Clinical Team
Meet the Exceptional Team at Headwaters
At Headwaters, our clinical and professional team comprises some of the nation’s most skilled board-certified and fellowship-trained experts. Each team member brings a unique set of expertise, collaborating seamlessly across disciplines to create an integrative care plan tailored to each patient’s specific goals and needs. This cohesive approach ensures that our clinical, medical, and spiritual professionals remain in open, ongoing communication, fostering a truly collaborative environment to support healing.
Our commitment to ethical excellence is unwavering. We strictly adhere to established codes of ethics and regulatory standards, prioritizing patient safety, privacy, and dignity. At Headwaters, we uphold the highest standards of care and are dedicated to protecting patients' rights, ensuring a safe and respectful space for transformative recovery.
Dr. Phoenix Adams
DSW, MBA, LCSW, GC-C – Chief Clinical Officer
As Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Phoenix Adams oversees all clinical programs at Hanley Center and Headwaters. In this role, he strategically guides program evolution, ensuring the organization continues to deliver excellence in care and the highest quality patient experience. Prior to joining Hanley, Dr. Adams spent his career helping patients as a licensed psychotherapist and grief counselor, specializing in bereavement, loss, and grief. He has also held executive roles at renowned treatment facilities, where he developed innovative programs focused on improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Adams is a licensed psychotherapist in Florida, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. He holds a Master of Social Work (MSW), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Florida Atlantic University. He is also a Certified Grief Counselor through the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. His doctoral research, which examined the benefits of family involvement in the treatment of substance use disorders, has been presented internationally, showcasing his dedication to integrating research and clinical practice.
M.D. – Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Angelo Asheh
Dr. Angelo Asheh is a double-board certified physician with expertise in addiction, depression, anxiety, ADHD, psychopharmacology, prevention, and pain. His work includes a specialized focus on treating childhood trauma and social determinants of health. As Hanley Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Asheh oversees all medical operations, ensuring physicians, nurses, and other medical staff have the tools, training, and support they need to deliver world-class patient care.
Dr. Asheh has previously served as lead clinician for several renowned treatment centers nationwide. In addition to his work with Hanley, Dr. Asheh is a medical instructor at the University of California, Florida Atlantic University, and a REACH scholar through Yale University and AAAP. A recent research study he led, published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine in January 2023, on how childhood trauma contributes to addiction and overdose in adulthood, highlights the importance of screening for adverse childhood experiences and overdose when assessing patients for treatment.
Dr. Asheh completed his training at some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, including Yale University, University of California San Diego, Loma Linda University, University of Connecticut, and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Stephen R. Honaker
LMHC – Clinical Director of Headwaters and Family Services
Stephen’s educational background includes a B.A. in Education, a B.S. in Accounting and a M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. Additionally, he is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor and is trained in EMDR. Before joining Headwaters in the summer of 2017, Stephen served as an executive director, program director and clinical director of several programs, and also created and facilitated self-created and developed family programs for numerous treatment programs on a contract basis throughout Florida.
Christine VanBasten
LMHC - Primary Therapist
Christine VanBasten is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with extensive experience in residential substance use disorder treatment and mental health counseling.
Christine holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the City University of Seattle and a Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Development, specializing in Child & Youth Care Services, from the University of British Columbia. Additionally, Christine is certified in BrainSpotting (Phases 1 & 2), further enhancing her ability to support clients in deep emotional processing and trauma recovery.
With a diverse background spanning private practice, community mental health, acute partial hospitalization programs, and transitional outpatient care, Christine has developed a deep expertise in co-occurring disorders and systemic family dynamics. Her work is rooted in clinical excellence, crisis intervention, and a holistic approach to healing.
Outside of her clinical work, Christine is passionate about wildlife rehabilitation. She has volunteered at McCarthy’s Wildlife Center in West Palm Beach, FL, and Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfont, PA. Her dedication to mental health and animal welfare reflects a lifelong commitment to service and healing.
Ursula Avilus
DNP, PMHNP-BC – Director of Medical Services
Ursula’s dedication to advancing patient care and her extensive experience in psychiatric nursing have positioned her as an exceptional leader in her field. Now serving as the Director of Medical Services for Hanley Center and Headwaters, Ursula oversees the delivery of leading-edge medical care with compassion, precision, and a commitment to excellence.
Ursula’s impressive academic journey includes earning her nursing degree from Excelsior College in Albany, New York, and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner license from Rivier University in New Hampshire. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master’s in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University, where she specialized in Administrative and Financial Leadership during her graduate studies.
Her career spans extensive roles in psychiatric nursing and leadership, with a particular focus on serving individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. Before joining Hanley Center, Ursula worked with the State Hospital System in Florida and cared for civil and forensic psychiatric patients in Texas, gaining invaluable experience that informs her current role.
As the Director of Medical Services, Ursula brings her expertise to lead a multidisciplinary team, ensuring every patient receives personalized, evidence-based care. She is deeply committed to fostering an environment where medical innovation and compassionate service intersect, helping patients achieve profound healing and long-term recovery.
Tara Paparo
CAC, ICADC – Director of Alumni Services
Tara’s dedication to helping individuals and families navigate the journey of recovery has been the cornerstone of her career. Now serving as the Director of Alumni Services, Tara brings her extensive experience and unwavering passion to fostering lifelong connections and support for Hanley Center and Headwaters alumni.
Tara first joined Hanley Center in 2008 as a volunteer, driven by a deep commitment to aiding others in overcoming substance use disorders. Over the years, she has gained invaluable expertise by working across multiple departments, including admissions, continuing care, human resources, and the family program, as well as as an executive assistant to senior leadership and the clinical director. Tara’s diverse background has given her unique insights into every aspect of the recovery process, enhancing her ability to provide meaningful guidance to alumni as they transition from treatment into their new lives.
A Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)Â and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), Tara combines professional credentials with a personal, compassionate approach. She and her team ensure that alumni remain supported long after discharge, offering a variety of resources and encouragement to maintain their recovery. Through phone calls, emails, and texts, Tara creates a continuous thread of connection, helping individuals access alumni support groups, whether in-person or virtual, to build lasting recovery networks.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tara finds joy in spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her commitment to creating a strong sense of community—both professionally and personally—underscores her vital role in the ongoing success of Hanley Center and Headwaters alumni.