Avenues Recovery at Lake Ariel is an unrivaled drug and alcohol addiction detox and inpatient rehab facility in the Greater Scranton community. We administer medically supervised detox and inpatient addiction treatment. Our personalized evidence-based approach in a warm community environment changes lives in a genuine way.
A unique community-based detox center and inpatient rehab extended care treatment program. Drug and alcohol detox and inpatient rehab customized to the needs and unique circumstances of each individual. The contemporary facilities have a youthful décor and vibe removing the stigma and barrier of institutionalized drug and alcohol detox and residential treatment.
Avenues Recovery Center in Pennsylvania offers the most patient-centered detox and inpatient treatment available.
The Avenues Recovery team is acutely qualified for the most at risk and vulnerable, staffed with a full-time physician, psychiatrist, and licensed counselors. Our case managers will address any legal, family, or FMLA complications, and most of all focus on workforce re-entry.
Akiva Stern is from Lakewood, NJ and works in addiction treatment. The idea of spending his days with people who are working on themselves to be better people was very appealing to him. He has lived all over the world and loves to travel. In his free time, Akiva enjoys top foraging, yoga, hiking, and reading.
Jenna Smith is from Tunkhannock, PA. She went to Keystone college and achieved a MPAS at Marywood University. She is CAQ-psych. She chose this career because she watched loved ones suffer tremendously from addiction and she felt compelled to show the same amount of compassion, love, and support to other individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her 2 dogs, Xena and Lola, playing softball, and going to the gym. She loves to travel and experience new places.
John Johnson is the operations manager at Avenues Recovery Center Lake Ariel, originally from Reading, PA. He attended George Mason University and has been dedicated to the field of addiction treatment ever since getting sober.
John’s personal experience with addiction and recovery has given him a unique perspective on the challenges that individuals face in their journey to recovery. He is passionate about helping others who are struggling with addiction and is committed to providing the highest level of care to his clients.
Outside of work, John is a devoted dog dad to two happy pups who bring joy to his life every day. He spends much of his free time attending 12-step meetings and sponsoring men who are working to overcome their addiction. Meditation has been a significant part of John’s wellness journey, and he makes a point to practice it as often as possible.
As a big NFL and NBA fan, John can be found cheering on his favorite teams whenever he gets the chance. Despite his love for sports, John’s true passion is helping others, and he feels incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of his clients every day.
Cassandra is a graduate from Lackawanna College with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Cassandra has also obtained certifications in trauma informed yoga along with grief and loss counseling. Cassandra believes in family education of the disease and finds her passion educating and supporting both clients and family members on their road to recovery. Cassandra prides herself on her hands on approach and ability to help clients find internal motivation for change. Cassandra lost her brother in 2020 to a Drug Overdose and uses his story to help empower others to walk the road of recovery. When Cassandra is not at work you can find her spending time with her children, watching football (Go Steelers), and going on her daily runs.
Valeria Paz is a counselor at Avenues in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. She went to Clarion University for her undergraduate degree and is currently working on her masters in Social Work at Widener University. Valeria has always been passionate about helping others, especially those who suffer from mental health and addiction issues. She believes that every person who comes through the doors at Avenues has the ability to make a beautiful life for themselves, regardless of their past struggles. In her free time, Valeria enjoys writing, painting, reading, and preparing for her first baby.
Megan has both professional and personal experience helping those with substance use disorders. Megan witnessed firsthand the struggle of active addiction of both family and friends. Significantly impacted by these experiences Megan developed a passion for lessening the pain of others while increasing hope. This passion led her to embrace a career path that would allow her to continue helping those struggling with mental health and addiction on a more clinical level. She obtained an Associate’s degree in Human Services from Lackawanna College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Marywood University, and is currently working towards obtaining her CADC and is also pursuing her degree in Mental Health Counseling and obtain an LPC. Megan is a Primary Counselor at our Lake Ariel location, where she assists individuals enter recovery and reach their fullest potential.
Makayla Seifert is a certified alcohol and drug counselor at Avenues in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Makayla was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania and went to Lackawanna College for her bachelors degree in human services. Makayla is currently pursuing her masters degree in social work at Widener University and her main goal is to obtain her license in clinical social work. Makayla chose this career path because she has passion for helping and supporting others in need. Makayla has worked in the substance abuse feild for several years now, and truly believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to get sober and live a happy and healthy lifestyle. The one thing Makayla loves about Avenues is their commitment towards clients recovery and their family approach that provides clients with genuine care and love. In Makayla’s free time, she loves to be outdoors and go hiking with her dog Malcom while listening to Elton John.
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