Meet Our Team

Through extensive diagnostic evaluations and holistic treatment, Omega Recovery is dedicated to enhancing wellness by offering clarity, direction, and results.

Dr. Nicholas Kardaras | PH. D. | LCSW-R

Co-Founder | Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country’s foremost addiction experts. A former Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine where he specialized in teaching the neurophysiology and treatment of addiction, he has also taught neuropsychology at the doctoral-level and has worked closely in developing clinical protocols with Dr. Howard Shaffer, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Director of their Division of Addiction.

He has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News, FOX & Friends, NPR, Good Day New York and has written about addiction for TIME Magazine, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Salon, The NY Daily News, and FOX News, and has been featured in Esquire, New York Magazine, VICE, and Vanity Fair. Considered a leading expert on young people and digital addiction, he is the author of “Glow Kids” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016), the seminal book on the clinical, neurological and sociological aspects of Technology Addiction (Smart Phones, Video Games, Social Media, etc.) and has clinically worked with over 1,000 teens and young people during the last 15 years. 

He has been active in advocating that screen addiction be recognized as a clinical disorder akin to substance addiction and has developed the most comprehensive treatment protocols to treat this emerging global problem.

Dr. Kardaras is also the author of “How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life” (Conari, 2011) and devotes his life to helping others find their path to recovery, healing and a life of meaning and purpose.

Dr. Kardaras is also the creator of Seahab, an intensive experiential form of nature immersion therapy. Based on the very successful evidence-based principles of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH), Seahab has proven to be very effective as an intensive intervention to help addicts shift out of self-destructive and toxic lifestyle patterns.

Dr. Kardaras has also, admittedly, lived a colorful life: he’s a former AAU National Karate champion, a recovering NYC nightclub owner and a coma survivor. Having once owned high-profile NY nightclubs where he had mingled with the likes of JFK, Jr., Uma Thurman and Tom Cruise, Dr. Kardaras emerged from that glamorous-yet-self-destructive world and discovered a healing path to his own recovery from addiction. 

He lives with his wife and twin sons between Austin, TX and Sag Harbor NY and is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of mental health, philosophy, and both substance and screen addictions.

Nicholas Hoenes | M.Ed., LPC

Executive Clinical Director

Nick is the Executive Clinical Director and a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to ensuring every client receives compassionate, integrated, and high-quality care. He began his work in the treatment field in 2019 at an adolescent residential SUD program, where he saw firsthand how individualized support can transform lives.

In his leadership role, Nick oversees clinical services with a focus on client safety, trauma-informed practices, and meaningful therapeutic outcomes. He works closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure each client is treated as a whole person, with treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and experiences.

Nick’s background includes working with addiction, dual diagnosis, complex trauma, and the LGBTQ+ community. He is trained in Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, ACT, and CBT, and uses his clinical expertise to guide program development and maintain a supportive, client-centered treatment environment.

Nick is committed to fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and individualized care where clients can heal, grow, and reclaim their lives.

Cristina Vidaure

Office Administrator

Kales Ervin | LMSW

PHP Program Manager

Kales is a Licensed Masters Social Worker. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and her Masters from Texas State University. Before becoming a therapist at Omega Recovery, Kales’s previous social work experiences included case management and school social work. She is driven to help individuals with all types of mental health challenges including those recovering from complex trauma, substance use, process addictions, and other mental health diagnoses. In therapy sessions, Kales uses a range of approaches such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

A’Landra Sarles | MA, LPC Associate, LCDC-I

IOP Program Manager

A’Landra Sarles is a compassionate and dedicated mental health professional with a strong background in both addiction counseling and clinical mental health. She holds two Master of Arts degrees from the University of the Cumberlands—one in Addiction Studies and the other in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Additionally, A’Landra earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), A’Landra integrates a Person-Centered approach with Trauma-Informed and Integrative Methods to provide holistic and effective care for her clients. She is committed to empowering individuals through a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship, while addressing the unique complexities of trauma and mental health issues.

