The Talk: Mental Health and the Law

Ben Brafman Bio

Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the CEO and Founder of Destination Hope, The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, The Academy for Addiction Professionals, and the founder of Guardian Behavioral Health Foundation. Ben holds a BS degree from Syracuse University and a Dual Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling and Family Therapy from Barry University. With more than twenty years of hands-on experience, Ben is a leading authority in the field of Substance Use Disorders and treatment protocols. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional, and Supervisor for licensure in the state of Florida.

As an entrepreneur, Ben established programs offering individualized care with a one-to-one ratio between patients and staff. He created the first gender-specific, age-specific, and mental health program in the field. These diversified programs attribute to a successful model that he even teaches to other treatment center owners who have adopted his methods for treating addiction. Ben’s growing success of Destination Hope is a testament to his genuine passion to help others.

He is a published author in the area of dual diagnosis and chemical dependency and trains others to be certified professionals in the field of addiction through his Academy for Addiction Professionals. His new book is slated to launch this year and will serve as a guide to become a professional in behavioral health. Ben speaks at conferences, universities and colleges across the nation, discussing trends and issues affecting the mental health and substance abuse community. Ben’s programs have been featured in national publications including Addiction Professional, NBC, ABC, and FOX national news. He currently resides in Parkland, Florida with his wife Suzanne and their three children Abby, Jacob, and Eli.

April Katz Israeli, Esq. Bio

April Katz Israeli, Esq. comes to the Williams Law Group with over 25 years of experience in Divorce and Family Law. April is a zealous advocate and passionate litigator for many families in the State of New Jersey. April received her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1992, where she was an Associate Editor of Law Review. April is admitted to practice law in both New Jersey and New York and is a member of numerous Bar Associations, at both the State and County level. April has also had the privilege of being included on the Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers List for Excellence in Practice and has been seen in New Jersey Monthly Magazine; a distinct honor reserved for only 5% of attorneys in New Jersey.

Before opening her own private practice in 1993, April served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Zampino J.S.C. (Ret.), Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage, Chancery Division, Family Part. April has also served as a Panelist for Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel Programs in Essex, Morris, Passaic and Union Counties; a program made up of experienced family law attorneys, who volunteer their time to assist the courts in resolving family law cases prior to trial. April has lectured at seminars throughout the State of New Jersey, on a wide range of topics related to Family Law. April is devoted to her career and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and compassion for helping clients with their legal matters.