Substance Use Disorder Counseling

Brendan Wagner, Director/Counselor

Brendan is a Substance Use Counselor/DUAL Diagnosis Counselor who provides individual therapy and group counseling for adults. He is the Operations Director that runs the day to day of all facility needs.

Specialties: Substance Use, DUAL Diagnosis

I am passionate about recovery and helping improve one’s quality of life. I have spent the past 10 years of my life seeking recovery for the first 4 years as a chronic relapser. Due to my addiction I have experienced homelessness, pain, isolation, and destruction to my family. For the past 6 years I have been able to maintain recovery and a positive attitude due to the environment I am able to create and maintain through like minded people. It is my mission to help people who struggle with substance use and their families avoid mistakes and pain I have gone through myself.

Irina Harag, MD, Medical Director

My name is Dr. Harag, and I am a dedicated and passionate physician who cares deeply about her patients and their families. My enthusiasm and passion for living are transmitted to my patients who receive the latest in what medicine has to offer. Open-minded and concerned about what my patients have to say, I believe that wellness comes from a strong relationship between the doctor and the patient. Understanding and compassion along with experience and knowledge make me an outstanding physician whose impact on the lives of her patients is profound and lasting.

Marina Asipenka, LCPC, NCC, Clinical Supervisor

Marina is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who provides individual and group counseling for adults. She earned her bachelor’s degree in General Psychology from the University of Illinois and her graduate degree in Clinical Professional Psychology from Roosevelt University.

Specialties: Substance Misuse, Anxiety, Depression, Relationships Difficulties and Conflicts, Life Transitions (navigating adulthood, career changes, and grief and loss), Trauma and PTSD, Stress Management

I am passionate about empowering my clients and helping them explore and cope with various life stressors. During our sessions, clients develop healthy coping skills, improve relationships and find meaning in their lives. My goal is to provide a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel open to self-exploration. Through our work together, I help clients find access to their strengths, develop insight into their struggles, and explore their values to find peace and balance within.

Mikhail Gurovich, Ph. D, MPH, MSW, CADC, CODP, Clinical Counselor

Dr. Mikhail Gurovich provides psychotherapy counseling and intensive case management in outpatient and inpatient settings. His specialties include addiction counseling, domestic violence and mental health counseling in individual, family, and group therapy modalities. Dr. Gurovich worked as a clinician for over 15 years, providing counseling to outpatient and inpatient clients. Dr. Gurovich has earned multiple professional certificates in Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States. He has taught professional development courses for medical professionals and clinicians in Russia and UK.

Natasha Shatayeva, Counselor

Certified Alcohol and Drug counselor who provides individual and group counseling for adults.

Specialties: Court and Secretary of State evaluations, DUI Risk Education, Substance Abuse Treatment Services

My goal is to help clients get their driver’s license back and help clients with substance use disorders navigate the complex and tough process of recovering from their problem. I guide them to understanding the underlying causes of their addiction, educate them on how it affects them mentally and physically, and assist them in seeking treatment.

Olga Goncharova, CADC, MHP, MA, Counselor

Olga is a Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a master’s in transformational leadership and coaching at Wright Graduate University. She has 18 years of experience with individual and group counseling.

Specialties: Substance Misuse, Codependency, Couples/ Family Counseling, Childhood trauma, Spirituality, Health and wellness, Suicide prevention

I believe that God gave me another chance in life and I feel that it is my purpose to share the message of recovery with others. I struggled with addiction and mental illness for many years. When I finally surrendered and asked for help I met great caring people who helped me on my journey of transformation. They inspired me to become a counselor so I can show people how to live happy and healthy lives. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone who has gotten enough courage to ask for help to improve their life. I enjoy the moment when a patient realizes they are worthy of living a beautiful, fulfilling life.

Sasha Zvodinsky, CADCc, Counselor

Sasha is an addictions counselor who works with individuals and groups. He earned his Strategic Intervention Coach certificate at Robbins-Madanes Training school and graduated from the Year of Transformation Program at Wright Foundation For the Realization of Human Potential. Sasha has led numerous workshops on Social/Emotional Intelligence and Transformational Leadership and taught at City Colleges of Chicago for over 14 years.

Specialties: Recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, Emotional Intelligence, Coping with stress and anxiety, Conflict resolution, Strategic planning, and Relationship challenges.

I have always been fascinated by human behavior. I’ve gone through my share of trials and tribulations and learned that resilience could be learned. I’ve understood that pain is often a necessary element of change, but it’s up to me how much pain I’ll go through before I make that change. I help patients recognize and acknowledge their challenges, see their limiting beliefs, and create new, empowering beliefs that will become the new core of their personalities. My goal is to help patients understand that they already have everything they need to live fulfilling lives.

Harold Maglente, Case Manager

My name’s Harold, a case manager for A Bridge Back with 6 years experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field. I’m exceptionally motivated in helping those in Recovery being that I’m in Recovery myself. I have 8 years of clean/sobriety time under my belt. Although A Bridge Back’s treatment derives from “Harm Reduction,” I truly believe in complete Abstinence.

Shoshana Comrov, Case Manager

Shoshana was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where she still lives with her husband and three daughters. In her free time Shoshana likes to read, cook, and go for long walks with her family and two dogs. Shoshana has a passion for helping people and loves working with her clients at A Bridge Back.

Staci Allan, Community Outreach Director

Staci Allan is a premier behavioral health professional with over a decade of experience in outreach and treatment navigation. Staci believes in meeting patients where they are in their recovery with compassion and support. Staci is a founding member of the Chicagoland Professional Liaison Organization and has served on the District 21 Board of Education for over 15 years. She also works to provide treatment navigation for those in crisis. She has had the honor of working for organizations such as Gateway Foundation and Footprints to Recovery and is thrilled to join the A Bridge Back family.

Sandra Kozel, Outreach Coordinator

I am all about love and life. I believe that the force that is moving us to do things and causing us to be alive is love. Love is our greatest source of energy and it is the energy I make sure to apply to everything I do. While I believe in love, I also am grateful for life. Not just my life, but all the life around me. I bring these factors to my family at A Bridge Back every day. While I am out in the field, my love for life drives my passion of helping any soul that comes to my attention and the others that will be affected by my words. I always think of how I can bring them into the A Bridge Back family where they will be treated as a beautiful entity filled with love and life, so we can be THAT bridge that brings them on to their next journey.

Kayla Skoniecke, Administrative Assistant

My name is Kayla. I’ve been working at A Bridge Back since 2020. I have a strong passion for mental health and self care. I am a huge cat and dog lover. I enjoy time with my family and friends. I enjoy working at A Bridge Back because of our message and my coworkers.

Audrey Mulcahy, Digital Marketer

Audrey is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago seeking a marketing degree. She loves to use her experience in marketing to help people from all over who are struggling mentally and emotionally. Her favorite part about working at a bridge back is the staff and being able to use her creative skills at the workplace.

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