Meet Our Staff
Our clinical staff is comprised of highly skilled, knowledgeable professionals who specialize in working with individuals with a dual diagnosis of mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction. We believe the more people a patient has on his side who are committed to his sobriety, the better his chances for a successful recovery. We owe much of our success to the warmth and dedication of our staff.
Patricia L. Ryding, Psy.D. - Executive Director
Dr. Ryding is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry and substance abuse treatment programs. Originally from New York, Dr. Ryding began as a social worker and then transitioned into working with adolescents and family therapy after receiving her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Goddard College. She obtained her first management job with the Rader Institute, directing their eating disorder and cross-addictions program. Eventually, she returned to academia to earn her doctorate in psychology from the Miami Institute of Psychology, and served in various program and administrative positions before coming to Wellness Resource Center.
Raju Mangrola, MD, PA - Medical Director, Psychiatrist
Dr. Raju Mangrola is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He has been in private practice in Palm Beach County, Florida, for the past 15 years. He is certified in addiction psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine. He has extensive experience treating patients with dual diagnosis and addictive disorders. He is also certified by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Renna McGinnis, RN, CD - Clinical Program Director
Renna has been a certified addiction nurse for 33 years. Previously, she worked as a program director, director of nursing, and admission director. She also worked for 20 years with recovering nurses as a group facilitator for the Intervention Project for Nurses. “After 30 years in the field of addiction, I still love coming to work,” she says. “It is an honor to watch the recovery process. I witness the hope of those who had no hope and see miracles every day.”
Myra Levick, PhD, ATR-BC - Art Therapist
Dr. Myra Levick is an artist, psychologist, and art psychotherapist. She received a BFA from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, a M.Ed. from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and education from Bryn Mawr College. After spending four years as an art therapist for an inpatient psychiatric unit at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Dr. Levick moved to Hahnemann University and Medical College in 1967 where she developed the first graduate program in the field of art therapy. During her 20 years at Hahnemann, Dr. Levick became the founder and first president of the American Art Therapy Association. She also founded and is the director of the South Florida Psychotherapy Institute, and is Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the internationally recognized journal Arts in Psychotherapy. She has published numerous books and articles and is currently involved in a research project in conjunction with the Palm Beach County School District.
Erin Hains, M.ED - Primary Therapist
Erin has been working in the mental health field since 1998 in various settings, including an inpatient substance abuse treatment program for women and children, a state child welfare agency, and school and home-based individual and family therapy environments. Erin received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and liberal studies from the University of Notre Dame, where she participated in research focusing on attachment issues. She received a M.Ed. from Harvard University in risk and prevention, where she participated in research focusing on the effects of trauma.
Dana Risucci, MSW - Primary Therapist
Dana received a bachelor’s degree in social psychology and a master’s degree in social work at Florida Atlantic University. After graduation, she trained at a dual diagnosis treatment center and worked at a day treatment center for children with emotional and behavioral problems.
Phyllis Sammartino, LCSW - Family Therapist
Phyllis has worked in the mental health field for the past eight years, specializing in chemical dependence/dual diagnosis, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and family issues. She graduated from Barry University with a master’s degree in social work.
Jayne Johnson, M.ED - Spirituality Therapist
A leader in the field of addiction recovery for the past twenty-five years, Jayne has dedicated her career to assist individuals, couples, and families in facilitating a healthy, comfortable lifestyle. Jayne currently maintains a private practice in Palm Beach, Florida. Previously, she served as program manager of the Center for Women’s Recovery at Hanley-Hazelden, now Hanley Center, and worked at several inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment centers. Jayne holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Furman University, and a master’s degree in guidance counseling from Atlantic University. She is CSAT certified and trained, a certified hypnotherapist, a Kripalu yoga teacher, and an insight meditation teacher. She also trained in death, dying, and grief with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, as well as neurolinguistics and narrative therapy.
Carol Sherman, RD - Eating Disorder Group Therapist
Carol is a registered dietitian with more than twenty years of experience as a consultant to mental health and chemical dependency facilities. She also maintains a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. Carol earned her bachelor’s degree in community nutrition from Cornell University and her master’s degree in public health nutrition from the University of California at Berkeley.
John Coniglio, RN - Staff Nurse
John Coniglio became a nurse in 1998, receiving his RN degree from Palm Beach Community College. He brings to Wellness experience in ER and ICU nursing, as well as over 5 years in the dual diagnosis treatment profession. John especially enjoys seeing the improvement of patients from the time they come in until graduation.
Bill Browning - Senior Case Manager
William Ireland Browning has been working at the Wellness Resource Center for two years. Bill started out as support counselor in April, 2006 and was promoted to case manager in May, 2007. Bill has a B.A. and is in the application process for his Masters in Counseling Psychology, aspiring to be a therapist. Bill lives in Boca Raton, FL with a wife and one year old baby. He counts it as a privilege to be on a team like WRC, one that knows how to win.
Stanley Pullen - Case Manager
Stanley began his work at Wellness 4 years ago as a support counselor and has progressed to a case manager, working more directly with clients. Sobriety and recovery is his personal passion. He finds it challenging and rewarding to assist clients with the next phase of their recovery.
Cynthia McLean - Marketing Director
After spending many years teaching in the arts, Cynthia began a second career in business development through advertising sales. She was led to the field of mental health by a psychologist friend, and eventually worked in outreach roles for facilities treating eating disorders, trauma-based disorders and dual diagnosis.
Carla Valela - Business Office Manager
Carla has over 15 years combined experience in Accounts Receivables, Collections, and Billing Office Management for medical and therapeutic facilities.
Wendy Lax - Admissions Coordinator
After a lengthy and noteworthy career in finance, Wendy began a second career in the treatment profession as a Recovery Support Counselor at Wellness four years ago. Subsequently, she advanced to become Senior Case Manager, obtained her Certified Addictions Counselor credential, and recently moved into the position of Admissions Coordinator. Wendy's knowledge of recovery, the program at Wellness and her commitment to excellence have proven to be an excellent benefit for those interested in seeking treatment.
