Waypointe Team

Dr. Fowler has been the Vice President of Clinical Operations at High Focus Centers since 2013. He has served as a clinician, clinical coordinator, and clinical director at this organization since 2002. Dr. Fowler and the clinical team at High Focus Centers developed the Waypointe program from its birth as a theoretical concept into the practical solution that is today’s superb, cutting-edge therapeutic residence.

Dr. Fowler received his B.A. in psychology from Boston College. After serving in treatment programs in Baltimore and Boston, he returned to school and obtained his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford.

After completing his internship at The Children’s Village, a residential treatment center, he joined High Focus Centers as one of the first clinicians to open their adolescent psychiatric partial care and intensive outpatient programs. Thirteen years later, High Focus Centers is known as the premier provider of structured outpatient behavioral health and addiction treatment programs in New Jersey.

Dr. Fowler’s specialties include skills-based, empirically-validated treatments, with specific expertise with individuals in acute crisis. He has over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, and families, managing a variety of symptomatology. He also has a research interest in motivational development in young people and the extraneous factors that impact goal achievement, resilience, and responses to success and failure.

When not in a professional environment, Dr. Fowler joins his wife in chasing around their four children. He also tries to access and appreciate the plentiful outdoors activities throughout the northeastern United States.

Earle is an experience and skilled human services administrator with more than 20 years working in the fields of community mental health, developmental disabilities, rehabilitation services, substance use treatment services and children and family services. He has worked in inpatient mental health hospitals throughout New York, Supported Living Programs and Intensive Community Treatment teams in Virginia, Developmental Disabilities and Intellectual Disabilities programs in Massachusetts, Homeless shelters and Children and Family Services Centers in New York and has vast experience in program development and operations across these service arenas. Since graduating with a master’s degree in human services administration from New York Metropolitan College in 2001, Earle has also completed the competency training in addictions counseling at Rutgers University Center of Alcohol Studies and is a certified Wellness Recovery Coach. He is in pursuit of his Master of Social Work degree. In addition to his expertise in program development and management, he served as a clinical program supervisor in city government programs in Virginia.

As an adjunct to his recent work as a Service Director for Developmental Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services and Division Director for Mental Health Services in Massachusetts, Earle served as a cultural diversity and inclusion trainer and a member of the state of Massachusetts’ initiative to improve services to underserved populations.

Earle’s professional and personal creed is akin to Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.”

Dr. DeMilio is double board certified in adult and child psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He completed his training in adult psychiatry at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and further completed a fellowship in child psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He is also a Past President of the New Jersey Chapter of American Academy of Child Psychiatry

Prior to joining Waypointe, he served as Medical Director for several clinical facilities, including freestanding psychiatric hospitals, multi-site outpatient treatment centers, substance abuse programs, residential programs, and diagnostic centers, for both adults and children/adolescents.

With an expertise in diagnostic profiling and assigning optimal treatment recommendations, Dr. DeMilio joins the Waypointe team with a specific desire to help each young man understand his mental illness through proper diagnosis and successfully manage it through effective treatment. He has particular interest in the creation and utilization of brain circuitry profiling-based approaches to diagnosis, medication use, and treatment planning. He is also skilled in clinical teaching, demonstration, and supervision of staff, and on how to provide practical, efficient, and effective treatment in an enlightened and rewarding manner, for both clientele and staff.

Dr. DeMilio has published two solo author studies on diagnostic testing procedures, and continues to present clinical teaching conferences to a variety of professional audiences.

Laura has worked and volunteered in mental/behavioral health for the past 21 years and comes to Waypointe with vast clinical experience in hospital, residential, outpatient, and community outreach settings. Laura has provided mental health counseling, clinical coordination, and advocacy to individuals, families, and groups, specializing in children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric individuals with co-occurring disorders. She takes pride in her knowledge and ability to help individuals and their families to connect with and navigate various community and social service agencies to support their recovery. Laura has worked for High Focus Centers in a clinical role since 2015.

Laura earned her bachelor of arts in degree in psychology from the University of Delaware, where she volunteered for two years at Delaware State Psychiatrics’ psychosocialization program in their male aggressive unit. While at UDel she acted as a neuropsych teaching assistant, as well as part of a research team testing the connection between cortisol and stress levels with behavioral disruptions in emotionally disturbed students in the Wilmington Public School system.

