An addiction treatment center is only as good as the staff and management team in charge. At The Dunes East Hampton, we have the best of the best addiction treatment specialists in charge. Our clinical protocols were created by Dr. Howard J. Shaffer, a world-renowned addiction specialist of Harvard Medical School fame.All of our interdisciplinary staff — licensed psychotherapists, wellness experts, nutritionists and medical professionals — work together in our state-of-the-art addiction treatment center to make sure our luxury accommodations and individualized programs satisfy the needs of our upscale clientele. Our staff is integral to The Dunes’ goal of exceeding the “Best Practices” other recovery programs offer.
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL:
Christopher Mulhaul
Executive Director, The Dunes of East Hampton
As executive Director of The Dunes of East Hampton, bringing over 11 years of dedicated experience in the recovery and wellness field. A graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy, and I’ve continued my education holding a CASAC-T certification combining academic knowledge with personal experience to guide individuals through meaningful transformation.
With 12 years of sobriety myself, I approach my work with deep empathy, integrity, and a commitment to helping others find lasting recovery. I’m proud to continue the visionary work of The Dunes’ founder, Joe McKinsey upholding a commitment to exceptional care, personal dignity, and the creation of a healing environment. Under my leadership, The Dunes will continue to be a trusted sanctuary for individuals seeking a path toward healing in a supportive, luxurious environment. My unwavering belief in the potential for change continues to inspire both clients and staff every.
“Always give a person a chance to shine” – Christopher Mulhaul
Devon Griffin, Clinical Director, CASAC, RC,CES
Devon Griffin is a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Use Counselor and experiential coach with over a decade of experience in Addiction and the Mental Health field. Devon has been long term recovery from substance use disorder since 2008, Devon brings not only professional expertise but also lived insight, allowing her to connect with clients on a deeply human level.
As Clinical Director, Devon oversees the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans. She leads The Dunes team of dedicated behavioral health professionals and collaborates closely with patients to ensure they receive comprehensive and personalized care. Her leadership, expertise, and innovative approach to therapy is instrumental in establishing The Dunes as a leader in luxury residential treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.
Her approach is grounded in experiential therapy, enabling clients to explore the root causes of
addiction and compulsive behaviors in a way that is both strategic and profoundly healing. Devon’s
strength lies in her ability to meet individuals where they are—with compassion, clarity, and
unwavering support.
Devon specializes in modalities such as Relational Trauma Repair (RTR), Sociometric,
Psychodrama, and has previous training in Equine Therapy. RTR utilizes Sociometric principles and
Psychodrama techniques to foster relational healing and emotional regulation. Devon is
instrumental in using these processes to guide our clients, fortunate enough to experience her
talent, heal from adult relational trauma and addiction. Devon has crafted a skill set that enables
her to deepen her clinical expertise by blending techniques in a manner that she learned under the
mentorship of renowned expert Dr. Tian Dayton.
The Dunes East Hampton is special for its use of these Experiential Techniques, can bring past
traumas and deeply broken narratives to the surface, to recreate a different experience, Clients
physically experience responses to stress as the adults they are today, not the wounded children
they once were, thereby permitting significant healing for our clients in ways that traditional
coaching and/or counseling methods cannot.
The Dunes East Hampton, under Devon’s leadership as the Clinical Director, excels because of her
enthusiasm in guiding our clients and their families through transformative healing experiences.
These experiences, for our clients, result in helping them reclaim their life stories and rebuild their
lives with purpose and authenticity.
As Clinical Director of The Dunes East Hampton, Devon is a proud member of several leading
professional organizations, including but not limited to, the International Society for Experiential
Professionals (ISEP), National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC),
and the Trusted Provider Network (TPN.Health).
Devon feels privileged to continue to work with those seeking help along their journey at The Dunes
and thrilled to lead the exceptional team at The Dunes
Marisa Salamone
Director of Admissions & Sales
Marisa Salamone is the Director of Admissions at The Dunes East Hampton, a renowned rehabilitation center in The Hamptons , New York. With a strong background in addiction recovery, Marisa brings compassion, personal experience, and a wealth of knowledge to her role.
Originally from New York, Marisa pursued her education at Pace University and later transferred to Marymount Manhattan College. However, her journey took an unexpected turn as she battled with addiction for nearly two decades. Despite facing numerous relapses, Marisa’s life changed when she found solace and support at The Dunes. It was within the nurturing environment of The Dunes that Marisa discovered the healing and tools she needed to embark on the path of recovery.
