About

Christopher Ferry

Founder

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Christopher Ferry is a passionate addiction recovery advocate based in Boca Raton, Florida. Born and raised in Ventnor, New Jersey, his strong desire for helping people began early on and it has stayed with him ever since. Growing up, Christopher loved playing ice hockey and was on the varsity team at St. Augustine Prep School. By 18 years old, he was invited to try out for the USA National Team Development Program (Team USA). Shortly afterwards, he walked away from ice hockey and began using drugs. Christopher developed an addiction that continued for many years, and his life spiraled out of control. During this time, Christopher served as the Co-founder of a Jacksonville-based insurance franchise called We Insure Florida, from which he had to step down in order to enter treatment for his addiction. Christopher ultimately entered into drug treatment programs on two occasions, and finally, on February 21, 2013, Christopher found long-term sobriety. As soon as he was able to get sober, Christopher decided to transform his challenging past into a present triumph through helping others who have gone through similar struggles. Now with many years sober, he is the proud Owner/Founder of Boca Recovery Center. Utilizing his in-depth marketing expertise, he aims to encourage people battling with the disease of addiction to find a positive outlet in the form of drug and alcohol treatment. Additionally, Christopher is Certified National Master Interventionist (C.N.M.I.) and received his certification from the National Association of Drug & Alcohol Interventionists (N.A.D.A.I.). He has also studied marketing and business development extensively. After everything he has endured, Christopher has adopted “Never Say Die” (Never Give Up) as his life- long motto. During his free time, Christopher enjoys attending sporting events. He also has an avid interest in physical fitness. Most importantly, he loves spending quality time with his family and close friends.

Joseph Toland

Chief Operations Officer

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Joe grew up in New Jersey which is where he originally tried to get help for his addiction, finally coming to Florida he was able to get sober. He has worked in the field of addiction since 2013 as a licensed interventionist and assisting in the admissions process. Being in recovery himself, Joe can relate and aid others in the recovery process. He helps clients with the entire admissions process including tours of our facilities for clients and family members, transportation arrangements and getting clients settled once they arrive. Joe understands the days leading up to admitting into a facility can be stressful and aims to make the process as comfortable as possible for clients and their loved ones.

Justin Claud

Chief Legal Officer

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Justin is Boca Recovery Centers's Chief Legal Officer and specializes in behavioral healthcare regulation and compliance. Justin has worked extensively in matters involving state and federal regulation of mental health and substance abuse facilities, including, but not limited to, consulting start-up and established businesses, handling licensure and accreditation applications, drafting policy and procedure manuals, representing clients at audits, and counseling clients with regards to regulatory compliance matters. Justin's valuable experience includes his aggressively advocating for clients in a wide array of contracts. Justin was born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2009. Justin is licensed to practice in all state courts in Florida, as well as the federal courts in the Southern District of Florida. When not working, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf as much as possible and rooting for the University of Central Florida’s athletics programs.

Dr. Alison Tarlow
Psy.D

Chief Clinical Director

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Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the States of Florida and Pennsylvania, and a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She has been a practicing psychologist for over 15 years. She began her career as a Postdoctoral Resident at The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders, specializing in the treatment of women’s issues, including Post Traumatic Stress, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Addiction. Dr. Tarlow developed a successful private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, and began consulting for treatment centers and programs throughout the South Florida area. Before joining the clinical team at Boca Recovery Center, Dr. Tarlow was the Clinical Director of an organization for three years, and was responsible for the development of a medical detox facility in Palm Beach, and two substance abuse treatment facilities (in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida). She has specialized training in a variety of evidenced-based practice, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Tarlow is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator in the State of Florida, and incorporates this experience into her work with clients and their families. Dr. Tarlow has written numerous articles on the topic of substance abuse treatment for Sober World Magazine, and has presented at conferences and training events throughout the United States.

