Meet Our Staff

A behavioral healthcare leader committed to advancing meaningful outcomes in recovery, improving quality of care, and developing innovative treatment programs. As Executive Director, Nicholas focuses on strategic operations, regulatory compliance, team development, and fostering a strong organizational culture that supports both staff and the individuals we serve.

Nik Protasenia has been a licensed counselor for the last ten years. He sees the value in finding an energetic, emotionally charged relationship with a counselor who wants the best for you. We all go through struggles and hardship, but the struggle is what makes life interesting. Moreover, he believes the essence of the human spirit comes from watching people overcome the most difficult things anyone can face.

Having been through therapy before, Nik saw how invaluable the process is in watching people grow. His approach to counseling is more of a natural developmental process where the value is placed on seeking things that make people stronger without synthetic substances. He enjoys teaching the clinical team interventions that cost little and have a profound improvement on well-being.

He enjoys hockey, baseball, whole foods, great relationships, and intellectual curiosity. Get ready to tell your story and give our clinical team the context to your life.

Max Schade plays a vital role on our team as Director of Operations, having grown within the company as an alumnus of our program from the very beginning. After struggling with substances, he found his own solution through GBAC and is one of our shining stars. He brings a personable demeanor to his interactions with the people he helps in the program. After his own experience, he wanted to give back and get into the recovery field himself.

He enjoys snowboarding in the winter months and is a lover of all animals, especially his two cats. Max attributes a lot of his success in his own recovery to the community he built while in the program, along with a commitment to learning and to his own personal health and wellness. He’s a self-made success story, teaching himself the newest tech and programs to help the team run more efficiently.

Angela Kelly, LMHC, is the Program Director for Greater Boston. She earned her undergraduate degree at Framingham State University and her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at William James College, with additional certification in Flash Trauma Processing.

Inspired by her family’s experiences with addiction and mental health challenges, Angela brings a compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach to her work. She draws from CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered therapy to tailor treatment to each individual’s needs. Angela creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space that balances gentle challenge, honesty, and humor.

Her favorite part of the job is helping people achieve progress they once thought impossible while finding connection, confidence, and joy along the way.

Cherry Applebaum is a group facilitator who earned a B.S. in art therapy from Lesley University in 2021 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in mental health counseling with a specialization in art therapy. After her own experiences with mental illness and witnessing struggles in loved ones, her goal is to support the processes and movements involved in understanding what it means to live a full, connected life. She uses creativity, trauma-informed approaches, and conversation to create possibility.

In her free time, Cherry enjoys taking care of her ball python, Valak, spending time with uplifting people, and painting.

Celina Gaines currently serves as the Clinical Supervisor at GBAC/GBBH. She’s on the path to licensure, specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Flash Trauma Processing, a specialized approach within EMDR. With nearly a decade of experience in the mental health field, she has gained valuable insight through roles in mobile crisis intervention and within the legal and prison systems, before joining GBAC/GBBH in 2021.

Her passion for this field comes from helping people become the best versions of themselves, offering the guidance, support, and tools they need for personal growth. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

With over a decade of experience in non-profit management, Michael is dedicated to providing compassionate support at GBBH. His commitment to helping others is matched by his passion for creativity and history—he enjoys antiques, jewelry design, and period dramas. When he’s not working or crafting, you might find him spending time with alpacas, appreciating their gentle nature. Michael brings warmth, expertise, and a keen eye for detail to everything he does.

Andry Almonte is a behavioral healthcare professional, Operations Manager at Greater Boston Behavioral Health, and a man in recovery whose personal journey has shaped his commitment to helping others. Andry began his recovery journey at Greater Boston Behavioral Health in 2021 while completing his architectural studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2020 and his Master of Architecture in 2024.

His lived experience inspired him to pursue a career in behavioral healthcare, where he progressed from Behavioral Technician to Case Manager and now Operations Manager. In his current role, Andry supports staff development, program operations, regulatory compliance, and the coordination of services that promote effective, client-centered care.

A Dominican American and New Jersey native, Andry is passionate about supporting individuals in recovery, advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, and helping create environments where people feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey. He hopes to one day combine his professional experience in behavioral healthcare with his architectural background to help design innovative, inclusive, and restorative spaces that enhance the recovery experience and promote long-term well-being.

Amanda is our Lead Therapist at GBBH. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology at UMass Amherst and her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Regis College. Previously, she worked as a counselor in a substance use and mental health program within the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and engaged in social psychology research.

Her passion for the field stemmed from the positive impact her brother’s therapist had on him and her family, and has continued to grow with each experience. She has a strong interest in various psychological approaches and is dedicated to continuous learning. Her research interests, beyond theoretical frameworks for therapy, focus on neurobiology and social psychology, particularly the effects of global conflict and conflict resolution for individuals.

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and dogs, playing video games, and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and socializing with friends and family.

Ashley is a Primary Therapist at GBBH. She holds a Master of Social Work from Anna Maria College, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science and was a collegiate student-athlete. Through her education and clinical experience, Ashley has developed a strong passion for supporting individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges.

Ashley takes a compassionate, client-centered approach to therapy, incorporating strengths-based interventions, cognitive behavioral techniques, and motivational interviewing to help clients build self-awareness, develop healthy coping skills, and work toward meaningful change. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and understood. Ashley values meeting clients where they are and helping them recognize their strengths as they navigate challenges and work toward their recovery goals.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new places.