Meet the 360 Recovery Solutions Team

Greater Mental Health’s clinic, focused on treatment for Substance Use Disorders, 360 Recovery Solutions, is located in downtown White Plains and is dedicated to helping you better understand, address, and cope with the impact of substance-related issues. Whether you are seeking support for your own substance use or seeking support because someone in your life is experiencing substance-related issues, the 360 Recovery Solutions team is here to help.

While our name has changed, our commitment remains the same: providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment and recovery support services to individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. Our team, led by Jonathan and made up of Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC), Certified Recovery Peer Advocates, Certified Peer Specialists, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors, is well equipped and ready to provide care for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders.

Please reach out to 360 Recovery Solutions at Greater Mental Health at (914) 345 – 0700, Ext. 7335 to schedule an appointment for confidential, nonjudgmental support for adults and young people ages 12 and older.

Christi Ali, B.A., CASAC-A

With over a decade of experience in the behavioral health field, I currently serve as a Clinical Supervisor dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based co-occurring care for individuals navigating both substance use and mental health challenges. I am committed to encouraging a collaborative team culture that prioritizes communication, professional growth, and a strong sense of community among staff and clients alike. Through supportive leadership and a person-centered approach, I work to cultivate an environment where multidisciplinary teams can thrive while delivering integrated, recovery-oriented services that promote long-term wellness and stability.

Contact Christi: AliC@greatermentalhealth.org or (914) 345 – 0700 ext. 7332 

Desiree Rivera, CASAC-T, CRPA

As a dually certified CASAC and CRPA, I am passionate about supporting individuals navigating substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges. My work focuses on providing compassionate, person-centered care through individual and group counseling, recovery support, case management and psychoeducation. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to build healthy coping skills, strengthen resilience, and work towards long term recovery and stability. I especially enjoy advocating for clients, building meaningful therapeutic relationships, and helping individuals recognize their own strengths and potential for growth. I know firsthand, that recovery is possible. I have seen it and lived it.

Contact Desiree: riverad@greatermentalhealth.org 

Success Story: 

Working in this treatment setting has allowed me to witness the power of compassion, advocacy, and person-centered care and transforming lives. One experience that deeply reflects my work, involved a primarily Spanish-speaking walk-in client who initially presented with concerns related to problematic alcohol use while also coping with his 5-year-old child’s leukemia diagnosis. Using interpretation services to bridge communication barriers, I introduced services and began building rapport and trust. Through ongoing support, motivational guidance, and care coordination, I connected him with CHAMPS for emergency Medicaid services and assisted him in establishing primary care services through Sun River Health. Since beginning treatment, he has achieved over 30 days of sobriety supported by MAT maintenance, improved relationships with his family, and has become actively involved in group counseling despite initial resistance. Experiences like this reinforce my passion for helping individuals access support, restore hope, and create healthier foundations not only for themselves but for future generations of their families.

(Aaeshah) Frances Carter, MBA/BA/NYCPS-P/CPRA-P

I am a Peer Specialist and Outreach & Recovery Specialist with Greater Mental Health, using my lived experience to support others on their recovery journey. I earned my MBA with distinction, obtained my CPRA certification in 2023, and continue to grow through CASAC training. My work focuses on emotional regulation, empowerment, and connecting individuals to meaningful resources and care. I believe in meeting people where they are and helping them rediscover their strength. “I connect with people through hope and believe in paying hope and connection forward.”

Contact Aaeshah: carters@greatermentalhealth.org or (914) 874 – 6751

Success Story: 

I supported a client who wanted to become a Peer Specialist but struggled transitioning from isolation into a classroom setting to obtain her Peer Specialist Certification. Using DBT and CBT skills, role-playing, and consistent encouragement, I helped her build confidence and emotional regulation throughout the process. She successfully completed the program, invited me to her graduation, and later obtained employment as a Peer Specialist. This journey reflected the power of support, persistence, and self-belief. “When someone begins to believe in themselves, that’s when real change begins.”

Cristina Portanova, LMHC-D

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, dedicated to supporting individuals on their path toward healing and growth. I believe that change is always possible, even when it feels difficult or uncertain. My work is grounded in the understanding that people often need guidance, support, and a safe space to navigate challenges. I am passionate about helping others feel seen, heard, and understood through compassionate, evidence-based care. By fostering insight and validation, I seek to instill hope and empower individuals to create meaningful change in their lives.”

Contact Cristina: PortanovaC@greatermentalhealth.org

Success Story: 

A client of mine came in for an assessment and shared her long-term history of IV heroin use that left her bedridden. Coming from an abusive relationship that enabled her drug use, she expressed goals of working through trauma, maintaining recovery and getting her physical and mental health back in order. She soon became evicted and was facing homelessness which was a strong trigger for her mental health and cravings to use. Through perseverance and consistent adherence to treatment, she eventually found housing, got stabilized on the right medication and began prioritizing her health. She now has over one year sober and has begun to reclaim her life.