Pompano Beach

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.

Dr. Francisco U Cruz
MD

Medical Director

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Francisco U Cruz, M.D. is board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has been practicing psychiatry for 14 years and has extensive experience treating mental illness and substance use disorders in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and detox levels of care. Dr. Cruz believes in a holistic approach to mental illness incorporating bio-psycho-social-spiritual elements to help patients achieve emotional stability and true inner peace. He strives to provide excellent client centered care and use new treatment modalities to improve the quality of life and overall health of his patients.

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.

Dexter Green
MA, MCAP

Lead Clinical Therapist

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Dexter Green comes to Boca Recovery Center with extensive experience in substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. He graduated from NJCU in 2005 with a Master's Degree in Education and Rehabilitation with a concentration in Psychology. He is Board Certified to provide therapy in the state of FL as a Master’s Level Addiction Professional, Mental Health Professional, Criminal Justice Addiction Professional, IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified E- Therapist. Dexter has over 15 years of experience working with individuals, adolescents and families who suffer with addiction and mental health diagnoses. During his tenure, he held positions as a Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Director. Dexter uses a number of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Family Systems Theory. Dexter takes a holistic, strengths-based, person-centered approach to treatment that utilizes effective and relevant interventions to meet his clients’ needs.  When he is not working, Dexter enjoys spending time with family and coaching youth football.

Reverend Charlotte Day
CAP

Clinical Therapist

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Charlotte is nationally-recognized for creating and developing Christian Substance Abuse Programs as well as outreaches for the community. This includes Christian concerts and convocations to promote recovery, and women’s programming to offer support and guidance within Christian recovery. Charlotte has appeared on the Trinity Broadcast Network and has directed and performed in several videos pertaining to Christianity and the Twelve Steps. Charlotte is a Certified Addictions Professional and holds a music degree. She was also a successful performer in the entertainment business, until she heard the call for a higher purpose. Charlotte now incorporates her love and talent for music and the arts as a way to help people heal from the ravages of addiction. Charlotte’s mission is to bring healing and God’s love to people who are hurting and are looking for a better way of life. Boca Recovery Center is very excited to have Charlotte with us to oversee our Christian Spirituality Track.

Patricia Angeles
CRC

Case Manager

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Patricia has worked at Boca Recovery Center since the doors first opened in 2016. She has held the position of Case Manager since inception of the organization and has enjoyed seeing significant growth and development within the company over the past 4 years. Patricia graduated from SUNY Albany with a Bachelors’ Degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She has worked for many years in child welfare, foster care, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment. For 12 years, Patricia held the position of Regional Chairperson for “The Fresh Air Fund,” in New York City. Patricia moved to South Florida so that she could be closer to the beach and sunny weather. Patricia is a Certified Recovery Coach and enjoys working with the clients at Boca Recovery Center. She particularly enjoys being able to provide the clients with much needed resources, including aftercare referrals, tuition assistance, sober housing, medical/dental or legal resources, and other important information that will benefit the clients as they work on building a solid lifestyle in recovery. Patricia always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude, and in her spare time she can be found at the beach, enjoying time with family and friends, traveling, and bringing her knowledge of aromatherapy to the office.

Jennifer McCarty

Intake Coordinator

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Jennifer Mccarty was born and raised in South Florida. After completing school, she came to Boca Recovery Center as a Behavioral Health Technician in 2017. After showing hard work and dedication, she was promoted to Intake Coordinator at our Detox location, where she is typically the first person that our clients will meet with as they orient to the program. Jen enjoys working directly with our clients to ensure that they are comfortable and ready to engage in our treatment program.

Jake Powers

Housing and Facilities Supervisor

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Jake Powers has worked at Boca Recovery Center for the past 3 years, starting as a Behavioral Health Technician, and then moving to the position of Case Manager, and his most recent promotion to the current position of Housing and Facilities Supervisor.  In this role, Jake heads up the Housing Department and is the Supervisor in charge of the Behavioral Tech Staff at all our locations.  He is also responsible for ensuring that all our facilities are running smoothly and in perfect order.  Jake has been in recovery for many years and he enjoys providing sponsorship to men seeking sobriety through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Jake is also currently attending Florida Atlantic University, where he is in the midst of seeking his Bachelors’ Degree in Business and Finance. When Jake finds downtime, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife and infant daughter and two rescued pit-bulls, or he can be found fishing or on the golf course.

Benjamin “Bo” Garfield

Alumni Coordinator

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Benjamin “Bo” Garfield was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Starting at the age of 17, he struggled with addiction for many years. In 2016, Bo was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, and after aggressive treatment, he has been in remission since that time. Bo got sober almost 4 years ago, and in 2018, he received a Certified Recovery Specialist from Penn State, Abington. After working in treatment in Philadelphia area for several years, Bo moved to South Florida in 2019. He began working as a House Manager at a sober living facility, and then moved into positions of Behavioral Health Technician, Tech Supervisor, and now the role of Alumni Coordinator with Boca Recovery Center. Bo is actively involved in the program of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and he enjoys sharing his strength and hope with others who are seeking recovery. Bo now has plans to work towards becoming a Certified Addictions Counselor. In his downtime, Bo can be found kayaking, playing with his Labrador, and spending time with loved ones.