Our Team of Addiction Instructors

The Academy for Addiction Professionals has grown by leaps and bounds and we now boast 8 teachers and administrators. We encourage you to read their bios below and get to know them before you arrive at class.

Administration

Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP – Director

Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the CEO and Founder of Destination Hope, Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, The Academy for Addiction Professionals, and the founder of Guardian Behavioral Health Foundation.  Ben holds a BS degree from Syracuse University and a Dual Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling and Family Therapy from Barry University.  With more than twenty years of hands-on experience, Ben is a leading authority in the field of Substance Use Disorders and treatment protocols.  He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional, and Supervisor for licensure in the state of Florida.

As an entrepreneur, Ben established programs offering individualized care with a one-to-one ratio between patients and staff.  He created the first gender-specific, age-specific, and mental health program in the field.  These diversified programs attribute to a successful model that he even teaches to other treatment center owners who have adopted his methods for treating addiction. Ben’s growing success of Destination Hope is a testament to his genuine passion to help others.

He is a published author in the area of dual diagnosis and chemical dependency and trains others to be certified professionals in the field of addiction through his Academy for Addiction Professionals.  His new book is slated to launch this year and will serve as a guide to become a professional in behavioral heath.  Ben speaks at conferences, universities and colleges across the nation, discussing trends and issues affecting the mental health and substance abuse community. Ben’s programs have been featured in national publications including Addiction Professional, NBC, ABC, and FOX national news.  He currently resides in Parkland, Florida with his wife Suzanne and their three children Abby, Jacob, and Eli.

Instructors

Keli Karbowski, CAP, LCSW, Instructor

Keli Karbowski is employed as the Compliance Officer at Destination Hope verifying that policies and procedures are maintained and comply with licensing and accrediting entities.  Keli also heads the Internship program at Destination Hope where she continues to build relationships with various Universities and provides the student interns with clinical supervision. Keli enjoys teaching at The Academy for Addiction Professionals and with the student interns, as it is rewarding to watch the students grow and appreciates any knowledge the students offer as well. Keli brings over 18 years of experience in the behavioral health field working with adolescents and adults. Prior to joining Destination Hope and the Academy for Addiction Professionals, Keli fulfilled various leadership roles in the behavioral health hospital arena.  Keli has experience with the Marchman Act process and the court system.

Keli holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from FSU and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from FIU. Keli is Licensed in Florida as a Clinical Social Worker and is a Certified Addiction Professional.

Tommy McGee, LMHC, CAP, Instructor

Tommy C. McGee, LMHC, CAP, has more than 16 years of experience in the mental health and addictions field working in supportive, clinical and administrative roles.

Tommy has spent 11 years of direct service to clients in a variety of human service related programs. This experience includes work in transitional living programs (1/2 way house) as a resident manager, substance abuse treatment as a support counselor, case-manager and clinical therapist and 6 years in a family services (community mental health) agency as a program developer/administrator of prevention and aftercare programming.

He also has worked as an educator with the Palm Beach State College teaching both in class and online, general psychology, and crisis Intervention. Tommy has also facilitated courses for professionals seeking certification with the state of Florida in addictions as an instructor for The Academy for Addiction Professional. He has taught treatment planning, psycho-pharmacology, and clinical evaluation.

Tommy holds a Bachelor of Science (Ministry) and Masters of Science degree in Counseling Psychology (with a specialization in mental health and marriage of family) from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addictions Professional.

Carlee Pollard, Instructor

My name is Carlee Pollard, I was born and raised in Southern Ohio and relocated to Florida 5 years ago. I have been in the behavioral health field for the past 4 years in a number of different positions. I have worked as a  behavioral health technician on both the substance abuse and mental health units at Destination Hope and I currently work as a BHT in the medical department where I assist the psychiatric ARNP and nursing staff.

My father was in the field of behavioral health for over 40 years which played a huge role in how I chose my career path. My brother is also in the field and works as a case manager at a detox facility in southern California.

I am also a NASM certified personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and CrossFit coach. Health and fitness are very important to me and I enjoy being able to help others learn how to live a healthier life.