OUR STAFF
RABBI RONNIE FINE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Chabad Lifeline was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Ronnie Fine, then a McGill University Chaplain, who saw firsthand the devastating effects of substance abuse on students and their families.
Chabad Lifeline started with him counselling individuals, and it developed into a community and school outreach program where he, his wife Simcha, and volunteers would offer drug awareness and addiction prevention talks to children, teens and young adults.
In 1996, Chabad Lifeline was opened as a counselling and crisis centre for anyone affected by addictions.
Rabbi Fine plays an instrumental role in the agency's fundraising campaigns and the overall vision of the centre.
Rabbi Fine also operates Chabad Zichron Kedoshim, a Jewish outreach and education centre that holds daily services, and is part of the worldwide network JLI-Jewish Learning Institute. Rabbi Fine and his wife, Simcha, have ten children and many grandchildren.
RABBI BENYAMIN BRESINGER - DIRECTOR
Rabbi Benyamin Bresinger grew up in Montreal, where he completed his university degree at Concordia. After graduation, he continued his life education by traveling extensively, visiting over twenty-five countries worldwide. After he graduated from the Rabbinical College of America Kollel in 1991, he and his wife Karen were appointed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to represent Chabad in Metro West New Jersey, where he became a Pastoral Counsellor for Jewish addicts in recovery. During this time, he authored a course on Addiction and Spirituality, which he presented in numerous cities throughout the U.S.
In 2007, Rabbi Bresinger and Karen, who holds a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, returned to Montreal to become the Director and Clinical Director, respectively, of Chabad Lifeline, a nonprofit, non-sectarian addiction counselling centre. Under their leadership, the centre has grown significantly, with a staff of 20 working tirelessly to treat everyone touched by the pain of addiction, regardless of their background, religion, or financial situation.
KAREN BRESINGER, MSW - CLINICAL DIRECTOR / FAMILY COUNSELLOR
Karen Bresinger (MSW from Rutgers University) is the Clinical Director and Family Counsellor at Chabad Lifeline. She is a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) and member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and has extensive experience counselling family members dealing with addictions and working with codependents. In addition, she directs Lifeline's treatment program for addicts and families.
JENNIFER KOTRY, MA, CSAT
Jennifer Kotry, MA, CSAT, is an experienced Addictions Counsellor and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. She worked for many years at Bellwood Health Services, an addiction rehabilitation centre in Toronto. While working at Bellwood, Jennifer held several roles, including family counsellor, group therapist and trauma/sex addiction therapist. She offers individual and group counselling at Lifeline, as well as education on sex addiction and the impact it has on the individual, family members and society.
SHAUNA JOYCE, MA, MSW
Shauna Joyce, MSW, MA, is our Special Projects Coordinator working on expanding our youth and adult programs and services. She comes with many years of experience working as a school administrator and as the Executive Director of a summer camp for Montreal's more vulnerable youth. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work as well as a Master's in Educational Leadership from McGill University.
RACHEL RABIN, PhD
Rachel Rabin, PhD, is our Addiction Research Specialist. Dr. Rabin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from McGill University and her Masters and PhD in Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai before joining McGill University as an Assistant Professor in 2020 in the Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Rabin’s research focuses on developing a better understanding of the clinical, cognitive, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms implicated in the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. Her hope is that this work will lead to much needed efficacious treatments for people suffering from addiction.
NOAH STAR, MMFT
Noah Star is our Family and Addictions Counsellor. He earned his Master's Degree at the University of Winnipeg's Marriage and Family Therapy program, and has over 10 years of experience working with addiction.
IAN CID DESCALLAR, MN, RN
Ian is part of our team of Addictions Counsellors. A registered nurse with an extensive background as a Community-Based Rehabilitation Practitioner, he has also spoken internationally on Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
MIKE ABRAVANEL, PhD
Mike Abravanel, PhD, is an addictions counsellor specializing in individual coaching and group facilitation. He has considerable experience working as part of a clinical team at a residential addiction program. He has also worked in private practice as a recovery coach.
Mike has a Doctorate in Coaching from Concordia University. He completed a Master’s degree in Human Systems Intervention. In addition, he received his coaching certificate from an International Coach Federation (ICF) approved program. As a university lecturer, he has taught courses on interpersonal communication and relationships, as well as interventions in small groups.
BILL YONG, MA, CCC
Bill is the Youth Coordinator and Drama Therapist at Chabad Lifeline. He holds a Masters in Drama Therapy from Concordia University and Bachelors of Education from the University of Alberta. He has worked extensively with youth and families around issues of both substance and process addictions.
VICTORIA LEVINE, MA
Victoria Levine, MA, is the Addiction Service Coordinator and Counselor. She has been working in the addictions field for over 10 years. She completed her Bachelor's degree in psychology at McGill University and completed her Masters degree in counselling psychology at Yeshiva University in New York City, where she also became a licensed mental health counsellor.
Victoria has worked with clients in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with the bulk of her experience working for the provincial government at a residential addiction treatment centre. Her therapeutic approach with individual/group counselling is client centred, drawing from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) as well as motivational interviewing.
ALI MAYNARD, MA
Ali is our Youth and Addictions Counsellor. With years of experience supporting youth in various settings, Ali brings both compassion and creativity to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from York University and a Master of Arts in Drama Therapy from Concordia University
LINDA ABER, CCFE
Linda Aber is an Attachment-Focused Parent Coach, Nurtured Heart Approach® Trainer, Theraplay® Group Specialist, HeartMath® Anxiety Reduction Practitioner, Family Life Educator and proud adoptive mother.
For over 24 years, Linda has been providing parent coaching, educational/support groups, and social skills & emotional regulation groups for parents, youth & families living with ADHD, learning disabilities, mild autism, anxiety, oppositional defiance and attachment disorders. Linda also presents teacher workshops at various Montreal schools and organizations.
RINA MORELLY
Rina is our Administrative Executive, responsible for ensuring that all administrative work is finished on time and for coordinating the back end of our events.
RABBI MENDEL FINE
Rabbi Mendel Fine is Director of Development at Chabad Lifeline. His role is to help dispel the stigma of addiction by reaching out to professionals and lay-leaders, and generate awareness about our life-saving work.
CONCORDIA DEPARTMENT OF CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES - MASTER'S PROGRAM INTERNSHIP
In partnership with Concordia University's Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Chabad Lifeline offers field placement opportunities for budding therapists completing their Master's Degree.
OUR STAFF
Chabad Lifeline
Address:
4615 Chemin de la Côte-S.-Catherine
Phone: 514-738-7700
Fax: 514-738-6166
Email: lifelineinfo@chabadlifeline.com
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