Augustine Recovery Staff
Leadership Team
Jason Chane, CAP, ICADC, CTP
OWNER, CEO
JASON CHANE, CAP, ICADC, CTP
OWNER, CEO
Jason Chane is a leader in the evolving recovery industry. He has worked in the field over 10 years now and brings much personal and professional experience to the world of recovery. Jason started as a Program Director at Mark Houston Recovery Center (now Benchmark Recovery Center) in Austin, Texas in 2008. Jason knew from this point that his life would be devoted to the service of men and women that struggle with addiction. He found the calling he had been searching for his entire life. Jason also spent one year in Florida, working for Vince Carter Sanctuary as a Counselor and loved living in the city of St. Augustine dearly. Jason was asked to come back to Texas to be the Executive Director of the Men’s Program at Benchmark Recovery Center in November of 2011. During Jason’s tenure at BRC, the program experienced growth and stability due to Jason’s peaceful and powerful approach to leading men. Jason left BRC in July to pursue the vision of starting a recovery and life center in St. Augustine, Florida with his lovely wife Lauren. Jason believes that any man or woman who desires to be sober or free of addictive behaviors can be. It just takes surrender, honesty, discipline and enthusiasm, four things that can be developed. It is Jason’s life purpose to revolutionize the field of addiction recovery. Jason is devoted to living a life of health, peace, and abundance in all ways, and is uniquely able to bring out the best in others. Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas. Jason is a LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) in Texas and is a CAP (Certified Addiction Professional) in Florida. Jason also maintains his ICADC (Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) designation.
Lauren Chane, LCSW, CTT
OWNER, CEO
LAUREN CHANE, LCSW, CTT
OWNER, CEO
Lauren Chane was born in Austin Texas in 1983 to Tom and Liz Davis. Tom and Liz own three restaurants in the Austin area including two Green Mesquite BBQs and Scholz’s Bier Garten (founded in 1866 and in the Texas register of historic places). As she grew up in Austin, her husband was making his way in Marlin, Texas. They joined mutual friends at a local honkytonk and when they danced the chemistry was set alight. Lauren has her bachelor’s from Texas State University and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas. She entered recovery from drug and alcohol addiction 11 years ago and has dedicated her life to service and sobriety. She is currently active in Alcoholics Anonymous and sponsors other women in the program and takes them through the twelve steps. She has volunteered throughout her time in school with Heart to Heart Hospice, St. David’s Hospital, The Sims Foundation, Austin Recovery and the Austin Parks Cleanups. She is an avid runner and completed her first marathon in February of 2012 where Jason rode his bike and held up grumpy cat signs to keep her spirits high. She is also an avid gardener and loves to grow organic food at home. The love and recovery in their home is the foundation that they have built the mission for their business on. They believe in clean eating, physical exercise, connection to something greater than themselves, helping other alcoholics recover, equality and fairness for all creatures on earth, prayer, daily meditation, a daily review of character defects and continued personal growth and spreading recovery to all those who need it.
Ty Labenne, CAP,CTP, ICADC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TY LABENNE, CAP,CTP, ICADC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ty Labenne hails from the tall pines and low swamps of Louisiana. He has been in long term recovery from alcohol and other drugs since 2008. After multiple failed treatment attempts, he finally did the hard work that was suggested by professionals and started on the road to recovery . Beginning his career in south Louisiana as a biologist, Ty eventually moved to Austin, TX and worked in research at the University of Texas Animal Research Center. It was in Austin that he realized his natural gifts and passion for working with individuals and their families who are struggling with substance abuse. With a heavy weight on his heart, he was confronted with making a career choice. He was being pulled toward helping people fighting this battle that was so familiar to him. He chose to stand on the firing lines as an addiction professional, while using his education and experience to bring a scientific, spiritual, and therapeutic approach to his work. Over the years he has worked in several notable 90 day male specific residential treatment centers in the Austin, TX area. Ty transitioned to St. Augustine, Florida to assist Jason and Lauren in the opening of the Augustine before its inception in 2015. Ty chose The Augustine because he believes whole-heartedly in its specific mission, approach, and ideals.
