Clinical Team

J. Brad Williams

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Brad’s professional expertise throughout his journey to sobriety has been extensive and varied, showcasing his many talents. Before joining the Hanley family early in 2019 after getting sober, Brad spent 15 years in professional services as a technology expert, helping clients in massive litigation, regulatory, and fraud matters. As a partner at two global consulting firms, he managed teams servicing clients worldwide from New York, Boston, and Chicago. Brad graduated with honors from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s in business administration, focusing on management information systems.

As Executive Director at Hanley Center, Brad leverages his journey of sobriety and extensive professional experience within large organizations to provide key insights, guiding Hanley to deliver exceptional patient care in a safe, healthy community for staff to work and patients to heal and grow.

Dr. Phoenix Adams

DSW, MBA, LCSW, GC-C – Chief Clinical Officer

As Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Phoenix Adams oversees all clinical programs at Hanley Center and Headwaters. In this role, he strategically guides program evolution, ensuring the organization continues to deliver excellence in care and the highest quality patient experience. Prior to joining Hanley, Dr. Adams spent his career helping patients as a licensed psychotherapist and grief counselor, specializing in bereavement, loss, and grief. He has also held executive roles at renowned treatment facilities, where he developed innovative programs focused on improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Adams is a licensed psychotherapist in Florida, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. He holds a Master of Social Work (MSW), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Florida Atlantic University. He is also a Certified Grief Counselor through the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. His doctoral research, which examined the benefits of family involvement in the treatment of substance use disorders, has been presented internationally, showcasing his dedication to integrating research and clinical practice.

Dr. Angelo Asheh

M.D. – Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Angelo Asheh is a double-board certified physician with expertise in addiction, depression, anxiety, ADHD, psychopharmacology, prevention, and pain. His work includes a specialized focus on treating childhood trauma and social determinants of health. As Hanley Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Asheh oversees all medical operations, ensuring physicians, nurses, and other medical staff have the tools, training, and support they need to deliver world-class patient care.

Dr. Asheh has previously served as lead clinician for several renowned treatment centers nationwide. In addition to his work with Hanley, Dr. Asheh is a medical instructor at the University of California, Florida Atlantic University, and a REACH scholar through Yale University and AAAP. A recent research study he led, published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine in January 2023, on how childhood trauma contributes to addiction and overdose in adulthood, highlights the importance of screening for adverse childhood experiences and overdose when assessing patients for treatment.

Dr. Asheh completed his training at some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, including Yale University, University of California San Diego, Loma Linda University, University of Connecticut, and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Dr. John Dyben

DHSc, MCAP, CMHP –CHIEF OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

In his role as Chief of Research and Innovation, John provides support to treatment leadership through research and consultation. John continually builds upon his academic expertise through research and nationwide speaking engagements on health science, spirituality, clinical ethics, and related topics.

John’s academic training includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Conflict Management, a Master of Science in Management, a Doctor of Health Science, and postgraduate studies in psychology, philosophy, and religion. John is a Master Certified Addictions Professional and a Certified Mental Health Professional in the State of Florida. He is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Substance Abuse Professional meeting all Federal DOT qualifications. John is a musician, writer, and a private pilot, and he enjoys spending time with his family.

Dr. Stacy Grossman

Psy.D. – Senior Clinical Director

Prior to joining Hanley in 2013, Stacy earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Florida. Her experience in the substance use disorder arena is vast and includes mental health, substance abuse treatment, and psychological testing; private practice providing mental health and testing services to adults and kids; and outpatient adult mental health clinic, teaching and training professionals in the following areas: addiction treatment in the LGBTQ+ community, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and psychopathology. Her personal philosophy and that of Hanley Center were perfectly aligned with the belief that the whole person must be treated—mind, body, spirit—using resources and tools that are evidenced-based and accessible to all people.

Dr. Sandra Betancourt

PhD, MCAP, ICADC, CMHP – Clinical Director – Center for Older Adult Recovery

Dr. Sandra Betancourt began her work in substance abuse and mental health in a small rural Connecticut community where she saw the need to develop a treatment track for monolingual Spanish patients. Today she is a member of the American Psychological Association, having been in substance use disorders and mental health for 25 years.

Dr. Betancourt, a PhD. in psychology, is a Florida Board Certified Mental Health Professional and a Board Certified Addiction Counselor. She worked for Dr. David Powell, at E.T.P. (Education and Training Programs,) she has vast experience with co-occurring disorders, and led the development of a treatment track for chronic mentally ill patients with substance use disorders at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. She has extensive knowledge and training in program development and supervision, and in the use of evidenced-based/research-proven practices.

Ursula Avilus

DNP, PMHNP-BC – Director of Medical Services

Ursula received her nursing degree from Excelsior College in Albany, New York, and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner license from Rivier University in New Hampshire. In addition, Ursula received a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. During her Master’s degree studies, she had a concentration in Administrative and Financial Leadership. Ursula has extensive experience in psychiatric nursing and nursing leadership. She is passionate about serving patients with mental illness and addictions and is committed to providing quality patient care. Before transitioning to the Hanley Center, Ursula worked for the State Hospital System in Florida and served civil and forensic psychiatric patients in Texas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Tara Paparo

CAC, ICADC – DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI SERVICES

Tara is a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC). Tara came to Hanley in 2008 as a volunteer with a passion for helping people and their families recover from substance use disorders. Tara became an employee and worked in many departments over the years, such as Admissions, Continuing Care, Human Resources, Family Program, and Executive Assistant to our Executives and Clinical Director. She encourages each person preparing for discharge to attend the many support groups that are offered weekly, in person or virtual. Tara and her team stay in contact with all alumni via phone, email, and text. Tara loves spending time with her family, husband, children, grandchildren, and dogs.