At Scottsdale Providence, we have assembled a world-class team of seasoned, compassionate, and trained professionals. We bring a combined 120 years of experience in the treatment industry and have helped countless people on the road to lasting recovery. We are more than clinicians, case managers, and counselors. Each member of our team shares an abiding commitment to every client that comes through our door. At Scottsdale Providence, our work is motivated by a genuine desire to connect people with real solutions – so they can live the lives they’ve always wanted.
Daniel Nichols, LCSW
Clinical Director, Co-Founder
Dan’s vision for Scottsdale Providence is a result of over 15 years of experience in behavioral health and substance abuse treatment as well as 21 years of personal recovery. His clinical philosophy blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and 12-Step Facilitation with a Trauma-Informed approach. He has additional certifications in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and Domestic Violence Intervention. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies and Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. His most recent roles include serving as Clinical Director of TASC and Clinical Lead at Community Bridges Inc. He has a breadth of experience working with adults, adolescents and families in residential and outpatient settings.
Shawn Mikiska
Clinical Operations Director, Co-Founder
Shawn has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years and brings a wealth of personal experience, having sobered up himself in 1988 at the age of 17. As one of Scottsdale Providence’s co-founders, he is deeply committed to each client’s success and has extensive experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He offers ongoing support and serves as a bridge connecting clients to the larger recovery community – helping clients build relationships that will support them long after they leave treatment. He is a staunch believer that anyone suffering from addiction can recover and takes pride in watching people recreate their lives.
Alex Porter
Chief Operations Officer
Alex has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology from Arizona State University. He has over 8 years of direct service experience as a site supervisor, program coordinator and behavioral health technician at Marc Community Resources. He has additional expertise working with the adult SMI population in community-based settings. As a person with over 10 years of personal recovery, his passion is to provide the tools and skills necessary for all clients to live a meaningful life in recovery.
Taliah Tsunis
Chief Administrative Officer, Co-Founder
Taliah has years of experience as a compassionate client advocacy specialist helping people find lasting recovery. Her favorite part of working in behavioral health is when a client experiences their first major breakthroughs and are filled with hope for their life again. She works as a personal guide to help clients and their families face the hurdles and struggles of the recovery process. She has unique expertise in navigating the behavioral health system and continues to build trust and relations with our alumni that endure long past their time in treatment.
Dr. Steven J. Locnikar
Medical Director
Dr. Locnikar is the Medical Director for Scottsdale Providence with over 10 years experience in addiction medicine. He is a board-certified Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He has additional training in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. Dr. Locnikar was a successful double board-certified reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon in the State of Arizona throughout the 1990s and into early 2000’s. During that time, he developed a substance addiction that ultimately consumed his personal and professional life. After successfully completing extensive drug and alcohol treatment, he returned to the practice of medicine. He has since dedicated his personal and professional life to the treatment of others suffering from similar addictions. This special blend of personal experience and extensive medical/surgical knowledge has allowed him to provide his patients with the very best in medical addiction treatment in a compassionate and empathetic environment; which is immediately evident upon first encounter with him.
He has served as Medical Director of several substance abuse treatment centers and hospitals in Arizona including: Inpatient, Outpatient, Detoxification, Partial Hospitalization, and Intensive Outpatient Hospitalization. He has a vast amount of experience in all transition phases of the treatment process. Dr. Locnikar is renowned for providing cutting-edge detoxification from all substances of abuse or dependence. He has a deep understanding of the detoxification process (both professionally and personally) and finds the least painful and safest manner to detox his patients in a compassionate environment. He also provides advanced techniques and support for relapse prevention. In addition, Dr. Locnikar is one of the pioneers of medication-assisted abstinence therapy using the naltrexone implant.
Faith Carroll, RN, NP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Faith is a Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who received her Masters In Nursing at Regis College in Weston, MA. She has a Bachelor in Nursing from Framingham State University in Framingham, MA. Faith realized her passion for Nursing on her first day working at an assisted living facility in her early twenties. After earning her diplomas, she worked as a head nurse at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Additionally, her professional experience includes working in a subacute setting with patients with substance use disorders as well as in outpatient settings providing psychiatric evaluations, medication management services, and psychotherapy to clients with a wide range of mental health concerns.
As a member of the Neuroscience Education Institute, Faith stays current with evidence-based medication options, as well as the latest in emerging research regarding the art and science of psychiatry. Her specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar spectrum disorders, ADHD, and childhood trauma resulting in PTSD. Faith feels extremely blessed and grateful for the opportunity to work in the recovery field and finds it an extremely rewarding and enriching experience. She credits her Higher Power and 12-Step programs for her ability to discover and pursue her passion for Psychiatric Nursing.
