Arni Casareale
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Casareale is a licensed mental health counselor with a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Tufts University as well as certification from Yale University in health care administration. He has served in leadership positions in behavioral health for over 25 years and is currently the organization’s chief operations officer. Mr. Casareale began his career as a clinician but quickly advanced into leadership positions managing residential and psychiatric hospital diversion programs, as well as outpatient programs for children and adolescents. Although his professional path has been in leadership and management, Mr. Casareale has always strived to maintain clinical involvement in order to enhance his leadership skills and remain current with clinical practices. He is the recipient of a leadership excellence award while serving as a program director at Dr. Franklin Perkins School and was awarded the Ace of Hearts award four times when employed by St. Vincent Hospital. Mr. Casareale has also been involved in a number of growth initiatives, including organization acquisitions and new program development and implementation.
Brenna Fichter
Clinical Director
Ms. Fichter is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) who has 10+ years of experience providing quality mental health and dual diagnosis care within acute, outpatient, and community-based treatment settings. She graduated from Simmons University with a master’s degree in social work and received her bachelor’s degree in family studies from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Fichter has held various leadership roles with an emphasis on developing and delivering behavioral health services that are person-centered, solution-driven, and that enhance the overall quality of life for all individuals.
As the clinical director at Kiwi Recovery, Ms. Fichter oversees all clinical programs to ensure the highest standard of service is provided to each individual and family. We have created a warm, safe, collaborative space for clients to feel heard and supported throughout their treatment. The team at Kiwi Recovery is committed to providing services that foster personal growth and empower our clients with confidence to take the next steps in their recovery journey.
Caity Axelrod-Mcleod, MSW
Business Development Manager
Caitlin Axelrod McLeod serves as Kiwi Recovery’s business development manager. Ms. Axelrod-McLeod brings to Kiwi Recovery her passion for working with people impacted by substance use, networking skills from years in the field, and outgoing personality. Over her career, Ms. Axelrod-McLeod has proved adept at building connections and strengthening community support. At Kiwi Recovery, Ms. Axelrod-McLeod finds opportunities to connect those in need with Kiwi Recovery’s vital services.
Ms. Axelrod-McLeod has worked in leadership positions in programs serving folks affected by substance use for over 15 years. Prior to joining Kiwi Recovery, she served as the Associate Director of Youth Engagement at Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Boston, working with transitional-aged youth. Ms. Axelrod-McLeod is a strengths-based and client-centered professional who was drawn to Kiwi Recovery because of their mission and warm, collaborative, and supportive environment for both clients and staff.
Ms. Axelrod-McLeod holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wheelock College and a master’s degree in social work from California State University at Chico.
Emily Woodacre, LMHC
Lead Clinician
Ms. Woodacre is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 15 years of experience working in acute inpatient settings, residential programs, college counseling centers, and partial hospital & intensive outpatient programs. Emily’s training in teaching hospitals, higher education, and collaboration on multi-disciplinary treatment teams has reinforced her belief that our purpose in life is to cultivate safe spaces in our relationships to grow in wisdom and in love. This belief has guided her approach to therapy as some of the best teachers have been the individuals, couples, and families she serves.
Ms. Woodacre earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from William James College and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Providence College. During her career she has observed and learned many methods for healing and believes group therapy is unparalleled in its ability to simultaneously facilitate acceptance and change. Emily’s therapeutic approach is person-centered and insight-oriented drawing upon evidence-based modalities of DBT and CBT. Ms. Woodacre has worked with clients from pre-adolescence through late adulthood and specializes in serving individuals living with depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, substance use and diversity-related challenges. Emily has held leadership roles throughout her career and currently serves as Lead Clinician at Kiwi Recovery.
Caitlin Barba, LCSW
Clinician
Bio Coming Soon
Audrey Eisenmenger-Kaufman, MSW
Clinician
Theresa Mccarthy, LCSW
Clinician
Bio Coming Soon
Holly Burgos
Administrative Assistant
Holly Burgos serves as Kiwi Recovery’s Administrative Assistant. Ms. Burgos has years of experience in administrative work, as well as working with the youth. She holds a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in Behavior and Health Sciences. Ms. Burgos also serves the community as a mentor and mental health advocate for adolescents. In the past, she has volunteered at the Boys & Girls club of Boston and in the community food banks providing food for those in need. Ms. Burgos enjoys being part of the Kiwi Recovery team as it fulfills her desire to continue to help young lives.
Kristina Howell, LICSW
Intake Coordinator
Ms. Howell is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She earned a master’s degree in social work with children and families (MSW) from Wheelock College in 2008, and a bachelor’s degree in social work and human development (BSW), also from Wheelock College, in 2006. Ms. Howell has provided care and treatment for clients of all ages from prenatal to geriatric populations within a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, emergency service programs, community-based programs, inpatient medical hospitals, and emergency departments. Over the years, she has built positive working connections with a myriad of providers, agencies, and organizations within the greater Boston area and beyond.
Ms. Howell is passionate about and specializes in pediatric and adolescent mental health and crisis intervention. She strives to empower clients and their families within their personal recovery process through comprehensive and holistic care that builds upon each client’s individual strengths, current needs, and goals for the future. Here at Kiwi Recovery, Ms. Howell utilizes a kind and harm-reduction approach with our adolescent and young adult clients and their families, which often strengthens the therapeutic rapport that can serve as a springboard towards a client’s recovery journey. She is looking forward to helping you or your loved one on a path to recovery that promotes their safety, well-being, and overall satisfaction and happiness.