Ty is a forward thinker with an extensive working knowledge of addiction. He is trained in various modalities of counseling and has logged over 200 hours of trauma focused training. He is often thought of as a compassionate gunslinger in his dealings with the men he works with. He is talented in understanding the inner mechanics of the addict’s mind, and refuses to let our patients go through Augustine Recovery without telling them the truth about themselves. He believes that in truth one finds the internal motivation to change. Ty is certified as an addiction professional in the state of Florida (CAP), and certified as a trauma professional (CTP). He also maintains his ICADC (Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) designation.
Ty is dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle that includes challenging oneself daily, eating clean food, and movement on a daily basis. There is an intense commitment to personal growth and to his recovery, which also involves helping others find their paths to freedom from substance abuse outside of work. He also is a talented multi-instrumentalist with a dedicated interest and knowledge of music past and present. Above all, Ty is absolutely devoted to helping our patients achieve permanent sobriety, and to educate and help navigate their families through the healing process.
Erika Weaver, LCSW, CTT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
ERIKA WEAVER, LCSW
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Erika is a Florida native, originally from South Florida and has been working for Augustine Recovery since 2018. Erika has been with the Augustine Recovery Women’s Center since 2021. Erika’s therapeutic approaches include a focus on experiential therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Erika’s balances these therapeutic approaches with creative expression, meditation/yoga, along with influences of nature and music and building a healthy understanding of wellness of the mind, body and spirit. Erika facilitates individual, family and group sessions. Erika’s philosophy is based around using the power of community, strengthening family relationships and discovering authentic self through an intensive recovery process. Erika enjoys gardening, reading, travel, thrifting, yoga, and cooking.
Admissions
Ryan Murphy
Admissions and Alumni Coordinator
Ryan Murphy
ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR
Ryan Murphy is the Admissions & Alumni Coordinator here at Augustine Recovery. He is originally from Brooklyn, New York and has lived in St. Augustine for the last 2 years. Ryan is a product of Augustine Recovery and made the decision to come back and work here because of the amazing experience he had as a client. Ryan’ s mission is to help another person have the same experience that he did, and guide family and friends through the process of bringing their loved one to treatment.
Clinical Team
Erika Weaver, LCSW, CTT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
ERIKA WEAVER, LCSW
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Erika is a Florida native, originally from South Florida and has been working for Augustine Recovery since 2018. Erika has been with the Augustine Recovery Women’s Center since 2021. Erika’s therapeutic approaches include a focus on experiential therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Erika’s balances these therapeutic approaches with creative expression, meditation/yoga, along with influences of nature and music and building a healthy understanding of wellness of the mind, body and spirit. Erika facilitates individual, family and group sessions. Erika’s philosophy is based around using the power of community, strengthening family relationships and discovering authentic self through an intensive recovery process. Erika enjoys gardening, reading, travel, thrifting, yoga, and cooking.
Chelsea Shea, MA, Registered Clinical Mental Health Intern
EMDR Therapist
Nathan Powers, MS, LMFT, CTT
PRIMARY THERAPIST
NATHAN POWERS, MS, RMFTI
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Nathan hails from South Georgia and works to bring a familiar and comforting, but real, approach to the very difficult work of addressing addiction. Nathan pulls from his own experiences in life and from his education at Valdosta State University where he earned a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Nathan is currently working toward full licensure in the field. Nathan lives this work, and is proud to lead the experiential fishing program in its current state. Nathan has benefitted greatly from the outdoors and from time spent in nature, especially the ocean, and seeks to invite the benefit of similar experiences to the men he works with every day. Nathan also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia, and is honored to run poetry groups at Augustine Recovery, in which participants are invited to explore their complex relationships through verse and prose. Nathan additionally employs a multitude of therapeutic approaches, including family therapy and EMDR, and works to integrate family and personal complexities into positive treatment outcomes. In the difficult work of recovering from addiction, Nathan believes that every bit of ground gained, no matter how small, is worth illuminating and celebrating and learning from. ‘Every victory is a victory.’
