Meet The Founder

Drew started his journey in behavioral health, long before he even realized it, as a child growing up with a single mother diagnosed with co-morbid medical, mental health, and substance use disorders. When he was nine years old, Drew's mother, Linda, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease and later developed interstitial lung fibrosis. Subsequent to receiving her medical diagnosis, Drew's mother developed Major Depressive Disorder along with preexisting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Drew was later exposed to his mother's maladaptive coping in the form of Alcohol Use Disorder.  Throughout childhood and adolescence, Drew experienced a significant amount of emotional, mental, physical, interpersonal, and family systems trauma.  Not knowing how to cope, Drew began experimenting with alcohol, following in his mother's and other family members' footsteps. He began experiencing interaction with the legal system and other social and educational conflicts. 

When Drew was eighteen years old, his mother finally lost her battle with Cancer. At the time she passed away, Drew had not spoken to his mother for a significant amount of time. Shortly after, Drew's Grandfather passed away. Being eighteen, a bartender at the time, and unable to adequately cope with the associated trauma, guilt, and shame, Drew fell into a lifestyle of partying, drinking, and fighting. The trauma, paired with associated behaviors, led to depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other mental health and behavioral challenges. 

After experiencing multiple interactions with the legal system, including county jails and one short stint in State prison, Drew decided he wanted something better - something more than this life. During his final interaction with the legal system, with the help of his attorney, now a dear colleague, Drew agreed to engage in a Department of Corrections Dual Diagnosis Residential Treatment Program. While in treatment, Drew obtained his Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology from the College of Central Florida. He later enrolled with Saint Leo University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After gaining some experience in the field as a Bachelor Level Therapist with the same treatment center he once attended as a patient, Drew enrolled in Graduate School at Webster University where he obtained a Master's in Clinical Mental health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. 

After seven years working in a variety of modalities within the field, both as a Primary Therapist and Program Director, Drew started Beachside Recovery Interventions + Consulting out of necessity. BRIC was started out of a need to help families and their loved ones appropriately navigate a system that is inherently broken, and that is what Drew and the BRIC team continue to do daily. 

Thank you for the potential opportunity to work with you and your family toward healing.