Our Management Team
Quick reference links:
- President – Michelle Klinedinst, MS, CEDS
-Chief Medical Officer- Steven J. Karp, DO, FACN
- Assistant Medical Director – Timothy Anderson, M.D.
- Director of Business Development, Northeast– Terry Cronin, LCADC, BRI2
- Executive Director – Lori Kearse, MS, CADC ,ADC
- Human Resources Generalist– Cynthia Parrilla
- Family Therapist & Program Coordinator – Lisa Sussman, MS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
- Adolescent Therapist – Sally High, LMHC
- Director of Extended Care– Ani Kamciyan, MS, Registered Social Worker Intern
- Primary Therapist –Deborah Rasso, MS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
- Therapist– Johnny Egan, CAS
- Director of Admissions – Jeff Rocco
- Intake Coordinator– Evan Lefever
- Financial Counselor – Denise Corbisiero
President: Michelle Klinedinst, MS ,CEDS
For the past 30 years Michelle has devoted her career to helping individuals overcome addictions, eating disorders and self-destructive behaviors to live healthier and happier lives. Throughout her career, Michelle has worked in various administrative, corporate leadership and clinical leadership capacities. She offers a wide range of experience in understanding her role as President overseeing and directing staff, facility, and patient care. Michelle also leads Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders as the Executive Director. What began as a 14-bed women's facility has grown to include a 28-bed adult inpatient facility for men and women as well as a 14-bed residential facility for adolescent males and females. Rosewood has expanded to include extended care sites in Wickenburg and Tempe Arizona. Michelle is the co-founder and President of A New Journey ,the first outpatient and partial hospitalization program for eating disorders in Santa Monica, California. Prior to Rosewood, Michelle was the Director of Treatment and Executive Officer for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Center in Antigua, West Indies. She has trained and presented internationally on addictions and eating disorders. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Post Graduate Certification in Addictions Studies, and Certification as an Eating Disorders Specialist. She was a Certified Addictions Counselor in PA from 1983 to 2007.
Chief Medical Officer: Steven J. Karp, DO, FACN
Steven J. Karp is the Chief Medical Officer of The Palm Beach Institute. Triple Board certified in Adult, Addiction and Geriatric psychiatry, Dr. Karp brings twenty years experience treating psychiatric and addictive disorders to PBI. Dr. Karp was Medical Director for the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where his influential project discontinued the use of physical restraints as it determined restraints could replicate previous trauma, which would impede recovery. Dr. Karp graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency at Norristown State Hospital, Norristown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Karp combines his psychiatric skills, psychoanalytic knowledge, and motivational interviewing to support people towards lasting change. As an expert in the treatment of eating disorders, Dr. Karp speaks regularly at national and regional conferences.
Assistant Medical Director: Timothy Anderson, M.D.
Dr Timothy Anderson has been named Assistant Medical Director at The Palm Beach Institute. Prior to joining The Palm Beach Institute, Dr Anderson worked with Hanley Center as Chief of Medical Services where he focused on the medical needs of the patients. Dr Anderson has also worked with The Palm Beach County Health Department where he treated HIV patients and individuals suffering from drug addiction. Dr Anderson received his M.D. in 1977 from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his first internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami. He most recently received the American Board of Medical Specialties Certification in Public Health. Dr Anderson was a private practice physician in Hudson, Florida for 18 years. He also has been the workers compensation physician for Chrysler Corporation, and served as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force. He later completed a residency in Public Health Preventative Medicine and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Nova SE University School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002.
Director of Business Development, Northeast: Terry Cronin, LCADC, BRI2
Terry Cronin has worked in the addictions field for 24 years. He started his career as an intern in a hospital setting working with adolescents as Senior Counselor. Terry was the co founder of an IOP center where he not only carried a full case load but was also responsible for business development. Terry left there to become the full time marketing representative for a well-known addiction treatment center; it was there that he realized his passion for marketing. Long before interventions became a household word Terry developed a practice that specialized in helping families in crisis. Terry states "I love the field I am in and cater to the addict and their family with quality and affordable services." This philosophy has gained Terry a national reputation as both a marketer and interventionist.
Executive Director: Lori Kearse, MS, CADC, ADC
As Executive Director, Lori Kearse, MS, CADC, ADC brings The Palm Beach Institute over 20 years of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm. Lori is an innovative, dynamic problem solver with a rich clinical background that she utilizes to inspire both the staff and the clients at PBI. Lori has held positions in inpatient, outpatient, parole, and corrections settings treating adults and adolescents struggling with issues such as chemical dependency and dual diagnosis. Her approach to treatment is compassionate, direct and creative and incorporates a variety of evidence-based methodologies.