Driven by her own personal journey, Marisa is passionate about helping addicts and alcoholics find their own path to recovery. As the Director of Admissions, she takes a personal interest in every individual who comes to The Dunes. Marisa ensures that they have as little anxiety and fear as possible by making herself available to them, providing support and guidance even before they arrive at the Dunes. She is often the first face they see, welcoming them with warmth and understanding.
With her deep understanding of addiction and recovery, coupled with her dedication to helping others, Marisa plays a crucial role in connecting individuals with the life-changing programs offered at The Dunes East Hampton. Her personal journey and commitment to making a difference make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Through her work at The Dunes East Hampton, Marisa continues to inspire hope and transform lives, one step at a time.
Joshua B. Solerwitz
Director of Marketing & Executive Insurance Liaison
Joshua B. Solerwitz brings extensive experience in consulting
with businesses across various domains such as Legal Research
& Writing, Administration, and Operations Management. He
graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with
degrees in Classical Studies and Philosophy.
He also consults internationally with a variety of organizations in business, education, human services and government.
Joshua commenced his career at Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., as a paralegal before attending Boston University School of Law. His career encompasses roles in Insurance Claims Compliance & Auditing, C-Level Executive positions, and serving as Chief Operating Officer and Legal Intermediary in Hollywood’s motion picture industry. Additionally, he has served as a Board of Governance Member for the University of California, Irvine Medical System (part of UCI Health).
The Dunes East Hampton is honored to have Joshua leading the Marketing Division, while also serving as the Executive Insurance Liaison for both Inpatient and Outpatient Clients. Joshua’s personal recovery journey has endowed him with invaluable insights that enhance his ability to meet the needs of our clients.
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL PERSONNEL:
Dr. Douglas Kent Hoverkamp, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Douglas Kent Hoverkamp oversees the clinical and nursing staff at The Dunes as Medical Director. He received his training from St. George’s School of Medicine with two years of Adult Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. He also completed his Child/Adolescent Fellowship within the North Shore-Long Island Jewish network. He currently is the Chief of Psychiatry at Eastern Long Island Hospital, as well as Medical Director of Quannacut’s Outpatient Addiction Clinic. Dr. Hoverkamp also oversees a private psychiatry clinic through Stony Brook University’s Psychiatric Associates in Greenport, New York.
Monica Leeds, RN, BS
Health Administration
Monica is a RN with a BS in Health Administration and advanced certification in IV therapy from Stony Brook University Hospital. In 2015 the International Nurses Association awarded her an exceptional nurse honor.
She has worked in recovery for 32 years giving her a unique perspective to understand the health consequences of addictive behavior. With the epidemic in opioid overdoses, Monica strives, in collaboration with the clinical team, to help clients discover the root causes underlying their addiction. She supervises the nursing staff and helps clients minimize withdrawal symptoms by assessing and adjusting their medications so the can concentrate on their healing process.
“To see clients gain the skills to stop their addiction and move into a healthy sober life is a rewarding opportunity to observe.”
EXECUTIVE CHEF:
Felice Benvenuto
Chef
Felice earned his Certificate of Culinary Arts at the Art Institute Restaurant School.
Felice has over 12 years of experience in classic French and Italian cooking. He has held the position of Chef du Cuisine, Executive Chef at Almoncello, Bridgehampton, NY and Nicole’s in New York City. He has also worked with Chef Larry Forgeone, Chef Nobu Matsushisa and Chef Laurent Tourondelle.
“It is my passion and pleasure to create meals that are part of the healing process at The Dunes. Food that is delicious, nutritious and presented beautifully feed the body and the soul.”
LEAD SUPPORT STAFF:
Devera Lee
NURSING PERSONNEL:
Symphany Roche, R.N.
I am a Registered Nurse with over five years of experience specializing in addiction treatment, substance use recovery, and mental health care. Currently working in a residential treatment facility, I provide compassionate care to individuals battling drug and alcohol addiction, often alongside co-occurring mental health disorders. Throughout my career, I have been committed to fostering a therapeutic environment where clients feel supported, respected, and empowered in their recovery journey. I am passionate about mental health advocacy and strive to break the stigma surrounding addiction through education, empathy, and clinical experience.
Lindsey Meyer, LPN
I started my journey in alcohol and drug rehabilitation nursing in 2021. The challenges it brings with the ups and downs caring for clients in early recovery is very rewarding. My hope is that I say or do something that contributes to their progress towards a better life. It is extremely gratifying when an alumni walks through the threshold of The Dunes and is seeking a sense of home or familiarity that I can play a role in to help them succeed. We are a family that cultivates assistance for all who seek guidance with kindness and love to be rid of their addiction.
