Francesco Del Governatore is a young and charismatic leader, serving as CEO and Board Member of Vita Recovery. After graduating from Bocconi University in Milan, Francesco started his career at JP Morgan before successfully completing a Master in Project Management degree.
Professionally, he learned his craft in large corporations as a member of multiple leadership teams. Francesco has extensive international experience and strong business relationships all over the world.
Dr. Antonello Bonci is the President and Chief Scientific Officer at Vita Recovery. Before moving to Vita, he served for nearly a decade at the National Institute of Health (NIH) as Scientific Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Between 1999 and 2010, he was Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and held the Howard J. Weinberg Endowed Chair in Addiction Research while also serving as Associate Director for Extramural Affairs at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center.
Over the last 5 years, Dr. Bonci and his collaborators worldwide have successfully pioneered the translation of non-invasive brain stimulation such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), from the preclinical stage to the clinic, to treat cocaine use disorders and other types of addiction.
A Certified Addictions Counselor with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Winona State University in Minnesota and a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling (with an emphasis on addictions) from the National Louis University in Evanston, IL., Terry Shapiro is an expert in Addiction Treatment.
With over 25 years of experience working in addiction and behavioral health - Terry began his career as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor; has previously served as an Employee Assistance Counselor for Amtrak Railroad and then as the Executive Director at the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services in Tennessee as well as Hazelden Foundation’s Chicago location.
Throughout the years, Terry Shapiro has extensively presented at national and regional conferences, conducted countless interventions, and provided numerous print and broadcast interviews on addiction treatment - During his time working in Bogota, Colombia, Terry saw a need and implemented addiction prevention programs in schools and provided counseling to the local youth and their families.
An avid baseball fan, Terry even operated a baseball academy in Colombia and was also a scout for the world-famous Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. Nowadays Terry is a ‘social animal’ and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and three children and two boxers, Luna and Maya.
A Personal Note from Terry Shapiro…
“I believe in divine intervention, I strive to build lasting relationships and to help people and families find recovery. Being in recovery means we have been given the blessing to live a second life in one lifetime and helping others is what I love most.
Justin Mortimer is a board-certified psychiatrist who comes from a diverse medical background. He was born and raised in New England and was exposed to a broad diversity of both eastern and western approaches to allopathic and holistic medicine. As medical director of GIA and Vita Recovery, he is passionate about a multidisciplinary approach to health and wellness.
Dr. Mortimer attended the University of Connecticut for his undergraduate studies in Molecular & Cell Biology. He graduated from Ross University School of Medicine with high honors. He then finished his psychiatric residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Throughout his studies Dr. Mortimer has been fortunate to study internationally in England and Mexico. He has a broad amount of experience in working in various settings including consult liaison, emergency room evaluation, addiction, neuromodulation, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric treatment. Dr. Mortimer has a wide variety of interests including holistic healthcare, scuba diving, flying, skiing and traveling.
Polina is a Psychiatric Physician Associate. She graduated from Arcadia University in Philadelphia. With eight years of extensive experience in mental health, she is skilled in prescribing medications, administering TMS, and providing therapy. Polina adopts a holistic approach to treatment, integrating traditional therapies with a strong emphasis on the roles of exercise, diet, natural supplements, and mindset in improving mental health.
Her communication style is distinguished by its clarity and straightforwardness. Polina values direct, clear dialogues, empowering her patients to understand and overcome their challenges with reinforced confidence. Her practice is built on the pillars of genuine care, real understanding, and direct conversations, all of which aid individuals in navigating their mental health journeys.
Being fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish allows Polina to serve a diverse clientele effectively. She recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and aims to develop personalized treatment plans that resonate with their specific needs. Outside of her professional life, Polina enjoys dancing and engaging in cold plunge therapy, reflecting her commitment to personal well-being and vitality.
Gustavo Espino is a top-level addiction service professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in substance abuse, therapeutic counseling, and workforce management. Gustavo is a dedicated specialist, bilingual in both English and Spanish, with excellent technical, analytical, and communication skills. He holds a Master’s in Education on Guidance and Counseling and Florida Certification Board Credential as Master Level Addiction Professional, Gustavo also is a Smart Recovery facilitator and is certified by San Buenaventura University in Medellin Colombia as Substance Abuse Counselor, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineer from Metropolitana University, Caracas, Venezuela.
Born and raised in Caracas Venezuela and witnessing the underserved communities of the inner cities, Gustavo quickly recognized the need for better substance abuse programs and jumpstarted his career into addiction services. Gustavo worked closely with Fundación Hogares Claret of Venezuela and later became Executive Director of “Despertares, Therapeutic community “a 20-bed treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse for adults. In 2007, he moved to the United States and joined CRUSADA a research program at Florida International University studying US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse for 4 years. He has since worked for many mental health and substance abuse institutes such as Elements Behavioral Health at The Recovery Place and Lucida Treatment Center, Delphi Behavioral Health Group At Pathway to Hope, Arete and Vista Pines amongst others with roles as a practitioner and executive manager.
