Jared is a co-founder of Pioneer and serves as Executive Director. He is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and brings 8 years of addictions and mental health counseling experience to the Pioneer team, having worked across all levels of care — outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential inpatient. Jared’s passion is connecting with clients who have become isolated because of their disease and helping them rediscover their purpose, meaning, and the connections in their lives. As a person in long term recovery he leverages his lived experience to benefit others. Jared works tirelessly to empower clients to move beyond their struggles to reconnect with themselves and family and to discover that they are worthy of recovery—their struggle does not define them. Jared is honored to work with the clinical team at Pioneer, all of whom are committed to supporting clients on their recovery journey.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.” -C.S Lewis

Chris has been in practice for over 20 years. He earned his bachelors in psychology from western new england university and graduated with his masters in education with a focus on mental health counseling from Springfield College. He is licensed in Massachusetts and Connecticut as a mental health counselor and is licensed as a social worker. He has studied extensively in the field of addiction and mental health and has worked with many local organizations over his career. Chris has experience helping both adolescents and adults through the process of recovery and has extensive knowledge about treatment options.

“It’s never too late to change and grow into the person you were meant to be”

Stephanie has been in long-term recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) since Oct 2013, a journey that profoundly shaped her passion for helping others reclaim their lives. With over a decade of experience in the field, Stephanie has dedicated her career to guiding individuals through the recovery process, empowering them to heal, rebuild and find purpose after the devastating effects of addiction. She finds immense fulfillment in witnessing the resilience and transformation of those she serves, viewing her work as a truly meaningful and rewarding calling. Over the years, Stephanie has gained diverse experience in counseling and leadership roles across multiple treatment settings, including CSS, TSS, residential programs, and medication-assisted treatment programs. Her extensive background has equipped her with a deep understanding of addiction, mental health, and trauma as well as the tools necessary to support clients in their unique recovery journeys. She is honored to work alongside a team of compassionate professionals, each dedicated to helping our clients rediscover their worth, reconnect with their families, and realize that recovery is possible.

“The strength it takes to rebuild your life after addiction and mental health challenges is extraordinary. I am privileged to walk alongside others as they discover their own resilience, process trauma and create a new, meaningful future.”

Alicia Dunning is very passionate about helping people with substance use disorders and mental health issues. Alicia has been in the field for years, and is currently in her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as in route to obtaining her license in alcohol & drug counseling (LADC). As someone who has extensive experience in the addiction field and has personally lost her father to addiction, Alicia is dedicated to helping others who are struggling and in need of support on their recovery journey. Alicia makes it a goal to assist others in finding the root of their addiction and mental health issues, and help them strive towards obtaining a more freeing lifestyle.

“Addiction is giving up everything for one thing, Recovery is giving up one thing for everything”

Kaiti Los is deeply committed to assisting those affected by substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health issues. With personal experiences of substance abuse disorder and chronic depression, and having witnessed its impact on close family members, Kaiti dedicated herself to the path of recovery. This journey included various treatment settings, especially following the tragic loss of her father to the disease. Despite being labeled a chronic relapser, Kaiti maintained hope and has achieved long-term recovery since July 2021. Kaiti incorporates yoga, meditation, and other evidence-based practices into her daily routine to support her ongoing recovery. With two years of professional experience in the field and 15 years of personal recovery experience, Kaiti leverages her sensitivity and openness about her journey to help others overcome the isolation that often accompanies substance abuse disorder and depression.

She lives by the words of Johann Hari: “The opposite of addiction is connection.”

Phil Derrick is deeply committed to assisting those affected by substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health issues. Phil has personal experience of substance use disorder, severe depression and anxiety disorders. Phil struggled with mental health and substance use despite attaining his MBA and succeeding in executive roles. After fifteen years in the corporate world building a career, the impact of substance use and depression forced a complete change to personal recovery. This journey includes hospitalization treatment, medication and extensive therapy. Phil has achieved long-term recovery since October 2021. He incorporates cognitive behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), as well as meditation and nutritional practices in his daily routine to support his ongoing recovery. Through experience with high achieving alcohol use disorder and mental health struggles, Phil recognizes the significance of one’s career, as long as it complements and supports overall health and wellbeing.

He lives by the words of Robert Frost: “The only way out is through.”