ABOUT NEW DIRECTIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
The goal of New Directions is to prepare young adults to live independent lives. Our program is comprehensive and client-centered, providing an individualized plan for each client. Support is coordinated using a new multi-disciplinary clinical approach called Direction Therapy. Direction Therapy incorporates educational, vocational, independent living, health, social and recreational goals into one unique comprehensive service plan. New Directions typically supports students with executive functioning deficits and a variety of clinical needs. Participants in the New Directions program are typically working to learn the skills needed to live independently. Services are regularly tapered to allow clients to exercise the independent living skills they learn.
OUR TEAM
Victoria Harne, Ms.Ed., LMFT
Victoria Harne is from a small town in Maryland called Mount Airy. She later moved to.
Amelia Kubik
Program Mentor, CAAmelia Kubik is a program mentor at New Directions for Young Adults. She is currently studying.
Josue Rosales
Program Mentor, CAJosue is a program mentor at New Directions for Young Adults. Josue graduated from Cal State.
Kaliyah Steele
Vocational Coordinator, CAKaliyah is the vocational coordinator at New Directions for Young Adults. Kaliyah has worked in.
Cristina Serrano, MS, LMHC
Cristina Maria Serrano was born and raised in Miami Dade County Florida. She received her.
Alex Miranda
Registered Mental Health InternAlexander Miranda was born and raised in Broward County, Florida. Alexander received his Master's Degree in Mental.
Tiffany Cortese
Clinician, CATiffany Cortese is an experienced school-based clinician and prior summer camp director and educator. Tiffany.
Michael Kellen, Ph.D.
Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, FLDr. Michael Kellen received his clinical and neuropsychological training at The University of Nebraska Medical.
Aron Tendler, M.D. C.BSM.
Licensed Psychiatrist, FLDr. Aron Tendler met and trained with Dr. Rubin at Tulane University’s Department of Psychiatry.
Jana Corral, M.A., LMFT
Managing Director, CAJana Corral, MA Psy., LMFT Jana Corral has Master’s Degree in Psychology and is a.
Andrew S. Rubin, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida, California & New YorkDr. Rubin is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of the international society for autism (ISAresearch.org),.
Liza Rudd
Program Mentor, FlLiza is a native Floridian and graduate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando where she.
Regina Ntongo
Program Mentor, CARegina attended Diablo Valley college before transferring to UC Berkeley where she received her bachelor’s degree in.
Jessica Gutierrez, M.A., AMFT
Clinician, CAJessica Gutierrez, MA, AMFT is a Mental Health Clinician at New Directions. Her compassion, insight,.
Taylor Lyng
Program Mentor, CATaylor is a mentor at New Directions and is currently pursuing a degree in psychology..
Erick Rivera
Program Mentor, CAErick graduated Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and has.
Darcy Miholer, BA
Program Assistant, FloridaDarcy, along with her husband and four children relocated to South Florida in 2013 from.
Erica Rubin, BA
Director of the International Society for AutismErica French is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she obtained a degree in.
Serena Tsang
Program Mentor, CASerena graduated from Mills College in 2015 with a B.S. in Biopsychology. After graduation, she.
Djamentha Calonge
Program Assistant, FloridaDjamentha "Dee" Calonge recently moving here from Jacksonville, Florida where she attended the University of.
Tom Williams, BS
Program Assistant, FloridaPrior to moving to Florida, Tom practiced real estate for nearly 15 years in Connecticut,.
Tari Calow
Program Resident Assistant, FLTari Calow is the Resident Advisor for the female residence at New Directions for Young.
Carolyn Schramm
Personal Trainer, FLCarolyn Schramm is a native of Brooklyn, NY, but lived most of her life in.
Anthony Adornato
New Directions Driver, FLAnthony was born in Bronx, New York. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary, Columbus.
Suzanne Moore
Receptionist, FL Raised in South Florida, Suzanne loves to spend time with her family traveling, boating, going.
Paula Katz, BA
Director of Vocational Services, FLPaula Breen is originally from Savannah, NY, which is just an hour outside of Syracuse..
Alicia Lang
Program Director, CAAlicia has a passion for working with youth and young adults. Prior to joining the.
Monica Abreu
Office Administrator, CAMonica graduated from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California in 2016. She acquired.
Gerald Bejarin
Academic Coordinator, CAGerald graduated from Sacramento State in 2016 with a B.A in Communication Studies. After taking.
Colleen Sammut
Lead Mentor & Trainer, CAColleen is currently pursuing a degree in music education. She has worked developing leadership curriculum.
Connie Wisesan
Program Mentor, CAConnie has a strong desire to support people in growth and ease in living. She.
Senda Newman, MA, ASW
Clinician, CABefore following her passion to work with young adults, Senda was a Licensed Clinical Social.
Christina Remek, Psy.D.
Therapist, FLDr. Christina Remek is a postdoctoral psychology fellow completing her clinical hours at New Directions.
Bobby Jividen, BA, BS
Academic Director, FLBobby was born in California and grew up in Ohio before moving to South Florida.
Melanie Silver
Program Director, FlMelanie Silver attained her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Psychology from The New School for Social.
Lori Rubin
Program Assistant, FLLori Rubin was educated at Hofstra University where she studied Gerontology and Psychology. She was.
Bill Jones
Chief Financial Officer, FLBill comes from a thirty plus year career in Investment Banking operations. In fact, it.
Brian Foster
Office Manager, CABrian graduated from California State University, Chico with a B.A. in history. He has worked.
