Aquila Recovery Staff

Russ Kallina

Partner/Program Director

After beginning his professional life in sales, he realized that working with and helping others was his true calling. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and taught American History in high schools for 10 years. It was during this time, while nurturing the development of young adults, that he realized that he needed to redirect his path in his own development – which also meant dealing with his growing struggle with addiction.

While on the path of recovery, he had the good fortune of working for Jody Pegram (who is one of Aquila Recovery’s founders) as Housing Director for a program he ran in Prescott, Arizona. He then was tasked with heading the establishment and management of Aquila Recovery’s residential program. It was a humbling experience (as well as extremely encouraging) to get to know many individuals in recovery who have been helped by the Aquila program. He believes that accepting the offer to become part of the Aquila team was a great professional and personal choice.

Russ then decided to invest in the ownership of Aquila Recovery Virginia and is currently Program Director of Operations there. He looks forward to serving Northern Virginia and believes in extending assistance to those who in need whenever possible.

Emmy Bean

Clinical Director/IOP Counselor

Emmy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. She completes assessments, facilitates outpatient group therapy sessions, and meets with clients individually, striving to provide a therapeutic atmosphere that enhances and promotes recovery and growth. She is experienced in working with co-occurring disorders, medication management, and community-based mental health and substance abuse programs. Prior to moving to Virginia, she held a private practice and worked with Child Protective Services to provide counseling services.

She received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master's Degree from Troy University (Alabama). She maintains licensure in Hawaii, Texas and Virginia in both mental health and substance abuse counseling and has had the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele as the wife of a military retiree.

Omoronike Hamilton

Senior Counselor/IOP Counselor

Ms. Hamilton provides co-occurring capable treatment to include intensive outpatient, outpatient and continuing care to individuals with substance use and mental health disorders.

She develops and leads a curriculum for group treatment to include cognitive behavioral therapies, trauma informed counseling, stages of change therapy and individual supportive psychotherapy.

A nationally recognized trainer in several behavior health specialties, Ms. Hamilton graduated from Howard University, received additional training at George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University, and served in a number of Greater Washington facilities, including Second Genesis, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC Department of Mental Health, Avery Road, and Tri-Area Rehabilitation.

Tanneh V. Kamara

IOP Counselor

Tanneh is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in the state of VA and was trained at Northern Virginia Community College. She engages clients with an integrative approach to provide counseling services while using laughter to
lighten the therapeutic environment.

In addition to providing intensive outpatient services, Tanneh has previous experience in detox and residential treatment services, where she facilitated individual and group counseling sessions, psychoeducational groups, independent life skill building, community integrated activities, and other appropriate therapeutic tasks.

Her passion is bringing compassion and healing to clients seeking sobriety and freedom from traumatic experiences.  She believes that the collaboration between client and therapist empowers the client to navigate their own healing journey and can return to enjoying their lives.

Kerrie Laughlin

IOP Counselor

Kerrie brings nearly 20 years of experience providing mental health and substance use treatment services to a wide range of age groups and diagnoses in clinical, residential, school, and community settings. She obtained a BA from Mary Baldwin College in 2005 with majors in both Psychology as well as Religion and a minor in Asian Studies. Kerrie also completed a MA in
Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2014 at South University. Kerrie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Provider, and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in the State of Virginia. She has specialized training in EMDR, DBT, CBT, MET, ABFT, and play therapy. Kerrie uses a strength-based, individualized, and client-centered approach to providing trauma-informed care. Kerrie has extensive experience in working with individuals, groups, and families. Kerrie has a meaningful interest in cultural inclusivity and has endorsement as a trainer for CBMCS and OWL. 

Outside of the clinical space, Kerrie enjoys modular building with Lego, off-roading in her Jeep, international travel, and outdoor cooking. Kerrie identifies her core values as ethics and inclusivity. These serve as the thread throughout
the fabric of her clinical presence. Kerrie is motivated for human services by watching the spark of awareness arise in clients and supervises.

Luke Stakenborg

Counselor

Leonardus (Luke) has spent the past 22 years in the field of behavioral health, focusing primarily on addictions. He has served in a variety of roles as well as working in several treatment venues such as a hospital setting, private outpatient agencies, county and state agencies, a school setting, residential treatment, and medication assisted treatment. Luke has been an adjunct assistant professor of psychology at a local community college and is a veteran of the United States Army. He has served both as an enlisted member and as an officer attaining the rank of Major in the Military Police Corps. While serving, Luke was a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Drug Demand Reduction Program. 

Luke holds an Applied Associates degree in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation from Northern Virginia Community College; A Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from George Mason University; A Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Loyola College; A Masters of Science in General Psychology from Capella University. Luke has completed all but a Dissertation in a Ph.D. Psychology program from Capella University. 

His certifications include: Certified Substance Abuse Counselor; Master Addictions Counselor; Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor. 

Marilyn Stark

Counselor

Marilyn earned her Master’s degree in Counseling at Virginia Tech Northern Virginia campus, where she spent some time working with returning Peace Corps volunteers and in a Fairfax County CSB outpatient substance abuse treatment program. Marilyn is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and recently earned certification as a Mindfulness Based Therapist. She has worked in a variety of treatment settings, including residential, hospital-based, government programs, and non-profit agencies. Her experience includes group, individual, and family counseling, case management, and work with clients with co-occurring disorders, SMI (serious mental illness) diagnoses, and those experiencing homelessness.

Marilyn takes a holistic approach to counseling, focusing on the individual’s strengths and their ability to achieve wellness in all aspects of life. She uses various modalities in therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change. She believes that change is possible in anyone’s life, and brings her optimistic approach to her work, with trust and collaboration as the basis of the therapeutic relationship. She considers it a privilege to be part of the recovery journey of each person with whom she works.

Amy Levinrad

Admissions Coordinator/Administrative Assistant

As the face of Aquila Recovery of Virginia, Amy strives to assist all callers in their journey of recovery. She enjoys helping people begin the process of turning their lives around and developing office procedures to make it easier for them to meet their goals.

Amy has held a variety of administrative positions in the telecommunications and media industries primarily. In addition, she has assisted teachers for eight years as a classroom substitute and a high school teaching assistant. This experience opened her eyes to many assorted ways of learning and living and she worked with assorted levels of students.

Her working career started after obtaining a Master’s in Business Administration in Seoul, Korea after an undergraduate degree in International Business Management from Oklahoma State University. She is active in the community and as a Special Olympics assistant coach.

She has enjoyed getting to know many people and supporting agency personnel in her position at Aquila and continues to strive to offer the best customer service possible