Fairwinds Treatment Center Tampa FL

Care. Compassion. Commitment.

You’re never alone on the road to recovery. At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we believe that clinical expertise and a caring nature are crucial to winning the battle against your addiction, once and for all.

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Meet Your Recovery Team

Whatever you need, we’re here for you. With one of the highest staff-to-patient ratios in the industry, we are committed to delivering exceptional, individualized care in a safe and respectful environment. Our team consists of some of the most qualified and compassionate health care specialists. We staff in-house psychiatrists, a general physician, a psychologist, certified drug and alcohol addictions counselors, licensed social workers and therapists, nursing professionals, an art therapist and a registered dietitian.

Leadership

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef
Founder, Medical Director

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef

M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, M.D., serves as medical director of Fairwinds Treatment Center. A nationally recognized board-certified psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology and addictions, Dr. El-Yousef’s initial years in psychiatry were highlighted by academic achievements. His tenure at Vanderbilt University as assistant professor of psychiatry and instructor of pharmacology yielded 60 scientific publications. Dr. El-Yousef is recognized as a true pioneer in the field of psychiatry and addictions medicine. In 1984, he founded Fairwinds Treatment Center after developing a treatment program that blended a medical psychiatric model with a traditional Twelve Step-Johnson model. The program has given Fairwinds a reputation as one of the nation’s foremost dual diagnosis treatment centers. As a true dually-licensed psychiatric and substance abuse center, Fairwinds remains unique in comparison to most nationally recognized addictions programs.

Amy Helland, CEO
BSN, RN-BC

Amy Helland, CEO

Ms. Helland brings a wealth of experience to her position as CEO, having worked in both the public and private sectors of the healthcare industry. She has held positions such as charge nurse in community mental health settings and has supervised various adult crisis and long-term residential and children’s crisis, residential, and intensive-residential units; a children’s group home, children’s mental health shelter, juvenile addiction receiving facility, and mental health juvenile justice units. Ms. Helland has also worked on memory care and dementia units in the private sector.

Ms. Helland is a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College, where she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing degree, and the University of South Florida, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She has been Board Certified in psychiatric/mental health nursing since 2006.

In her previous position as Director of Nursing, Ms. Helland was responsible for the supervision of mental health technicians and licensed practical and registered nurses who provide around-the-clock compassionate care to patients at Fairwinds. Other responsibilities included her overseeing the areas of Infection Prevention and Control, Compliance, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, and Staff Development. Ms. Helland has always had a primary focus on patient safety and the delivery of high-quality care

Our Doctors

Dr. Kyle Stephens

Dr. Kyle J. Stephens is a highly skilled and experienced psychiatrist who is dedicated to providing top-notch care to his patients. He received his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and went on to complete his general psychiatry residency at the University of South Florida. In addition, he completed a child and adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship with the prestigious Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Stephens specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity medicine and is committed to helping his patients achieve their goals and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

As a member of the team at Fairwinds Treatment Center, Dr. Stephens is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to his patients. He is compassionate, understanding, and deeply committed to helping his patients overcome their challenges and achieve their full potential. If you are in need of psychiatric care, we encourage you to contact Dr. Kyle J. Stephens and the team at Fairwinds Treatment Center.

Dr. Hassan Bokhari

Hassan Bokhari is a Florida based physician. He is a double board–certified psychiatrist and currently practices in Tampa bay Florida. He started his career as a military ER physician with the prestigious Army medical Corps of Pakistan. Trained in hyperbaric medicine with Pakistan Navy & the Royal Australian Navy, Dr. Bokhari served as an advisor on hyperbaric medicine to the Royal Oman Navy. He was fascinated by mental health early on in his career. This led to him taking a detour in his professional career. After pursuing residency in Psychiatry from (UMDNJ) at Rutgers University, New Jersey he completed his fellowship training in child & adolescent psychiatry from Georgetown University, Washington DC and TMS fellowship from Duke university North Carolina.

