Our Team

Dan Lynch, LADC-1, CIP and certified in Gambling Disorder treatment
Founder and President

With more than 30 years of experience in treating Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and behavioral health issues, Dan has earned a reputation for results. His success rate is largely attributed to his balanced and comprehensive approach to treating both the cause and effect of SUDs. With relentless enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge, Dan has helped provide concierge services to individuals and families on the path to recovery, working with everyone from professional athletes and entertainers to executives and high net worth individuals.

Dan is also a trusted voice for quality care in the addiction treatment industry through speaking engagements and presentations. His perspective, insight and empathy are strengthened further by the fact that he personally has been in recovery for three decades.

Previously, Dan was the Founder of Lynch Wellness and Recovery Foundation, a non-profit organization offering advocacy to individuals and families dealing with substance use disorders. The foundation provided outpatient treatment services to those working toward recovery and delivered innovative educational seminars to young people, parents, schools and communities about prevention and awareness of SUDs.

Dan also has served as the Regional Vice President for Caron Boston/New England, a nationally recognized provider of alcohol and drug addiction treatment. He is also a Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC-1), Dan is also a member of the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS), South Shore Coalition of Independent Therapists and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

Melany Montrond, MSW, LCSW
Director of Clinical Operations

Melany oversees LWPG clinical functions, this includes providing team member support, planning, and implementing policies/protocols. She focuses on monitoring operational efficiency while ensuring the delivery of quality clinical care services. Additionally, Melany delivers therapeutic services to adult clients. She specializes in providing the tools and education necessary to treat symptoms related to SUD, PTSD, ADHD, ADD, OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. Melany utilizes a person centered and strength-based approach. Therapeutic models such as CBT, CPT, MI, and SFBT are useful in her practice with clients. She is familiar with family systems and the importance of using a trauma focused lens when necessary.

Ideally, Melany’s clients are looking to find their way to better circumstances. Behavioral and mental health challenges can be a barrier. Melany asks for your permission to accompany you on the journey of life. On this journey you are going to want to cope with hardship in effective ways. You will want to feel joy, empowered and confident when encountering obstacles.

Melany graduated with an MSW from Boston University. Prior to treating adults, she worked with children and families as an Intensive Care Coordinator and Family Partner. In this role she supported children with social, emotional, behavioral challenges. She has been a part of the CCIT (Community Crisis Intervention Team) in her community, is crisis prevention Intervention certified, and trained in suicide prevention. She is bi-lingual, fluent, and certified as a Spanish Medical Interpreter frequently interpreting in various medical settings and providing clinical interventions in two languages. Melany is devoted to her work with clients, she describes herself as being a passionate and enthusiastic individual.

 

Sarah Allen Benton, MS, LMHC, LPC, AADC
Clinical Consultant

Sarah is Co-Owner of Benton Behavioral Health Consulting and Founder of Mind Redesign, which integrates her mental health experience and passion for design.  Sarah has worked as a Clinical Consultant for The Strathmore House, transitional sober living program in Boston, MA as well as for Aware Recovery Care home-based addiction treatment, where she was the former Clinical Director in CT.

Sarah was previously was a therapist and group leader at Insight Counseling in Ridgefield, CT which specializes in treating addiction and mental health disorders. She was also a Therapist at McLean Hospital in the McLean Brook transitional living program for dual diagnosis treatment in Waltham, MA.  Sarah has worked in private practice at Lynch Wellness and Recovery Foundation outpatient services for addictions and facilitated a Women’s Early Recovery Group in Norwell, MA. Additionally, she was a Therapist at the Emmanuel College Counseling Center in Boston where she was the leader of the Alcohol Skills Training Program directed toward helping college-age problem drinkers.  She has held several counselor positions at McLean Hospital in the Klarman Eating Disorders Center and the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Institute. 

Sarah has a passion for training healthcare professionals and has taught internationally at nationally at high schools, colleges, professional conferences, Webinars, the military and at clinical staff trainings.  Sarah is author of the book “Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic” and has been featured in NY Times articles by Jane Brody and Rob Walker, has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today Show, CBS Early Show, SiriusXM and NPR. Sarah earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree from Northeastern University in Boston. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in MA, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in CT and an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC).

