Food Addiction/ Binge Eating Treatment

“I love working with such talented professionals and motivated patients who actively advocate for themselves and the betterment of their futures.”

Dr. Lerner is the founder and CEO of the Milestones in Recovery’s Eating Disorder Program which he started in 1999. Dr. Lerner is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Lerner is a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist who has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders since 1980. He has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs that include: The NPR Report; 20/20; Discovery Health; and ABC’s Nightline. Dr. Lerner has also authored several publications related to eating disorders in the professional literature, national magazines, and newspapers including USA Today; The Wall Street Journal; New York Times; Miami Herald; The Orlando News; and Hollywood Sun Sentinel.

He is an active member of the professional community here in South Florida. Since finishing his training, Dr. Lerner makes his home in Fort Lauderdale with his wife Michele, daughters Janelle and Danielle, and their dogs, Willow and Tucker. He is an avid tennis player, holds a private pilot’s license, and spends a part of his free time hiking in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina.

“I would have to say my favorite part of working at Milestones in Recovery is a tie between the everyday pace of things and the one-on-one time I get with clients during our nutrition sessions.” 

Nikki is a Nutritionist and COO at Milestones in Recovery. Nikki studied at the University of Florida, earning a B.S. in health science education, and attended Florida International University in a coordinated program for her B.S in Dietetics and nutrition. Nikki went on to start her private practice before starting with Milestones in Recovery in 1999. Nikki is a registered Dietician with the Commission on Dietetics, a Member of the South Florida Academy of Nutrition Dietetics, a Member of the FDA (Florida Dietitian Association), a Member of the IAEDP (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals), a Member of SCAN (sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition), and a member of AED (Academy of Eating Disorder Professionals). 

Nikki enjoys traveling, spending time with family and her sorority sisters, game nights, singing Hebrew songs, walking in nature, playing with her adorable dog Cooper, HEAT games, and talking Nutrition!

Kristina is a Clinical Director at Milestones. Kristina began her journey with Milestones in 2008 as an Operations Manager. Shortly after, she moved to a Primary Therapist position and then to her current position as a Clinical Director. She is an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist, National Certified Counselor, Master Addiction Counselor, as well as a Qualified Supervisor.

Kristina enjoys gardening, boating, flipping houses, and Arts & Crafts with her cricket.

“My favorite part about working for Milestones in recovery is being a part of the deep and meaningful process towards the wellness of our clients.” 

Ariel has been with Milestones in Recovery since 2015 and started her career at Milestones as a master’s level intern. Ariel has worked as a primary therapist and has earned her Ph.D.  and trauma training during her time with our team. Ariel holds a license as a mental health counselor, is a clinical qualified supervisor, and is a Nationally certified counselor. Ariel is EMDR trained by EMDRIA.

Ariel currently works as our Utilization Management personnel, forming close partnerships with insurance companies and advocating for clients to get the necessary care they need. During her free time, Ariel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, training jiu-jitsu, and adventure-seeking with her family and friends.

“I am a part of a team who are passionate about the well-being of every client. We are all committed to supporting the needs of every person in the best way possible.”

Sakinah is a primary therapist here at Milestones in Recovery. On her career path to becoming an LMHC, Sakinah completed an internship here at Milestones in 2017. Sakinah is an honorable discharged Army Veteran and served for almost three years. Sakinah graduated from FIU with an M.S. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling. Sakinah is trained in EMDRIA EMDR, and she is a national certified counselor and licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida. 

During her personal time, Sakinah enjoys reading, going to the movies, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

“My favorite part of working at Milestones in Recovery is knowing that I am impacting another human life while working with such a loving and supportive community.”

Rachel is currently a licensed mental health therapist who completed her masters level internship at Milestones in Recovery in 2022. Rachel previously worked for Northern Trust Bank, specializing in the development and national financial correspondence. Prior to that, Rachel explored a career in real estate development. Rachel has a B.S from Carlos. Albizu University and M.S. in Psychology from Berry University in South Florida, with a major in counseling. Rachel’s unique career background and exposure to a diverse population has laid the foundation for her primary passion which is helping people align with their true purpose and cultivating a safe environment where freedom of expression, honesty, and behavioral health are addressed while healing with empathy and compassion. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on walks with her mini schnauzer, going to live music concerts, and attending spoken word shows.