Sandra Harris, MSW
Primary Therapist
Sandra Harris, MSW
Primary Therapist
Sandra was born and raised on the east end of Long Island, in New York and moved to Florida in 2020 to be with family and to continue her career in Social Work as a Clinical Therapist. Sandra acquired her first degree in Exercise Science and Physiology and worked in the fitness industry for over 20 years. Sandra went back to school where she began to acquire her second degree in Psychology at LIU Southampton. Sandra and then attended LIU Post for her undergrad in Social Work (BSW) with honors and then her received her master’s in social work in a 1- year advanced-standing program at SUNY Stony Brook and graduated Cum Laude and accepted into Phi Alpha Honor Society as well as Pi Gammu Mu International Honor Society. Sandra worked as an outpatient clinical therapist after she graduated then moved on to work in inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities as a dual-diagnosis, Clinical Therapist and Family Program Supervisor. Sandra then received her license in Social Work. Sandra’s therapeutic approaches come from utilizing CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-based, Gestalt, Strength’s perspective, Mindfulness, Behavioral and Psychotherapy interventions and is additionally trained in EMDR for trauma therapy. Sandra is highly motivated for continuing education in the latest evidenced-based treatments and is very passionate about her work helping and serving others. She gives her all to her clients in helping them find their self-worth, self-respect, self-compassion, and positive motivation for a fulfilling life through education, therapeutic tools, and personal healing from addiction and trauma creating a mind, body, and soulful experience. Sandra resonates from a place of understanding the necessity of personal healing for a balanced and meaningful life. Sandra currently lives in St Augustine, Florida with her husband, son, and flat-coated retriever. Sandra also has 2 daughters who live in NY pursuing their lives and careers as well. Sandra believes there are no coincidences in life, that each person that crosses our path serve some purpose in our lives and that we are all on a God-led journey and following one’s heart is where that journey begins. One of Sandra’s favorite quotes is that at the end of the day “we are all just walking each other home” by Ramm Dass.
Stuart Perr
GROUP FACILITATOR
STUART PERR
GROUP FACILITATOR
Stu was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was pretty much raised on the streets with a degree from the School of Hard Knocks. His personal demons started showing up when he was thirteen (13) years old. Stu’s life consisted of many failed attempts at finding his truth, meaning, and purpose. Ultimately Stu found recovery in a 12 Step program at the age of twenty eight (28) years old, and this was to be the beginning of his “on again, off again love affair”‘ and struggle with addiction and sobriety, After several years of exploring his own personal adventure in the Light of the Spirit with a few battles with his Heart of Darkness he’s come to recognize that his calling was to be in the field of addiction treatment and helping Others. Stu started working in the addiction treatment field approximately thirty-five (35) years ago. Recovery has given Stu many gifts, two beautiful daughters, a true sense of purpose and mostly an attitude of gratitude that he uses every day.
Adam Rotell, CRPS
MEN’S NEUROFEEDBACK PROVIDER
Medical Team
Shriram Marathe, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Shriram Marathe, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Board-certified physician with over 40 years of experience providing high
quality, empathetic care. Experience in a range of settings including private
office practice, high-volume urban hospitals, community health clinics, nursing homes, dialysis clinics and juvenile detention facilities. Passionate about building effective, respectful and caring environments for patients and providers alike.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Augustine Recovery- Addiction/Trauma Recovery – 2019-Present
Hospitalist/Nephrologist — 1979-present
Provide inpatient direct care as a hospitalist and consultative care as a
nephrologist. Current hospitals served:
‣ Advent Health locations in Palm Coast, Daytona, Winter Park, Orlando,
Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando South and Orlando East, FL
‣ Halifax Medical Center locations in Daytona and Port Orange, FL
‣ Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach, FL
Staff Physician, Juvenile Detention Centers — 2009-2019
Provided direct care to juvenile patients aged 14-18 at several detention
facilities in Northeast Florida, St. Petersburg, and Ocala, including 24/7
accessibility for staff.
