Our Staff

Jeremy has been in the field of addiction treatment for 10 years. Prior to founding Recovery Connections of Maine he worked in several cities in Maine. Jeremy has a strong passion for serving those suffering from addiction issues. He has a strong belief that adverse childhood experiences play a role in the development of substance use disorder. Jeremy's philosophy is embedded in unconditional positive regard and that no client that walks through the doors can do anything that would cause them to be viewed in a negative light. Jeremys core beliefs are that people do not fail treatment that treatment fails people. Jeremy places a strong emphasis on community collaboration.

Jeremy has a background in advocacy. He is a former chapter lead of Young People in Recovery and has joined them in Washington D.C advocating for common sense legislation for substance users and people in recovery. Jeremy has spearheaded community events that include block parties in his community. He has volunteered his time in the Maine Correctional Center for the past 12 years and is currently doing so. Jeremy facilitated an Adult Education class on substance use disorder and language training. Jeremy places a lot of emphasis on community integration organizing men in treatment o donate their time to local soup kitchens. Jeremy has spoken to countless high school, college classes, and events in the community.

Jeremy is also a youth sports coach football, baseball and basketball in his local community and has also sponsor teams to attend tournaments.

Michael has been in the recovery field since October of 2015, and has been working with individuals in treatment as a licensed counselor in Maine since November of 2016. He served as a board member, and treasurer of a grassroots advocacy organization in Belfast Maine called W.e.C.A.R.E. (Waldo encourages community assisted recovery efforts) from August 2014, until relocating to Lewiston full time in January of 2016.

Michael was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but was raised in Maine, with a brief amount of time being spent in North Carolina, attending school in the south in the eighties.(YOWZERS) He spent his adolescent years between Wiscasset and Brunswick, Maine, switching between their school systems. He was raised predominantly by his great grandmother.

Michael believes in treatment and recovery, as he himself battled with his own addictions from the age of 12. "I think that I was addicted the first time I ever used. As soon as I got that first substance in me I wanted more, more more....That was actually my substance of choice, more. Whatever I used I always wanted more." Michael believes his addictions all started from his trauma from early childhood, and believes most folks with substance use disorders come from trauma as well. "I really wasn't using to get high, I was using to get relief." Now that he identifies as a person in long-term recovery, he wants to work with folks to help them accomplish their goals and live a life of recovery. "Coming to work is not a chore for me, it's a privilege. I am grateful that I get to ride this roller-coaster with folks, and accompany them for a small part on their journey to a recovery, whatever that looks like for them. I love to see their progress, their hope, their determination. Often, I get the see the sparkle come back to their eyes."

River has worked in recovery since 2017, starting as a live-in house manager with a recovery housing non-profit. River continues to manage recovery houses to this day. His own recovery journey led him to pursuing obtaining his MHRT/C and CADC to be able to work with individuals in the field of addiction. River is passionate about recovery and helping others.

Chantel has been a member of the RCOM team since 2019. She began her journey with RCOM as an intern and has since become a substance use counselor. Chantel is an involved member of the recovery community. She is the chairwoman and a founding board member of The R.E.S.T Center, Lewiston's first recovery community center. Chantel believes in advocacy and has been active in many advisory committees and community organizing teams to be a voice of hope and create recovery ready communities. Chantel is a strong advocate for person-first language and ending the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. She believes in empowering folks to be the best versions of themselves and supports all pathways to recovery. Chantel puts great emphasis on trauma-informed care and providing ALL folks with unconditional positive regard.
Chantel's love for the recovery community grew from her experience of being a person with substance use disorder. Chantel identifies with being a person in long-term recovery, but also as a mother of two young children, a student, a daughter, etc. She believes folks are multifaceted and hold many roles. She stays busy and is motivated to lead by example as her children are the center of her world. Her free time is spent with her children, enjoying family, and at the gym (sometimes).

Becka has worked in the recovery field since 2010 beginning her journey in residential substance use treatment for mothers and their children. Prior to working there, Becka earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Becka went on to pursue a master's degree through Goddard College in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on expressive therapy. Becka is currently a CADC and a LCPC-C. Becka sees clients in outpatient but is primarily a clinician at the Travas House residential program for men. Becka believes that a disconnection with self that often stems from trauma can create a lack of connection to others. This absence may impact the emergence of an unhealthy attachment and relationship to develop with substances. As human beings we are wired to connect for better or for worse. It is through developing healthy bonds and relationships that a person's substance use and mental health symptoms can begin the process of healing.

Victor is a generally nice guy. An Edward Little High School graduate, he's achieved degrees in Psychology from University of Vermont and Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. He has been in the field of substance use treatment and recovery since 2013. Victor specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing and is certified to provide EMDR by the EMDR Institute.

