About Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Frires is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine and is certified in Functional Medicine by the Institute for Functional Medicine. He has practiced emergency medicine for 40 years.

Dr. Frires served as Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Huron Hospital/Cleveland Clinic Health System from 1985-2011, and then as Medical Director of Brunswick Emergency Department/Southwest General Hospital affiliated with University Hospitals of Cleveland from 2011-2017. Dr. Frires has special interests in addiction medicine as well as integrative medicine. He has served as Medical Director of Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center since its inception.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drew Reimer is the Executive Director of Caritas Treatment and Wellness Center. A licensed chemical dependency counselor holding an M.Ed and LCDC II, his education includes a Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History from John Carrol University.

Drew has a history of developing curriculum, implementing and facilitating substance abuse disorder programs. He has over 13 years of experience working with the chemical dependency population, including the development and facilitation of three large chemical dependency programs in Northeast Ohio. Furthermore, Drew has participated in MAT (Medical Assisted Treatment) and abstinence-based service development and facilitation which includes individual, and group counseling. He focuses on a humanistic approach to treatment with the goal of providing individualized care for people in need.

With years in recovery, Drew relates intimately with clients and is able to connect and support them through their journey in sobriety. He has firsthand knowledge of the needs of people suffering from addiction and believes in the client’s ability to obtain recovery.

ADDICTION COUNSELOR

Mark is a highly experienced addiction counselor with a Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. With ten years of experience in the field, he has worked with several prominent organizations, including The LCADA Way, The Centers for Families and Children, Oriana House and Primary Purpose. He is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care, which allows him to provide effective counseling to clients with a history of trauma.

Mark is a person in long-term recovery, which has given him unique insight into the challenges and struggles of addiction. He is a compassionate and dedicated counselor who is committed to helping his clients overcome their addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

Family Nurse Practitioner with experience working at many of the largest treatment centers in the area.

With decades of hands-on experience in a variety of clinical specialties, Paul is comfortable working in large, high volume fast-paced environments. He has a strong history in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Paul is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Nationally Registered Certified Medical Examiner with experience in emergency medicine, family medicine and behavioral health. He has a long history of clinical education and clinical research and has worked at many of the largest treatment centers in the area such as LCADA, Silver Maple, Prosperity Haven, St Vincent Charity, NORD, Laurelwood, and Glenbeigh.

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

Compassionate and patient-centric certified behavioral nurse practitioner with extensive experience in managing all facets of patient care and treatment for a variety of mental health diagnoses and co-occurring disorders. Over 25 years of managerial oversight of civil and forensic inpatient psychiatric services. Dedicated leader and clinical educator with a sustained and proven track record for collaborating with physicians, psychiatrists and interdisciplinary teams to achieve excellent patient outcomes. A strong history of working with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. Expert therapeutic and diagnostic testing skills for providing comprehensive assessments and care planning to meet the specific needs of patients. Thoroughly trained and certified medication prescriber for mental health management and substance use disorders. Additional experience in teaching adult nursing students, leading them through clinical rotation, and providing them with the tools needed for success in psychiatric nursing care.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Alec is a Trauma-Focused Therapist with a specialized training in EMDR. With a focus on helping populations with substance abuse, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and men's issues, Alec empowers clients to discover their authentic selves and build resilience. He cultivates a safe, nonjudgmental, and open space where individuals can explore their deepest struggles. He roots his care in compassion, empathy, and respect and dedicates his work to guiding people through their journey of healing and growth.

ADDICTION COUNSELOR

Anna has a deep passion for supporting individuals in their journey through mental health and addiction recovery. With nearly six years of experience in the field, she began her career as a case manager and quickly advanced to facilitating Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Aftercare services.

Anna’s approach to treatment is grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. She is dedicated to helping clients challenge their thoughts and overcome negative beliefs, guiding them toward meaningful and lasting change.

Throughout her career, Anna has been inspired by the resilience of those she works with and is honored to be a part of their recovery journey.

ADDICTION COUNSELOR

Sheila is a compassionate and skilled Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor dedicated to supporting clients on their recovery journey.

With extensive experience in outpatient care, including case management, group facilitation, and individual counseling, Sheila brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for positive change. She excels at building rapport with a diverse population of clients, understanding that strong therapeutic relationships are essential for healing and recovery.

Using evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Sheila empowers clients to overcome challenges and achieve lasting sobriety through personalized, client-centered care.