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Admissions

ADMITTING TO OUR PROGRAM

Starting Your Journey to Wellness

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Making the call for help can be the most challenging part of your journey. However, attending a rehab center and completing treatment can offer the support you or your loved one needs to grow as a person, overcome addiction or mental health conditions, and live a fulfilling and productive life.

At The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, we make taking that first step as easy as possible. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about our treatment programs or admissions process.

We offer you a confidential preliminary evaluation of your situation and explain how our center can meet your unique needs. We can additionally contact your insurance provider to see if they cover our services and let you know about any expenses ahead of time.

Treating every client with compassion and respect, we are committed to helping you reach your mental wellness goals.

The Mental Health Care You Deserve

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The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best primary mental health treatment available. We can help you or the one you love too, it only takes a phone call to begin the healing process. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form. 

In-Depth Assessments and Expert Analysis

Upon arrival at our center, you will begin our comprehensive admissions procedure. We conduct a series of assessments to gain an in-depth insight into the nature of your addiction or mental wellness concerns. Our expert team then applies their extensive scientific knowledge and experience to design an individual treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Including comprehensive mental, psychiatric, and clinical assessments, find out more about our admissions process here.

Clinical Assessment

During your clinical assessment, we will employ various diagnostic technologies to understand the behavioral, sociological, and psychological aspects of your addiction or mental health. We look at the underlying causes of your thought patterns and behaviors and consider your biology, history, and living environment.

This insight helps us ascertain what kind of program you require and the treatment approaches you will respond best to so we can design your treatment plan. It should be noted that our clinical assessment is an ongoing process. During your treatment experience, we will continue to evaluate and explore your cognitive functions.

Psychiatric Assessment

In your psychiatric assessment, a licensed doctor will perform a medical examination of your situation. Including a relaxed interview and non-invasive neurological examination, this assessment helps us understand your mental health from a medical perspective.

Furthermore, the psychiatric assessment allows us to diagnose any mental disorders or substance use disorders that you are living with. It also helps us identify co-occurring disorders to ensure that we can design a suitable dual diagnosis program that treats addiction and mental health conditions simultaneously.

Medical Assessment

During the medical assessment, we assess your physical health and the impact of addiction on your body. We test for diseases resulting from drug or substance use and incorporate treatment into your recovery plan.

We also ask questions about your drug use to determine how often you use a substance, in what dosages, and the duration of your drug use. Answering these questions can be daunting, especially if you are yet to discuss your struggles openly. However, you must answer these questions as honestly as possible as your answers will help us prepare a safe and effective detox and recovery program.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Once you have completed our admissions assessments, we work with you to develop a personalized treatment program that provides you with the best chance of recovery and improved emotional well-being.

We combine numerous evidence-based treatment approaches into a comprehensive recovery plan that meets your individual needs. Our expert and experienced team stay by your side throughout your experience, offering exceptional care and support.

Our treatment options include:

Individual Therapy

Group Therapy

Educational Groups

Trauma-focused Therapy

Art, Music, and Recreational Therapy

Nutritional Assessments and Groups

AA & NA Meetings and Big Book Studies

Family Counseling and Family Weekend Activities

Preparing for Detox

Receiving the right level of care is essential – it can potentially save your life when undergoing a detox. Many detox procedures involve tapering off substance use over some time. Our in-depth physical and clinical assessments allow us to get these quantities just right so your detox is safe and as comfortable as possible. We are one of the only centers in the county who will detox people up to 225mg of methadone.

At NP Addiction, you are in safe hands. Our expert team of medics takes every measure necessary to ensure you or your loved one is prepared for admission. We continue to offer twenty-four-hour supervision throughout the detox process to monitor your progress, ease withdrawal symptoms, and prescribe any necessary medication.

After detox, we offer immediate and long-term support to ensure that your recovery is long-lasting and successful. NP Addiction is certified by government bodies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Florida Department of Children and Families, to provide comprehensive drug detox, so you can be assured that you are in the safest hands.

First-Hand Recovery Experience

At NP Addiction, many of our team are in recovery themselves. This offers us a unique ability to understand and empathize with our clients. We act with deep compassion, acceptance, and respect that is built upon our shared experience.

Our first-hand experience helps fuel another passion – your recovery. We have lived through many of your struggles and come out on the other side. We are committed to helping you succeed on your recovery journey so you can enjoy a fulfilling, sober life.

Are You Concerned About Costs?

We understand that paying for any type of medical care is a huge concern. To cater to each individual’s circumstances, we accept all major insurance providers, which may cover the entirety of your treatment with no out-of-pocket expenses. Our team will work with you to determine what costs your insurance will cover during your treatment experience.

Insurance payments can be complicated, but our qualified and experienced team is here to help. We handle all the paperwork and take over communication with your provider. We care for your administrative needs so you can relax and fully engage in your treatment program.

For those without insurance and in need of immediate help, we offer alternative financing options so that you or your loved one can get the care they need. We believe no one should have to suffer from addiction, and we’re here to help.

Insurances Accepted
UHC-1
Cigna
Ambetter
Humana
MAgellan Healthcare
BCBS
Aetna
CHI
Harvard
Medical Mutual
AmeriHealth

Plus many other plans and carriers

It's Time To Make a Change - Get the Help You Need Today

It’s recovery in style with exceptional support staff and world-leading medical experts in our tropical South Florida location in Port Saint Lucie. Our recovery specialists are available 

twenty-four hours a day to answer any of your questions or concerns regarding your condition, our programs, and how we can help you discover the change you need in your life.

We’ve worked with countless patients who have successfully recovered from addiction, and it will happen for you, too. If you would like to learn more about how we can support you, call or email us today.

Samantha Kelly​

Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine