Gary Horwitz, MD; Medical Director
The change from full-time to part-time faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center twenty-two years ago has allowed me to devote my time to taking care of people. In 1985 Westfall Associates was founded with eight other psychiatrists and we subsequently became licensed in substance abuse treatment. Several years ago I expanded my role at Westfall when I became the medical director of the program. I continue to consult and teach at the university, and I have a private practice which includes forensic psychiatry.
Addiction and coexisting psychiatric disorders hold my interest as a fascinating interplay between behavior and biologic factors. Any attempt to oversimplify these problems as either nature or nurture falls short of the everyday realities that people must deal with. Addiction is a highly complex behavior with very personal psychological issues, family and social dimensions, as well as brain physiology playing important roles. The challenge is to address all of these concurrently, in an integrated fashion, adjusting treatment to fit the particular circumstances of the person in front of me.
As our understanding of these interactions between biologic and psychosocial factors advances through research, I bring the information to the weekly staff meeting with all our counselors along with recent advances in treatment options. I continually learn from them how to practically implement the foundation principles of addiction recovery.
Charles Montante, MS, CASAC, NCACII; Vice President of Clinical Services
Charles Montante is Vice President of Clinical Services at Westfall Associates. Chuck, along with nine psychiatrists and a business partner, established the practice in 1985 to meet the specialized needs of those individuals with the dual challenges of mental health and chemical dependency.
Chuck has 34 years’ experience in the chemical dependency and mental health fields, having worked in schools, community based agencies, inpatient facilities and outpatient treatment agencies.
In addition to the administrative responsibilities as the Program Director at Westfall Associates, Chuck continues to see patients along with their families in clinical practice.
Chuck is the past president of the Region II Consortium of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, having served in 1981-83 and again in 1999-2000. He has served on the advisory board of Project Intervention, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency-Rochester Area, serving as the chairman. In 2003 he received Counselor of the Year recognition from the Region II Consortium, and in 2003 received the Charlotte Hegedus Aware for Service to the Field from the NCADD. Chuck has been appointed by the Executive Committee of the Region II Consortium to represent the region as its Demand Treatment Liaison, and is chairing the Demand Treatment! Rochester Partners.
Chuck and his wife Suzanne have three children, Carrie 24, Danielle 22, and Jonathan 19. The Montantes split their residences between their home in Rochester and their cottage on the St. Lawrence in Clayton, New York.
Richard C. Briggs, MA, CASAC, CEAP; Director of Operations, Planning, and Development
I am happy to have joined Westfall Associates in a full time role in October 2005. My history with Westfall dates to 1991, shortly after I had relocated to the Rochester area after having been Coordinator of the Chemical Addiction Recovery Services at Benjamin Rush Center (CARES) and then Director of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) of Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties, Inc. As a part time team member in 1991 I had the privilege of starting the Men’s Issues Recovery Group. In 1993 I transitioned from Westfall to become Director of The Health Association Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Subsequently I held a variety of senior leadership positions with The Health Association and then DePaul.
As Director of Operations, Planning, and Development I will inform people in the community about the high quality services here at Westfall, participate with the clinical team, and contribute to our continuing growth as an innovative guide along the pathway to change. It is very exciting to be able to apply my clinical, management, and business experience to benefit our participants, to bring new clients to our services, and to develop new initiatives at Westfall Associates.
In addition to my professional endeavors, I am lucky to have two bright and creative sons, Taylor, 21 and Nathan, 18, who are students and practitioners of music, philosophy, art, and world religions. My fiancée Mary and I will marry in July 2006. In addition, I am ordained as a cherag (minister) of Universal Worship. My leisure interests include pets, a variety of sports, T’ai Ji, yoga, travel, and reading.
Jessica Sansone, BA, M.Ed, CASAC-T
Jessica is an adult dual diagnosis chemical dependency specialist. She began her work at Westfall Associates in spring 2008, bringing with her combined experience in the substance abuse and mental health field. She has worked in therapeutic community based agencies, inpatient residential facilities and outpatient treatment agencies. Jessica began her career at The Phoenix House- Tapestry Program in southern VT. A unique and distinctive program designed for women furloughed from prison, who are given the opportunity for intense residential treatment. Jessica has also has worked with The Counsel on Alcohol and Substance Abuse of Livingston County, NY and St. Jude’s Recovery Center in Atlanta, GA. She has a B.A. from SUNY Buffalo, M.Ed from Antioch University of New England and is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee.
