Meet the Partners

Balanced Recovery Center, LLC was established by nine healthcare professionals with extensive experience, driven by a shared vision of delivering accessible and effective substance abuse and mental health treatment. Their mission is to integrate the mind, body, and soul in every aspect of care. By developing an innovative, highly personalized treatment approach, they ensure that each individual’s unique needs are met—because treatment is never a one-size-fits-all solution.

l-r: Amanda Hichborn, Dr. Kristina Hallett, Anthony Khattar, Melissa Petrillo, Ashley Maroney, Suzanne Gile

Our Team

Our Team comes from diverse backgrounds and possesses a wealth of lived experience and specialized knowledge. Our Team has training in addiction and recovery care, trauma therapies, and specialized populations.

Melissa Petrillo, LMHC

Partner/Owner

Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist and a graduate of Assumption University. She has worked across various clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, residential, private practice, IOP/PHP programs, and academia.

Melissa has extensive training in trauma-informed care, the ARC framework, complex trauma, substance use, somatic healing, and IFS. She is certified in Traumatic Stress Studies through Trauma Research Foundation. Melissa has developed and directed numerous clinical programs across Central MA and focuses on trauma-informed leadership and consultation.

She also serves as a faculty member in Bay Path University’s Graduate Psychology Program.

Dr. Kristina Hallett, Ph.D

Partner/Owner

Dr. Kristina Hallett is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, TEDx Speaker, and Associate Professor of Psychology at Bay Path University with over 25 years of experience working with organizations and individuals. She is the author of three international best-sellers Own Best Friend: Eight Steps to a Life of Purpose, Passion, and Ease; Be Awesome: Banish Burnout, Create Motivation from the Inside Out; and the Trauma Treatment Toolbox for Teens.

She hosts the popular Be Awesome – Celebrating Mental Health and Wellness podcast. Dr. Hallett is frequently featured on national platforms such as NBC, U.S. News and World Report, MindBodyGreen, Reader’s Digest, American Psychological Association, and many more.

Dr. Hallett has a wealth of experience in speaking, teaching and clinical practice. Dr. Hallett speaks internationally in several areas – productivity, resilience, communication, self-care, harnessing the positive power of stress, and living your best life.

Dr. Hallett received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College in Biology and Psychology and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1993 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology.

She is a reviewer for the Connecticut psychology ethics board and is active in the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, the National Speakers Association, and the American Psychological Association.

Tina Render, M.D.

Partner/ Owner

Medical Director

Dr. Render is a Leading Figure in Psychiatry Education and has over 36 years of experience in the medical field. She is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Render earned her BS in Biology from Simmons College, Boston, and her Medical Degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.

She specializes in the diagnosing and treatment of mental illness, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and schizophrenia.

Ashley Maroney, LMHC

Partner/Owner

Program Director

Ashley received her Masters degree from Assumption University in Worcester MA in 2014 and her license to practice clinical mental health in 2016.

Since she began her career in the field, Ashley has specialized in treating substance use disorders. She has worked throughout the entire spectrum of care and has an extensive knowledge of the level of care system.

She received her yoga teacher training certificate through Hot Power Yoga Studio in 2018 and has been practicing and teaching yogic breath and movement in her practice for several years. She believes the pathway to meaningful recovery starts entirely from within. She focuses her time starting up and developing programs and clinicians that can thrive in an increasingly complex managed care world.

Brendan Miller

Executive Director

Brendan is a graduate of Nyack High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. He also received a Regents Diploma from the state of New York.

With over 14 years of experience, he has a number of varied and enriching roles to his credit.

Brendan, a motivated leader, is well-known for his remarkable management skills, steadfast dedication, and his ability to communicate effectively and solve problems with ease.

Theresa James

Clinical Director

We are so proud to announce that Theresa James has joined BRC as our new Clinical Director.

Theresa is a Licensed Mental Health Psychotherapist with over 10 years experience with a masters degree in Social Work from Westfield State University, including a 2018-2019 HRSA Fellow in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Health Collaboration. Her education also includes a bachelor degree from Elms College and associate degrees in Psychology and Human Services (Dean's List) from Holyoke Community College.

Theresa is proficient in leadership, problem solving, project management, and is an advocate for individuals with developmental limitations.

Joel Khattar, MS

Director of Community Relations

Joel brings 15 years of leadership experience in education, mentorship, community outreach, and human services to Balanced Recovery Center. Driven by a deep commitment to supporting individuals with unique needs, Joel's impact reaches far beyond the classroom. In his diverse roles within the non-profit sector, he has been a strong advocate for mental health, substance abuse, and educational rights, empowering individuals and communities.

Throughout his career, Joel has played a pivotal role in developing and leading programs within the Department of Mental Health (DMH), ensuring access to essential preventive services and establishing access centers across Massachusetts.

His background, marked by dedication to advocacy, outreach, and program development, makes him an invaluable addition to the Balanced Recovery Center team. With his compassionate, client-centered approach, Joel's expertise will greatly benefit clients on their path to recovery.

Harvey McNulty

Outreach Coordinator

Harvey is a great asset to our program with strategic recovery leadership and expertise in network expansion and team effectiveness. He has a proven ability to enhance communication skills with a strong commitment to fostering recovery outcomes.

He has Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachsetts-Boston, specializing in business management and an Associates in Arts degree in Business Administration from Bunker Hill Community College.