Currently an LPC Associate and LCDC-I, A’Landra is passionate about helping clients navigate the challenges of addiction and mental health, guiding them towards sustainable recovery and overall well-being. Her approach fosters healing and growth, ensuring that each client’s experience is tailored to their specific needs and strengths.

Noel Vanier | LMSW

Therapist

Noel is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Social Work from Barry University in Florida, where she studied under a trauma-informed curriculum. Her experience spans working with individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders, serving underserved populations in community mental health settings, addressing complex social, medical, and psychiatric needs in a hospital emergency department, and counseling children with trauma in lockdown facilities.

Noel integrates a holistic, mind-body approach to treatment, blending modalities of experiential psychology, attachment theory, somatic work, Gestalt therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Trauma Informed-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). Believing healing happens in community, she fosters transformation through shared experiences and diverse perspectives, uncovering blind spots and broadening views. Noel sees and treats people, not as isolated individuals, but valued beings to be recognized, listened to and respected as members of a broader integrated community.

Hayden Cox | LMSW

Therapist

Hayden Cox is a Licensed Master Social Worker passionate about helping individuals find healing, self-understanding, and growth through authentic connection. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Edward’s University and her Masters in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin.

Hayden has experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges including recovery, neurodivergence, and emotional well-being. She has worked with individuals across different ages and backgrounds, always approaching her clients with curiosity, compassion, and respect. In her clinical work, Hayden draws from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She approaches therapy with empathy, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, believing that healing begins when people feel truly seen, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change in their lives.

Dr. Jeffrey L. Butts | DO

Medical Director

Dr. Jeffrey L. Butts is a fellow of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and is a diplomat of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1984 and his medical degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989.

Ela Born | PMHNP

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Gene Kuntz II | LAc | LMT

Licensed Acupuncturist |Wellness Coach

Gene Kuntz has been in the wellness industry for 12 years. He is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, licensed massage therapist, and meditation, tai chi and qi gong instructor.

Gene pursued his Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a focus in Medical Qi gong. Early in his TCM practice, Gene worked along side practitioners at Seton McCarthy’s Community Center to develop “living well with pain” and “living well with stress.” It was there that he began to see the astounding benefits that meditation practices and acupuncture can have on one’s well-being. Through group participation in Qi gong and NADA protocol, also known as auricular acupuncture, patients who were completely desperate and hopeless due to their chronic pain were astonished and empowered when they found themselves pain free using these practices.

Gene now uses acupuncture and his experience in meditation to assist Omega clients to achieve their health and recovery goals.

Gabriella Jeffords

Admissions Director

Gabi has worked in the recovery field since 2012. She was previously the Assistant Director of sober living at Hickory Wind Ranch and has a strong background in addiction and eating disorders. Gabi has a bachelor’s in English from Colorado College and graduate-level coursework in counseling at St. Edward’s University. Originally from New York but a Texan transplant for almost 20 years, she brings her heart, intelligence and passion to ensure individualized care for every Omega Recovery client.

Spencer Aspleaf

Admissions Specialist

Spencer brings extensive experience in the addiction treatment field to his role as an Admissions Coordinator. Over the years, he has worked in multiple treatment centers, beginning his career as a Residential Care Assistant, where he developed a strong foundation in client support and day-to-day clinical operations.

He later advanced into sober living leadership, serving as a Director of Operations, where he oversaw program structure, resident accountability, and community development. These roles strengthened his passion for guiding individuals and families through the recovery process.

In admissions, Spencer combines his operational background with a compassionate, client-centered approach. He is dedicated to helping individuals take their first steps toward recovery and ensuring they feel supported, informed, and valued from the moment they reach out.

Heather Swanson

Housing Director

Heather works closely with residents and staff to create a welcoming environment where every resident has access to a healing environment that promotes dignity, respect and personal growth. She leads housing operations designed to provide stability, safety and support for clients. With a compassionate leadership style and a deep passion for mental health and addiction recovery, Heather is dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations by developing structured, person-centered programs that empower individuals to achieve lasting recovery and independence. Her work emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and empathy, core values that guide both staff and residents towards meaningful progress.

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