Katie Erly is a dedicated clinical director at Avenues Recovery Center, hailing from Huntingtown, MD. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and went on to pursue a Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. With over 26 years of experience in social work and mental health, Katie has a passion for addiction treatment and helping others.

In December 2022, Katie joined Avenues Recovery Center to lead the clinical team. Her vast clinical expertise and guidance enable her to provide the best possible treatment and outcomes for clients. Katie believes in proper diagnosis and treatment as the foundation for success in recovery, and she brings a unique perspective to addiction treatment.

Outside of work, Katie is a family-oriented person with five children and one grandchild on the way. She lives in Calvert County with her two dogs and enjoys traveling, skiing, relaxing at the beach, and baking desserts in her free time.

Ruthie Jackson is a dedicated addiction treatment professional originally from St. Marys. She has a BA in Psychology from Salisbury University and a BA in Art from Catholic University. Ruthie expanded her knowledge of the field by achieving her Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, as she found many of her clients in Mental Health were dually diagnosed. Although she did not expect to work directly in addiction treatment, she was offered a part-time position and has never looked back. Ruthie loves her job at Avenues and is grateful that life guided her in this direction.

In her personal life, Ruthie believes that family is everything. She spends all of her free time with her husband and son, traveling and experiencing new adventures together. Ruthie knows that life is short, and she treasures every precious moment.

Amanda Brown is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from Sarasota, Florida. She received her LPN education from Christian International College in Largo, Florida, and is currently pursuing an RN degree with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatric treatment.

Amanda’s passion for addiction treatment stems from her desire to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. When she started working at Avenues five years ago, she had no experience in substance abuse treatment. However, through her dedication and hard work, Amanda has grown in her education and knowledge as a nurse, working alongside some of the best providers in the industry. She finds her work at Avenues to be extremely rewarding, witnessing the positive changes in the lives of their clients, and being a part of their journey towards sobriety.

Amanda’s approach to addiction treatment is unique in that she sees each individual as a whole person and not just a diagnosis. She strives to understand each client’s unique circumstances and background, recognizing that everyone’s journey towards recovery is different. Amanda looks forward to hearing the success stories of Avenues’ clients after a year of sobriety, and that is what drives her passion for addiction treatment.

Outside of work, Amanda is a devoted wife and mother of four children, ranging in age from 2 to 17 years old. She and her family enjoy traveling, cooking, exploring new cultures and foods, hiking, camping, and cheering on their favorite college football team. Amanda also enjoys experiencing the seasonal changes in Maryland, where she has lived for seven years due to her husband’s career in the Airforce.

Tamia Musgrave, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-B, CARN-AP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, has over 27 years of clinical experience in the healthcare industry. As a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C), she utilizes a patient-centered approach in treating individuals and families. Her mission is to motivate and empower people to reach their optimal health and wellness through an individualized, holistic plan; addressing both the behavioral and physical health needs of her patients.

As a certified addiction specialist, Tamia is dedicated to helping people recover from substance abuse by utilizing medication assisted therapy, like Suboxone and similar medications, in combination with counseling.

Tamia believes that good mental health strengthens the ability of our clients to cope with daily life circumstances or issues. Tamia is committed to helping our clients with their behavioral health concerns so they may create a new path to the life they desire. 

Victor Hillaert is a Nurse Practitioner currently working at Avenues. He is from Langhorne, PA but grew up in Bel Alton, MD. He has a Bachelor of Science from UMES and degrees from Salisbury University and Wilmington University. He is currently working on obtaining his Psych Certification. He chose this career because of his passion for addiction treatment and he believes that his unique perspective can help those suffering from addiction. He is married with two sons and two dogs. He enjoys sports and travel and his coolest travel spot to date is the rainforest of Costa Rica.

Travis Roberts is a Nurse Practitioner from LaPlata, MD. He went to Regis Catholic University and achieved a Master’s of Science in Nursing. He is board certified in family medicine and psychiatry. He is currently working on furthering his credentials or education. He chose this career and his passion for addiction treatment because he believes in a holistic approach to recovery. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, gardening, and related outdoor activities with his wife and four children.

Valerie, aka “Nurse Val”, hails from Alabama, rolls with the Tide and in her many years of exceptional work, has built a decorated nursing career with experience in almost every area of healthcare. Valerie’s interest in Substance Abuse and Mental Health began about 2 years ago and she has never looked back.

Valerie is the mother to four beautiful grown daughters and is Gigi to her precious granddaughter, which is one of her favorite ways to spend her time; other hobbies include paddling boarding, photography and all things on the beach.

Allene Hernandez is a compassionate and dedicated nurse with a passion for addiction treatment. Originally from Ft Washington, MD, Allene has spent the last 20 years living in Martinsburg, WV. She obtained her LPN from James Rumsey Technical Institute in Hedgesville, WV and is currently working towards her RN degree.

Allene’s decision to pursue a career in nursing was driven by her love of science and her desire to help people. Her passion for addiction treatment stems from her belief that everyone deserves a chance to recover from their struggles, and that treating addiction requires a holistic approach that takes into account the unique needs of each individual. Allene is committed to encouraging her clients and helping them realize their worth, believing that treating the person as a whole is essential for successful addiction treatment.

Outside of work, Allene is a proud mother of four children, ages 15, 20, 24, and 26, with a son-in-law and her first grandchild due in August. She also has two small dogs and loves to travel, though she is still working on finding a hobby.

