medical organizations to both patients and clinicians alike. Peter has also been invited to speak for the National Council on Alcoholism and has been a guest on talk radio and has done workshops on spiritual transformation for various religious organizations.
He has spent the majority of his sobriety in the behavioral health treatment field. Peter Marinelli’s mission is to help addicts and alcoholics recover from their illness.
VOCATIONAL
JAIME BLAUSTEIN
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Jaime Blaustein
CO-FOUNDER, CEO
Credentials & Accolades
- Credit Suisse – Investment Banking
- Lord Abbett – Institutional Sales
- Morgan Stanley & Wells Fargo – Wealth Management
- Duke University – MBA
- University of Michigan – BA
Mr. Jaime Blaustein is Co-Founder and CEO of SBMHC. Prior to this role, he was an investment banker at Credit Suisse in its Global Industrials coverage group in New York City. Here he was responsible for advising clients in the basic materials sector on strategic matters, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, restructurings and various debt and equity financings. Before Credit Suisse, he worked in institutional sales at Lord Abbett, a mutual fund manager overseeing ~$150 billion in assets under management. Earlier in his career he worked in wealth management at both Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, advising a wide array of clients on investment strategies.
Jaime received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his M.B.A. from Duke University. He is an unapologetic NY Giants, Duke Blue Devils and Michigan Wolverine fan. His interests include fitness, steakhouses, international travel, meditation retreats, and quality time with friends. Jaime is a newly minted resident of Miami. He is actively involved in sponsoring dozens of men in recovery and is beyond excited to marry his business expertise with his passion for helping others make a comeback from the depths of mental illness and addiction.
MARION WESTON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Through the Archway
Marion Weston
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marion Weston, Certified Interventionist, has been sober since November of 1989. Since then, she has led dozens of women through the 12-steps as well as being heavily involved in service. Marion has also led step workshops and has given talks in Nebraska, South Florida, Washington, New Jersey, Sweden among other locations.
She has been involved with her church since her first days in recovery and found rewarding and meaningful work in the addiction treatment field. Originally from Bellingham, Washington, Marion now resides in South Florida. Her favorite phrase is “turning scars into stars”.
Peter and Marion have a combined sobriety time of nearly 60 years, and a combined 40 years being in service to others in the field of treating substance use disorder.
Marion has found many ways to be of service from sponsoring women in Alcoholics Anonymous to leading various workshops to educate groups of men and women on a practical approach to the sober lifestyle.
She is a vital part of SBMHC’s Through The Archway program bringing decades of spiritual wisdom and practical sobriety to women and men striving for a productive new life in recovery.
Valeska Medel
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Valeska Medel
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Ms. Valeska Medel has been a professional in the healthcare industry since 2004, with a primary focus on operational and administrative functions. She brings 15 years of experience as the Executive Assistant to the Administrator for a skilled nursing facility and an additional year as a Business Development Associate for a behavioral health Hospital. Valeska earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She holds certifications from Broward College in Business Operations, Business Specialist, Accounting Technology Operations, and Human Resources Management.
Valeska grew up a small town in Chile and moved to the United States at the age of 28 where she became fluent in English. She soon pursued higher education and achieved her professional goals. She considers it a blessing to work in an industry singularly focused on bettering people’s lives. Outside of work, Valeska enjoys Latin dancing, travel, and cooking.
Cynthia Ingram
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & CASE MGMT.
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Cynthia Ingram
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & CASE MANAGEMENT
Ms. Cynthia Ingram has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for over 25 years. She brings her own personal experience, strength, and hope to her work and is passionate about helping others in recovery.
Cynthia has worked closely with many treatment centers, community providers, courts and other organizations who walk with the same vision and purpose, to help those who struggle with mental illness.
She feels her purpose is clear: to give back what was so freely given to her. Cynthia feels it is truly a blessing to be able to work in a field where she has the opportunity to improve the lives of others on a daily basis.
TRICIA TAYLOR
Clinic Nurse, LPN
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Tricia Taylor
CLINICAL NURSE
Tricia is a detailed oriented Licensed Practical Nurse with extensive experience in business operations and patient services. She is a valuable member of The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center team and dedicated to promoting our exemplary quality of care.
Tricia is a superb communicator and a true team player who we rely on to give our patients the very best care possible. She loves working in the behavioral health field and is excited to be a part of Sylvia Brafman’s growth and overall mission of delivering exceptional treatment for mental health disorders.
Michael Lenok
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Michael Lenok
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Mr. Michael Lenok, MA, is a primary therapist at The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. He has been working in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment since 2017. Michael is known for his very personalized and individualistic approach to treatment. His goal is to help each and every client realize their true potential. Michael is an exceptional group facilitator. His group curriculum and materials are entirely original and created by him.
Michael has a Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Syracuse University. He is a native New Yorker who has settled in Florida after spending the past 3 years in Washington and Massachusetts. Michael is a diehard New York Knicks fan who probably makes entirely too many basketball references. He spends much of his free time relaxing with his dog, Mamba.
