
Our Mission
HEAL Behavioral Health is designed to be an intimate, evidence based treatment program catered to both men and women. Our main objective is to treat the family as a whole, rather than just the disease of addiction. We will guide families through every step of the treatment process as each patient progresses in our levels of care.
Our mission is to HELP EVERY ADDICT LIVE— and do it with integrity.
The HEAL Approach

At HEAL Behavioral Health our passion is helping our clients build a solid foundation for enduring recovery. We treat people, not just symptoms. Holistic drug treatment is more than just alleviating discomfort, it is helping the addict reconnect with their authentic self. Sustainable recovery can only be established by unraveling the underlying causes and conditions that trigger relapse. Anything less falls short of the mark.
We provide an evidence-based clinical program enriched with therapies to promote wellness. Holistic drug and alcohol treatment is highly effective because the synergy of medicine, psychology and philosophy tends to every facet of the human soul. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment amounts to more than just the sum of its parts. We benefit most from treatment that recognizes that truth. Our focus on nurturing the desire to heal and empowering the recovering person is what makes HEAL Behavioral Health stand above the typical drug and alcohol treatment center.
Meet The Team
HEAL Behavioral Health is staffed with trauma-informed professionals experienced in all levels of care. We are deeply invested in the success of everyone who attends our treatment program. We design specific aftercare plans suited to each individual’s needs once they graduate our program, including recommendations for continued care or sober living.
Our program hours are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are here to provide your loved one and family support for every step of the treatment process.
Tracie Duich
Executive Coordinator
CIP, CRC
Tracie Duich
Tracie is an active board member of several organizations. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Executive Management Retreat, held annually by The Institute of the Advancement of Behavioral Healthcare. Tracie also currently serves as the Marketing Committee Chair for the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC). Tracie’s mission is to make a difference in the quality of treatment by enforcing best practices. By serving in these organizations, she ensures that they advance their missions by sustaining sound and ethical management policies. Tracie strongly upholds the structure and philosophy that HEAL Behavioral Health upholds– to Help Everyone Achieve Life by working closely with addicted families and by making a difference on a large scale.
Nitya Sivakumar
Director of Finance
Nitya Sivakumar
Nitya is an active voice of the Not Even Once movement conducted by the police department of her hometown. She speaks with students in high school, parents and police officers about the signs and symptoms of addiction and how to help a loved one. Nitya is also on the Marketing Committee of FATC. She works intimately with families to help them find light in the darkness of active addiction. Nitya is always available to talk to those in difficult situations who are in search of help and aides them to the appropriate type of care.
Dr. Jeffrey Bishop
Medical Director
DO
Dr. Jeffrey Bishop
Dr. Bishop received a B.S. in Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1978 and became a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. An expert in addiction treatment, Dr. Bishop has extensive experience managing medically complex patients through the treatment process. Dr. Bishop treats addiction with medicine, and is certified and trained in Medication-Assisted Treatment. He has served as medical director for a number of hospitals and facilities throughout the nation prior to HEAL Behavioral Health.
Dr. Joseph Milisitz
Clinical Director
Ph.D, LCSW, MCAP
Dr. Joseph Milisitz
Dr. Joe serves as the Clinical Director of HEAL Behavioral Health– designing the entire clinical program. He specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and combining these therapies with the 12-Step approach to recovery.
Brittney Whelihan Irwin
Nurse Practitioner
APRN, MSN, NP-C
Brittney Whelihan Irwin
Brittney earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is also currently working toward another board certification, attending Liberty University to earn her Post Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Trish Byars
Primary Trauma Therapist
MSW, CTT
Trish Byars
Trish Byars has designed our comprehensive Trauma Program at HEAL Behavioral Health, of the many family programs she has developed in her experience. Trish specializes in “Healing the Soul Wounds” using Experiential Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychotherapy.
Judy Hammond Sperling
Therapist
MS, ICADC, BRI, CSAT -C
Judy Hammond Sperling
For the last seven years Judy has run and owned her own company- interventions International -where she consulted with families, facilitated interventions, transports, case management and 3 day family workshops. Judy is passionate about her work with families and in giving the entire family the opportunity to recover and be healthy. Judy is a trustee of the Jay and Becky Kaiserman Foundation. This foundation directly provides scholarships to treatment.
Glen Aitken
Therapist
MS, LMHC, MCAP, CCPT
Dr. Alvin Howlett
Clinician
PHD
Dr. Alvin Howlett
Dr. Alvin Howlett holds a Doctoral Degree in Biblical Theology, and a Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Ed. After a career with the US Navy as a chef, Alvin entered the treatment industry, working as a cook, house manager, life skills instructor, a unit treatment rehab specialist in a hospital and behavioral health technician supervisor.
“I love what I do - it’s my joy to see others live productive, prosperous lives. I want them all to have the same chance that I have been afforded.”

Mo Wehbe
Physician Assistant
PA-C
Alexander Gonzalez
Admissions Supervisor
Alexander Gonzalez
As a native to Florida and a person in long-term recovery, Alexander Gonzalez battled with addiction for many years believing there was no other way of life. He admitted to addiction treatment, actively attended 12 Step fellowship meetings and obtained a strong foundation in recovery.
Harry Stern
Client Care Coordinator
Harry Stern
As Client Care Coordinator, Harry works closely with patients and acts as a liaison by establishing and maintaining relationships with entities outside of our facility who interact with our clients. Harry was born and raised in Miami, which affords him the ability to maintain strong ties to the local community. Harry helps people facilitate their lives from addiction to recovery, placing them into facilities that would ensure the greatest chance of recovery for that individual. When Harry is not working with patients, he is sharing his experience, strength and hope using the 12 steps programs of recovery.
Savya Venkatesh
Digital Marketing Specialist
Savya Venkatesh
She currently serves as the Digital Marketing Specialist at HEAL Behavioral Health. She began her career working for drug and alcohol treatment centers by researching and writing about the effects of addiction for families and those struggling to learn more about the symptoms of mental health conditions with Substance Use Disorder. Her aim is to provide information to help families learn how to help their loved one and encourage them to get treated.
Lisa Caputo
Office Manager
Lisa Caputo
Kathleen Gaffney
Case Manager
Kathleen Gaffney
Katie strives to promote the HEAL mission by providing excellent client care to see those afflicted succeed. Katie’s experience in the treatment industry started with her role as a behavioral health technician and providing care for our clients on a day to day basis. Today, she serves as the case manager of HEAL Behavioral Health. Katie is responsible for helping our clients with resume building, job search assistance, and 12-step immersion, ensuring that their recovery succeeds beyond the walls of our treatment center.
Take A Virtual Tour
Our lovely South Florida property was chosen expressly with healing in mind. We want our clients to have the safest and most comfortable detox possible, so they can enter the next phase of treatment feeling confident with renewed vitality.
While there are no shortcuts to wellness, we are dedicated to helping our clients feel comfortable. The HEAL Ranch accommodations offer all the comforts of home, so that clients can progress with their treatment with ease.