About Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Frires is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine and is certified in Functional Medicine by the Institute for Functional Medicine. He has practiced emergency medicine for 40 years.

Dr. Frires served as Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Huron Hospital/Cleveland Clinic Health System from 1985-2011, and then as Medical Director of Brunswick Emergency Department/Southwest General Hospital affiliated with University Hospitals of Cleveland from 2011-2017. Dr. Frires has special interests in addiction medicine as well as integrative medicine. He has served as Medical Director of Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center since its inception.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drew Reimer is the Executive Director of Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center. A licensed chemical dependency counselor holding an M.Ed and LCDC II, his education includes a Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History from John Carrol University.

Drew has a history of developing curriculum, implementing and facilitating substance abuse disorder programs. He has over 13 years of experience working with the chemical dependency population, including the development and facilitation of three large chemical dependency programs in Northeast Ohio. Furthermore, Drew has participated in MAT (Medical Assisted Treatment) and abstinence-based service development and facilitation which includes individual, and group counseling. He focuses on a humanistic approach to treatment with the goal of providing individualized care for people in need.

With years in recovery, Drew relates intimately with clients and is able to connect and support them through their journey in sobriety. He has firsthand knowledge of the needs of people suffering from addiction and believes in the client’s ability to obtain recovery.

SOCIAL WORK COORDINATOR, COUNSELOR, PRACTICE PARTNER

Linda Carper has been a licensed social worker since 1981. She has experience in working with clients with substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence and sexual assault issues in both residential, corrections and outpatient settings, as well as crisis intervention, assessment and treatment planning. Her experience also includes public speaking, and training of staff.

Linda has worked in community mental health, providing case management, counseling, treatment planning, crisis intervention and psychiatric assessment. She was Supervisor of Counselors at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, which included training of the volunteers and the community, as well as public speaking on the issue of sexual assault.

Linda has also worked in foster care and as a counselor at Safe Space, a shelter for youth. She has been an IOP counselor and group facilitator at Oriana House, a transitional corrections facility. Other residential experience includes working as a counselor at Hitchcock Center for Women, a residential facility for women in early recovery. Linda was the social worker in the Emergency Department of Huron Hospital, a Level 2 trauma center, in East Cleveland for 14 years. This included crisis intervention, providing support to patients and loved ones experiencing trauma, discharge planning, working with medical staff in assessing and meeting patient needs, and assessment and facilitation of admission to the psychiatric and detox units.

While at the hospital Linda also served on the Diversity Committee, the Domestic Violence Awareness Committee, and assisted in developing and facilitating a Diversion Program for youth.

ADDICTION COUNSELOR

Mark is a highly experienced addiction counselor with a Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. With ten years of experience in the field, he has worked with several prominent organizations, including The LCADA Way, The Centers for Families and Children, Oriana House and Primary Purpose. He is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care, which allows him to provide effective counseling to clients with a history of trauma.

Mark is a person in long-term recovery, which has given him unique insight into the challenges and struggles of addiction. He is a compassionate and dedicated counselor who is committed to helping his clients overcome their addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

Family Nurse Practitioner with experience working at many of the largest treatment centers in the area.

With decades of hands-on experience in a variety of clinical specialties, Paul is comfortable working in large, high volume fast-paced environments. He has a strong history in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Paul is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Nationally Registered Certified Medical Examiner with experience in emergency medicine, family medicine and behavioral health. He has a long history of clinical education and clinical research and has worked at many of the largest treatment centers in the area such as LCADA, Silver Maple, Prosperity Haven, St Vincent Charity, NORD, Laurelwood, and Glenbeigh.

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

Compassionate and patient-centric certified behavioral nurse practitioner with extensive experience in managing all facets of patient care and treatment for a variety of mental health diagnoses and co-occurring disorders. Over 25 years of managerial oversight of civil and forensic inpatient psychiatric services. Dedicated leader and clinical educator with a sustained and proven track record for collaborating with physicians, psychiatrists and interdisciplinary teams to achieve excellent patient outcomes. A strong history of working with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. Expert therapeutic and diagnostic testing skills for providing comprehensive assessments and care planning to meet the specific needs of patients. Thoroughly trained and certified medication prescriber for mental health management and substance use disorders. Additional experience in teaching adult nursing students, leading them through clinical rotation, and providing them with the tools needed for success in psychiatric nursing care.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Alec is a Trauma-Focused Therapist with a specialized training in EMDR. With a focus on helping populations with substance abuse, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and men's issues, Alec empowers clients to discover their authentic selves and build resilience. He cultivates a safe, nonjudgmental, and open space where individuals can explore their deepest struggles. He roots his care in compassion, empathy, and respect and dedicates his work to guiding people through their journey of healing and growth.