Laura went on to earn a master of arts in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She then obtained certification as a Behavioral Assistant as well as Certificates of Eligibility to teach K-12 and to teach Psychology. She is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC).

Laura’s passion for helping and motivating others toward change, as well as her patience and experience with challenging behaviors, has caused her to receive professional accolades. She has initiated several successful socialization groups and events for individuals and their families and has taught engaging summer programming in conflict resolution, vocational/education rehabilitation, and cooking to chronically mentally ill or chemically addicted individuals to enhance their life skills and psychosocialization. She believes in the mind/body connection to enhance overall wellness, including incorporating physical activity as a therapeutic alliance in recovery.

Bartley has Bachelor of Science in psychology and is currently working on completing his master’s degree in mental health counseling. He has worked as a mental health associate for High Focus Centers since 2014.

Kirk has an associate’s degree in social sciences and bachelor of arts degree in English literature. Kirk is currently working on his master of science in school counseling. He comes to Waypointe with professional experience working as a youth mentor with the organization Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a mentorship organization that offers mental health support services to teenagers, and was a tutor and substitute teacher with an international ESOL program. Kirk recently worked for the Department of Labor as a residential advisor for a trade school, teaching students ages 16-24 independent living skills such as behavior management, cleanliness, proper dormitory etiquette, and employability (interview) skills.

Other examples of Kirk’s work experience are: his journey as a Camp Counselor with RYSAG (Rochester Young Scholars Academy at Geneseo), an organization that teaches inner-city adolescents independent living skills on a college campus to initiate their interest in college life and help them develop a sense of readiness for higher education.

Edwin has a bachelor of arts in social sciences with a concentration in mental health and is looking to pursue his master’s. Edwin brings both professional experience working as a healthcare/medical coordinator and in group homes, as well as lived experience in being part of a therapeutic foster care family. He has also helped various youth in his church network by giving them daily life skills lessons so they can learn from life experiences to help guide them towards a clear and positive path. Edwin’s goal is to bring the best attitude, spirit, and drive out of these young men so they can strive for greatness in every aspect of their life.

Julia has a bachelor of science in psychology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. During her studies, she founded two student organizations and was an officer on a third. Her leadership led to her being named Student Leader of the Year. She has experience working with individuals with mental illness and has implemented a non-profit agency in Pennsylvania that serves homeless individuals. Julia has been a founder and active officer of several advocacy and diversity groups. Julia brings her leadership skills and her vivid imagination and creativity to Waypointe, and believes that a genuine, down-to-earth connection is critical in treatment.

Stephanie has a bachelor of arts in history/education from the University of Delaware. She is currently matriculated in the MA, Mental Health Counseling program at the College of Saint Elizabeth with a spring 2018 graduation date. She has spent more than 10 years as a volunteer mentor and art therapy instructor with adolescent clients involved in family or criminal court, and has served on various non-profit boards focused on improving the quality of life and/or protection of children.

Donald C. McGill has been an executive chef for more than 25 years. Chef Donald is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, where he received his associate’s degree in culinary arts. He has worked in four-star restaurants in New York City, such as 21 Club, Montrachet, The River Café and Metro Cafe, and has trained with renowned celebrity chefs David Burke, Michael Lomonaco, Drew Nieporent, Alain Sailhac, Geoffrey Zakarian and the late, great Patrick Clark. Chef Donald has built an outstanding reputation within the food industry as an expert in nutritional-based gourmet menu planning and high-volume food production.

In addition, Donald has focused on creating his very own brand as well, and has developed a professional upscale catering business, “Kreative Kuisine Management, Inc.”, which has served high-end clientele for the past 17 years. He is also a culinary arts instructor, presently teaching farm-to-table cookery and basic cooking skills while on a limited budget to young adults who are challenged with mental illness and substance abuse.

Donald was presented with the 2001 Tasting’s “Inspiration Award”, given by The Momentum AIDS Project, for years of commitment and dedication to clients and staff. He has also been awarded Best Restaurant for “Home of Organic soups & more” by The Local Flair Magazine 2009, as well as awarded Best in the Poconos: Soups, Artisan Salad, Handcrafted sandwich and Vegetarian dish in 2010 and 2011. Donald’s professional certifications include: ServSafe Food Manager’s Certification, 2013-2018; NYC Department of Health Food Handler’s Permit, 1998; and NESTA Certification for Certified Personal Fitness Chef, 2006.

Christine has a master of arts in counseling with a concentration in school counseling.