Newport Academy NY
New York, NY

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Newport Academy Announces Staffing Upgrades

In Newport Academy's continued commitment to excellence and dedication to providing unparalleled treatment, we present additions and promotions in staffing...

• Dr. Rachel Fortune joins us as our National Medical Director!


• Seasoned Clinicians join the Treatment Team!


• Adventure-Based Therapy Program!


• Newport Academy Promotions and Alumni in new roles!

It's not every day that a doctor leaves Yale to move to a residential program, but Dr. Fortune will tell you that Newport Academy is not just any program.

Rachel Fortune, MD, Medical Director, describes her adolescence as challenging. After a tumultuous early adolescence, she reports that with the help and support of her family, she changed direction, became more serious about school and paved the path to where she is today. Her undergraduate degree was granted by Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and she received her MD degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Fortune's internship and residency in Pediatrics were completed at Columbus Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and fellowship in Adolescent Medicine was completed at Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver, Colorado.

After completion of her fellowship, Dr. Fortune and her family moved back to New England to be closer to family and she spent two years caring for adolescent patients at Yale University School of Medicine/Yale New Haven Hospital. During that time, approximately 90 percent of patients in her subspecialty practice were being treated for eating disorders, mostly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Dr. Fortune acknowledges that even the most perceptive and attentive parents can miss the outward signs of mental health and medical problems in their teens, which is why specialized care such as that provided at Newport Academy is so necessary. Her clinical expertise is in the area of eating disorders, mental health and general adolescent medicine. She is board certified in both Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. We are blessed to have her as a member of our team, as she is truly an expert in the field.

Increasing our Depth of Seasoned Clinicians!

Cindy Connelly, LMFT, Primary Therapist, is excited and feels blessed to be a part of the Newport Academy Clinical Team.

"For many years I have referred colleagues and friends here because I was so impressed with the work they do transforming children and families" she explained. "Now it is finally my turn to be a part of it!"

Cindy comes to us with over 25 years of personal experience in the recovery field. After many years in management in the insurance field, she went back to school to get her Masters in Psychology at Chapman University while raising her 2 boys as a single mom. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and she has been the Clinical Director of both residential and extended care facilities treating co-occurring disorders. Cindy has worked extensively with adolescents and families in a number of treatment settings. Her passion and experience have allowed her to develop and oversee treatment programs that directly address issues of trauma, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, and relationship addiction while also addressing dual diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders. Cindy's dedication to working with both the individual and their families allows her to address the overall well-being of each and every client.

Jordan Hunt, LCSW, Primary Therapist, is thrilled to join Newport Academy's team of prestigious professionals. He spent his younger years socially isolated and bullied while at school, resulting in clinical depression for many years. Luckily, upon entering secondary school, he found his niche within the performing arts department, which assisted in a change in self-image and the fostering of a positive identity. Jordan attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and received his BFA in acting and then returned to NYU and to obtain his Masters in Social Work. Jordan has spent the last 20 years in the field helping people heal. He spent 15 years at the Institute for Personal Growth as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. In addition, he spent 10 years as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Social Work. After many years in clinical practice, he found that psychodynamic psychotherapy fell short on addressing many of the issues his clients presented. As a result, he began on his own spiritual path and exploration, which led him to the study of Buddhist principles, various forms of energy healing and meditation. He embraced these alternative modalities and they now help inform his practice of psychotherapy, which allows him to assess clients' issues from multiple perspectives and then incorporate multiple treatment strategies in order to address the pain and suffering that lies at the base of all addictive behaviors.

We are grateful to have Jordan as a member of our team, as he embodies Newport Academy's philosophy by providing comprehensive, integrated therapy.

Amazing Recovery Counselor!

Gary Federoff, Recovery Counselor, has worked with high risk adolescents in Marin County for over ten years. He has been a significant staple among teens and their families providing support and guidance to those struggling with addiction. Prior to joining Newport Academy, Gary worked worked in the Novato Unified School District as an Intervention Specialist. He ran school based groups at the middle and high schools, produced parent information nights, conducted immediate brief interventions, worked with various county agencies and co-facilitated the district's alcohol and drug coalition. Gary earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Ashford University. Gary is an avid skateboarder since birth. brings extensive personal and professional experience to his approach in working with teens in treatment.

Adventure-Based Therapy Program Team!

Ken Miki, Adventure Based Therapy Program Coordinator and Mixed Martial Arts Instructor was born in Tokyo, Japan and grew up in Atlanta, GA. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from Brown University and completed Core requirements for equivalent minors in Hispanic Studies and Studio Art/Design. He is currently in school for his Masters in Social Work and has worked as a Student/Intern Therapist with individual adult clients as well as a facilitator for RAINBOWS adolescent grief counseling group. Ken worked for five years as a Wilderness Field Instructor, Mentor (Level 5-Senior Staff) Instructor, and Integrated Therapeutic Assistant alongside Dr. Tony Issenmann, PhD. at Second Nature Blue Ridge, Wilderness Therapy Program. He has also worked as a fitness floor trainer and dance fitness instructor. Ken holds a Second Degree Black Belt in Traditional Kodokan-style Japanese Judo, having studied under his father (6th degree Black Belt) for over 20 years. He is proficient in boxing, capoeira, breakdancing, and gymnastics. He is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Japanese. He believes that Adventure Therapy and Martial Arts can…Exercise the Body, Enlighten the Mind, and Empower the Spirit! Ken will work to actively cultivate these three dimensions leading to holistic healing for the individual and family.

