Nick Padlo
CEO
Nick Padlo is a small business leader, entrepreneur, and native of Jacksonville Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy (West Point), where he served as the Chairman of the Honor Committee. After West Point, Nick served for 5 years in the United States Army. Where he spent 27 months in combat operations between Afghanistan and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. He attended Stanford University for business school, and later went on to become CEO of an Inc1000 growth company. His move into substance abuse treatment is a result of his personal battle with depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. After getting treatment himself, Nick defined his personal mission as helping others through similarly dark times. He believes that everyone can find their way back, regain their lives, and live a life free of suffering. Sophros was designed to be just that place, where clients across North Florida can develop a set of tools that can help them establish their own personal road to recovery.
Erin Moran, LMHC
Clinical Director / Partner
Erin Moran is a licensed mental health counselor and certified group practitioner who originates from Orange County, New York. She received her Bachelor of Science from SUNY New Paltz and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Florida (UNF). She began her career as a therapist working at the UNF Counseling Center where her passion for group psychotherapy originated. She has since gained additional experience working as a therapist and clinical manager at a dual-diagnosis residential substance abuse treatment facility and an outpatient eating disorder facility. She opened her part-time private practice in 2016 and sees adults and older adolescents who are actively seeking overall health and wellness in their lives.
Erin has been fortunate to work with people from diverse backgrounds, experiencing a variety of concerns, including various forms of addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, identity conflicts, histories of abuse, and relationship/family stress.
Erin’s therapy style incorporates client-centered, interpersonal-work, emotion-focused, and psycho-dynamic approaches. She believes in treating the whole person and working towards healing the mind, body, and spirit.
Outside her time working as a therapist and clinical director, Erin enjoys snuggling with her dog and cat, practicing yoga, watching Marvel shows/movies, and taking trips to the mountains.
Dr. John Kemerer
Medical Director
Dr. Kemerer is originally from Michigan. He went to college at Michigan State University and majored in chemistry. He earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed post graduate training at Michigan State University Bay Medical Center. Dr. Kemerer has an interest in family medicine, emergency medicine and medical treatment of substance abuse.
Dr. Kemerer has thirty years experience in family medicine, with special interest in emergency medicine and urgent care. He has experience with substance abuse treatment utilizing medically assisted treatment in private practice as well as with Ohio Valley Physicians. He has been an assistant professor of family medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the medical director of Ohio University Student Health Center.
Dr. Kemerer served in the United States Army Reserve. He resides in St. Augustine, Florida and lives with his wife, and enjoys life with his children. He likes biking, fishing and boating.
Elaine Simpson, MBA
Director of Customer Relations/Business Development
Elaine Simpson is a seasoned professional, with over 30+ years in the Healthcare industry. She spent part of her career as an Assisted Living Administrator, working for Hospice and Marketing in the Jacksonville market. Her background and expertise consist of: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Sales, Marketing, Admission’s, Administrative, Management, Team Building and Customer Service just to name a few. She works actively with Physicians, Psych, LMHC and patients.
Elaine has a MBA degree in Business administration and a BS degree in Healthcare Administration.
She was born in Portland, Oregon, moved to Cuba when she was 6 months old. Moved to Jacksonville, FL when she was 3 years old where she has lived all but 3 years of her life.
She has 1 son who is 21 years old. His name is Garret. They love to watch sports together. She is an animal lover and her hobbies include being a season ticket holder for the Jacksonville Jaguars since the very beginning. Her favorite things are sea turtles and travel.
Dexter Galang
Office Manager
Dexter Galang is a native of Jacksonville FL and graduated from University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. His Minor Degree is in Leadership and Disabilities in Society. He has an interest in helping to put people’s diversity into perspective and professionally communicate with respect.
Dexter has experience serving people in all walks of life at UF Health Shands Hospital, Heartland Hospice, and Trinity Rescue Mission Homeless Shelter. Dexter is passionate about driving his community forward by helping people feel valued and growing them into their best selves.
During his free time, Dexter likes to teach downhill skateboarding and play spontaneous games of chess.
Lisa Vassallo, RN
Registered Nurse
Lisa is a registered nurse and business administrator who has lived in the St. Augustine area for over thirty years. Originally form St. Louis, MO, she holds degrees in both Human Services and Nursing, and has completed coursework at Florida Coastal School of Law.
Lisa has held many leadership positions during her thirty-three years as an RN. In the area of mental health, she has significant experience with dual diagnosis, anxiety and depression in adults and seniors, eating disorders, sexual trauma, and chemical dependency detox and rehab. As a staunch advocate for veterans’ mental health services, she has worked with Jacksonville veterans for many years in Behavioral Health. Her father and husband are both veterans. She believes mental health should be promoted and protected the same as physical health yet understands that often it is often not addressed fully in the veteran community. At Sophros, we are helping to change that. When she is not working as a nurse, Lisa enjoys travel, the arts, and having fun with her children and grandchildren.
Kitara Washington, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Bio Coming Soon!
Linsey Mizic, MS
Senior Therapist
Linsey Mizic is a registered clinical mental health intern, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University and her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lock Haven University. She began her career as a mobile crisis counselor and transitioning into a Family Based Therapist. She relocated to Florida in 2019 where she began her career in the substance abuse field working as a detox therapist and primary therapist at a dual-diagnosis residential substance abuse treatment facility.