CLINICAL PERSONNEL:
Wendy Lauber, LCSW-R
Wendy has been a New York State Licensed Clinical Social
Worker with an “R” for over 25 years and received her Masters of
Social Work (MSW) with honors from Hunter College School of
Social Work (now Silberman School of Social Work). She has
worked in a variety of behavioral health settings and specializes
in working with individuals and family members affected by
substance use, “secondhand addiction,” and mental health
conditions. With an engaging and encouraging manner she helps
people address serious issues in productive ways that get
results. Wendy has used her experience and expertise to help
outpatient and inpatient programs provide, develop, and expand
services to meet the needs of the people being served. Wendy’s
early work life started in publishing, locally at The East Hampton
Star followed by Guilford Publications in New York City, a
publisher of best-selling behavioral health materials. She works
to stay informed regarding evidence-based practices including
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Community Reinforcement
Approach and Family Training (known as CRAFT), mindfulness-based practices, Motivational Interviewing
(MI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma-informed practices. She also finds that
using action-oriented, psychodrama-based interventions help many people make the changes they seek
in unexpected and rewarding ways.
“It’s an honor to work with people and their families affected by substance abuse and mental health
problems. It never gets old to witness the transformations that can take place for them – physically,
emotionally, socially, spiritually and otherwise.”
Elizabeth Sudler Bio
Elizabeth Sudler, ACC, LCSW-R, CHT, has maintained recovery from alcohol use disorder since 1985. She has extensive experience in corporate, government, and private recovery settings, focusing on the links between behavioral health, performance, and wellbeing.
Combining business, clinical, and coaching expertise, Elizabeth helps clients of the Dunes address substance use and develop recovery practices aligned with their strengths. She has provided consulting and group facilitation for major organizations, in addition to her work with the Dunes, which resulted in Goldman Sachs’ first fee-for-service coaching program for US employees and designed resilience programs integrated into leadership development. Her work has been featured in Fortune and Bloomberg, and she authored remedial work skills training for the Children of Alcoholics Foundation.
Currently, she facilitates addiction education groups, hypnotherapy, and recovery coaching at the Dunes of East Hampton.
Markella Archatzikaki, B.A, M.Ed.
Markella holds a BA degree from New York University, an M.Ed.in psychology from Harvard University and is a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Markella has over 15 years of experience in counseling and coaching working with individuals, couples and families as part of the Pediatric Unit at a private hospital in Athens/Greece, through her own private practice and through her work in the USA. Markella specializes in working with families and individuals seeking greater balance in their lives by teaching mindfulness-based interventions and encouraging self-discovery and growth. Markella has worked in the past in different settings, with families in crisis dealing with trauma and contact disorders and with families of teenagers and young adults dealing with substance abuse disorders. Additionally, Markella is a corporate well-being coach working with executives dealing with professional burnout.
Through a strength-based and eclectic approach to treatment which is influenced by the psychodynamic approach, the family systems theory and cognitive behavioral interventions, Markella aims to enhance her clients’ ability to experience deeper connections with themselves and with others and to maximize their full potential. Believing that counseling is a collaborative partnership, with her work at the Dunes Markella prioritizes creating a safe space where her clients are encouraged to take ownership of their healing and access their inner strengths to implement strategies that aim to promote positive change.
Janna Cord, CASAC, Advanced
Janna Cord is an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, CASAC, ADV, with over 10 years experience in the field of addiction. Ms. Cord has worked extensively in all aspects of the recovery field including intervention, inpatient, outpatient, case management and discharge planning. Ms, Cord has developed a series of didactic presentations about addiction to assist clients in better understanding the disease of addiction including an in depth look at the neuro pathways of addiction and recovery. As a long time resident of the area, Ms. Cord has deep ties to the local recovery community. Ms. Cord is also an avid runner who completed her first marathon in 2024.
Dina Masella, CASAC
Dina Masella is a Credential Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor with a degree in Addiction Studies. Dina has been in the mental health and addiction field for over 10 years. Working at many different levels of care, from crisis intervention, stabilization as well as inpatient and outpatient settings, Dina’s approach combines empathetic listening, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy, providing tailored therapeutic support that prioritizes each client’s unique needs, strengths, and goals, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and empowered. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside clients to navigate the complex emotional, mental, and physical challenges of addiction, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of healing and growth. She understands that for many, addiction is deeply intertwined with trauma and is trained in trauma-informed care to support individuals in addressing and healing from past experiences. Trauma work is an essential part of her practice, as it allows clients to process underlying emotional pain that may be fueling their addictive behaviors. Through a combination of empathy, understanding, and practical support, Dina works with her clients to develop resilience, and self-esteem to reclaim their lives and build a future full of possibilities.