His interests include addiction and addiction related disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, developmental & cognitive disorders as well as trauma related mental health disorders. Avid traveler, scuba diver, polo player and father of three Dr Bokhari is currently working on developing a comprehensive yet pragmatic diagnostic system for children with cognitive, learning & developmental delays. He is a strong advocate of integrated medicine with a holistic approach & regularly consults Ayurvedic texts, Compendium of Materia Medica, Kanpo, Traditional African and Mesoamerican medicine scrolls for guidance. He also serves as a voluntary faculty with University of South Florida and is part of faculty with Baycare Hospital system of Tampa Bay.

Dr. Krishan K. Batra

Krishan K. Batra, M.D. received psychiatry training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas; and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. After board certification in general and pediatric psychiatry, he served as staff psychiatrist at Hillsborough Community Health Center in the late 1970’s.

Dr. Batra has been practicing addiction psychiatry since the first ever examination for boards in this country in the subspecialty in 1993: then he received simultaneous recertification in 2003 for suboxone therapy as well as for opiate dependence. He has been studying abuse patterns of prescription drugs and has been lecturing colleagues in the medicine and healthcare industry since 2002. In 2005, he was awarded “Distinguished Fellow,” status with American Psychiatric Association and in 2006; he was elevated to “Clinical Associate Professor” status at the University of South Florida.

While Dr. Batra is actively involved in the community and professional organizations, he has contributed and represented psychiatry in local and state NAMI meetings. Dr. Batra served as president of Greater Tampa Bay Psychiatric Society and has been an active executive committee member of the Florida Psychiatric Society. He also served as president of FAPI (Florida Association of Physicians of Indian Origin).

Our Clinical Team

Kourtney Gordon
MS, RD/LD, CEDRD

Kourtney Gordon MS, RD/LD, CEDRD

Kourtney has been with Fairwinds Treatment Center since 2000 and serves as our Clinical Dietitian and Eating Disorder Program Manager. She is an active member of the Academy for Eating Disorders and is currently the President for the local iaedp Tampa Bay Chapter.She was also recently awarded certification through iaedp as an Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDRD). Kourtney is responsible for the weekly nutrition groups and outings to re-familiarize/ desensitize patients to healthy eating habits and attitudes about food in normal community activities.

Kourtney is involved in facilitating and counseling patients to begin recovery eating patterns and weight stabilization through educational and experiential activities, as well as act as liaison between departments to ensure the eating disorder program is meeting its goals in facilitating the patient’s recovery process.

Russell Porter
MA, LMHC

Russell Porter MA, LMHC

Russ is our most tenured clinical therapist at Fairwinds Treatment Center, with more than 25 years of experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in both residential and outpatient settings. Russ obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Reformed Theological Seminary. His style combines psychological, spiritual, and philosophical principles, as well as humor, to motivate people to greater levels of accomplishment and satisfaction in their lives. Outside of Fairwinds Treatment Center, Russ has his own outpatient practice and supervises LMHC and LMFT interns for licensure.Russell Porter, MA, LMHC

Lilly Kritsch
MA

Lilly Kritsh MA

Lilly Kritsch brings a wealth of expertise in behavioral health and administration, demonstrating a robust work ethic, exceptional leadership skills, and a remarkable capacity for adaptability. As an accomplished Residential Supervisor, Lilly has consistently excelled in overseeing a range of diverse facilities, where her responsibilities include effectively managing admissions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering an environment conducive to the well-being of residents. Her background in mental health underscores her proficiency in patient care, communication, and program supervision, reflecting a comprehensive and well-rounded professional profile. Armed with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Lilly is not only academically qualified but also deeply committed to making a positive impact on individuals’ mental health and overall well-being. Her dedication to the field, coupled with her extensive experience, positions Lilly as a valuable asset, uniquely equipped to contribute to the advancement of behavioral health services and the enhancement of the lives of those under her care.

