Our Team

James joins Blue Star Recovery with 14 years in the Behavioral Health profession, and personal experience with substance abuse and mental health issues. James has helped facilitate the opening of countless facilities throughout the country, as well as held positions across the entire spectrum of the Behavioral Health industry. James has held positions in Admissions, Utilization Review, Operations, Billing, Marketing and Administration, which allows him to bring a unique prospective to management. His 4 beautiful daughters, loving partner Lauryn, and mini dachshund Wally allow for unmeasurable joy when outside of the office.

James aligns with Blue Star Mental Health Service’s vision to provide the best quality of mental health treatment, while helping to enrich individual’s lives. Collectively we aim to rebuild families, restore confidence, and extend a hand to whomever may need it.

Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those impacted by substance use and mental health issues, Justin brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to his role at Blue Star Recovery. His journey began as a crisis response worker in Camden County and the inner city of the Philadelphia school system, where he witnessed firsthand the profound effects of drugs and alcohol. Motivated by a deep desire to assist those in need, Justin decided to dedicate his career to addressing the challenges posed by substance use disorders.

Armed with a master’s degree in social work, LCSW, LCADC, CCS with a specialization in addictions, Justin has continually sought to enhance his skills and knowledge. His focus on trauma has led him to train in EMDR and earn a credential of Certified Clinical Trauma Professional certification. This commitment to professional development extends to the supervision and guidance of therapists, who intend to provide the best possible care to clients. With a certification as a clinical supervisor, Justin is dedicated to shaping compassionate and effective professionals in the field.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Justin finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, Nichole, and their children, Jack and Kennedy. Their two rescue dogs, Leo and Linus, complete the family. Whether they’re exploring the outdoors, enjoying time on the water, immersing ourselves in the mountains, or staying active at the gym, these moments of connection and shared experiences are cherished in their lives. Blue Star Recovery is honored to have Justin as part of the team!

Christopher is a coordinator at Blue Star Mental Health, where he is passionate about helping clients define and reach their goals. He brings lived experience in recovery to his work, which informs the empathy and directness he offers in the therapy room. Licensed as both a Professional Counselor and a Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and certified in clinical trauma and group psychotherapy, Christopher has worked across the full continuum of care, including detox, inpatient, residential, partial care, and intensive outpatient, treating both mental health and substance use concerns. That range gives him a clear understanding of where clients have been and what they need at each stage of treatment. He believes recovery begins with taking the courageous step to ask for help, and he works to honor that step in every session. Outside of the office, Christopher plays guitar and listens to music, spends time with his girlfriend, family, and friends, and runs to clear his head.

Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Blue Star Recovery, working towards a second licensure as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Taylor received a Masters’s in Clinical Psychology from Montclair State University and a second Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Felician University. Taylor has experience working in partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient, and community support service agencies. Taylor has worked with people of all ages as young as eight years old with a wide range of mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. She believes there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy and utilizes different approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Solution Focused, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to meet the needs of her clients and help them reach their goals. Taylor’s dynamic group skills and empathy make her a valued asset to the Blue Star Recovery team!

Lisa is a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse at Blue Star Recovery, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care. Board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she conducts psychiatric evaluations and manages medication for clients living with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring diagnoses. Lisa understands that medication is only one part of a person’s care, and she works to make sure it fits within a broader, holistic treatment plan rather than standing apart from it. Her approach is patient-centered and built on personalized treatment planning, taking the time to understand each individual’s history, symptoms, and goals before making recommendations. She keeps her practice firmly grounded in current evidence while remaining attentive to how each client actually responds. What Lisa finds most rewarding is helping individuals achieve improved mental health, a better quality of life, and lasting recovery.

Robert serves as Director of Clinical Partnerships at Blue Star Recovery, bringing more than thirteen years of experience in behavioral healthcare to the role. His own lived experience in long-term recovery is what drives his passion for this work, and it shapes the empathetic, recovery-informed support he extends to clients and referral partners alike. Robert’s background spans direct client care, certified intervention work, and outreach, along with recovery ministries and pastoral care, a combination that allows him to meet people on whatever terms feel most meaningful to them. In his current role he builds and maintains the clinical relationships that help individuals find their way to appropriate care, often serving as a steady point of contact during a family’s most uncertain moments. What he finds most rewarding is guiding others through their recovery journeys and seeing where those journeys can lead.

Cristina serves as a Primary Therapist and Adolescent Program Director at Blue Star Recovery, working with both adolescents and adults across partial care and intensive outpatient levels of care. A Licensed Professional Counselor, she specializes in trauma and in supporting children and families, and she treats a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, mood and behavioral challenges, stress, life transitions, addiction recovery, and family and relationship issues. Her approach is person-centered and strength-based, drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing to help clients build on what is already working in their lives. Cristina is committed to evidence-based care delivered with warmth, and what she enjoys most is providing a safe, supportive space where clients feel genuinely heard and empowered to grow. Outside of work, she spends time with family and friends, gets to the beach when she can, enjoys cooking, and looks for humor in everyday life.