President and CEO, Medical Specialists of St. Augustine — 1979-2016
Founded and led a multi-specialty group practice serving St. Johns and
Flagler Counties, including underserved populations.
‣ Served more than 10,000 patients from all walks of life
‣ Patient-centered practice offering 24/7 physician access and house calls
‣ Employed cutting-edge practices including being an early adopter of
electronic medical records and providing medical records to patients
‣ Educated patients about chronic health conditions, including diabetes,
hypertension and more
‣ Extensive inpatient experience ‣ Excellent clinical acumen
‣ Outstanding interpersonal skills ‣ Energetic, enthusiastic and positive
‣ Quality management expertise ‣ Opened free clinics for underserved
‣ Mentored medical students ‣ Up to date in medical knowledge
‣ Builds excellent patient rapport ‣ Owned and led multi-specialty practice
‣ Served COVID inpatients from start
of pandemic and extensive management experience,
including Chief of Medicine
Ramonica Flagler
ARNP
Ramonica Flagler
ARNP
Ramonica Flagler-Robinson MSN, ARNP, AGNP-C, BSN, ASN, RN was born in Saint Augustine Fl. To the Annie Bell Flagler and the late Eugene Flagler Sr. She is a native of Elkton Fl where she as raised with her other four siblings. She received her early childhood education from St Johns County School District. She is the wife of Jimmie Robinson Sr (20 years) and mother of three children Jimmie Robinson Jr., Jimmie Robinson III, and Breaza Robinson. She also raised Jimmie four sisters Lillian, Shenita, Christina, and Andriel Moore. After graduating from St Augustine High School in 1996, Ramonica went to receive her CNA license. While working as a CNA she attended Medical Assistant school getting her degree as a Medical Assistant. She started working at Flagler Hospital in St Augustine Florida in 2001, she attended Cosmetology School at First Coast Technical Institute during the day and worked at night at Flagler Hospital as a Lab Tech. She Graduated Cosmetology School in 2003 and open her salon in Hastings Miracles 2 B Expressed. She worked in her salon and at Flagler Hospital as a PCT while continuing her pursue to earn her RN degree Ramonica returned to St Johns River Community College where she earned her ASN Degree in nursing in 2007. She continued working at her salon and as a RN at Flagler Hospital in Intermediate Critical Care and Critical Care as Charge Nurse. She returned to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South University in Savannah, Georgia in 2015. Still determine and motivated the pursue did not stop there she returned to school for her Master-Degree in Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from South University in 2016. She completed her preceptorship for her MSN NP degree at Azalea Health in Daytona Beach Fl and Graduated with Honors in August 2018. Ramonica has successfully received her certification through The American Academy of Nurse Practitioner’s. She departed from Flagler Hospital in 2019 after receiving her NP degree and started working in Addiction Medicine. Ramonica works part time in Addiction Medicine at Augustine Recovery in St Augustine Florida as a NP. In January 2022 Ramonica open her own Primary Care and Infusion Center in Palatka Fl. name Heart 2 Heart Clinic an Infusion Center. Ramonica is enrolled back at South University with four more classes to complete for her Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner.
When Ramonica is not working or in her schoolbooks she is screaming and yelling for her sons at Bethune Cookman University on the football field and daughter on Webber University flag football field and running behind her grandson Jayden. She also enjoys giving back to the community and educated others about their health issues. She continues to educate herself so she can continue to educate the community and others about their health.