Diana Dapa O’Donnell, CASAC, CRC, RMP, EELC
Diana O’Donnell brings an impressive wealth of experience to her work as a Credentialed Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Counselor, with over three decades in the recovery and wellness fields. Diana’s unique
combination of skills and experiences positions her as a holistic professional in the field of mental health
and personal development. Her holistic approach stands out, as she seamlessly integrates Equine Therapy,
Breathwork, Reiki, and Yoga into her practice. This multifaceted method not only aids in healing but also
supports clients’ personal development.
Her foundational training in the Art and Science of Coaching from Erickson College further enhances her
skill set, allowing her to guide individuals more effectively on their journeys toward recovery and
wellness. Her philosophy of forming a spiritual union with horses reflects a deep understanding of the
innate connection between humans and animals, which underscores the therapeutic benefits of her work.
This approach not only fosters personal insight but also promotes inspired action, encouraging clients to
make meaningful changes in their lives.
If you’d like more information about her services, philosophy, or how to connect with her, feel free to ask!
Shaun Carroll, CASAC-t
A former attorney, Shaun’s approach to counseling is informed by a lifetime of experience
with the pressures and problems encountered in many professional fields, including
chronic stress , perfectionism, anxiety ,fear, family difficulties, imposter syndrome and the
substance abuse which so many turn to as a means of coping. Prior to coming to the
Dunes, Shaun has worked in a range of recovery settings, from inner city programs to long
term residential facilities specializing in treatment of those suffering from a history of
chronic relapse. He is also experienced in counseling high net worth individuals as well as
those coming from a background of inherited wealth, which can pose their own unique set
of emotional challenges and concomitant self destructive coping behaviors. Shaun’s
approach to counseling includes traditional trauma informed talk therapy and CBT based ,
behavioral modification, as well as utilization of 12 step insights.
Nick Rutherford
Step Work Educator/Facilitator
Nick holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in Early Childhood Education from City College of New York.
Nick believes that one learns best through personal experiences and discovery, rather than through instruction alone. Nick’s educational career includes developing one of New York State’s largest Early Childhood programs for the Freeport School District on Long Island and 30 years of experience in the classroom. His personal journey of spiritually based recovery is the foundation for his work with each resident. Nick’s goal for the residents is to help them build confidence, self-knowledge and their own unique path to recovery.
“As an educator and avid gardener my goal is to observe and support, as I do in the garden, and allow each resident to flourish and discover their own personal, surprising and wonderful journey of recovery.”
PROGRAM CONSULTANTS:
Howard J. Shaffer, PhD
Senior Program Consultant
Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Division on Addictions at The Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator on many government- and foundation-sponsored research projects.
He also consults internationally with a variety of organizations in business, education, human services and government. Dr. Shaffer is licensed as a clinical psychologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is certified by the National Register of Health Care Providers in Psychology.
Dr. Shaffer is the past editor of The Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. He also was the editor of The Journal of Gambling Studies and past associate editor of The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. Dr. Shaffer has served as a member of many editorial boards, including the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs; Advances in Alcohol and Substance Abuse; and The Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity. Dr. Shaffer has served as an ad hoc reviewer for many journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Archives of General Psychiatry. Dr. Shaffer’s research, writing and teaching have shaped how the health care field conceptualizes and treats the full range of addiction and its many expressions.
Learn More About Dr. Shaffer’s Credentials
David G. Evans, Esq.
Director of Regulatory and Legal Affairs
Director of Regulatory and Legal Affairs, David G. Evans, Esq., has more than 40 years’ experience in the addictions field. His law practice has a concentration in addiction law. He represents several addiction treatment programs and does governmental affairs work related to drug and alcohol issues. Dave is a former research scientist with the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in the New Jersey Department of Health. He was involved with the analysis of legal and regulatory requirements regarding: drug and alcohol abuse, research and data collection, courts, criminal justice, domestic violence, drug-free workplaces, juveniles, confidentiality, treatment, drug testing, AIDS, drug-use forecasting, and discrimination.
Our Support Team
In addition our quality of care and our amenities, it is the dedication of our support team that separates the Dunes from the rest. They are there for you every step of the way to ensure your comfort and safety.