Kevin (Chappy) Chapman
Director of Special Projects

Kevin brings over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry to the marketing team at Lynch Wellness. In addition to over 30 years of personal recovery, Kevin has been a sober companion and recovery coach to high profile clients in the entertainment industry, when at home, and traveling abroad. Kevin is committed to helping others afflicted with substance use disorders and is in the process of furthering his education in the behavioral health care industry.

 

Timothy Burke, MSW, LICSW, LADC1, GHS
Therapist

Tim Burke has 30 years of experience of working and volunteering in the field of addiction treatment. Most recently he was the CEO of the Addiction Treatment Center of New England which he headed for 16 years. Using a variety of Person Centered and Evidence-Based modalities including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Self-help Groups and Motivational Interviewing, Tim works with individuals to help them find their own path to recovery. His experiences have shown him that there is more than one pathway to recovery. Care should be integrated, with a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of healing, body, mind and spirit.

He works primarily with individuals, their family members and employees of those who are struggling with substance abuse and dependency. In addition, he has many years of experience working with family members who have been affected by a loved one’s SUD.

Tim also established a program for college students that are at high risk and struggling to perform in the academic environment. He was responsible for providing individual and group counseling for college students for substance abuse issues and for Adult Children of Alcoholics. He has extensive experience with college students and young professionals who are managing anxiety, life transition and substances abuse issues. He holds a Masters Degree in Social (MSW) from Boston College and works in the field of recovery as a Licensed Clinical Independent Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor in Massachusetts. (LADC1) since 1996.

Natasha Babul, LICSW 
Youth and Adolescent Therapist

Natasha Babul has 15 years of experience providing direct clinical care to children, adolescents, and their families. She specializes in childhood trauma and utilizes brain based learning to inform her clinical lens. She has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric units at Bradley Hospital (East Providence, RI) and has significant experience in self-injury,  adolescent suicide prevention, and crisis intervention.

She has also worked as an outpatient therapist, a clinical case manager within hospital settings, and a trauma informed recruiter and trainer for treatment level foster/adoptive families. She uses a variety of modalities when working with young people such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness practices. She holds a Master’s Degree from Providence College and currently works as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in a Social & Emotional Program at Middleboro Middle School.

Natasha believes in a collaborative approach to treatment, noting the importance of a therapeutic relationship with the value of client voice and choice being at the forefront of working together. In her 2018 TEDx Talk “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” hosted by Boston College, she speaks about the benefits of fostering resiliency in children by creating a consistent wrap team of trusting adults to support growth overtime.

Marie F. Downey, MSW, LICSW

Marie F. Downey has more than 35 years of experience working and volunteering with those suffering with mental health and substance use disorders. Curious by nature, she has studied various evidence-backed modalities and brings a trauma informed lens to her work. Her role is to be a guide during the healing journey of the whole person — mind, body and spirit. Developing self-compassion, the courage and desire to do the inner work and the power of presence are the necessary components for healing to begin.

Marie was Vice President of Modern Assistance Programs Inc., an employee assistance program specializing in substance use disorder, addiction and mental health for 15 years. More recently she was the Founder and Executive Director of Boston Education, Skills & Training (BEST) where she brought a holistic view to the field of education and workforce development. The staff of BEST, from bookkeeper to educators, were trained with a trauma-informed lens and in mindfulness practices.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Boston College and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) as well as a trained Heart -Centered Hypnotherapist.

Sue Rees, RN, MA
Family Coach

Sue Rees provides coaching with individuals, families and couples with and without addiction issues who are seeking support and advocacy for life changes.  The process of coaching is individualized, and supports clients in gaining awareness of priorities, strengths, challenges, and options, and to assume responsibility for developing goals and action plans to make the changes they choose.

Sue previously worked as Clinical Director for a state funded program serving clients with dual-diagnosis in California, and was Program Director at McLean Brook at McLean Hospital; a transitional living program for individuals with dual diagnosis in Belmont, MA.  She has worked for years with families and partners of those with substance abuse challenges. She has also worked as a coach, liaison and advocate for parents of students at an independent school. Additionally, Sue has provided clinical supervision, staff trainings and given presentations on motivational interviewing, coaching, and providing family and caregiver support.

Sue is a registered nurse with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, a certificate in coaching, and many years of experience working to support individuals and families, particularly those impacted by addiction.