Before joining RCOM Victor was a counselor at Grace Street Services and a manager at the Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health. He believes strongly that community and connection are the cornerstones of recovery from any ailment, and that addiction thrives in a society that values money over people. Victor loves to talk about youth sports, exercise, hunting, Kurt Vonnegut, chess, music, and renovation projects.

James' interest in helping others through their struggles with substance abuse issues first began as the central piece of his own path of recovery from addiction. After taking a summer job in a residential treatment center, while he was waiting for an electrician's apprenticeship program to begin, he quickly realized that helping others and seeing people grow was his true passion and decided to pursue a career in counseling.

Since 2011, James has worked in a various settings including wilderness/adventure-based programs, Intensive Outpatient, Community Recovery-based programs, and residential. He has over ten years of experience working with teens, young adults, adults, and families.

James is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. In his practice, he utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Mindfulness/Insight meditation, and Buddhist psychology, with CBT and DBT skills. James was attracted to RCOM for its connection to the community that surrounds it, its passionate, mission-driven team, and its reputation for compassionate, trauma-informed care.

As Clinical Director, he is committed to seeing RCOM's strengths multiply to bring hope and healing to the greatest number of people possible. He believes that all people possess the capabilities of healing and growth.

James describes himself as enthusiastic, humorous, and insightful. He enjoys reading, hiking, hanging out with his wife and two dogs, Maya & Ivy, and he can be considered a connoisseur of fine coffees in his spare time.

Ashley joined Recovery Connections of Maine in August of 2020 as an intern and took on a job as the medical office coordinator shortly after. Since 2020 Ashley also started completing intake assessments at the agency and after a little break Ashley is back at RCOM working at the Travas House as a case manager. "The Travas House is changing lives and being involved in that is so rewarding. Our team is making a difference in the community and we won't stop." Ashley recently obtained her MHRT/C. Ashley also recently graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta and earned a Bachelor of Mental Health and Human Services. Ashley also holds an associates with an addiction concentration. Ashley believes that everyone deserves a second chance at life and supports all pathways to recovery. In her free time, Ashley loves to travel and hang with her two pups, Ruger and Hank. Ashley is currently working towards obtaining a CADC certificate.

Rich Entel, MD, FASAM, Medical Director at RCOM and Travas House, is board certified in both Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine.

Dr. Entel has extensive experience in addiction medicine, including leading and developing substance use disorder treatment programs. He has also practiced family medicine and emergency medicine in a range of practice settings in Maine and beyond. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and completed his medical residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency in Augusta, Maine.

Dr. Entel is committed to giving respectful and compassionate care which includes a harm reduction approach.

Dr. Entel is also an artist and musician and his art work has been shown throughout Maine and beyond.

Curran, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, started with the team at Recovery Connections of Maine in 2023. He graduated from Husson University with his Masters in Nursing and received his BSN from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

He first realized his passion for helping people pursue their journeys to recovery while working at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. He saw people present to the hospital for help but he quickly realized that those with the highest rates of success engaged in intensive outpatient treatment outside of the hospital. Outside of work you might catch Curran playing guitar, shopping at Mardens, or hiking one of New Hampshire's 48 4000 foot mountains with his wife Courtney.

Amanda joined the RCOM team in April of 2020. Amanda has been providing counseling to individuals with substance use disorders for seven years as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Amanda has worked in a variety of clinical settings throughout the state of Maine that include outpatient counseling, residential treatment and recovery court. Amanda has a strong passion for helping individuals navigate challenging systems including the criminal justice system and family court systems. Amanda is the assistant director of Survivor Speaks USA supporting survivors of human trafficking through advocacy. Her approach to counseling integrates traditional therapeutic approaches, mindfulness and a variety of holistic modalities. Amanda recognizes that the therapeutic relationship is an integral piece to an individual's recovery process. Amanda brings unconditional positive regard, compassion, honesty and authenticity to the counseling relationship. Amanda works in the residential setting as a primary counselor at the Travas House. Amanda is a certified herbalist and in her free time enjoys spending time outside with her family and friends.

Hi! I'm the Residential Case Manager for Travas House, and I conduct assessments for clients seeking mental health and substance use treatment. In my role, I am connecting clients with resources whether that be educational, vocational, legal, health and medical, or mental health. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and health science from the University of Southern Maine, in addition to obtaining my MHRT/C and ADCA. I am currently working towards my MSW degree at the University of New England. I have a deep appreciation for my community, and I am so grateful to support clients with community integration and inclusion. Fun fact about me is my favorite hobbies are skiing and crocheting!