Clear Steps Recovery Staff

Since 2016, I have been working with those who are afflicted with substance use disorder.  Having grown up around those with addiction, I felt compelled to the idea of helping those with the same affliction. No one achieves anything alone, and having compassion and understanding is the root to a productive therapeutic relationship.

My passion for helping others and commitment in seeing the beauty that is a life in recovery propels me into learning more about the person, and how best to individually assist them in reaching their goals of long-term recovery and spiritual well-being

Brittney is an accomplished Executive professional who has been recognized for her passion in the field of Behavorial Health.  Brittney holds a Drug and Alcohol License as well as a degree in Human services.

Brittney has worked in Behavorial Health for almost a decade in multiple organizations and held several different leadership positions throughout her career.   She has had success as a leader,  skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems to better serve the community.

Brittney has success in implementing systems across multiple operations with superior organizational and communication skills for her teams. She has an in-depth understanding of behavioral health and treatment performance in both individual and group settings.

Dr. Rick Marasa is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, and also holds an MBA degree. Over his nearly 40 year career in Medicine he has extensive experience as a Physician Executive in Emergency and Urgent Care Medicine. More recently in his career, he has expanded his role to being the Medical Director of two Intensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs, treating patients with Substance Use Disorder.

He also serves as a Board of Directors member of several Substance Use Disorder Facilities and Organizations, including the Vermont Physicians Health Program. Dr. Marasa is proud to say he has been in recovery for over 21 years and lead the efforts to establish rapid access in the Emergency Department at Mount Ascutney Hospital to Medically Assisted Therapy for Opiate Use Disorder and rapid, definitive treatment for all aspects of Alcohol Use Disorder. Dr. Marasa is grateful and excited about working with the team at Clearsteps Recovery.

About 9 years ago I found myself in the grips of progression and fatal addiction. At the time I was homeless and ran out of options on where to go next. April 13, 2015, started my journey to a better life. Checking myself into a detox with a backpack of clothes to my name and nowhere else to run. I had broken just about all of the important relationships in my life. Through a slow a painful process I finally did what I had avoided for so long, I looked in the mirror.

I began a long writing assignment which over time changed my perspective of life and how I view life. Allowed me to recognize what was broken so I could then began fixing and putting a new life back together. The first 4 years of my sobriety I learned a lot of what worked and what didn’t work. I tried all kinds of solutions to the problem with in me. Learning that I was still just running from myself and what goes on between my ears. Through this process I began to form a spiritual connection with something I choose to call God.

Learning that this ill feeling I had inside of me was a lack of spirit. Spirit: the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of their character and emotions. Through all this work I learned to control my emotions and act in good character. Over the past handful of years, I have had the honor of working in a treatment centers. I have dedicated my life to being a resource for those struggling with SUD in hopes to change lives one person at a time.

Caroline has been in recovery since 2011 and she discovered her purpose/passion for helping others with Substance Use Disorders very early on into her recovery journey.

She has been working in the addiction treatment industry for 10 years helping various populations from adolescent boys to adult men/women while also working in different treatment settings (ie. inpatient detox, short term residential, long term residential, day programs, and outpatient care).

She is also a Certified Addictions Recovery Coach (CARC) in Massachusetts. She has dedicated her life to helping others fight addiction, achieve recovery, and recreate their lives.

Cassandra Carlson has first-hand understanding of the complexity of recovery. She discovered her passion for helping others overcome addiction while starting her own journey of recovery in 2012. She went on to obtain a masters degree in mental health counseling with a concentration in addiction so as to learn the best ways to enlighten and inspire others.

Long term sobriety requires rigorous honesty, willingness and open-mindedness, and Cassandra can help every step of the way. She believes anyone suffering from the disease of addiction has the opportunity to maintain long term sobriety.

Cassandra understands the significance of individual care and compassion during early recovery. Advocating for her clients, she helps them take ownership of their lives. She believes in a wholesome approach that includes the families of her clients in order to foster a supportive environment.

Working with her clients to understand the thoughts and emotions that underlie their addiction, the goal is to learn a new, healthier, and more productive way of life.

Addicton has become a rising epidemic that can affect people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Consequently, there is a great need for treatment resources. Addiction medicine has made great strides in establishing addiction as a chronic disease with known physiological changes and treatment for this disease.

I first became aware of how great the need was while working in internal medicine and found the need for additional education in the field. Since then, I have found the addiction medicine to be fascinating and greatly rewarding, particularly with successes in treatment. Being able to educate people about this disease and assist in their management of it is the least I can do to give back to the community.

Heather graduated from Keene State College in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an associate degree in chemical dependency. From there, Heather went on to pursue one year of special education before going to Southern New Hampshire University to work on a master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling, where she graduated from in 2013. Heather has worked with numerous populations including school settings, special educational settings, residential and outpatient settings for people with substance use disorders.