Wayne Couturas, CCAR
Recovery Coach

Wayne is a Certified Recovery Coach (CCAR) and case manager who brings personal recovery experience as well as professional training to his clients. Over the past eight years, Wayne has worked with individuals needing support as well as family members and loved ones of those with substance use disorders. His approach is to meet the client where they are at and build from there, tailoring a program of recovery based on the client’s lifestyle and needs.
 
In addition to Recovery Coaching and Case Management, Wayne offers Family Education and Support through a six part educational series that brings better understanding of a person with a substance use disorder as it relates to the family relationship. Wayne’s personal experience with recovery, relapse, struggle and success gives him a deep understanding of the importance of support. 

Connor O'Reilly CCAR
Recovery Coach

Connor has over 7 years of experience on his personal journey through recovery, which has inspired him to work with people through their early recovery process from alcohol and drug use. He is also trained in holistic therapies such as pranayama breathwork techniques, Qi gong movement, and sound healing. He is currently the founder and chief officer of a non-profit organization that provides all people with community holistic mental health services.

He believes in looking at all aspects of a person’s daily life that are important to the success of their recovery. He supports empowering clients to create healthy daily practices for themselves to sustain a well-rounded lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of the mind-body connection.

He understands the need for social connection during a life transition, and the variety of difficulties that can occur during such a sensitive time. He helps people integrate back into the community with family, friends, and social circles to ensure continued connection and support. He offers mentorship and guidance for clients to heal themselves and inspires clients to re-imagine the full potential of their lives in recovery.

Stephanie McLean
Recovery Coach, Youth Mentor

Stephanie McLean is a dedicated professional with over 6 years of experience in addiction services. As a Case Manager, Sober Companion, and Life Skills Coach, Stephanie has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals recovering from addiction. In addition to her work at Granada House, Stephanie has also contributed her expertise to Arlo House and Strathmore House, further expanding her knowledge and skills in addiction recovery. Her diverse experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals on their journey to sobriety. One of Stephanie’s core beliefs is that living a life of authenticity is crucial for individuals in recovery to maintain their sobriety. Stephanie’s unwavering commitment, extensive experience, and zealousness for helping individuals in recovery make her an asset in the field of addiction services. Her dedication to empowering others and her belief in the transformative power of self-discovery set her apart as a compassionate and effective professional.

 

Samantha Rubenstein, LADC Il
Group Facilitator

Samantha is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor with more than 15 years of experience working with adults who have substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. She has worked in various treatment settings including inpatient rehab, mandated treatment, residential treatment and outpatient care. She has witnessed the dramatic changes which occur in the brain from active addiction to sobriety and believes there is no “right” way to recover.

 

Lisa Badgley, CRS
Interventionist, Recovery Coach

Lisa started her recovery career at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate that is ranked #1 in Psychiatry by US News and World Report. From there, she moved
into having a private practice. She has years of experience coordinating / facilitating groups, providing supportive services to individuals and families, and providing preventative strategies for relapse using Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, Mindfulness, and solution-focused strategies.

Lisa is passionate about helping others find joy in recovery through overall wellness. She has struggled with her own issues around addictive behaviors and has experienced
how transformation and growth can bring so much more to life.

Shannon Burke, MS
Nutritionist and Health Coach

With over twenty years of experience, Shannon has been helping individuals to develop sustainable healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors.  As a nutritionist and health coach, Shannon employs motivational interviewing techniques to assist people in identifying their personal obstacles to success and creating goals and objectives to achieve results. She has a passion for nutrition and wellness, with a personal success story of accomplishing and maintaining a 70 lb. weight loss over the past three decades. Having experienced the loss of her partner to addiction and her own personal commitment to sobriety, Shannon decided to pursue her master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion at Simmons University, focusing her research on the importance of nutrition in substance use recovery.  

She assists individuals in early recovery to replete nutrients lost during active addiction, addresses malnutrition needs, develops healthy eating patterns, and focuses on the importance of gut health and its connection to mental health and wellbeing. Shannon combines her experience as a recovery coach, nutritionist, and health coach to highlight the importance of physical recovery, which has been identified to reduce relapse rates, according to research by the National Institute of Health. Additionally, transfer addiction to the overconsumption of food, sugar, and processed foods in the recovery community is common, therefore assessing disordered eating patterns and providing structured guidance is provided. 

Shannon is an experienced public speaker with a natural ability to motivate and inspire others. She connects with people on a personal level, helps them take a deep dive into their thoughts, behaviors, and belief systems, and facilitates positive change.