Linsey’s therapy styles incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness therapy. She feels connected to creating a safe space for her clients to provide support and guidance in promoting good mental, emotional, and physical health. She utilizes varying tools in her therapies related to the mind, body, and soul connection to gain a better understanding of not only ourselves, but the world around us.
Outside of her work, Linsey enjoys to spend time with her animals, family, playing sports, and learning how to cook and grill new meals.
Jackie Ivey, MS
Therapist
Jackie Ivey is a registered clinical mental health intern from Baltimore Maryland. She received her Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She began her clinical work as an eating disorder therapist and relocated to Florida in 2021. Jackie began her career in the substance abuse field at Sophros Recovery and utilizes a diverse range of modalities to meet each individual client’s needs.
Jackie utilizes a holistic framework to integrate spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional facets of well-being. She helps aid growth and assists individuals in developing a deeper understanding of themselves and their needs. Jackie prioritizes integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, and mindfulness interventions while creating a safe, empowering, non-judgmental therapeutic space. Jackie values collaboratively working alongside her clients to foster a genuine therapeutic alliance. Jackie works to cultivate and strengthen individuals’ sense of self while working alongside the client to meet their needs.
Outside of her work, Jackie enjoys going to the beach, exercising, and travel.
Wilhelmina Kohn, MA
Therapist
Wilhelmina was awarded her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Webster University. Her degree concentration was Mental Health and School Guidance. Wilhelmina received her undergraduate degree from Edward Waters University with an emphasis in psychology.
Wilhelmina has over a decade of experience in the field of child-welfare, mental health diagnosis and substance abuse treatment. She began her career working at Gateway Community Services in Jacksonville, FL. Wilhelmina has experience in performing assessments, facilitating educational groups, and providing clinical care to clients in a residential treatment setting.
Wilhelmina’s therapy styles incorporate integrative or holistic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. She believes in encouraging clients to exercise their capacity to make rational choices and develop their maximum potential. She offers a genuine concern and unwavering support for her clients during their process of treatment.
When Wilhelmina is not working as a therapist, she enjoys DIY projects, a great laugh, and being amongst family and friends.
Faith Ponti, MS
Therapist
Faith Ponti, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, received her two Bachelor’s degrees (BA in Sociology and BS in Psychology) from the University of Tampa and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Florida. As a therapist, she has worked in a variety of settings including school-based counseling for adolescents, nonprofit counseling for the working uninsured, general outpatient mental health for children and adults, and dual diagnosis IOP/PHP.
In her work as a therapist, Faith leverages her authenticity to encourage her clients toward vulnerability and limitless self-compassion. She works to maintain a safe space for clients to experience growing pains, make mistakes, take accountability, and forgive themselves and others. In this effort, Faith utilizes a combination of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems techniques, mindfulness, and inner-child work.
In her free time, Faith enjoys listening to podcasts, spending time with her family, going to the beach, and watching Bob’s Burgers.
Taylor Santioni, MS
Therapist
Taylor Santioni obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for the University of North Florida in August 2022 and is in the process of gaining status as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. She additionally received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from The University of North Florida.
During her time at the University of North Florida, Taylor’s passion for assisting first responders led her to establish a partnership between the university and a local police department to learn more about the unique needs of officers. She also earned a certificate through an international professional organization as a Level Two Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist.
Taylor’s therapy style includes incorporating strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She believes in a holistic approach and strives to empower her clients to discover and utilize their inherent strengths to grow and learn throughout the therapeutic process.
Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Taylor is passionate about serving the needs of the local community and fostering the mental health and wellness of diverse populations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog as well as hiking many of Jacksonville’s beautiful nature trails.
Kayleigh Ratashak
Therapist Intern
Kayleigh Ratashak is a counseling intern and second-year graduate student at the University of North Florida for a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Health Education from the University of Florida, and is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. Kayleigh has a background in healthcare, specifically in cancer treatment and radiation therapy. She also has experience and education in healthcare for minority populations and understanding health disparities in society.
Kayleigh has an interest in utilizing exercise and intentional movement to improve overall mental and emotional wellbeing. She believes in taking a holistic, person-centered approach to the therapeutic process, and that treatment, recovery, and self-acceptance is not a “one-size fits all” process.
When they are not doing schoolwork, you can find Kayleigh reading, exercising, or finding new prized possessions at thrift stores all over Jacksonville.
Hannah Johnson
Therapist Intern
Hannah is currently a clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) student at the University of North Florida. A Jacksonville native, she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Florida and is in her second year of their nationally accredited master’s level CMHC program.
While Hannah originally began her career in marketing, and has worked in the field for the last 10 years, she has found her true passion in counseling. She has experience working with horses, including an equine-assisted therapy program for clients in recovery, and plans to graduate in 2023 with a certification in animal-assisted therapy.
Currently, Hannah incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness therapy into her practice. She believes healing can be found by treating clients holistically and is studying Eastern traditions and treatment of the mind, body, and soul.
Hannah prides herself in being the “cool Tía” to her nieces and nephews and enjoys spending time with family and friends. A true Florida girl, she spends much of her time at the beach or exploring state parks and springs.”
John Craycraft
Therapist Intern
John is currently a clinical mental health counseling student at Jacksonville University. He holds a bachelor’s of arts in philosophy and religious studies. After graduating with his bachelors degree John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Originally from southern Ohio, John moved to the Jacksonville area during his time in service.
John is interested in existential and person centered therapeutic approaches. He also believes in the importance of mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and exercise.
He currently resides in Saint Marys, Georgia with his wife.