Avenues Recovery Center at Bucks

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.

Patrick Tansey has dedicated over a decade to the field of addiction recovery and mental health treatment. He joined Avenues Recovery of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as Clinical Director in October 2024, bringing extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to client-centered, evidence-based care.

Patrick earned his Master’s degree in Counseling from Montclair State University in 2015, along with his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. He continued to advance his education by completing his Advanced Counseling Certificate in 2018. In 2021, he became certified in EMDR through the Personal Transformation Institute, expanding his ability to provide trauma-informed treatment. Patrick is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), allowing him to support and guide developing clinicians in the field.

Throughout his career, Patrick has served in a variety of clinical leadership roles, guiding teams, developing programming, and supporting clinicians in delivering ethical and effective care. His therapeutic approach integrates Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed modalities to support clients in meaningful, lasting recovery.

Beyond his professional work, Patrick has been happily married for five years and is the proud father of two beautiful daughters. He enjoys the outdoors, camping, and seeking out new adventures. Photography is a personal passion that fuels his love for travel and spending time in God’s creation

Shawn has over 15 years in the medical field and holds a dual master’s as an Acute and Family Nurse Practitioner. She has broad and extensive experience in ICU Trauma, emergency medicine, surgery, geriatric, internal medicine, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatry.

Fairly new to the area, and originally from Colorado, Shawn has lived in well over 15 states. She has personal experience with multiple loved ones losing their lives to substance abuse, and the feeling of helplessness that follows.

It has been one of her aspirations to offer support to those in need in a safe environment. She believes that a collaborative approach to treatment gives clients the best chance at success.

Warren has more than 8 years of experience in the addiction recovery field after going through his own personal journey out of addiction. He has been clean and sober now for more than 11 years. Prior to joining Avenues Recovery, Warren worked in a hospital setting, treating individuals with substance abuse disorders. Believing that the best successes in recovery are achieved through a team effort, he uses a motivational style of therapy combined with cognitive behavioral therapy to foster personal growth and spiritual development. Warren structures his own life around recovery-based activities and helps his clients learn to do the same.

Mike Mancuso is a Certified Addictions Counselor as well as a Certified Recovery Specialist. He's worked in the addiction space for the past nine years, helping individuals with both co-occurring and substance use disorders get their life back. Mike has extensive training in the mental health field and was the recipient of the 2015 Loren H. Crabtree Innovation in Recovery Award. He likes to emphasize that relationships are essential in building strong foundations in both treatment and recovery in order to sustain long-term abstinence. Mike’s unique, strength-based approach encompasses the idea of finding “the diamond in the rough”, and uses that as a tool in promoting healthy growth.

Joyce Roberts is an accomplished Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with expertise in psychotherapy, family systems, and relationship issues. With 35 years of experience under her belt, Joyce possesses extensive knowledge of 12-Step principles and has gained valuable post-university experience in delivering evidence-based psychoeducation.

As a skilled practitioner, Joyce specializes in providing therapeutic assistance to individuals, couples, and families facing a wide range of concerns. She is well-versed in treating issues such as substance use disorders, and skilled at resolving relational conflicts among family members, romantic partners, friends, and coworkers. She has a deep appreciation for the systemic perspective offered by MFT, valuing its ability to address individuals within the context of their relationships, rather than in isolation.

Joyce’s training equips her with a diverse set of clinical skills aimed at facilitating connection and healing within the relational context of her clients. She excels in increasing insight and awareness of relational strengths and resources, empowering individuals, couples, and families to make behavioral changes that align with their unique goals for improved functioning.

Fully committed to her clients’ well-being, Joyce approaches her work with empathy and professionalism. Through her guidance, individuals, couples, and families find support as they navigate their therapeutic journeys, fostering growth and nurturing resilient relationships.

Alexandra Farrell-Poley, hailing from Horsham, PA, is a dedicated professional who has made a profound commitment to the field of social work. She embarked on her educational journey at Monmouth University, where she pursued both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work. Her impressive academic journey also led her to achieve her Licensed Social Worker (LSW) credential.

Driven by a passion for helping others and a genuine desire to assist individuals in achieving their goals and making positive changes in their lives, Alexandra's career focus is deeply rooted in addiction treatment and recovery. Her dedication to standing by individuals and fighting alongside them against the challenges of addiction is not only a professional calling but also a deeply personal mission, enriched by her professional education and personal experiences.

In her leisure time, Alexandra thrives on enriching her life with experiences near and far. She relishes spending quality moments with friends and family, cherishing the bonds that bring joy and fulfillment. Her love for travel takes her to both familiar and unexplored destinations, with Germany in 2022 and an upcoming Caribbean cruise in November marking her recent and future adventures. Additionally, Alexandra's avid passion for reading transcends her profession, as she eagerly delves into books of all genres, always open to new and intriguing recommendations.

Joseph Kane, LSW,  is the Regional Clinical Director of Avenues Recovery's Pennsylvania locations. Raised in Scranton, PA, Joe began his educational journey at Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Following this, he attended Marywood University, completing his Master’s in Social Work and becoming a licensed social worker (LSW) in Pennsylvania. Joe feels his path in substance abuse treatment chose him, rather than the other way around. He views the events and circumstances leading him to this field as far more significant than mere coincidence, fueling his sincere dedication to supporting individuals in their recovery journeys.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys a fulfilling family life with his wife, two children, and their dog. He spends his free time with family and friends, taking on various home projects, and recently began learning to play the piano. Additionally, he has a passion for live music and loves attending concerts, which he finds both inspiring and refreshing.