Jonathan Belolo, LCSW serves as the Vice President of Clinical Services at Vita Recovery. Jonathan’s ability to lead with compassion and treat patients with dignity and respect has allowed him to serve in several clinical and leadership roles. Jonathan grew up in South Florida where he saw a growing need to help individuals who are struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. He attended Yeshiva University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Psychology. From there, Jonathan attended Wurzweiler School of Social Work where he graduated as a high-achieving student with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work
Jonathan Belolo has over a decade of experience in the field of addiction and recovery. In 2016, Jonathan was the CEO and founder of Sunshine Recovery Center, an IOP dedicated to helping men in their journey towards recovery. In the past two years, Jonathan has been treating patients at an executive program addressing substance abuse and mental health issues among high-net-worth clients.
Jonathan takes pride in creating a safe space that helps people rebuild their lives and maintain long-term stability. Jonathan emphasizes the utilization of the newest, out-of-the-box, and evidence-based treatment modalities providing truly groundbreaking treatment. Jonathan also enjoys integrating the moral, ethical, and spiritual teachings he has gained from his Jewish roots into the process of recovery.
Jonathan ensures that Vita Recovery is a reliable place where clients can receive care and support from our highly qualified clinical and administrative team. One of our founding principles is that the clients shall and will always come first. Vita Recovery holds the highest standards allowing the clients to receive the most comprehensive and ethical treatment leading to successful outcomes.
Jackie is a licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Proficient in evidenced based treatment, Jackie offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy.
Her clinical areas of expertise include treatment of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, LGBTQ, and marital, relationship and family issues. Jackie is also an experienced and dynamic group therapist specializing in self-esteem and assertiveness training, anxiety management, cognitive behavioral coping skills, and relapse prevention.
She has over 25 years of experience facilitating seminars for family members of loved ones struggling with co-occurring and substance abuse issues. Jackie is a Qualified Supervisor of Interns applying for Social Work, Marriage and Family and Mental Health Counselors applying for licensure.
Julia, a licensed LCSW, passionately guides individuals through their unique healing journeys. Armed with a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, she brings rich academic and practical experience to her practice.
Her expertise spans diverse therapeutic modalities, including EMDR training and trauma-informed care. Julia adopts a Spiritual Psychology Lens, offering a distinctive perspective that acknowledges the spiritual dimensions of healing. She's also proficient in Experiential Therapy, having received training from On-site, adding a dynamic, hands-on element to her approach.
With credentials in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and a designation as an Addictions Specialist, Julia's early career included a coveted position at a Manhattan-based concierge outpatient treatment center. There, she not only served as a therapist but also established an Intensive DBT Curriculum and Mentorship Program.
Throughout her career, Julia has showcased a commitment to holistic care, overseeing executive functioning programs, leading recovery groups, and facilitating diverse therapeutic process groups. Her unique blend of humor, empathy, and insight positions her as a vital member of any recovery team. Julia's holistic approach goes beyond symptom management, aiming for the full recovery of each individual she works with.
Hillary Verçosa-Kaufman (she/her/hers) is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She received a Masters's Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Hillary was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and has lived and worked in various US cities.
Hillary has worked as an art therapist for over 10+ years and worked in a variety of settings including the Employee Assistance Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a transitional living shelter for youth, community support for adults with chronic mental illness, public school systems, and an art gallery empowering artists living with disability and/or homelessness across the US. She had the opportunity to start and build various art therapy programs including the first art therapy program at Thresholds, one of the largest mental health agencies in Chicago.
Hillary’s approach to art therapy is a collaborative process between the client, therapist, and the art media– no previous art experience is required. She meets each client where they are to provide a safe, nurturing space and guide them with materials and ideas in support of therapeutic goals and personal exploration.
As an artist, Hillary maintains a practice focused on “Altered Books” (using an old or discarded book as an art material to transform) and mixed media arts. Studying art therapy ignited Hillary’s own self-exploration through the art process and she brings this wisdom and depth of experience to meet each client in their unique journey.
Diana has accumulated substantial administrative expertise over the last two decades in administrative, office management, and executive assistant roles. Diana focuses on the execution of strategic administrative plans; the creation, structuring, and improvement of administrative, finance, and human resources areas.
Diana has supported C-level executives and fundamental areas such as sales, marketing, customer service, and operations, as well as collaboration with local and worldwide leaders through critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
In her spare time, Diana takes advantage of her free time to spend quality time with her beloved family, meet with friends, exercise, and travel occasionally.