Keren Poirer, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Keren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who received her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Keren is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist through The International Association of Trauma Professionals. Keren is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is working towards certification. In addition, Keren has received specialized training in utilizing EMDR with complex trauma and dissociative disorders as well as utilizing EMDR with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Keren has worked in the field of addiction for over 9 years and is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Utilizing techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Keren is able to provide support and practical feedback to help her clients effectively address personal life challenges. Keren works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth necessary for their recovery.
Caitlin Belvin, MOTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Caitlin is a Licensed Occupational Therapist who received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She has a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Florida State University. Caitlin has worked with adult behavioral health clients for over 6 years in a variety of inpatient and residential recovery settings. She has specialized training in providing sensory based trauma-informed care interventions to assist clients in their ability to self-regulate and manage their emotions.
Caitlin uses an empathetic approach to support clients in improving their health and quality of life through participation and engagement in meaningful occupations (education, play, leisure, work, social participation, activities of daily living [ADLs], instrumental ADLs, sleep and rest) within a variety of environments, such as school, home, work, and the community. She is committed to providing individualized care that promotes sustainable recovery, resiliency, and independent functioning to help her clients live full and productive lives.
Kara Thomas, LPC
Primary Therapist
Kara has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Professional Counseling and a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Kara is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and has specialized training as a Clinical Trauma Specialist. Her previous experience includes extensive work with at-risk youth and adolescents dealing with trauma, substance abuse, and severe mental illness. Kara has also worked with adults struggling with substance abuse disorders, co-occurring disorders, general mental health, and trauma.
Brittany Coppelli, LAC
Primary Therapist
Brittany Coppelli is a licensed associate counselor in the State of Arizona. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. Brittany has worked in the behavioral health field for 7 years. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist through the Arizona Trauma Institute and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Her clinical practice draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Play and Art Therapy.
Dr. Carl Schwartz
Therapist, Neurofeedback
Since 1977, Dr. Carl Schwartz has been helping people live happier and more fulfilling lives. During that time he has created a method that merges spiritual, psychological and neurolinguistic models. Dr. Schwartz has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Science in Political Science from California State Los Angeles. He has a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Southern California and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Northern Arizona University. He also has a Doctor in Philosophy in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. He has advanced training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Biofeedback. He is also trained in Mindfulness Practices, Solution Focused Approaches, and the Eastern practices of Time, Space and Knowledge.
Chelsey Valeri, LMSW
EMDR and Somatic Experiencing® Therapist
Chelsey is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) who received her
Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Case Western Reserve University in 2016. Chelsey is a certified EMDRIA therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She is also trained in advanced modalities of trauma therapy including Somatic Experiencing® and NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM).
Chelsey has been a compassionate healer for over 8 years utilizing a highly effective multi-modal approach to therapy. She is able to assist her clients in discovering the origin of presenting challenges and work towards changing self-destructive patterns while moving into emotional healing.
Michelle Sheydayi
Director of Referral Relations
Michelle has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University and has worked in the behavioral health field since 2017. She practices a philosophy of compassion and open-mindedness when working with individuals suffering with addiction and mental illness. She is passionate about serving as a client advocate and working with families in crisis to navigate treatment options. Her previous roles include Director of Outreach and Admissions at Camelback Recovery and Community Liaison at Calvary Healing Center. She is an asset to the Scottsdale Providence team through her experience of being a woman in long-term recovery from co-occurring disorders.
Kyle McLean
Case Manager
Kyle received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from W.P. Carey School of Business with a Minor in Psychology from Arizona State University. After starting his personal recovery journey in 2017, he decided to pursue working within the healthcare field. He entered the field in 2018 where he began his journey as a behavioral health technician and direct client care staff.
Finding a love of working with clients individually, he began to explore other roles such as client advocate, nutrition specialist, and finally settling into his current role as a case manager for Scottsdale Providence. As a case manager, Kyle works with clients to identify and develop individual goals and assists them throughout the entire phase of their treatment including discharge planning and aftercare. Kyle assists clients with needs such as connection to community resources, housing, financial, medical, legal and employment issues as well as serving as a liaison for family members, attorneys and probation officers.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
WONDERING WHERE YOUR LIFE WENT?
Heroin, Alcohol, Meth, Cocaine, Benzo, Trauma and Co-Occurring Rehabilitation
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