Nicola Kierce
RN

Chief Nursing Officer

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Nicola Kierce is Chief Nursing Officer for Boca Recovery Center. She was born and raised in Florida, and after completing high school, Nicola studied Nursing at Broward College, completing her degree in 2005. For almost 10 years, Nicola worked in the hospital setting, gaining experience in many areas including Emergency Medicine, Bariatric Surgery, and Mother and Baby. In 2014, Nicola began working in the field of Substance Use Disorders, taking a position at a treatment facility where she remained for 5 years as a Director of Nursing. She returned to school at Perdue University, where she received her Bachelor of Nursing Degree in 2019, and is currently completing her Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatry. Nicola joined the team at Boca Recovery Center in 2019, when they opened their Medical Detox and Residential Program in South Florida. Since that time, Nicola has been instrumental in developing our Medical Detox and Residential facility in Pompano Beach, Florida, and she will now be overseeing the opening of our Medical Detox and Residential facility in Galloway, New Jersey. Nicola shares that working in Substance Use Disorder treatment is so meaningful to her because she is able to see individuals who come in broken and defeated, and they leave treatment with restored lives, and an ability to return to society with hope for a better existence.

Alex Cuevas
BS

Chief Financial Officer

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Alex Cuevas was born in Dearborn, MI and raised in Youngstown, OH. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance from the University of Toledo (Ohio) in 2010 and shortly after he relocated to Pompano Beach, FL. Alex began working in the substance abuse/treatment industry as a Behavioral Health Tech in 2012 while searching for opportunities in Finance. He managed to network and build relationships in the industry and worked as Receptionist, HR Supervisor, and Case Manager, before taking a position as Financial Administrator in 2014. Since that time, Alex has learned the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and developed extensive experience in both the business and financial aspects of the treatment industry. Alex remained heavily involved with, and assisted in, multiple detox/treatment startups across the country. He specializes in; executing and implementing operations, payroll, business insurance and employee benefits, lease and business agreements among other legal documents. With four years of business and finance experience under his belt, Alex feels fortunate to have been given the role of Director of Finance with Boca Recovery Center in 2018. In taking this position, Alex has been reunited with some colleagues that he worked with when first starting out in the industry. Most recently, after two successful years with the company, Alex was promoted to Chief Financial Officer where he continues to assist in current and new business ventures as the company continues to grow.

Sarah Weinstein
MSW, RCSWI

Human Resource Officer

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Originally from Canada, I have made my home for the last eighteen years in Florida, practicing Social Work for seventeen of those years. My passion for therapy stems from growing up and advocating for a mother who had Schizophrenia, a disease that is often feared and stigmatized by society. Unfortunately, my family too has been touched by the disease of addiction and suicide. Through my work, I am committed to helping people overcome addictions to alcohol and drugs, depression, anxiety, and other stresses that affect all of us at some time in our lives. I believe that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgment, and I cooperatively assist my clients in clarifying their goals for treatment. Rather than adopting one methodology for all individuals and issues, I draw from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation. As a therapist, I am warm, open, encouraging, and direct. I consider myself an active therapist, and compassionate person combining experience, education, creativity, and sense of humor with a down-to-earth, realistic approach to counseling. Prior to transitioning over to Human Resources Officer, I was the lead therapist exceling at maintaining all the clinical documentation in the clinical department of detox/residential while carrying a case load and supervising interns. The agency felt my both my organizational skills and compassion for others would make me the right fit for the Human Resources Department. I have over 5 years of experience as a mental health therapist. Before going back to school and obtaining my master’s in social work, I was a Certified Child Welfare Supervisor for almost 14 years. I saw the lives of many children touched by addiction and untreated mental illness. I have assisted many families work towards a better future through case management, therapy, and advocacy. I have also worked with adolescents and adults in the community, residential treatment centers and other psychiatric settings. I have vast experience counseling clients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. My background enables me to be an extremely effective Social Worker and Human Resource Officer who is comfortable counseling diverse groups of people and employees. My credentials include the following: Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Louisville, Kentucky, Bachelor of Sociology & Criminology, Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, Canada, Diploma in Computers Systems, Nova Scotia Institute of Technology, Microsoft certified (MOUS) & Green Belt Lean Six Sigma.