Linda NewMan
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Linda Newman
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Linda Newman was born and raised in NJ. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College followed by her Master’s degree from Georgian Court University. Her career began in 1993 when she fell in love with counseling and she’s been working in the field ever since. Linda began as an A/D adolescent counselor for 5 years until her second child was born when she took some time off to raise her family.
When she returned to counseling she worked in the school system for some time and assisted in creating alcohol and drug education programs for the school district. Linda relocated to Florida in 2011 to pursue counseling for mental health and substance abuse patients, which she has been doing ever since. When she’s not at work, Linda enjoys spending time with her 2 amazing children.
JIM MAGNER
Director of Business Development
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Jim Magner
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Jim Magner has worked in the field of substance abuse and mental health for the last 15 years. He has always had a passion for helping others and found this business a natural fit because it allowed him to be part of something truly meaningful. Jim has held many leadership positions over the course of his career and draws on his own recovery experience to assist families and their loved ones. Born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts, Jim now lives in Coral Springs with his wife Courtney and 2 kids. When he’s not working or playing with his family, Jim’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, working out and watching Wheel of Fortune, which he was a contestant on back in 2017.
Linda Milano, PMHNP-BC
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Linda Milano, PMHNP-BC
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
Mrs. Linda Milano is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. Her passion is incorporating a whole health approach in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. She attended Florida International University where she first received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, and later a Master’s of Science Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.
She has over 25 years of experience treating patients with substance abuse and mental illness. She is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Mrs. Milano also runs a private practice with over 200 patients. She grew up in a small town in Virginia. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
TALIA DELUCA
GROUP FACILITATOR
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Talia DeLuca
GROUP FACILITATOR
Ms. Talia DeLuca is certified fitness coach (ACE, PPSC) who is motivated to help others to understand the relationship between fitness, exercise, and mental health. She attended Boston College where she received a Bachelor’s in Political Science and minored in Managing for Social Impact. During her time spent at Boston College, Talia earned her personal training certification and became an instructor at the university recreation center. Talia further developed her passion for fitness and mental health during an internship with Happify, in her Junior year of college, where she helped to create an exercise program for app users to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. When she’s not working at SBMHC, she serves as a personal trainer at Anatomy in Midtown, Miami.
Talia grew up in a small town in Rhode Island and has spent the majority of her life in New England before moving to Miami in June of 2021. Throughout her childhood and teenage years she struggled with anxiety, depression and disordered eating. Fitness and exercise became a healthy tool for her to manage and overcome her own challenges. This is a large part of her motivation to help others incorporate fitness into their lives. In addition to training and fitness, Talia loves to spend time with her dog, eat, and travel.
VINNY RICHARDS
GROUP FACILITATOR
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Vinny Richards
GROUP FACILITATOR
Vinny Richards began his career in mental health as in-house therapist in various addiction treatment centers. As his career progressed, his role evolved to into group facilitation. He enjoys delivering motivational enhancement lectures and relapse prevention programs to the mental health therapeutic community. His direct, authentic approach resonates greatly with the patients at SBMHC. Originally from New York City, Vinny has also engaged in individual therapy with hundreds of clients over the last several decades.
ALEX LIZARDO
GROUP FACILITATOR
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Alex Lizardo
GROUP FACILITATOR
Alex Lizardo is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, philanthropist, and an unshakable optimist. She is an obsessive learner who spends time reading, writing and creating strategic projects to help individuals make their dreams a reality. She was born and raised in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2010.
She is a certified life coach with a specialization in spiritual psychology. Alex is also a mechanical engineer and marketer by trade and works as a yoga and meditation instructor. Her work focuses on trauma in inner child wounding and emotional codependency. Her passion for helping others is evident in everything she does for us at SBMHC.
ANDREA MORGANSTEIN
REGISTERED DIETICIAN
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Andrea Morganstein
REGISTERED DIETICIAN
Andrea Morganstein MS, RD, LDN, CDCES is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist who received her Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Some of her certifications include weight management, functional nutrition, fitness, and diabetes. She currents owns a private practice in Davie, Florida and works one-on-one with individuals helping them achieve a healthier lifestyle using conventional nutrition as well as functional/integrative nutrition concepts.
She started her career in Sports Nutrition and weight management but over the years has expanded her knowledge and expertise to include diabetes, mental health and substance abuse. Working in the addiction and mental health field, Andrea shares her passion and knowledge about nutrition and the role it plays in mental health. She works with clients with a range of mental health disorders including disordered eating and substance abuse.
ALBANY FERNANDEZ
SOUND THERAPIST & WELLNESS COACH
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Albany Fernandez
SOUND THERAPIST & WELLNESS COACH
Albany Fernandez, known to all of us as Alba, is a Sound Therapist and Wellness Coach at The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. She facilitates groups on breathing, meditation, mindful-movement, and provides sound-assisted relaxation therapy for brainwave entrainment. She believes that peace and harmony are mental states that need to be practiced and fostered.
After leaving a career as an attorney defending human and constitutional rights in Venezuela she moved to Miami in 2016, when she started a quest to change her life and her mind in a holistic way. Thousands of hours of training and practice had led her to offer her knowledge and experience for others to live regenerative lifestyles and incorporate practical tools in their lives to facilitate recovery and live a life of freedom and happiness.
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