Our Team

Highly trained, down-to-earth pros

Treatment Professionals Who Meet You Where You’re At

We pride ourselves on providing quality, cutting-edge care from some of the nation’s leading addiction experts. But all the credentials in the world don’t matter if our staff can’t relate to the patients they’re treating. At the Claudia Black Young Adult Center, we have a team of compassionate individuals experienced in the issues unique to young adulthood. These skilled professionals will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs so you can achieve your goals and begin to thrive.

Therapist and patient

Claudia Black, PhD, MSW

Clinical Architect

Dr. Claudia Black is a renowned author and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. In the mid-1970s, Claudia gave “voice” to…

Dr. Claudia Black is a renowned author and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. In the mid-1970s, Claudia gave “voice” to both young and adult children from addictive homes, offering a framework for their healing. This cutting-edge work would be critical in creating the foundation for the codependency field and a greater understanding of the impact of family trauma.

Since that time, Dr. Black has continued to be a passionate leader in the field of addiction. She designs and presents training workshops and seminars to professional audiences in the field of family service, mental health, and addictive disorders. She has written more than 15 books, most notably It Will Never Happen to Me.

The recipient of numerous national awards, Dr. Black has been a keynote speaker on Capitol Hill and on Canada’s Parliament Hill. A Senior Fellow and clinical architect for the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows, she also serves on the advisory board for the National Association of Children of Alcoholics and the advisory council of the Moyer Foundation.

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Whitney Howzell, PhD, LCSW, MEd, MPH, CSAT

Executive Director

Dr. Whitney Howzell is a dynamic, highly motivated, and conscientious leader with a depth of knowledge and experience in social work, sociology, and sexology. A licensed social worker, Dr. Howzell…

Dr. Whitney Howzell is a dynamic, highly motivated, and conscientious leader with a depth of knowledge and experience in social work, sociology, and sexology. A licensed social worker, Dr. Howzell holds master’s degrees in clinical social work, public health, and education, as well as a PhD in human sexuality studies. She also has extensive experience and training in gender-related issues, attachment, sexual orientation, relationship communication, and sexual trauma.

Much of Dr. Howzell’s work has centered on treating adolescents and families with behavioral and emotional issues, sexual compulsive behavior, sexual trauma, and couples with relational issues. She is an empathic therapist who is passionate about mental health, raising awareness about sexual health, and providing excellent patient care.

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Caitlin Hjerpe, M.S.Ed, LPC-S

Clinical Director

Caitlin Hjerpe is a native of northeast Ohio, where she earned both of her degrees from Youngstown State University. Caitlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Master of…

Caitlin Hjerpe is a native of northeast Ohio, where she earned both of her degrees from Youngstown State University. Caitlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Master of Science in Education for Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. Caitlin was trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) right out of graduate school, which formed her passion for working with trauma. She has focused a lot of her work on young adults, active-duty military members, and veterans. She has also worked with chronic pain clients, has taught virtual workshops on addiction with an affiliate company for Ohio BWC, and has been a member of the Star-Behavioral Health Providers registry. Caitlin began her profession working in community mental health, then private practice, before landing a family therapist role at CBC. From there, she has progressed to lead therapist, and now clinical director. Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys reading, dance, yoga, cooking with her husband, spending time with family and friends, and being a dog mom. Caitlin also has a passion for paddle boarding and hiking, even completing a 20-mile hike in February of 2024!

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Mia Hackett, RN

Director of Nursing

A Wickenburg, Arizona native, Mia Hackett earned her AAS in Nursing from Estrella Mountain Community College and has worked in the mental health field since the mid-2000s. From an early…

A Wickenburg, Arizona native, Mia Hackett earned her AAS in Nursing from Estrella Mountain Community College and has worked in the mental health field since the mid-2000s. From an early age, she says she was blessed to have special bonds with several amazing people who struggled with various mental health issues. She was always drawn to understand their diseases, and to provide comfort, respite, and help break the stigma of those conditions. As soon as she was able to, Hackett took the opportunity to learn and grow in this field. Today, her current role includes teaching, leading, and coaching nurses and behavioral health techs to provide the best possible care to everyone who come to Claudia Black Young Adult Center. She continues to find joy in developing a compassionate team who takes pride in providing hope. It’s also rewarding to see the life-changing transformation in the young adults she works with. Married with four children, two horses, and three dogs, Hackett is always on the move, finding little adventures to enjoy with her family and the critters. It usually includes something outdoors like hiking, kayaking, horse riding, farming, or exploring the beautiful state of Arizona.

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Jon G. Caldwell, DO, PhD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Jon Caldwell is a board-certified psychiatrist and clinical research investigator who specializes in the treatment of adults who are healing from relational trauma and addictive behaviors. He is currently…

Dr. Jon Caldwell is a board-certified psychiatrist and clinical research investigator who specializes in the treatment of adults who are healing from relational trauma and addictive behaviors. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer of Meadows Behavioral Health and The Meadows. His theoretical perspectives are heavily influenced by his PhD training at the University of California at Davis, where he began researching how early childhood maltreatment and insecure attachment relationships affect cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. His clinical approach has become increasingly flavored by the timeless teachings of the contemplative traditions and by the daily practice of mindfulness. Dr. Caldwell has published a number of articles on child maltreatment, attachment theory, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. He is also a noted international speaker and trainer on these and other topics.

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Admissions

Our experienced, compassionate Admissions team is here to help 24 hours a day and will treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve. Let our specialists help you create a road map to get you where you want to go: a healthier, more balanced, fulfilling place in life. When you call, you’ll be led through a series of questions to determine if the Claudia Black Young Adult Center is the right fit for your needs, and how soon your treatment can begin.

If you are interested in treatment for yourself or a loved one, call or fill out our convenient Admissions form!

CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS OFFICE

855-333-6075

OR COMPLETE AN ADMISSIONS CONTACT FORM

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