C. Blayre Farkas, M.A.

Program Director

Ms. Farkas holds a masters degree in mental health counseling. She did her undergraduate studies at Cornell University and The New School in New York City. Ms. Farkas focuses on program administration and development at Seaside Palm Beach. As a clinician, Ms. Farkas’ primary areas of interest include addictive disorders and personality disorders. In addition, Ms. Farkas has extensive experience in marketing and communications.

Dr. Michael Lukens, Ph.D.

Clinical Program Director

Dr. Lukens is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 22 years experience. He obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1987 and his Bachelors Degree in psychology from Temple University in 1980. He has co-authored a book about the theory and practice of psychotherapy titled "Language, Structure, and Change: Frameworks of Meaning in Psychotherapy." In addition he has written numerous articles and book chapters. Dr. Lukens specializes in intensive therapy focusing on individual's core issues and their underlying emotional dynamics.

Michael Weiner, Ph.D.

CAP Director of Assessment, Education, and Research

Dr Weiner received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and has taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has also published in numerous professional journals and regularly presented at professional conferences.

Dr. Weiner has been helping chemically dependent adults, adolescents, and their families since 1983. Prior to working for Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, he served as the Outpatient Treatment Director at Park Ridge Chemical Dependency in Rochester, New York and the Treatment Director for the Addictions Recovery Center at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, New York.

Betsy Michelena CAP, ICADC

Therapist

Betsy has over eleven years experience in the addiction treatment field. Having grown up in Latin America she brings to the clinical team bilingual skills and a cultural sensitivity to assist our international clientele. Betsy holds a CAP and ICADC credentials. Betsy’s therapeutic style incorporates an eclectic mix of behavior modification, cognitive behavior therapy and rationale emotive therapy to educate and empower her clients to support their recovery process.  

Randi Klemish, M.S.

Therapist

Randi holds a masters degree from Nova Southeastern University in Interdisciplinary Art, which combined studies in education, marriage & family counseling and creative arts therapies including Drama Therapy and Psychodrama. She has worked as a therapist at Behavioral Health prior to coming to SeaSide Palm Beach.

Jay R. Goldman, D.M.D., L.C.S.W.

EMDR Specialist

Dr. Goldman is both a dentist and a licensed clinical social worker. He has specialized in chronic pain management since 1975. As a clinical instructor at The Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, he taught medical and dental residents the discipline of Orofacial and TMJ pain management and has published chapters on this topic. Dr. Goldman has served as the Clinical Director of the Orofacial and TMJ Pain Clinic at the New York University College of Dentistry where he is currently a Clinical Associate Professor. The combination of dentist, teacher and psychotherapist has made him uniquely qualified to treat patients for a wide variety of problems such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and trauma. He is formally trained and certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Randal Lyons A.P., D.O.M., LAc.

Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Randal Lyons is a nationally board certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbologist, a licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine and an international consultant for addiction treatment centers. He serves on-staff for various health care facilities and maintains a private practice in Palm Beach County, Florida. The author of numerous articles for a wide range of professional publications and a sought after speaker, he has delivered hundreds of demonstrative lectures on subjects that explore the pathways between the body, mind and spirit.

Richard Spencer

Therapist

Richard Spencer is an Addictions/Family Therapist at SeaSide Palm Beach specializing in substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. He has served on the Parent And Child Team (PACT) Inc. since 1997, providing outpatient psychodynamic treatment services to individuals, groups, and families. Richard received his Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign and a Cerificate d’ Etude from the Institute des Etrangers, Aix-En-Provence, France.

Richard Spencer has over 25 years of experience in the field and is certified as a Level II National Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Certified Addictions Professional by the Certification Board of Addiction Professionals in Florida, and a DWI Instructor by the Supreme Court of Florida. He has professional training in a number of specific areas including Relapse Prevention and Virginia Satir’s Model for Growth and Change.

Lisa Baugh

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

Lisa Baugh received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She holds an associate Marriage and Family Therapist license in Illinois, and a clinical Marriage and Family Therapist license in Florida. She is certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and is a member of their Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association. She carries the highest level of "Advanced Certification" by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She has over 35 years experience working with horses and is one of the few practitioners thoroughly versed in both the equestrian and mental health disciplines.

Rabbi Nahum Simon, Ph.D.

Spiritual Advisor

Rabbi Simon is the founder and co-executive director of Rodfei Shalom Fellowship, an organization that brings Judaism and recovery together through programming and education for those affected by addiction and the Jewish community at large. In addition, he maintains a private counseling practice in Sunrise, Florida, specializing in working with male survivors of physical and sexual abuse. He received degrees from Yeshiva University, University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling from Maimonides University. Reb Nahum entered the field of addiction treatment at Mt. Sinai Addiction Treatment Program in Miami Beach, later directing programs for Henderson Mental Health and Think Life, both in Fort Lauderdale. He has rallied for the inclusion of spiritual assessments and spiritual tasks in treatment plans for all addicts in treatment and has presented workshops on this topic for the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association and the Florida State NAADAC conferences.

Mary Jane McManus, RN

Nursing Director

Registered Nurse, State of FL Department of Health Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Boston College (1991), Master of Science/Grad Nursing/Psych-MH-Nursing

Megan Halvey

Director of Guest Services

Megan J Halvey is the Director of Guest Services for Seaside Palm Beach. She received her BA in Psychology from Rutgers University. Megan is certified in High Touch Jin Shin, Reiki and EFT. A published author and award winning photographer, she has been active in the field of recovery for over twenty years.