Cathy Dooley is the Clinical Director for NCTR’s Phase Two low-intensity residential program. Cathy brings decades of experience and clinical expertise to one or our newest programs.

Prior to this role, from 2009-2024, Cathy Dooley served as the Clinical Manager of NCTR’s Phoenix Program, a residential treatment program for up to 80 men.  In this position, she oversaw the clinical operations and supervises clinical staff.

She joined NCTR (then Vanguard Services) in 1992. While at NCTR she has served in multiple roles, including as program director for Demeter House, NCTR’s residential program for women.

Cathy is a licensed clinical social worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University.

Kedest Gebreselassie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC). She has devoted her career to improving the mental health and well-being of individuals across the lifespan. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, she brings deep expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a broad range of psychiatric conditions.

 Kedest completed her undergraduate nursing studies at George Mason University, earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Practice at Marymount University, and later obtained a post-graduate certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from Shenandoah University. Fluent in English, French, and Amharic, she began her mental health career in outpatient psychiatry, caring for diverse populations and coordinating closely with primary care to support whole-person health.

 Over the years, Kedest has practiced primarily in outpatient behavioral health settings, providing individual and group interventions and comprehensive medication management for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Her work includes experience with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and collaborative care models that span intensive outpatient through community-based recovery supports

Scott Bishop entered the Men's Intensive Residential Program in late 2013 at the age of 43, having struggled with substance use since he was 15. Although this was not his first experience with treatment, it ultimately became his last effort in that regard. Through dedication, he restructured his life and secured employment as a night shift worker within the same program in 2016.

He benefited from the guidance of various mentors associated with the agency, returned to school in 2020, and successfully earned his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree in 2023. Currently, Scott is pursuing his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

Since joining NCTR nine years ago, Scott has taken on numerous roles and contributed to all facilities in various capacities. He currently serves as the Case Manager for the newly established Phase Two low-intensity residential program, applying his expertise and educational background to enhance the well-being of our patients. 

As a Nurse Practitioner Manager, Abdul manages all nurse practitioner services at NCTR’s Phoenix Program men's residential treatment program. Abdul has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from George Mason University and 11 years of experience in the medical field. His most recent experience before joining NCTR in 2022 was with Aspire Healthcare, where he served as a field nurse practitioner. “I am excited by the variable nature of my job, as well as being able to change the lives of vulnerable patients.”