Rachael Smith
MS, LMHC

Rachel Smith MS, LMHC

Rachael Smith, LMHC, is a seasoned mental health counselor with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field. Her specialization lies in individual, family, and group therapy, where she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering emotional well-being and achieving positive behavioral outcomes. Rachael’s unique approach involves utilizing creative interventions and crafting individualized treatment plans tailored to meet the specific needs of her clients. Her dedication to client advocacy and collaborative case management has garnered accolades and recognition throughout her distinguished career, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the well-being of those under her care. As a licensed mental health counselor, Rachael is poised to bring her comprehensive skills, compassionate approach, and wealth of knowledge to the Fairwinds Treatment Center, where she aims to contribute significantly to providing client-centered mental health services and making a positive impact on the lives of individuals seeking support and healing.

Valerie Gekoski
MS, LMHC

Valerie Gekoski MS, LMHC

Valerie Gekoski is a compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a proven ability to deliver high-quality services to at-risk populations, showcasing versatility in her collaborative and independent approaches. Proficient in needs assessment, counseling techniques, and treatment planning, she demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the complexities within mental health care. Excelling in crisis management and intervention, Valerie’s relentless pursuit of excellence is driven by a profound passion for enhancing the quality of life and well-being of others. Her educational background includes a Master’s in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Capella University, complemented by a Bachelors in Human Services with a Minor in Management and an Associates of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. With a professional history as a trauma-informed therapist at Suncoast Center, Inc. and administrative experience at Tampa Bay Med, Valerie’s multifaceted skills and commitment to ongoing improvement make her an invaluable asset in the field of mental health therapy, leaving a meaningful impact on the lives she touches.

Our Promise to You

For over 30 years, we’ve watched addictions devastate families. Additionally, many of our team members have been personally affected by addiction, which has inspired them to work in this field. It’s not easy—but it’s all worth it to watch patients recover and families reunite. That’s why we make it our mission to provide the highest quality of care available, whether you’re working to recover from drug and alcohol addiction or an eating disorder. Everyone on our staff strives to deliver on this promise every day, in everything that we do.

Start Your Journey

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Phone Number

Message

Fairwinds Treatment Center Tampa FL

Care. Compassion. Commitment.

Meet Your Recovery Team

Leadership

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef
Founder, Medical Director

Amy Helland, CEO
BSN, RN-BC

Our Doctors

Dr. Kyle Stephens

Dr. Hassan Bokhari

Dr. Krishan K. Batra

Our Clinical Team

Kourtney Gordon
MS, RD/LD, CEDRD

Russell Porter
MA, LMHC

Lilly Kritsch
MA

Rachael Smith
MS, LMHC

Valerie Gekoski
MS, LMHC

Our Promise to You

Start Your Journey

Addiction Treatment

Eating Disorder Treatment

Why Fairwinds

Contact

Fairwinds Treatment Center Tampa FL

Care. Compassion. Commitment.

Meet Your Recovery Team

Leadership

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-YousefFounder, Medical Director

Amy Helland, CEO BSN, RN-BC

Our Doctors

Dr. Kyle Stephens

Dr. Hassan Bokhari

Dr. Krishan K. Batra

Our Clinical Team

Kourtney Gordon MS, RD/LD, CEDRD

Russell Porter MA, LMHC

Lilly KritschMA

Rachael Smith MS, LMHC

Valerie Gekoski MS, LMHC

Our Promise to You

Start Your Journey

Addiction Treatment

Eating Disorder Treatment

Why Fairwinds

Contact

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef
Founder, Medical Director

Amy Helland, CEO
BSN, RN-BC

Kourtney Gordon
MS, RD/LD, CEDRD

Russell Porter
MA, LMHC

Lilly Kritsch
MA

Rachael Smith
MS, LMHC

Valerie Gekoski
MS, LMHC