Banyan Sebring

Originally from South Florida, Rebecca began her career as a Behavioral Health Technician in the Mental Health field while pursuing her MSW at Florida Atlantic University. She is currently licensed through the state of Florida and is a Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional. Rebecca has extensive experience and knowledge pertaining to both the mental health and substance abuse field and has maintained several positions within Banyan Treatment Centers leading up to her current position as Executive Clinical Director at the Sebring, FL location. Rebecca has participated in developing and improving clinical programming and understands the importance of connecting clients with their community and empowering clients to develop leaderships skills, independence, and decision-making skills. She has a strong passion for the code of ethics and believes that quality care is directly correlated to the level of integrity and transparency practiced by the Treatment Team.

Anita grew up in a military family, which caused her to relocate every couple of years, but she was able to spend all four years of high school in Winter Haven, FL. After completing high school, she enlisted in the Army and traveled overseas for 6 years. Anita received her bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in addiction counseling. Later, she received a master's degree in Clinical Psychology.

Anita witnessed family members struggling with addiction, which pushed her to navigate into this field. She began working in the addiction field ten years ago at a juvenile center and dedicated her time to helping adult clients in the child welfare system. Anita believes that those who struggle with addiction deserve caring and nonjudgmental professionals when they enter treatment. Her favorite part of her position is witnessing a client’s breakthrough moment when they make connections with things that have learned from their therapy sessions with their behaviors.

Lisa Horney was born and raised in Virginia, Illinois. She moved to Florida in August of 2022. Lisa graduated with a degree in Practical Nursing from Jacksonville School of Practical Nursing and has been in the field since 1991. Lisa has been in recovery for 21 years. She made the decision to change her life on 9/11/2001, the day the towers went down. Lisa began her career in the addiction field in Illinois in 2018. Lisa is extremely passionate about this field for many reasons. Some of which include her own story and the plight of loved ones struggling with addiction. Her favorite part of the Director of Nursing position is providing patient care, relating, and connecting with the clients; assuring them that there is hope and that addiction does not define who they are. Lisa’s goal is to continue to build a team of nurses that share the passion in this field and to continue to grow professionally with Banyan. 

Tuchelle was raised in Orlando, FL, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. Tuchelle's passion for helping families affected by addiction and mental health disorders stems from her personal experience with family members. Her career began with the Department of Children and Families investigating child abuse allegations, but she wanted to prevent such situations in the first place. She joined Banyan Sebring since its opening in July, and she enjoys interacting with clients and personalizing their stay. Tuchelle treats each client as if they were her own family. 

Abigail Fraga was born and raised in Miami, FL, and graduated from Miami Dade College in August 2016 with an Associates in Science for psychology. Abigail later graduated from South Florida State College in May 2022 with an Associates Degree in Science in Nursing. She started in the addiction field in 2016 as a mental health technician and then moved on to work as a behavioral health technician at a substance abuse treatment center. Abigail is passionate about helping patients and enjoys being able to mediate daily interactions with patients and staff. Her goal for her career at Banyan is to achieve a Bachelor's degree in nursing and eventually become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. 

Susana is a primary therapist who is passionate about making therapy more accessible for marginalized communities. She utilizes a person-centered and trauma-informed approach and incorporates therapies such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and psycho-education. Susana was born and raised in South Florida but lived in multiple parts of Florida over the years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Troy University. Susana has personal experience with alcoholism and mental health issues in her family and has been working in the addiction/mental health field since 2017. She finds joy in seeing her clients' small wins turn into big ones and is committed to continuing to learn and grow in the field. 

Brittany was born in Hollywood, FL but was raised in Sebring, FL. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and criminology and later obtained her master's degree from Nova Southeastern University. Brittany has over four years of experience in mental health and substance abuse counseling, as well as working with non-profit organizations and the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, Brittany witnessed close family members who battled both addiction and mental illness. After working for months as a case manager providing crisis counseling services, she noticed her passion for counseling. She enjoys helping others and has found her purpose in counseling. Brittany's goal at Banyan is to continue making a positive impact on as many people as possible. 

Pamela was born and raised in Highlands County, Florida, an area which she continues to call home. She graduated with Distinction in 2022 from Capella University, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Capella’s CMHC program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Pamela’s life experience includes interpersonal family struggles related to addiction, specifically alcohol use disorder. She has first-hand knowledge of the negative effects an alcohol use disorder can have in multiple areas of life functioning.

Pamela’s prior experience in private practice has prepared her to work in the field of addiction, as most clients that seek counseling for mental health disorder issues also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Pamela is passionate about interacting with diverse members of the community and having the opportunity to be the catalyst that begins a person’s journey towards self-actualization. She holds the personal philosophy that it is important to assess beyond the presenting symptoms in order to treat the client from an individualized, holistic perspective. Her favorite part of the primary therapist’s position is conducting individual therapy sessions with clients. Individual therapy allows for a deeper

Wendi was born in Miami, FL and later moved to Plantation, FL as a teenager. She received her associate degree in nursing and became a Registered Nurse. After working as a Registered Nurse for 20 years, Wendi continued her education and received a Master's degree for Family Nurse Practitioner in 2012. Later, she completed a second Master’s for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2020.

Although Wendi did not personally struggle with a substance use disorder, her father passed away from the use of Alcohol. Her endeavors consist of assisting clients prevent further destruction to their lives and their families. In the past, Wendi experienced having to be responsible for the complete care of her clients. Currently, she is learning to let go and hand off this responsibility to her great team. With decades of experience in this industry, Wendi hopes to continue making a great impact in the lives of clients and staff.

Danielle Kessen was born and raised in NKY and moved to FL in May 2022. Danielle was raised Catholic and received a private education. Danielle initially pursued a career in graphic design and graduated with her degree from Kentucky University. Danielle was raised to value community and be an active part of giving back. With an interest in politics, she began her career in the human services field while at the Sheriff’s Department completing intakes in a Maximum-Security Prison. While working with inmates, Danielle realized there was a dire need for assistance and compassion for those who suffer from addiction and mental health issues.  Danielle is passionate about connecting with others. Danielle feels as though helping others, even in the smallest way, gives her purpose. If something she says or does make another's life better, even in the smallest way, she feels she is serving a purpose. Danielle’s favorite part of her position is having the opportunity to help others and show them how important they are to us here at Banyan. Danielle’s goals are to continue to encourage and inspire others she encounters while at Banyan, a facility that allows her do so efficiently and effortlessly. 

Alexa was born in Manhattan, NY, raised in Puerto Rico, and later moved to Florida in 2004. Alexa is currently on the path to receiving her Associate in Arts in December 2022. After, she intends to receive her bachelor's degree in nutrition. Alexa has dealt with the loss of a family member due to addiction and began working in the addiction industry in 2015.

She is passionate about creating balanced meals for the clients, and her goal is to help those who struggle with eating disorders learn healthier options to nurture their bodies and form better eating habits. Alexa’s favorite part of her role at Banyan is seeing the clients enjoying the meals she prepared. Her goal is to continue creating nutritional meals, educating the patients about healthy eating habits, and eventually help treat those with eating disorders.