Amanda Chisholm
LPN
Amanda Chisholm
LPN
Amanda is a Colorado native who relocated to Florida in 2021. She has 7 years of nursing experience specializing in Addiction recovery. Prior to moving to Florida, Amanda supervised the medical department of an opioid dependence practice for 5.5 years. In this time, Amanda realized her true passion of caring for clients struggling with addiction as well as advocating against the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. Amanda’s knowledge and experience coupled with an empathetic nature has been a driving force in the efficient and compassionate care of our clients. Amanda prides herself on patient centered care and being one of the first friendly faces that greets our clients when they arrive for treatment. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her partner and two dogs, travel, live music, thrifting/yard sales, reading and going to the beach. When Ramonica is not working or in her schoolbooks she is screaming and yelling for her sons at Bethune Cookman University on the football field and daughter on Webber University flag football field and running behind her grandson Jayden. She also enjoys giving back to the community and educated others about their health issues. She continues to educate herself so she can continue to educate the community and others about their health.
Dr. Paula Stowell
PMHNP
Jeremey Sisak
LPN
Jeremey Sisak
LPN
Jeremey is our combat veteran who grew up in Orlando Florida. He joined the Army in 1993 after graduating high school. He served at Fort Riley, Kansas as a tank commander and Wichita Kansas as an Army Recruiter for 3 years. He then was stationed in S. Korea, also as a Tank Commander. He then was stationed in Texas where he deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division for OIF VI in Iraq as a platoon Sergeant. He served 16 months at Camp Taji, Iraq and after his deployment returned to Fort Knox, Kentucky to train the Army’s newest Soldiers. From there he was medically retired after 20 years of service.
After retirement Jeremey and his wife went to care for her parents in Long Island, New York for 5 years. Then returning to Florida where he took a job at Augustine Recovery as the overnight direct care associate. He then used his GI bill and went back to school to obtain his Licensed Practical Nursing license for the state of Florida. Jeremey is now our evening nurse who admits and provides patient care for our clients. He has worked in recovery for over 5 years now and loves helping and caring for our diverse clientele.
Program Management
Shelby Winsco
Recovery Services Supervisor
MATT THOMAS
OPERATION COORDINATOR
Benjamin Rosenberger
HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER
BENJAMIN ROSENBERGER
HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Ben taught high school in Virginia for nine years before moving to St. Augustine to begin work in the field of recovery. As the Direct Care Associate (DCA) Supervisor, Ben oversees and works alongside the DCAs in managing day to day operations and assuring clients’ well-being. Ben loves playing bass and guitar, reading and watching science-fiction, enjoying theatre, and spending time with his three dogs. Ben is an active member of his local church where he volunteers as well as plays in the band. Ben holds two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree from James Madison University. Ben strives to use his own experiences and love for life to connect with clients and encourage them on their paths to recovery.
Matthew Stevens, CAC, ICADC, CRPS, RYT, CTP
Program Director
Jennifer Blazier
OUTPATIENT OFFICE MANAGER
JENNIFER BLAZIER
OUTPATIENT OFFICE MANAGER
Jennifer Blazier views recovery from addiction as the best gift she has ever gotten. The fact that she can now help other women bridge the gap from addiction to recovery is without a doubt one of the best parts of her life. Jennifer works her own recovery program and tries to teach what she has learned. Her plan is returning to school in the spring to finish her degree for drug and alcohol counseling. Jennifer uses her free time to diamond paint. Painting is a way she can relax and recenter herself. She has every intention to be the best asset to this recovery program that she can possibly be.
Alex Berg, CPT
Functional Patterns Human Biomechanics Specialist
Alex Berg, CPT
Functional Patterns Human Biomechanics Specialist
Alex specializes in a methodology of training that is conducive to better posture, functional strength and rehabilitation out of pain at the same time. Alex believes the human body, like any organism, has a unique biological design for proper movement, and should be trained accordingly. Alex is in recovery as well, has two children and owns a private training business in town.
