About Elaris

Dr. Jess Garza, Ph.D.

Cofounder and Partner, Elaris

LPC, NCC, PMP, CMPC

Dr. Garza is an internationally recognized cognitive-performance expert and TED speaker with over 2 million views. With a Ph.D. in Performance Psychology and 20+ years of experience, she has trained over 15,000 high-stakes professionals—from Special Forces and Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 executives. She specializes in behavioral health recovery, including gambling behaviors and high-risk decision-making, using her immersive, scenario-based approach to build mental readiness and peak performance under pressure.

Scott Melissa

Cofounder and Partner, Elaris

Scott has dedicated his career to transforming how individuals and families recover from gambling addiction. With experience as COO, therapist, aftercare coordinator, and family liaison, he developed a rare 360-degree understanding of treatment. He previously served as an expert trainer with the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and consulted with Harvard's Division on Addiction. At Elaris, Scott focuses on removing learning barriers and building a model that prioritizes connection, relevance, and real-world integration for sustainable recovery.

David Zoni

Cofounder and Partner, Elaris

David has spent years building exceptional relationships with clients and families in problem gambling treatment. Known for his relatability, compassion, and direct communication, he previously worked alongside Scott at Algamus and Prescott House. His background includes outreach with police, fire departments, and first responders, plus experience as a collegiate lacrosse coach and former All-American athlete. David's frontline experience collecting feedback from clients who couldn't commit to longer programs has been instrumental in shaping the Elaris model.

Rabbi Yehuda Avner, LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Rabbi Avner is a therapist and educator working with teens and adults on addiction, anxiety, depression, and sports betting issues. With a background in both clinical practice and high school counseling, he identified the rising tide of gambling-related issues as early as 2018. His work is driven by a mission-focused commitment to providing community-centered, accessible treatment that meets people where they are.

Bobby Engel

Gambling Recovery Therapist & Peer Support Specialist

Bobby brings over 10 years of gambling-specific treatment experience combined with personal lived experience as a recovering compulsive gambler. His background includes direct exposure to World Series of Poker environments, casino culture, and online platforms. Having served as a Behavioral Health Technician, Medical Coordinator, and Residential Housing Director, Bobby is known for his warmth, trust-building abilities, and deeply relatable approach to recovery.

Victoria Stallings

IGCCB-Certified Gambling Disorder Specialist

With 15 years of experience and a background as an Army veteran, Victoria specializes in working with professionals and executives facing gambling challenges. She is an expert in online gambling, sports betting, and casino apps, bringing deep knowledge of neurofeedback from her time at The Brain Center. Certified by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board, Victoria also has 5 years of experience in equine-assisted therapy and is currently pursuing certification in video game addiction treatment.

Jeff Wasserman

JD, CPRS, ICGC-I | Gambling Disorder Specialist & Advocate

Jeff is a nationally recognized speaker and one of the most respected voices in problem gambling and sports betting harm. Featured on CNBC, NPR, and major podcasts, he combines lived experience with professional expertise as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and International Certified Gambling Counselor. A former attorney, Jeff founded the Problem Gambling Support Group and facilitates the only dedicated sports betting self-help platform in the U.S., providing bettors with structured support for harm reduction and recovery.

Anna Tobin, MA

Therapeutic Coach & Brainspotting Practitioner

Anna is a therapeutic coach with a master's in forensic psychology, recognized for translating complex emotional and behavioral processes into practical pathways for change. Her experience spans mental health, substance use, and gambling addiction treatment. She integrates trauma-informed psychoeducation with Bilateral Processing, DBT, and Brainspotting, focusing on trauma, identity development, and transforming maladaptive patterns. Anna helps clients understand how core beliefs influence behavior and develop the insight needed for emotional regulation and sustained change.

Marc Lefkowitz, ICGC-II

Senior Gambling Counselor & National Speaker

Marc is a certified gambling counselor with over 25 years of experience directing and developing inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. A recovering gambler himself with nearly 40 years of abstinence, he brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to his work. Marc has trained thousands of therapists through the UCLA Gambling Studies Program and is a nationally recognized speaker on problem gambling. In 2012, he received California's Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with problem gamblers and their families. He has been featured on HBO, national podcasts, and at countless speaking engagements as a subject matter expert on pathological gambling.

Rocco Morrongiello

Certified Life Coach (iPEC)

Rocco is a certified life coach with over three decades of experience guiding individuals through high-pressure decision-making and personal transformation. Before entering the coaching and treatment space, he spent 35 years as a U.S. investment-grade corporate bond broker, giving him rare insight into stress, performance, risk-taking behavior, and the psychological patterns that drive both success and self-sabotage. Rocco blends structured coaching methodology with deep practical insight, helping clients identify limiting beliefs, develop sustainable coping strategies, and reclaim control of their lives. He is known for his grounded presence and direct communication style.

Christēna Vandegrift

Spiritual & Relationship Life Coach, RYT 600HR, Reiki Master

Christēna is a behavioral practitioner and transformational coach with over a decade of experience and more than 6,800 hours of applied teaching across yoga, meditation, breathwork, and coaching. Her expertise centers on understanding human patterns, self-regulation, and conscious decision-making under pressure. She has worked extensively with individuals navigating emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, various addictions, and high-pressure environments. At Elaris, Christēna provides grounded perspective on how individuals process information and make choices under real-world conditions, translating personal insight into clear application. Known for her direct, precise approach, she emphasizes clarity under pressure and integrity-driven transformation.