OUR TEAM
Our team has developed a kind, gentle approach which includes experts from a wide variety of fields.
This allows us to look at addiction from multiple angles and to tailor recovery strategies to individual situations.
Our experienced team includes:
Woody Giessmann, LADC-I, CADC,BRI-II, CEO and Founder of Right Turn:
Intensive Outpatient and Residential Program.
Woody became an Addictions Specialist in 1993 after his experience as the drummer for the rock band, the Del Fuegos. That experience allowed him to see firsthand the devastating effect of drug and alcohol abuse. He survived it to see clearly the need for innovative services, support, and ongoing encouragement for people who have been affected by addictions.
He saw that some of the larger obstacles to overcome in recovery were the feelings of hopelessness and the fear of not being able to return to a productive, creative lifestyle. Through his experience, as a creative person with a history of addiction, he launched a unique treatment approach incorporating evidence-based treatment and creative expression into Right Turn Residential and Outpatient services.
Right Turn is a 501c3 nonprofit established in March of 2002. Right Turn is a welcoming place where creative people in recovery can experience a sense of purpose and belonging. We have developed a continuum of evidence-based services along with a creative approach to assist person seeking treatment on their way to a productive lifestyle. Right Turn brings creative people together into a safe haven where they can explore their art and preserve their creative gifts. Contact Woody Giessmann
Gabrielle Dean, LICSW, MPH, Clinical Director of Right Turn
“My training is in social work, public health and psychotherapy. When I joined forces with Woody in 2005, I had already designed and run many addiction recovery programs, a residential program for opiate-addicted women and their children, and a women’s program in Dorchester. The idea of designing a landmark program with Woody was very exciting to me. Our shared vision was to develop an innovative program that would incorporate complementary expressive therapies and creativity into an addiction program. Evoking and developing individual creativity as a part of recovery is incredibly rewarding.” Contact Gabrielle Dean
Mark Albanese, M.D., Right Turn Medical Director
Dr. Albanese attended Harvard College and Cornell University Medical College. He completed an internship in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a psychiatry residency at Massachusetts Mental Health Center. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.
Before joining Cambridge Health Alliance in September 2002, Dr. Albanese worked for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for over 12 years. While working for CHA, he served as unit medical director, residency training director, director of medical education, and associate chief of psychiatry at Tewksbury Hospital. He was also a consultant to several addictions programs affiliated with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Dr. Albanese is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) Division on Addictions, where he served as Advanced Fellow in Addiction Studies. At CHA, he is Medical Director of Addictions. He is also Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at HMS. In addition to his clinical, administrative, and teaching work, Dr. Albanese has undertaken research with a major focus on assessment and treatment of dual diagnosis patients. He has studied epidemiology, pharmacology, and group therapy. His most recent area of interest has been DUI.
Laura Kehoe, M.D.
Laura attended Tufts Medical School and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Assistant in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She practices Primary Care at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Chelsea Community Health Center. She has been certified to prescribe Suboxone and treat opiate addicted patients since 2003. She also is a medical consultant at Bay Cove Methadone Clinic in Boston.
Leslie Miller, LICSW, Clinical Outreach Manager
Leslie has worked for 14 years as a clinical liaison and business development professional in the Mental and Behavioral Healthcare industry. Leslie attended Fordham University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in family systems therapy, children and adolescents and addictive disorders.
Peter C. Johnson CADC, Intake Coordinator and Relapse Prevention Specialist
Peter spent 30 years in the music business as an artist with album releases on A&M and CBS Records. He was also the founder/co-owner of Musitech Productions, a studio/production facility on Boston’s Newbury Street that composed and recorded music for film, television, corporate presentations, and advertising campaigns. In 1988, he was awarded an EMMY for his work on ABC’s After-School Specials. Earlier in his life, he was the 5-time U.S. National Champion in the lightweight single sculls and was cited by Sorts Illustrated in 1966 as the best lightweight single sculler in the world. At Right Turn, Peter serves as Relapse Prevention Specialist and Intake Coordinator. He lives with his family in Cambridge.
Kate Dare-Winters, LICSW, CADC, Psychotherapist and Addictions Specialist
Kate has been working in the field of addictions and recovery since 1992. Her particular areas of interest and expertise are in co-occurring disorders, trauma, and spirituality. She has an MSW from Simmons School of Social Work and an MDiv from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and appreciates the connection between spirituality and recovery. Kate is also a visual artist working in mixed media and interested in the relationship between creativity and recovery. In addition to her affiliation with Right Turn, she is currently a Teaching Associate at the Harvard Medical School and in private practice in Cambridge, MA.
Jon Cohan, CADC, Addictions Specialist and Group Facilitator
Jon is a long-time member of the Right Turn team. He facilitates groups and does individual work with our clients. Author of “Star Sets – Drum Kits of the Great Drummers”, a series of books by Hal Leonard, Jon is professional musician and producer who has been with Right Turn since we opened our doors.
Elena Pellegrino, LMHC, Individual & Marriage Counseling
Elena is a licensed mental health counselor focusing on couples, family, adolescence, and trauma. Elena received her Master’s in Arts in 2002 and has been in private practice since 2004. For more on Elena, please visit http://elenapellegrino.tripod.com.
Rivkah Lapidus, PhD, LMHC, Psychotherapist and Addictions Specialist
Rivkah is an experienced psychotherapist, as well as visual artist. For 25 years, she has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds in programs ranging from child and family guidance centers, community mental health, to addictions programs, including methadone maintenance and outreach relapse prevention with the homeless. She is knowledgeable about a variety of approaches to understanding addictive behaviors and believes it is important to understand the individual, to be flexible, and to develop the best approach for each person. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, and a Masters degree in Expressive Therapy from Lesley College Graduate School. Her training also includes a Clinical Fellowship at the Zinberg Center for Addiction Studies at Harvard Medical School, and a Psychology internship at Medfield State Hospital.
Diana Clark, JD, MA, Family Addictions Consultant from Family Healing Strategies
Diana facilitates monthly family workshops designed to address the stress and fear experienced by family members of those with substance abuse and addictive disorders.
Joey Carroll, Creative Writing Specialist
Joey Carroll’s comedy has taken him around the world. Joey facilitates our creativity writing groups and is a peer specialist and mentor at our Outpatient Clinic and Right Turn Supported Housing for Men. He has been invited to use his sharp wit and flawless comic timing for a third tour, bringing much needed laughter to our troops around the world. He has just released his latest CD from his last tour to Iraq.
Bob Henry, Right Turn Supported Housing Manager
Long-time member of the Right Turn Steering Committee
Bob coordinates the Saturday Right Turn LIVE! Music & Comedy Series and is the manager of the Right Turn Supported Housing Program.