Heather’s passion for education and helping people with substance use disorders comes out in the teaching style she implements to help people through the recovery process, in innovative and creative ways to facilitate group topics. Heather’s primary goal in utilization of the Three Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought, is to increase client’s awareness to their thinking, realize their resilience, and increase their self-worth.

Since 2021 I've been working in the substance abuse field. Starting as a Tech I worked my way up to Case management and now my current role which is recovery counselor. I am CRSW trained and look forward to each day helping others work through this disease of addiction.

I have dedicated my career to working in substance abuse do to being in recovery myself. I find it a blessing to be apart of other people's journeys and to watch them rediscover their love for life and them self's.

Debbi brings decades of clinical experience in mental health and substance use disorders. As a seasoned and compassionate Clinical Director, she has provided exceptional care to countless individuals facing mental illness and addiction. Her expertise in evidence-based treatment, combined with her empathetic approach, has established her as a trusted leader in the field of addiction treatment. Debbi’s leadership is pivotal to the center’s comprehensive and holistic approach, addressing the complex needs of individuals struggling with mental health challenges and substance use disorders.

In addition to her clinical work, Debbi has extensive experience in operations and start-ups, having helped launch several successful mental health clinics and addiction treatment centers. She has held managerial roles throughout her career, leading teams of healthcare professionals with the guidance and support needed to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Debbi also has a deep understanding of the business side of healthcare, including leadership training, monthly audits, renewals, and reaccreditation.

Outside of her professional life, Debbi enjoys gardening and cherishes time spent with her spouse, two daughters, and her beloved dog. She is an avid film and theater enthusiast, appreciating all genres, and loves spending sunny days at the beach, where she can unwind and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Debbi’s passion for helping others is evident in everything she does, and her commitment to making a positive impact is unwavering.

Timothy is a dual-board-certified Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience in healthcare. Specializing in mental health and substance use disorders, Timothy is committed to delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan. His patient-centered approach emphasizes empathy and shared decision-making, helping individuals navigate their wellness journeys.

Timothy is adept at engaging and motivating individuals, particularly those resistant to change. His therapeutic interventions include Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, Group Therapy, and Adolescent Coaching/Empowerment.

In addition to his clinical work, Timothy has held faculty positions at Quincy College and Northeastern University, guiding undergraduate and graduate students in their professional development. Outside of his professional endeavors, Timothy enjoys staying active, traveling to warm climates, spending time with friends, and hiking with his dog Kota.

Erica has been working as a dedicated substance use professional since 2020, with a Certification in Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) and a wealth of experience in operations and team management. With a strong background in case management, she excels at developing personalized recovery plans that empower individuals on their path to healing.

Erica has a passion for facilitating group sessions, utilizing evidence-based practices and 12-step knowledge to create supportive and transformative environments for clients. Erica’s passion for art allows her to incorporate creative expression into recovery, helping individuals explore their emotions and experiences in a unique and impactful way.

Committed to fostering a culture of empathy and support, she believes in the power of community in the recovery process.

Sarah is a CRSW and is also certified in Holistic and Integrative Health. As a Recovery Counselor, her approach is aimed to provide a supportive and inspiring environment to help explore and heal challenges associated with dual disorders of substance use/mental health.

She believes in providing a client centered approach to her sessions, seeing individuals to be the expert in their lives. Sarah likes to use humor and be authentic and genuine in the therapy process which people have said they appreciate. Therapeutic techniques include psychodynamic therapy and mindfulness approaches to support individuals in a whole-person, strength-based way, combining insight with action.

She enjoys spending her own time outdoors hiking, music, cooking and exploring new places.

On 3/14/2019, after multiple years of debilitating addiction, I hit rock bottom. I checked myself into rehab with what little courage I had and started my personal journey in recovery. I have my bachelor's in human services and a minor in family studies. I have learned that sobriety is a journey of self-discovery and reinventing yourself. It’s never too late to turn around, no matter how far you’re gone. I meet my clients where they are at with compassionate guidance.

Catherine Collins joins Clear Steps Recovery as Director of Community Outreach - MA with previous experience in the treatment industry field, including Business Development for a PHP/IOP in Worcester MA, and other in-patient facilities in MA. Most recently, she spent the past year in the hospice industry as a Director of Office Development, and the year prior to that as a Human Rights Officer at an in-patient mental health hospital.

This position gets Catherine back into a field that she's passionate about. Bringing all of her business experience, along with her 26 years in recovery, her greatest accomplishments are being able to help one more person find recovery and a path to mental health stability.

I graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in social work and justice studies at the University of New England and immediately jumped into working in the addiction field. I am now on my way to receiving my master’s degree in social work from The University of New England to further my education on working with individuals in substance use and mental health fields.

Growing up in an environment where many individuals were struggling with addiction and mental health issues, I found a passion to help those individuals.

I believe in my role as a Recovery Counselor, I can support and help guide individuals into becoming a better version of themselves. I focus on client-centered approaches, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy for clients to increase self-worth and change negative thoughts/ beliefs of themselves. I use a lot of empathy and humor as a way of connecting with individuals.

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