Most recently, Lori worked within the Juvenile Justice system in Las Vegas, Nevada where she served as a Mental Health Counselor in addition to co-creating the Clark County Juvenile Drug Court Program. Program creation and development has always been a significant part of Lori’s career. In 1994, she began an alumni association for recovering addicts and alcoholics that was designed to support the recovery process through healthy recreational and leisure activities. In 2003, Lori created a state-wide drug and alcohol treatment program to treat female felony inmates for the Nevada Department of Corrections. The following year, Lori designed and developed a therapeutic dog program called “Pups on Parole” for female inmates. The program was featured on the television show The Dog Whisperer, People Magazine, and gained national media attention. The program is still in operation today.
Lori Kearse earned her Bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree from the University of Frostburg Maryland. In June 2011, she completed the Juvenile Sexual Offender Counselor Certification Program through the University of Louisville Kent School Of Social Work. Lori is also Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment certified.
Human Resources Generalist: Cynthia Parrilla
Cynthia Parrilla is the Human Resources Generalist at The Palm Beach Institute.
Family Therapist & Program Coordinator: Lisa Sussman, MA
Lisa began her relationship with the Palm Beach Institute as a group facilitator in our extended care program in 2007. Lisa rejoined PBI in March, 2009 as an intern through the South University Program where she completed her Masters degree in Professional Counseling. She holds a certificate of completion in EMDR. She works as the Family Program Coordinator, IOP Therapist, and group facilitator in residential treatment. Previously, Lisa was a program coordinator, working with adolescents and young adults with substance abuse and behavioral issues. Lisa facilitated groups, oversaw case managers and behavioral techs and worked with client's families.
Adolescent Therapist: Sally High, LMHC
Sally received her Master’s Degree from Barry University and earned her BA at Florida State University. She became passionate about working with children and teens when she was a school teacher straight out of college. She worked with Dyslexic/ADHD children and enjoyed helping the students with their behavioral issues far more than academic. This inspired Sally to pursue a counseling degree. She is a licensed mental health counselor with over 13 years of experience in the field of mental health and chemical dependency specifically targeting teens, families and children. She began her career at the Miami-Dade Mental Health Association working with underprivileged teens and children in Liberty City, Miami. She has also worked in mental health psychiatric facilities, hospital setting as well as extensively in the treatment facility setting providing both inpatient and outpatient services. Her philosophy in working with adolescents is that the main components are working with the families as well as the adolescents to work towards healthy patterns of communication, boundary setting, support for families and education of addiction.
Director of Extended Care: Ani Kamciyan, MS, Registered Social Worker Intern
Ani joined the family of Palm Beach Institute in July of 2010. Ani has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker Intern with the Department of Health in the State of Florida. In addition, she is currently pursuing her CAP licensure. Ani is a committed clinician, and is very good at building rapport with her clients and empowering them to reach their fullest potential with the use of hard work and determination. Ani has worked in the mental health and substance abuse fields for about four years and has experience with Trauma Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dual- Diagnosis, crisis intervention, mood disorders, and inpatient mental health and substance abuse.
Primary Therapist: Deborah Rasso, MS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Deborah Russo is a primary therapist at The Palm Beach Institute
Therapist: Johnny Egan, CAS
Johnny Egan is a therapist at The Palm Beach Institute and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance at Loyola University. Beginning his career as a behavioral health tech and group facilitator, Johnny gained experience with co-occurring disorders of substance abuse and mental health. His unbridled passion comes from his own personal recovery of four years. Johnny realizes his calling is to help the hopeless find a new way to live, and to use his skills to help others reach their own goals and a better life.
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Director of Admissions: Jeff Rocco
Jeff joined PBI treatment team in 2008. He began his tenure as a Resident Manager providing structure, support, and guidance to our resident clients. In 2009, Jeff was promoted to Financial Counselor and is now a dedicated member of our admissions team. Jeff brings over 8 years of residential treatment experience to PBI; having previously worked in admissions and financial roles at The Watershed and A New Day Treatment Centers. Jeff has both personally and professionally committed himself to assisting individuals and families struggling with addictive disorders. He is an active member of the Hospitals and Institutions Committee of Palm Beach County and devotes much of his personal time to helping recovering alcoholics and addicts in the local community. Jeff’s philosophy of patient care combines personal accountability with care and compassion.
Intake Coordinator: Evan Lefever
Evan Lefever is an Intake Coordinator at The Palm Beach Institute
Utilization Review: Denise Corbisiero
Denise Corbisiero handels utilization review at The Palm Beach Institute. She provides a strong patient-advocacy approach to third party payers. Working alongside Intake she obtains pre-authorizations and will complete re-certification reviews as required by insurance plans.