Danielle Ott, BA
Program Coordinator / Mentor, FLDanielle was born and raised in South Florida and graduated from Cypress Bay High School.
Kevin Maloy
Digital Marketer and Social Media Specialist, FLKevin Maloy is a FIU graduate, with a Bachelor's in Marketing. He specializes in website.
Keara Martinez
Program Assistant, FLKeara is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at FIU. Interested in.
Courtney Larsen
Program Mentor, FLCourtney graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal.
Carley Hilburn
Assistant Program Director, FLCarley Hilburn is from a small town in Pennsylvania named Doylestown PA. She decided to.
Ray Garcia
Program Mentor/Assistant, FLRay was born and raised in South Florida. He graduated from Coconut Creek High School.
Ben Almog
Financial Instructor, FLBen Almog lived in Israel, prior to moving to the United States in 1989. He.
Caitlin DeFlaun
Director of Admissions, FL & CACaitlin DeFlaun is a Connecticut native who has spent time in the past 10 years.
Michelle West
Financial Coordinator, CAMichelle graduated from UC Berkeley in 2015 with a B.A. in Classical Civilizations. She plans.
Re-opening America brings exciting new employment opportunities for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Re-opening America brings exciting new employment opportunities for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum. With the states across the nation re-opening students here at New Directions for Young Adults
New Directions COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 New Directions for Young Adults Update Recently, COVID-19, or more commonly known as the Coronavirus, has swept the nation resulting in extensive safety procedures taking place and forcing
Adventure Group
One of the most popular activities at New Directions for Young Adults is our “Adventure Group.” This innovative clinical group is a great activity for young adults who are either
New Directions Young Adult Disney Trip
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Amazing Weekend at Disney!
New Directions attended both Hollywood Studios and Epcot parks this past weekend. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the new Hollywood Studios Star Wars theme park “Galaxy Edge.” Our most favorite
This Student Shares His Achievements at NDFYA
This Student shares his achievements events with those considering joining the New Directions program. Direction Therapy CMT (Coordinated Multi-Disciplinary Treatment) is a clinical intervention designed for young adults with autism.
His Experience With Betterment at NDFYA
This Student shares his experience with personal growth at NDFYA. The Direction Therapy approach helps to prepare young adults for an independent life. It brings together therapeutic services including psychology
Mother thanks New Directions Staff for their sensitive care
Jana and Senda, Thank you for being emotionally vested in Jessica and our family. I imagine the stress of your professions are great. You both bring a strong base
Top Ten Reasons Spectrum Young Adults seek Transitional Living Programs
Top Ten Reasons Spectrum Young Adults seek Transitional Living Programs Executive Functioning Deficits This includes difficulties with schedules and homework assignments Depression and/or Anxiety At least 50% percent of individuals
Family Weekend Brings New Directions Students, Staff, and Parents Together
A Family Event This past weekend, New Directions students, parents/guardians, and staff gathered for a yearly series of events to bring students, staff, and families together. Family weekend has been
Biofeedback is Instrumental to Addressing Anxiety
Many people go to a therapist with goal of talking about their problems, and then feeling less stressed. But what if there is another way to address these feelings? How
New Directions Clinical Staff Bolsters Knowledge with CBT Training
Building Skills and Knowledge “A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish” is the New Directions motto, and recently, clinical staff had a training in an area of therapy
Dungeons and Dragons helps with social difficulties
Ask anyone a few decades ago what they thought of Dungeons and Dragons, and you’d probably get a blank stare, or even a negative response. In that era, role-playing games
5 Ways you Know a Support Program is Needed for Your Young Adult
Severe escalation: Any problematic behavior by your child has become more intense. Maybe they used to get angry, but retreat to their room; now they’re punching holes in walls and
New Directions For Young Adults Helps Students Learn Skills
Boca Newspaper By: Ethan A. Pond Lynn University Contributing Writer >> Click here to read the article
Head Games
Humans have a startling ability to extract meaning from words. For most, a facility with written and spoken language is second nature by adolescence. Reading peopleon the other hand—deciphering the
Parent Acknowledges New Directions staff for Exemplary Performance
Hey Guys I always only write emails when I need to complain about something, so I thought I would just send a quick note to say thank you for all
Facilitating Transitions for Young Adults
We’ve heard the story many times: a young man or woman has trouble succeeding, and the parents enroll them in a wilderness or residential program. Through intensive therapy and hard
Improving Lives With a New Direction
This parent shares her experience on how New Directions immensely helped her son. Drawing experiences such as her son's improvement in socializing and making meaningful connections with others. Also she
Parent of NDFYA Student Shares Experience to Prospective Parent
This inquisitive parent decides to ask a current Parent of a New Directions Child about their experience: "Hi, We're looking into the program New Directions for Young Adults out in
A Life Changing Experience for The Entire Family
In this video, a mother whose son is on the autism spectrum speaks about what the New Directions program experience meant to not just to her son, but to her
New Directions California First Annual Parents Day: Earth Day 5k and BBQ
The California team and clients have grown quite a bit in the last year! This year, we held our first annual Parents' Day in order to help keep our families
Healing Impacts of Gardening for Young Adults with ASD
Kim Stoddart published an article in 2016 showcasing how the powerful impact of gardening helped her son diagnosed with ASD blossom. The California team here at New Directions saw the
Keeping Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Employed
Young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have trouble finding employment and many are unable to sustain jobs for long periods of time. ASD is much more common today
Anxiety and Depression in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); How is it Best Treated?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often complex in nature and can have a variety of emotional and diagnostic presentations. For example, many young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder are much