Lynn serves as Chief of Staff for Blue Star Recovery and Blue Star Mental Health Services, bringing more than twenty-five years of healthcare and behavioral health leadership to the role. Her career has spanned operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and organizational development, along with the kind of systems transformation work that reshapes how care is delivered at scale. Lynn focuses on building person-centered, cost-effective service models, an approach that keeps the individual at the center while ensuring programs remain sustainable and accountable. She is a strong believer in cross-sector partnerships, and much of her work involves connecting organizations that serve the same communities but rarely coordinate. Across both organizations she helps align strategy, strengthen internal systems, and keep quality and compliance standards firmly in place. Her commitment to community wellness and strategic leadership guides how she approaches each initiative.

Rande is Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the state of New Jersey. He began his addictions counseling career at Advanced Behavioral, The Center in 2020 working in an outpatient setting. He was able to attain his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credentials while attending classes at Ocean County Community College. He decided to further his education and earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Work and went on to attain a master’s degree in Social Work both from Stockton University. Rande has worked in multiple modalities within the substance abuse treatment field resulting in over 5 years’ experience.

He believes in a person-centered approach and often utilizes different interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution focused therapy, and motivational interviewing (MI). He often integrates a trauma informed approach when working with his clients. His lived experience, understanding of the 12-step process, and adaptive approach makes him an integral member of our Blue Star team!

Eleni has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is actively pursuing her master’s degree in counseling at Kean University. Eleni has a decade of experience in treating both adolescents and adults with co-occurring disorders. Eleni currently provides organizational structure, overseeing daily operations including customer service and workforce planning.

Eleni uses her fierce advocacy for helping others and is known for her compassionate nature in providing client centered treatment. Her direction entails empowering others through understanding, connection, and personalized care by helping others navigate life challenges and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Known for collaborative relationship building, Eleni thrives in dynamic environments where agility, leadership, and strategic-thinking are essential by incorporating delivery of measurable outcomes that support organizational growth. Eleni is the glue that holds Blue Star together, and we’re excited to see what our collective future holds!

Zaena is new to the behavioral health field yet deeply committed to the mission of Blue Star Recovery. Eager to grow in her position and continue learning about the unique needs of individuals navigating substance and mental health challenges. Zaena plays a key role in supporting the daily operations of the facility and ensuring an organized and welcoming environment for clients and staff. Bringing strong administrative skills, a natural sense of empathy, and a commitment to maintaining a respectful and supportive space where healing can thrive. Bringing her enthusiasm to a fast-paced setting, she is passionate about making sure that every client, visitor, and team member feels valued and heard. Understanding the importance of her role, she maintains a safe and professional approach where healing and recovery can happen. Outside of work, Zaena enjoys spending time outdoors, simply getting fresh air to recharge and writing. At home, she especially loves time with family, friends and her Maine Coone cat, Gustavo. She is proud to be a part of the team that supports individuals on their path to healing, growth and lasting recovery. Zaena is the perfect newest addition to the Blue Star Recovery Team!

A lifelong resident of Hamilton Township and a proud Steinert High School graduate, Matt brings nearly a decade of experience serving individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use. As Community Liaison at Blue Star Recovery, he plays a vital role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care while supporting the daily operations of the program.

Matt joins Blue Star after working across multiple levels of behavioral healthcare, including nonprofit organizations, grant-funded crisis response programs, and commercial treatment settings. His diverse professional background has allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face throughout the recovery journey and has equipped him with the skills necessary to create positive and supportive treatment experiences.

Drawing from both professional and personal experience, Matt understands the transformative power of recovery. Having overcome significant personal challenges, he is passionate about helping others find hope, healing, and purpose. His lived experience, combined with years of clinical and operational exposure, allows him to connect authentically with clients and families while fostering an environment built on respect, empathy, and encouragement.

Throughout his career, Matt has worked with children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life, supporting individuals facing mental health concerns and substance use disorders. His client-centered approach focuses on meeting people where they are, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported throughout their treatment journey.

Known for his reliability, leadership, and dedication to service, Matt brings a sense of stability and consistency that both colleagues and clients can depend on. His commitment to helping others aligns closely with Blue Star Recovery’s’ mission to provide exceptional mental health, substance use, and eating disorder treatment while empowering individuals to build lives filled with confidence, fulfillment, resilience, and hope.

Etica is a Clinical Assistant at Blue Star Recovery, where she is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for healing. Her background spans mental health counseling and art therapy, and she has worked with a wide range of populations, including adolescents, older adults, and individuals living with aphasia. At Blue Star Recovery she supports group facilitation and the intake process, often serving as one of the first people a client meets. Etica brings a person-centered approach grounded in empathy and compassion, and she tailors her support to each individual rather than applying a single formula. Guiding her work is a straightforward conviction: every individual is the expert of their own experience. What she enjoys most is helping clients feel heard, valued, and empowered as they move through treatment. Outside of work, Etica serves as a wedding officiant and makes time for the gym.