Beyond credentials, the staff here brings compassion, commitment, and real-world experience. Many have worked with teens and families for decades, and some are in recovery themselves. They understand how complex adolescence can be and how the right care at this stage can change everything.
Of Lives Changed
Fully integrated care from medical, clinical, and holistic specialists
A strong sense of community where teens connect and grow together
Daily review of each teen’s personalized treatment plan to maximize progress
Trauma-informed care woven into all communication and therapies
Medical Director
Dr. Esposito is a family medicine physician with over 44 years of medial experience, including more than 30 years in the addiction medicine specialty. For the last 27 years, he has worked exclusively with adolescents in treatment. He is an active member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Dr. Esposito takes a personal, whole-person approach to care, ensuring both physical and emotional well-being.
Clinical Director
Mackenzie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with deep experience in trauma-informed care for children, adolescents, and adults. She holds degrees from Marist College and Adelphi University and has led large-scale mental health programs throughout New York. As Clinical Director at Never Alone, Mackenzie ensures every teen receives high-quality, individualized care for addiction and co-occurring mental health needs.
Chef
Chef Kim brings over 25 years of culinary experience and a deep belief in the connection between food and well-being. She focuses on clean, balanced meals that nourish both body and mind, while honoring individual dietary needs. Beyond nutrition, she uses food as a tool for building community and creating moments of comfort and joy in recovery.
Creative Arts Therapist
Kerry is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist with a master’s degree from Pratt Institute. She uses structured art activities to support adolescents in expressing emotions, building self-esteem, and learning coping skills. Kerry specializes in mindfulness-based art therapy, helping clients gain insight and prevent relapse through creativity and emotional regulation.
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist
Matthew is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board-Certified Music Therapist with a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from SUNY New Paltz. He specializes in using music as a safe, creative outlet for kids, teens, and adults to process emotions and express themselves authentically. He’s especially passionate about songwriting as a tool to build self-esteem, confidence, and connection.
Family Therapist
Karissa is a credentialed CASAC-T through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). She specializes in strengths-based, trauma-informed family therapy and supports families navigating substance use and mental health challenges by helping them rebuild trust, improve communication, and create practical tools for lasting connection. Karissa integrates her lived experience to guide families toward healing and healthier relationships.
Therapist
Sarah Stamberg is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a background in foster care and individual counseling. She specializes in trauma-informed care, family systems, and eating disorders. Sarah incorporates expressive arts and music into sessions to help teens explore emotions and create change. Her goal is to meet each client where they are and build lasting foundations for success.
Group Facilitator
Gray leads group therapy sessions that focus on peer connection, emotional awareness, and healthy communication—especially for teens with emotional or developmental needs. With a background in Psychology, Human Development, and School Counseling, she helps young people build confidence, reflect on themselves, and grow together in a supportive space. She’s joined by her therapy dog, Potato, a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen.
Therapist
Stephanie Cruz is a Licensed Master Social Worker with extensive experience working with adolescents in residential, school, and community settings, especially those facing substance use, family conflict, and emotional regulation challenges. Their work integrates CBT and DBT with a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach to help teens build healthier coping skills and improve relationships. Stephanie is dedicated to helping youth break cycles of trauma and develop the skills needed for lasting, meaningful change.
Education Coordinator
Erik Crapella is a certified Special Education teacher in New York State and Education Coordinator at Never Alone, with over twelve years of experience. He is dedicated to supporting students’ academic growth and overall well-being while creating opportunities for future success. In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, playing guitar, and spending time with his children.
Barber
Johnah S. Incardona is a beauty industry professional with more than 25 years of experience and extensive training in advanced hair, skincare, and beauty services. She is passionate about continued education and now shares her expertise as an instructor, helping develop the next generation of beauty professionals.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Janine is a board certified PMHNP with deep roots in evidence based research, academia and an inter collaborative spirit. She purports that the mind can conquer many struggles given the person centered tools. Janine comes to us with a variety of clincial experience in the nursing field which includes mental health assessment and prescribing, care of the developmentally disabled persons, addictions, public health, maternal nursing, and much more. She looks forward to helping you on your journey towards a healthy mindset.
Case Manager
Chris has experience across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors, with a background in environmental protection, disability advocacy, and health and human services. He enjoys building strong connections with adolescents and their families and is passionate about helping young people successfully transition from treatment to everyday life by connecting them with the resources and support they need for lasting success.
Meditation Instructor
Angela Hassan is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and yoga and meditation instructor. With over a decade of experience in yoga, meditation, and energy healing, she has worked with diverse communities, guiding people toward greater presence, self-awareness, and connection. Her teachings center on the belief that yoga and meditation are practices of self-compassion and coming home to oneself.
Yoga Instructor
Joseph began practicing yoga and meditation during college at St.John’s University in Queens. These tools helped him relax and find peace during a very busy and overwhelming time in his life. Joseph has been teaching yoga since 2015, and is excited to share a practice that has helped him in many ways over the past decade. When he is not teaching Joseph enjoys hiking and spending time with his family.
Our mission is to help teens not just recover, but rediscover who they are — with compassionate treatment that supports emotional healing, personal growth, and a future they can believe in.
Choosing a treatment center with the Joint Commission gold seal means your teen is receiving care that meets the highest national standards for safety, quality, and evidence-based practices. It’s a trusted mark that the facility is regularly reviewed and held accountable for delivering effective, ethical, and consistent treatment.
Choosing a treatment center certified by LegitScript means the program has been fully vetted for transparency, safety, and compliance with legal and ethical standards. It’s a trusted indicator that the facility operates with integrity and puts patient protection first.
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you call. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just ready to talk through options, we’re here to listen.
Call us today. We’re ready when you are.
100% Confidential