Case Managers
Tony Mathis
MEN’S CASE MANAGER
TONY MATHIS
MEN’S CASE MANAGER
Tony is an alumni of The Augustine and can personally relate to the struggles and successes that our clients face. Tony is involved in recovery in every aspect of his life, both personally and professionally. Tony is an avid surfer and artist using these as a positive outlet in his recovery.
Rebecca Benjamin, BS
IOP/MEN’S SOBER LIVING CASE MANAGER
REBECCA BENJAMIN, BS
WOMEN’S CASE MANAGER
Rebecca Benjamin is the case manager at The Augustine Women’s Center. She is passionate about helping others to build a strong foundation for perpetual recovery from substance abuse. Her professional role is to take patients through the twelve steps, bridge communication between families and patients, and organize educational groups based on key recovery concepts. As a woman in long term recovery herself, she is empathetic and supportive of women early in their journey to wellness. She studied Biology, Spanish, and Philosophy at Rockhurst University and graduated summa cum laude in 2008. She loves animals, nature, non-fiction literature and art.
David Smith
IOP/MEN’S SOBER LIVING CASE MANAGER
DAVID SMITH
IOP/MEN’S SOBER LIVING CASE MANAGER
David heads up our Transitional Supportive Living department and is an Alumni of our program. During David’s time in our program David developed a zest for recovery and a passion for helping others find that same zest. David began working for Augustine Recovery as a Direct Care Associate. David’s hard work, dedication and determination made itself evident and David was promoted to Case Manager. After working as Case Manager in our residential program David was offered the opportunity to oversee our clients during the next phase of their recovery in our Transitional Supportive Living Program. David’s commitment to structure, discipline, accountability, and organization makes him a perfect fit for this role.
Matthew Roberts, BS, CRPS
MEN’S CASE MANAGER
Matthew Roberts, BS, CRPS
MEN’S CASE MANAGER
Matt grew up in upstate New York but has spent the last 30 years calling Northeast Florida home. Matt struggled with substance abuse from his teen years through most his 20’s. In 1997, Matt found recovery and has worked ever since to share his experience, strength, and hope with newcomers and guide people serious about recovery using 12 step principles and holistic practices. Matt believes that honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness are key to finding a clean and sober path and practices gratitude daily. After spending 18 years in restaurant management, Matt found is calling working in the substance abuse treatment field. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services as well as being a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist through the State of Florida. Matt has worked in the recovery field since 2016 as a Behavioral tech, a Recovery Peer Specialist, Group Facilitator, and currently as a Case Manager. Matt is currently working towards is master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the goal of being a Licensed Therapist. Matt’s passion is sharing the idea that “Recovery is possible no matter how far you have fallen, and hope is the essential element for change and growth”. Matt lives with his wife, son, and 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, in St. Augustine and enjoys boating, fishing, and playing guitar and family time in the outdoors.
Direct Care Associates
Christine Sisak
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
David Rosendale
MEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Jeremey Sisak, LPN
MEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Jeremey Sisak is from Orlando, FL. He is a retired Army combat veteran with 20 years of service. He has worked here at Augustine Recovery for 4 years. He is our late night Direct Care Associate who ensures a safe nighttime environment and does welfare checks throughout the night. He is currently attending school to become a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).
courtney Bourn
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
COURTNEY BOURN
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Gabrielle Galletta
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
GABRIELLE GALLETTA
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Gabrielle is a recovering addict that has found her purpose in helping others like herself. When she is home she spends her time painting, drawing and writing. She has two cats that she crafts toys/hide-outs for and loves dearly. Gabrielle is studying to become a CBHT (Certified Behavioral Health Technician) and looks forward to her future sharing her experience, strength and hope with others.
Noah Freeman
MEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Robert Martinez
MEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Jessica Christman
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Latonya Ferguson
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
Lisa Cordero
WOMEN’S DIRECT CARE ASSOCIATE