Amy Dutton, Adventure Recovery Counselor, has been a Care Coordinator at Newport Academy for the past two and half years before becoming a recovery coach. Amy is currently enrolled at Chapman University working towards her degree in Psychology and wishes to become a licensed therapist. Prior to Newport Academy Amy spent time on coping with her own trauma and substance abuse, which has subsequently allowed her to share her experience with clients and has been the driving force to helping others through similar experiences. A handful of Amy's hobbies consist of: hiking, running, snowboarding, surfing, working out, anything that has to do with water, and being athletic. Amy currently lives a healthy and adventurous life style, that she incorporates into her work at Newport Academy.

Awesome New Teacher!

Ryan Fedoroff, MEd, Teacher, has been a math and leadership teacher in Marin County high schools for ten years. Her passion and dedication to working with teens has brought her to Newport Academy. As an educator, Ryan has a deep passion for supporting students faced with adversity and their families and has a personal understanding of having a close family member who is in recovery. She has extensive experience with students of all learning levels and in developing plans to help students achieve success. In the classroom, Ryan has always been a dedicated and passionate teacher whose love of math and teaching shines through in her daily interactions with her students and colleagues. Ryan earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from University of California, Davis, Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics from Dominican University and her Master's in Education Administration and Administrative Credential from San Francisco State University. Ryan has served on various district committees, served as a summer school principal, and been deeply involved in the Marin community. We are lucky to add Ryan to our team of talented educators.

Our Reinforced Dedication to Continuum of Care!

Thomas A. Ahern, Director of Clinical Outreach, is a former School Psychologist and Public School Administrator working is now the Director of Clinical Outreach for Newport Academy. For the past thirty years Thomas has worked as a clinician, educator, and program innovator in the mental health and substance abuse industries. He is a acknowledged leader in the field having founded several innovative, community based treatment programs, as well as being a tireless advocate for improvements to the continuum of care for adolescents and young adults. Thomas is an enthusiastic presenter on subjects ranging from Adoption to the Modern American Family and has lectured at the local, state and national level. He serves on boards of several non-profit organizations including Classes4Classes, an initiative to help children learn empathy through acts of classroom kindness. Thomas holds a BA in Psychology from Boston University, Masters in Education, Sixth Year in School Psychology and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership all from the University of Connecticut. In his free time, he is a competitive endurance athlete. Thomas is a welcome addition to our team and will be a key component in continuing our dedication to the continuum of care for young people and their families.

Promotions!

Chelsea Reeves was promoted to Recovery Program Director.

"I feel so blessed to be on this incredible journey with the kids at Newport Academy," she explained. "My goal here is to empower each resident to know how valuable and worthy they are of a happy life free of self-destructive coping skills... I truly feel honored to be here at Newport Academy. To see the light come on and witness the shift of perception with kids fills my heart with so much gratitude and love."

Chelsea is a Recovery Counselor with years of experience in the addiction field. Chelsea obtained her B.A. in Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Before coming to Newport Academy, Chelsea worked at Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women as the sober living manager, running groups and ensuring a safe, sober community for the young women. Getting sober as a teenager herself, Chelsea has a strong passion for helping young women and guiding them to a productive, healthy lifestyle full of self-worth and self-respect. Chelsea has worked at Newport for over four years and is now overseeing all of our Recovery Programming nationwide for teens seeking recovery from eating disorders, self harm, substance abuse and mental health issues.

Parker Kalmen, Alumni Coordinator, has always had a passion for working with adolescents which started as a counselor for an after school day care program at elementary schools across Orange County California. As an Alumnus of Newport Academy, Parker decided to give back and start working as a Care Coordinator at the Male Residential Campus in 2013. While in treatment, he benefited from how much the team at Newport Academy had given him during his stay and found a calling to be one of the guides for young men to find healing. Parker is currently living in Aliso Viejo where he goes to school at Saddleback College. In his spare time, Parker enjoys making music, going to concerts, and giving back to the young recovering community in Orange County.

And last but not least, Gina Hewitt has been promoted to Alumni Coordinator.

"Back in early 2011, my life was hopeless, unmanageable, and miserable until I sought help and my parents got me into Newport academy. My life was changed drastically and I was shown love like I had never experienced before. There was no judgment and I considered it a very safe place. The staff here was absolutely incredible! This is when I decided that I wanted to show hurting, broken teenagers what I had been shown, and try to ultimately give back what I was freely given. I got a job at Newport academy and it has truly been an amazing experience these past two years. I absolutely love and adore what I do, and when I get to see the shift that happens in these girls' lives, it is priceless. This is when I am reminded why I do what I do and I suddenly am overwhelmed with gratitude. I am coming up on four years of sobriety in February and I am also going to school at Saddleback Community College and I will be transferring to a University within the next year. I definitely want to study in this field and do something great."

At Newport Academy our goal is sustainable healing. We strongly believe that the self-destructive behaviors in which teens are participating are external manifestations, or symptoms, of underlying, internal issues. The maladaptive coping mechanisms for which we see teens enter treatment include self-harm, substance abuse, eating disorders, conduct disorders and other forms of self-destructive behaviors. We see the most positive, long-term results by focusing on healing the underlying issues that are causing teens to act out- primarily various forms of trauma, abandonment, anxiety, depression, abuse, neglect, and other family systems issues.

We deliver a highly individualized, holistic approach to treatment where psychological, biological, spiritual, social and educational needs are continually assessed and revised throughout the treatment process. With a 4 to 1 staff to resident ratio, Newport Academy provides a highly structured and intensive program necessary for teens to recognize their own denial systems and develop the skills necessary to achieve long lasting recovery. Each resident receives on average over 32 hours of individual, group and family therapy every week.

Our environment provides the safety and security, and above all, unconditional love, that teens and their families need in order to heal. By incorporating multiple modalities of psychological and experiential therapies, and a dedication to treating the entire family, we offer the highest quality teen treatment program.

Newport Academy NY is a comprehensive, integrated treatment program for teens suffering from mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse issues.