As a primary therapist, Jessica maintains a caseload of individual patients and evaluates potential patients for services. She also facilitates a Dual Focus Outpatient therapy group.
In addition to my professional career, I am blessed to have a loving & supportive husband and family. Over the past 7 years I have developed a passion for the practice of yoga and a strong focus on the mind-body connection. My other interests include pets, a love of nature and being outdoors and skiing.
Marcy McClain, ATR; Art Therapist/Chemical Dependency Specialist - Young Adults
When I began my graduate education at Nazareth College, I had no idea where I wanted to end up. I knew two things: that I wanted to have a career that would utilize art in some way; and that ideally I would have the opportunity to work with young people in a helping capacity.
I began my journey with a semester internship at Monroe County Correctional Facility working with several male inmates presenting with substance use issues. I also co-facilitated two art activity groups for the female inmates. I left that experience with a heightened sense of the nature of chemical dependency, and its potential impact on the life of an individual.
Later, I completed a year long internship at Westfall Associates working primarily with adolescents and their families. Westfall afforded me the opportunity to refine my skills as a counselor; and my knowledge base of chemical abuse/dependency. I was hired on a per diem basis following my graduation- facilitating/co-facilitating adolescent groups; and periodic adult groups.
From 2004 to 2006, I worked at the Center for Youth (a not-for-profit agency) as a Community-Based Counselor. There I worked with youth between the ages of 12 and 21 doing primarily short-term counseling focused on skill-building and crisis intervention. I was also able to apply my experiences there to obtaining my ATR (Registered Art Therapist certification).
I was hired as a full-time member of the team at Westfall Associate in 2006- as a Chemical Dependency Specialist working mainly with the young adult population (ages 19-25). When I look at my journey thus far, I am filled with a sense of purpose, and a curiosity for things to come…
Ann-Marie DeSantis, RN, BSN, CRNH; Coordinator of Health and Wellness Services
After graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, I worked in pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital before moving to Seattle to care for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. In making the full circle back to Rochester, I lived for 14 years in Central VT, working in oncology and hospice as well as in elementary education as a school nurse, counselor and health educator.
My experience in the health care field has brought me into contact with dedicated physicians and nurses as well as many others who were struggling with the isolation and shame of their chemical dependency problems. The contrast between societal support and compassion for patients suffering from physical illnesses like cancer and heart disease versus people dealing with the devastating effects of the disease of addiction drew me to Westfall Associates and the team approach to looking at each person’s individual needs in a holistic, non-judgmental and caring manner.
In providing a health assessment to each patient on their initial evaluation visit, I am able to identify potential health concerns as well as strengths, and to work in partnership with our team and the patient’s primary care provider.
I find it rewarding to use my training as a stress management practitioner from Dartmouth College to help our patients discover healthy and alternative means for managing pain, anxiety and the stresses of daily life. I also welcome the opportunity to help people with tobacco cessation and to educate about the use of newer medications which aid in recovery from alcohol or opiate dependence.
Outside of my work at Westfall, I also conduct bereavement groups for children at the “Center for Compassion and Healing”. I enjoy playing guitar, weaving, hiking, growing lemons in the winter, and most of all, spending time with my bright and fun-loving daughter, Maria.
Stefanie M. Greisch, LMSW
Chemical Dependency Specialist - Adult and Dual Diagnosis
I began my journey to Westfall Associates by obtaining my Masters in Social Work through the University at Buffalo. While at UB, I studied clinical theory and clinical practice in the Alcohol and Other Drug Concentration. I also completed a yearlong internship at Westfall Associates, working both with adolescents and in the dual diagnosis groups. Upon graduation, I was offered a per-diem group facilitator position at Westfall and worked for a short period of time at the front desk as a receptionist. Recently I have worked for Catholic Family Center, Restart Substance Abuse Services in the Challenge Women’s Program. I have been training for my Trauma Certificate through the University at Buffalo. My passion is working with those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT), as well as trauma survivors and those who have a silent voice.
My current position is two fold. As a primary therapist, I am responsible for carrying an individual caseload and evaluating clients seeking services. I am also the group facilitator for the Intensive Outpatient Group and an Early Recovery Group. Chemical dependency treatment has come so far with the use of evidence based practices and pharmacological methods to manage cravings and prevent relapse. My belief is addiction is a chronic disease that can be treated through a program of recovery, which includes life changes and a network of sober supports.