New River Cove's Administrative Team

New River Cove’s professional team is composed of experienced administrators, licensed and certified addiction counselors, medical professionals and paraprofessionals. The majority of our professionals have long-term twelve-step experience ranging from 9 to 34 years of continuous recovery. The treatment team meets regularly to review and update each individual client’s treatment plan. We believe in the complex power of addiction and therefore the need for a comprehensive assessment and review of each client’s mind, body and spirit state. This review includes a drug and alcohol history, complete medical history and physical, nutritional review, family assessment, spiritual assessment, employment and education review. Long-term addiction recovery requires the post-treatment transition into a recovering community, the building of inter-personal relationships based on honesty and trust and the ongoing pursuit of one’s meaning in life. With that in mind, continuing care planning begins upon admission.

Todd Whitmer, CEO
With over 30 years experience in the recovery field, Todd brings a wealth of knowledge to New River Cove. His diversity of experience ranges from clinical practice to corporate management, providing a unique perspective in the development of sound and effective treatment environments. Prior to joining New River Cove, Todd was with Father Martin’s Ashley located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Alumni, Development and Marketing. He also worked at Caron Foundation in various positions, including Vice President of Adult Treatment Services and Senior Executive Officer in Philadelphia. He has a Master’s of Science degree in Organization Development from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. His interests include the history of addiction treatment, the utilization of recovery research to improve treatment outcomes, and the power of artistic imagery as a window into personal and collective spirituality.
“At New River Cove our main objective is to provide a safe, healing, learning and adventurist environment so that our clients and their families can reckon with the power of addiction, heal the wounds of this disease, and develop individualized strategies that they will utilize as they enter a new post-inpatient recovery community. Our residential program is 30 to 90 days and we are committed to working with our clients and their families for the first year of their recovery and beyond.”

Kathy Adam, Director of Intake and Marketing
“With over 20 years in the field of Admissions and Marketing, my last 5 years with New River Cover have proven to be the most rewarding. I am often the first contact when someone calls for help. It is an honor and a privilege to work with the individuals and families suffering from addiction as they begin their life long journey of recovery.”

New River Cove's Treatment Team

Darlis Mayes, New River Cove’s Clinical Director, is an internationally Certified Addiction Counselor. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with an Master of Science degree in Mental Health. She has been working in the addiction field for the last ten years, initially at Hanley Hazelden where she helped develop and implement Hanley’s Case Management program. After nine years at Hanley, Darlis began to work full time for Family Interventions, as a systemic interventionist. During this time she gained experience in working with major national treatment centers. Her philosophy is based in the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other self-help programs.
“All alcoholics and addicts must be treated with respect and dignity – addiction robs the person, their family, and all involved of their esteem and sense of meaning in life.”



Dr. Seth Eisenberg, Consulting Psychiatrist, is the Director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Medical School in Chicago and directs the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Training Program. He also provides consultation to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. Dr. Eisenberg has over 30 years experience with adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and addiction medicine and is on the Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Dr. Eisenberg is Board Certified in General Psychiatry, Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and has Added Board Qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry. He lectures widely on a number of behavioral health care topics with a special focus on co-occurring substance use, psychiatric and gambling disorders.
“Recovery from problems with alcohol and drugs is a personal journey of growth and rejuvenation. New River Cove is an ideal place to begin that journey.”

Liz Toth, Counselor, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master of Education degree in Counseling at Kent State University and completed her Clinical Pastoral training in Minnesota. Her training includes Gestalt Therapy, multi-cultural counseling, brief intensive psychodynamic therapy and art therapy. She has worked in the field of addictions since the 1970’s. Her doctoral studies opened the doors to understanding each client’s unique strengths, personality and learning styles which assist in individualizing more effective treatment.
“I love this field and am in awe of the miracles that I see everyday.”

Maria Antonieta Hendrickson, Counselor, is a successful clinician and administrative manager with over 14 years of progressively responsible and diverse experience in the addiction field. She has a broad background in clinical services, specializing in chronic relapsers with co-occurring disorders. Her marketing, staff training and program development are evident in her most recent position as Program Director at The Sanctuary in Sedona as well as her diverse experience at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania. Her certifications include Certified Addictions Counselor Diplomate (PCB), Certified Co-occurring Disorders Diplomate (PCB) and Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counselor (IC/RC). She has an MBA from Alvernia College in Pennsylvania and is a Full Mesa Carrier from the Healing the Light Body School in Park City, Utah. Maria is bilingual and has the in-depth understanding of multi-cultural dynamics. Professionals who know Maria appreciate her clinical skill, her compassionate style and her genuine enthusiasm for working with chemically dependent individuals and families.
“It is all about change-and change is possible!”

Pat Breshears, Recovery Management Coordinator is an Internationally Certified Addiction Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She received her MHS from Governors State University, University Park, IL. She brings over 20 years of experience in the addiction recovery field to New River Cove. She works with the client before admission and helps set up recovery services in the client’s home community before and after discharge.
“Early recovery can seem overwhelming and we stay involved with each client and their family, supporting their recovery transformation during that first year in recovery.”