YORS TEAM

Your Therapists

Luciana Lavorato

Lead Research Therapist, LCPC

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) that has been working with treatment significant others who have a loved one suffering from addiction for more than five years. I am passionate about this work and have a special interest in culturally diverse families. I also train and supervise other clinicians to do this very important work. Addiction is a chronic disease that impacts everyone in the family. Besides all the techniques, empathy and the importance of self-compassion is what I enforce the most in my work!

Kat Davis

Substance Use Therapist, LGPC

Hi, I'm Kat! I am a research therapist at Maryland Treatment Centers and I'm dedicated to creating a warm and collaborative space for clients and families to learn and grow. Substance use disorders take a heavy toll. When working with me, families can expect to find a soft place to land, where empathy and understanding is at the forefront of our work together. As a YORS therapist, my goal is to help you meaningfully reconnect with your loved one, learn new ways of caring for yourself, and find fresh strategies to get help for your loved one. Let's get started!

Kamala Mallik-Kane

Substance Use Therapist, LCPC

Hi, my name is Ms. Kamala (rhymes with Pamela). If you’re reading this, it means you’re thinking about how life could be better for your family. I’ve been helping young people in recovery and their families since 2021 at Mountain Manor, and I’m trained in many scientifically backed therapies like CBT, DBT, ACT, and CRAFT. When we work together, you can expect me to listen without judging and really support you. We'll build on your family’s strengths and learn new skills to handle the challenges. We are in this together and we always have hope!

Elena Marin

Substance Use Therapist, LMSW

I am a psychologist, family therapist, and licensed master social worker who has been in the substance abuse field for over seven years. My clinical work started in Honduras, my home country, with Latino and culturally diverse individuals, couples, and families. My interest in research stems from early experiences joining research projects and later leading one. Merging research and therapy is a unique opportunity to learn and deliver quality services to study participants from a stance of cultural humility, ethical approach, and commitment.  

Peer Support Specialist

Beth Schmidt

Family Peer Support Specialist

As part of your loved one's treatment here at Maryland Treatment Centers, we would like to connect you with Beth Schmidt, our Family Peer Support Specialist with Maryland Treatment Centers. Beth has been working in the substance use field for over 10 years. She has worked with many families in Maryland, receiving her Family Peer Certification from The National Federation of Families. Beth's key role is to use her lived experience as a caregiver to someone with substance use disorder to help support you on a peer level. As the parent of a child that suffered with substance use disorder, this role she has taken as a Family Peer Support Specialist is extremely important to her. She knows what it's like when you feel like you've tried everything and you don't know where to turn next. She is here to assist you on a personal level in navigating the roads of caring for your loved one so you don't feel so alone.

Contact Beth at (302)564-9588

Spanish Peer Support Specialist

I am a bilingual peer support specialist with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges. My work is deeply personal, driven by a passion for helping others feel understood, supported, and never alone in their journey. I walk alongside families with compassion and respect, sharing guidance and lived insight to help them build hope, confidence, and connection as they move forward.

Contact Cynthia at +1 (240) 343-3192

Cynthia Pillajo-Lopez

Family Peer Support Specialist

Our Doctors

Marc Fishman, MD

Medical Director

Marc Fishman, MD is an addiction psychiatrist and the medical director at MTC and an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is a national leader in clinical research for youth opioid use disorder (OUD treatment) and spearheaded the YORS programs at MTC.

Ann Bruner, MD

Medical Director of Young Adult Residential Services, Resident Pediatrician

Ann Bruner MD is an adolescent medicine and addiction medicine specialist. She is Medical Director for the MTC adolescent inpatient program at Mountain Manor Baltimore, and also treats outpatients through Journeys.

Research Team

Our research staff works closely with the clinicians to help coordinate your loved one's care, conduct study visits with our participants, and are available to help you and your loved one with questions or concerns that pertain to our program.

Research Coordinator

Lexi Taylor

Hi, I’m Lexi! I am the research coordinator of the YORS research studies at Maryland Treatment Centers (MTC). I have been working at MTC to help youth with opioid use disorder for about two years, and have worked closely with our investigators, therapists, and research assistants to adapt our YORS program for adolescent patients and their families. I am here to ensure successful delivery of our program and to act as a resource for you and your loved one! If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding our study or your loved one’s treatment, please reach out.

Research Assistant

Christopher Pfeltz

Hello, I’m Chris, a research assistant on the YORS study! I have been working with the YORS research team for almost two years now, and help the program run smoothly by chatting with program potentials about the study, assisting our participants with medication and treatment needs, and coordinating with treatment staff at facilities across the state to ensure our participant’s needs are met. I am passionate about helping our patients succeed in the YORS program and have years of experience working in clinical psychiatry and healthcare; please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way!

Research Assistant

Elise Massie

Hi, I'm Elise, a clinical research assistant with the YORS team! Under the guidance of our PIs and coordinator, I handle patient and family outreach, medication distribution, dose coordination, and assist with recruitment. I collaborate with both inpatient and outpatient clinical teams to improve patient care and provide ongoing support to patients and their families. With a background in adolescent inpatient psychiatry, I'm passionate about working with this population and am here to answer any questions you might have!

Bilingual Research Assistant

Sharon Gutierrez

Hello! I am Sharon, and I recently joined the YORS team as a bilingual research assistant. I am assisting the team with translating and branching out the YORS program to the Spanish speaking community. I am excited to work with you!

Our Lead Researchers

Co- Principal Investigator

Marc Fishman, MD

Marc Fishman, MD is an addiction psychiatrist and the medical director at MTC and an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is a national leader in clinical research for youth OUD treatment and spearheaded the YORS programs at MTC.

Co- Principal Investigator, Director of Research

Kevin Wenzel, PhD

Kevin Wenzel, PhD is an investigator on the YORS research studies along with Dr. Fishman. Dr. Wenzel is the director of research at Maryland Treatment Centers and trained as a clinical psychologist with many years of clinical and research experience in opioid use disorder.