Dr. Nathaniel Keller, MD is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. After completing an internship and residency program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Dr. Keller joined Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York as a Clinical Assistant Professor. He subsequently relocated to South Florida and founded Keller Healthcare, a private psychiatric practice. Dr. Keller has spent the past 15 years building the practice – adding a team of psychiatrists and psychologists. Currently, Dr. Keller is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Nova School of Medicine and a Medical Director at Milestones in Recovery. He has extensive experience in treating clients with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, eating disorders, medical/psychiatric comorbidities, and other related psychiatric disease states. Dr. Keller has been invited to present educational seminars and lectures to other health professionals both nationally and internationally. He has been selected to serve as a national pharmaceutical “Expert on Demand” for video and teleconferences on topics such as clinic clinical pharmacology, research studies, and drug interactions. Dr. Keller has been an advisor and consultant for multiple pharmaceutical and healthcare-related companies.

A graduate of Chicago Medical in 1986 and completing her residency at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 1989, Dr. Dolin serves as our internal medicine consultant and plays and active role with our program at Milestones. A resident of South Florida with her husband and children, Dr. Dolin has served as a primary care physician for several local hospitals and facilities in our area and has been part of the Milestones clinical team for the past several years.

“My favorite part of working at Milestones in Recovery is the continued educational opportunities presented to me daily and the communitive clinical approach to treatment that we implore with our patients to help them sustain truly fulfilling, independent, and beautiful lives while being a part of their productive journey to recovery. It is such a gift to embrace this new chapter with the courageous people who walk through our doors.”

Bonnie has been with Milestones in Recovery since July of 2022, but her relationship with Milestones in Recovery started in the early spring of 2013. As someone recovering from an eating disorder, Bonnie received treatment at Milestones in Recovery and has built a beautiful foundational platform on her journey to wellness with the help of the supportive staff and treatment team at Milestones in Recovery.

As the Alumni Coordinator at Milestones in Recovery, Bonnie facilitates weekly Alumni support meetings, active educational workshops, and speaker engagements to further support patients previously in residential treatment, assists in active support once a patient discharges, and continues constant contact with patients to ensure their successful reinduction into society is functional and nurtured. Bonnie has dedicated her life to helping others suffering from eating disorders while furthering her education with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from PSU. Bonnie presently resides in Portland, OR with her family and enjoys hiking, reading, attending dance recitals with her daughter, and actively applying to Psy D programs in South Florida to further her education in the world of trauma and addiction.

Catherine is an experienced Art Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and owner of a private practice in Palm Beach County, Florida with over 10 years in the mental health field. Catherine began her journey at Milestones in 2018 serving as support to the staff art therapist.

Catherine has expanded her role with us to include weekly psychoeducation groups, art therapy groups, and Mindful Self-Compassion groups. Catherine’s favorite part of working at Milestones is being witness to “aha moments” or moments of personal insight and watching the life-long friendships that form when clients allow themselves to be authentic and connect with one another on a deep level. Catherine’s favorite “job” is being a mother to two amazing little people. When not working, Catherine can be found exercising her inner child as she explores the world with them.

“ My favorite part about working for Milestones in Recovery is seeing how committed the staff is to working together as a team for the clients. Seeing the progress of the clients on a daily basis is beyond rewarding.”

Prior to working at Milestones in Recovery, Helen was a travel nurse working with COVID patients and running vaccine clinics around the country. Before becoming a nurse, Helen worked as a Behavioral Health Technician at a drug and alcohol rehab treatment facility. Helen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Helen also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Helen grew up in Boston, MA and it is no surprise that her favorite sports team is the New England Patriots who have won (6) Super Bowl Titles and (11) AFC championships. Helemn’s hobbies include any and all outdoor activities such as tennis, long walks on the beach, hiking in nature, and swimming.

“I absolutely love finding new ways to help make this a great environment for the clients and to try to figure out how we can reach and help more people!”

Sami currently holds the position of Operation Manager at Milestones in Recovery and has been an integral part of the team since 2020. Sami brings a plethora of experience in substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment, where she thrived and gained knowledge for almost a decade before coming to Milestones. Sami has a passion for helping people, creating new opportunities and systems of support for those in need, and demonstrates her creativity within our operations unit that allows others to thrive under her direction, thus creating a warm and comfortable environment where growth flourishes. Her advocacy work within the community developed into creating aftercare plans, housing opportunities, and career paths for people in recovery. Sami enjoys playing volleyball and has a photography business for Landscape and Urban photos. Spending time with friends and watching football are just a few ways Sami loves spending her free time!