Brittanny Ryan, LCPC, is currently serving as the Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at Avenues, a leading addiction treatment center. Originally from St. Mary’s County, Brittanny earned her B.A in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, followed by an M.A in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is currently an LCPC and approved supervisor through the state of Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and is planning to pursue a program for LCADC in the near future.

Brittanny chose a career in addiction treatment after witnessing several family members, friends, and clients she worked with in private practice and hospice care struggle with addiction or pass away due to addiction. She is passionate about helping guide others through their journey of recovery and believes in treating every client with unconditional positive regard, meeting them where they are in their recovery process, and facilitating their personal growth. Brittanny’s unique perspective on addiction treatment is grounded in her belief that people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

In her personal life, Brittanny enjoys staying active by working out at the gym, playing soccer, and taking her dog for a walk. She is an animal lover and would rescue all animals if she could. Brittanny has been married for almost years and has two stepdaughters. She loves warm weather, the beach, and traveling to attend concerts.

Donta Dinkins is a dedicated addiction counselor with a passion for helping others overcome their struggles. Originally from Forestville, MD, Donta obtained an AA degree in Addiction Counseling from Anne Arundel Community College, and is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in addiction counseling. Donta chose a career in addiction counseling because he has always had a passion for helping others. In his personal life, Donta is a proud father of four children – two boys and two girls. He enjoys working out and spending quality time with his children.

Brandi Keen is a compassionate counselor from Dundalk, MD. She attended Anne Arundel Community College and earned degrees in Human Services and Addiction Counseling. Brandi is currently working towards her LCPC credential to further her education and expertise in the field.

Brandi’s personal experience with addiction and loss has fueled her passion for helping others struggling with addiction. Her unique perspective and approach to addiction treatment is person-centered, providing unconditional positive regard for each client. She understands that addiction is a disease and requires personalized care and attention for successful recovery.

Outside of work, Brandi enjoys living on a small farm in Lusby, which is a lifelong dream come true. She is a mother of two, with a newborn baby and an 11-year-old son. In her free time, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family and pets, and exploring new hobbies.

Danielle Murphy is a Primary Counselor at Avenues. She is from Prince Frederick and went to AACC. She has achieved her Associates degree and is currently working on furthering her credentials towards her bachelors. Danielle chose this career because she was an addict and had been in and out of treatment. Her last treatment center was Avenues, where she gained her life back with the help of an amazing counselor. Danielle wants to give back to someone what her counselor gave to her. She is unique in her role at Avenues because she has been through it and knows what it feels like to want to die because you can’t get clean and to want to use. Danielle has a 15 year old son, has been sober for little over 4 years, loves to dance, has 2 awesome dogs, and loves to travel. Her favorite thing is Mickey Mouse.

Seamus Nash, CSC-AD, Counselor, has more than seven years of experience working with clients with substance use disorder. He is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSC-AD) in the State of Maryland. Seamus’s desire to help prevent substance abuse began when he was working in Facilities Management at American University. He became active with a substance abuse prevention program and contributed both time and money to the cause. After several years, he decided to add a psychology degree to his education with a specialization in substance abuse counseling. Seamus states that changing careers has been one of the most rewarding things of his life. Seamus has worked primarily at inpatient treatment centers. He completed an internship at Shephard Pratt, and has worked with Medicaid and private insurance. Seamus uses his skills to assist clients with co-occurring disorders, family issues, and gambling addictions.

Justin Muller is a dedicated addiction treatment professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park and a CAC-AD (CCBC) certification. Currently, he is working towards a MA or MS in Clinical Counseling to further his knowledge and skills in the field.

Although his career path started in Mechanical Engineering, Justin’s passion for Psychology led him to continue studying both tracks. After battling alcoholism, Justin’s desire to help others returned and he became a part of the change he wanted to see. With a unique perspective, he believes in the benefits of human connection and using cognitive/behavioral approaches to treat addiction.

In his personal life, Justin enjoys spending time with his family and pets, as well as traveling and exploring new places. He also likes to engage in hobbies that promote his well-being and mental health.

Ana Tine Manoa was born and raised in Haveluloto, Tonga until the age of six when she moved to the United States in 1990. She obtained a BS in civil engineering but decided to change her career path to focus on helping others. She is currently pursuing a BA in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse at Southern New Hampshire University and plans to continue her education with an MA in Psychology, concentrating on Addictions. Her ultimate goal is to achieve the LCPC license within the next two years.

Ana has personally struggled with addiction during her time in the Army and during her transition back into civilian life. Her experiences have prepared her to help others who may be struggling with similar issues. Ana believes that educating clients about the power of their brains is key to helping them on their journey to recovery.

Ana is a divorced mother of three and currently lives in Chesapeake Beach, MD with her children. She is focused on maximizing her hours at Avenues to prepare for licensing but also strives to balance work and family life. Her family will be traveling to California this June to see her grandfather off to their home country and will be returning next year to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Andrea Hawkins is a compassionate addiction treatment professional originally from Prince Frederick. She holds an Associate degree in Human Services from the College of Southern Maryland and is currently working towards furthering her education in the field.

Andrea chose this career path because she has witnessed the devastating impact of addiction on her extended family, friends, and loved ones. Her personal experiences have fueled her passion to make a difference and help those who are struggling with addiction.

In her personal life, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, including her two children. She loves the beach and has a passion for traveling and exploring new places. Her dedication to helping others and love for life make her an asset to the addiction treatment field.