Daniel Paniagua was working in laser research when a family member became ill. This sparked him to want to learn how and why illness occurs.

He then returned to school and received his BS in Physician Assistant Studies. Daniel enjoys meeting new patients and helping them find solutions to their medical, addiction, and mental health issues.

In his free time, he enjoys reading medical journals and sitting in on lectures on medical research. He believes that all work and no play does not work and enjoys seeing live comedy, singing, swimming, telling jokes, and spending time with family.

daniel@indigoisrecovery.com

Kevin Otero is a licensed mental health counselor having served as a substance abuse/ mental health clinician through Mount Sinai’s hospital for 15 years where he received the majority of his training.

Kevin joined Indigo Recovery for Life as a counselor in July 2016. He provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Kevin helps people become motivated, examine and change their destructive behaviors, learn to cope effectively with life stresses, and recover from mood-altering substance addiction. He loves his work helping people enjoy their life becoming the best versions of themselves. Kevin received a B.S. in Biomechanics from Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (1994) and an M.Ed. in Counseling from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University (1997). Kevin is now working toward his Ph.D. at Fordham University focusing on substance abuse treatment. In his off time, he enjoys a wide variety of activities including arts, sports, and sciences.

kevin@indigoisrecovery.com

Georgia Kontogiorge, MHCLP is a board-certified Mental Health Counselor in NY, and a Licensed Counseling Psychologist in the Republic of Cyprus.

Georgia is from Cyprus and earned her Bachelor of Science (Honors) from Leeds Beckett University in England in 2010 and her Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) from CUNY The City College of NY. She enjoys helping people live lighter, happier, and more meaningful lives. With multicultural and bilingual experience, she takes a holistic approach to health and recovery, synthesizing modalities and approaches in psychotherapy as well as utilizing techniques such as EFT Tapping, NLP techniques, and mindfulness. Georgia enjoys reading and learning about nature, history, space, being with her 6-year-old son, and living an active and athletic lifestyle.

georgia@indigoisrecovery.com

Amy Yedid is a mental health counselor (MCH) that joined Indigo Recovery for Life in November 2020 as an intern and became a full mental therapist in September 2021.

She earned her master’s degree (LMHC) at Brooklyn College’s mental health counseling master’s program, in New York. She enjoys working with her clients to create a safe and comfortable space to discuss client goals, treatment plans, and CBT tools, and most importantly understands that each person’s experience and feelings are valued and heard. Combining a psychodynamic approach as well as CBT, helps Amy view each client as a whole in order to better help each person as they are unique in their experiences and journey. In her free time, Amy enjoys learning about skincare and makeup and spending time with her family.

amy@indigoisrecovery.com

After a long and fulfilling career in set design, Chris Howard made a decision to put his hard-earned 10 years of sobriety to use helping fellow addicts and alcoholics. He joined Indigo, Recovery for Life in 2021.

He brings compassion and empathy to his supportive work in peer counseling. Chris received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute and is currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. In 2013, Chris was the original founder and chair of the New York Affiliate of the National Parents Organization, which continues to advocate for the rights of children after separation or divorce. He has also volunteered for various other charitable organizations including the All Stars Project, where “Using the power of performance, we help youth see new possibilities for themselves and their communities.”  

Chris can be seen and heard online as the host of our Indigo, Recovery for Life podcast, currently available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audacy, and iHeartRadio.Chris also enjoys running, cycling, creative writing, and still opens his sketchbook from time to time when the light is just right

chris@indigoisrecovery.com

Surafel Getachew, Certified Peer Counselor, has worked at Counseling Service of Eastern District New York and as a Wellness Advocate for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

Surafel has a strong commitment to helping clients both maintain their recovery and rebuild their lives. He believes that each individual’s journey is unique and practices a person-centered, strength-based approach.  

He makes sure that each client receives the guidance and support they need to rewrite their narratives, find their inner strength and help them actualize themselves to meet their full potential.

As a Certified New York Peer Specialist, Karen practices active listening while focusing on the six pillars of lifestyle health and wellness. Karen enables clients to discover their personal path to achieving their health goals while maintaining optimal well-being.

Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Duke University and her Masters of Science in Nutrition Education and Food Science from Montclair State University. She is certified as a professional plant-based cook from Rouxbe Cooking School and certified in whole food plant-based Nutrition through Cornell University. Karen is very passionate about the connection between real food, lifestyle, and environment and the important role each plays in one’s overall health and wellness.

Currently, living a whole food, plant-based lifestyle in the Catskills, you will find Karen in the garden, working with her bees, hiking with her dog, boating on the Hudson River, or on the tennis court