About Us

MEET THE LIFE CENTER TEAM Geraldine (Dena) Bower, LCSW,CAP As a holistic practitioner, Dena is clinical director of counseling at Life Center. She is a licensed clinical social worker, certified addiction professional, life strategist, health & wellness coach, workshop trainer, tele-class leader and supervisor of social workerss seeking Florida licensure. She started her educational foundation in nursing at Broward Community College, received her B.A. in Psychology with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Florida International University, her graduate MSW degree from Barry University and her addiction training as a CAP from Hanley Hazelden. Dena was trained as a teleclass leader and Strategist Coach through Thomas Leonard, previous owner of CoachU and Coachville. Dena is certified by the State of Florida to provide supervision for Social Workers and provide CEUs to MSWs, MHCs and MFTs. Valuing confidentiality and the trust of her clients, she has extensive counseling experience - focusing on recovery issues, including chemical dependency, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders, co-dependency, loss and grief, G/L/B issues, as well as interpersonal relationships. She emphasizes teaching people the life skills needed for successful living. She has been in private practice for almost 20 years and expanded her services to telephone counseling to assist those with difficulties getting into a therapist's office. As the director and founder of Behavioral Training Institute (BTI), Dena offers coaching, consulting, and continuing education training (CEUs) for social workers, mental health professionals, addiction counselors; Personal and Professional Development, Corporate and general public trainings provided through workshops, tele-classes, home study and e-courses. Dena has written many articles on a variety of topics, meditates daily, and enjoys working with people motivated to improve their health and life situations.

Dr. Russell A. Ficara, DC Dr. Ficara is treatment director of Life Center. He is a chiropractic physician, a certified addictionologist professional, and board-eligible certified acupuncturist. He received his BS degree in biology from Florida State Univ., his Doctorate degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic, his C.Ad. from the American College of Addictionology & Compulsive Disorders, and his acupuncture certificate from the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. To better serve his patients hurt in accidents, Dr. Ficara also completed the Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatolgy program offered by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. He has been in private practice for over 20 years. He is also owner/President of Ficara-Martinez Chiropractic Center in Homestead, Fla. Dr. Ficara also writes and has published many health-related articles and a soon to be published self help book on stress management. He also is editor/publisher of the Florida Trauma Report which serves the medicolegal community with fact-based research.