OUR TEAM

VICTOR A. BALTA, M.D.

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VICTOR A. BALTA, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Balta brings over 20 years of experience in psychiatry and addiction treatment to 12 Palms. He has developed unique models of care for dual-diagnosed clients, which integrate 12-Step Principles with psychodynamic and pharmacologic interventions.

Dr. Balta has worked in private practice and also held administrative and clinical leadership positions in both New York and Florida:

While in New York, over a 5-year period he helped obtain ten million in grants from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), CSAT (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment), HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), and the City of New York.

In Florida, Dr. Balta helped to initiate the founding of a psychiatric hospital and a forensic psychiatric hospital in the Treasure Coast region. He was also instrumental in getting both facilities approved by the DCF, Medicare and JCAHO.

Dr. Balta received his psychiatric training at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York City. He is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, is Board Certified in Neurology and Psychiatry, and is Certified in Psychoanalysis by the William Alanson White Institute.

LORETTA LUKIC

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LORETTA LUKIC

Clinical Director

As the Clinical Director at 12 Palms, Loretta strives to ensure personalized treatment for each individual entering the program suffering from the disease of addiction. She has been working in the substance abuse field for over 25 years, and is a highly experienced professional in all aspects of clinical care.

In addition to holding both a Bachelors and Masters Degree, Loretta is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a powerful psychotherapy technique proven to help people suffering from trauma, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress and many other emotional problems.

For almost 10 years, Loretta has been an approved surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), reviewing drug treatment programs across the country. She also co-published an article in the Marriage and Family Therapy Journal addressing the dynamics within families who are trying to deal with the effects of substance abuse.

“At 12 Palms Recovery Center, we understand that addiction rarely affects only the individual struggling with dependency, and that a successful recovery also involves working with family members. Our group counseling programs support and educate families about the process of addiction, while acknowledging their pain and offering them an opportunity to heal, too.”

-Loretta Lukic, 12 Palms Clinical Director

Loretta Lukic: Clinical Director at 12 Palms Recovery

Rehab in Florida video features Loretta Lukic, a addiction professional with more than 15 years in the rehabilitation industry. Loretta talks about her roll in 12 Palms Recovery Center, and share about key topics when it comes to choosing a rehabilitation treatment facility in Florida.

SANDRA J. PALMER

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SANDRA J. PALMER

Primary Therapist

Sandra is a Primary Therapist at 12 Palms and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 22 years of counseling experience. Her diverse areas of counseling include addiction, trauma, family of origin issues, mediation, and child and adolescent counseling. As primary therapist at 12 Palms Recovery Center, Sandra employs a variety of highly-effective modalities, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), RET (Rational Emotive Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, and experiential, art and music therapies.

Sandra’s involvement in the substance abuse field began back in 2002, when she served as Director for Stand Down, a rehab program for homeless veterans with addictions. Since that time, she has developed and implemented curricula for a number of other rehab programs.

Sandra received both her undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from the University of Toledo in Ohio.

“The therapists and counselors at 12 Palms Recovery Center take the time to determine what physical, mental, emotional and psychological factors led to each client’s particular journey into drug and/or alcohol abuse, and then pattern a specific plan of recovery for each client.”

-Sandra J. Palmer, 12 Palms Primary Therapist

JILL LOGAN

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JILL LOGAN

LMHC, CAP, CHT

Jill is a nationally-certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP), and a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CHT) who has specialized for years in addiction treatment and dual diagnosis, which occurs when someone has both a mental or emotional disorder concurrent with an alcohol or drug problem. She has worked with a wide variety of clients of all ages, professions and sexual orientations, as well as those with legal issues.

Along with the 12-Step Program, Jill employs motivational, cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness therapies and experiential techniques to empower and support clients as they explore their values and define them, and begin to recognize and learn to discard mistaken beliefs and self-defeating behaviors. She believes that each individual has developed schemas (patterns) based on their own unique experiences, and in some instances, these patterns can keep an individual stuck in experiencing the same negative results again and again, until they gain awareness and work on change.

“I have the greatest respect for the courage of addicted clients as they start their journey toward wholeness and a life that is productive and fulfilling. I believe that as clients work on discovering and growing a relationship with a Higher Power of their understanding, transformation will occur and they will gain freedom from the past, from fear, from guilt, from shame, and from addictions. Their potential can then open and blossom.”

-Jill Logan, LMHC, CAP, CHT

TOM A. EDWARDS

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TOM A. EDWARDS

Certified Addiction Professional

Tom became a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) after a successful 17-year career as a licensed Chiropractor. He has been active as a CAP in the field of addiction recovery for 5 years, and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling with a focus on becoming a licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree.

“At 12 Palms Recovery Center, real recovery isn’t about just providing our clients with education on alcohol treatment or drug treatment…it’s about involving our clients in their own recovery through a comprehensive set of addiction treatment options.”

-Tom A. Edwards, CAP

Addiction professional Tom A. Edwards

Addiction professionals video features TOM A. EDWARDS a Certified addiction professional sharing about 12 Palms Recovery Center, a Private Rehab in Florida. Tom speaks about the features and benefits or 12 Palms and shares about the life of addicts thru the rehabilitation program at 12 Palms Recovery Center.

CINDY HAMILTON

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CINDY HAMILTON

CAS

As a board-certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), Cindy has been involved in the field of addiction recovery for over 7 years, working with both adolescents and adults in the Vero Beach area’s drug court program.

She is currently completing her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Barry University in Miami, Florida, and will pursue her Masters Degree at Nova University in Miami. Cindy is also on track to become a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) within the year.

“12 Palms Recovery Center is a rehabilitation center that genuinely cares about each and every client, starting from the very moment they become willing to start a life of recovery.”

-Cindy Hamilton, CAS

KEITH GILLEN

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KEITH GILLEN

Primary Therapist

As both a Certified Addiction Counselor and an Ordained Pastor, Keith combines a holistic approach of addiction recovery and spirituality to guide clients along on their journey toward wholeness and a productive, fulfilling life.

He has worked in the substance abuse field for 7 years, engaging both clients and their families in the therapeutic process, so together they can heal from all aspects of the disease of addiction.

“Spirituality supports resiliency, a crucial component of recovery. It’s a resource that can help to sustain us through difficult times. It helps individuals search for the meaning and purpose of life, and it helps them experience hope, love, inner peace, comfort, and support. I strive to honor all faith traditions, as well as the beliefs and life philosophies of those who do not adhere to any religion. ”

-Keith

Primary Therapist & Addiction Professional Keith Gillen

Addiction Professional counselor Keith shares about 12 Palms recovery center in Florida, his personal testimonial, and why he has chose 12 Palms rehab to continue his journey now as recovered addict and addiction professional counselor.