Our Experts

Welcome to Caron’s Media Experts Page. You will see a wide range of topic areas related to addiction that our experts can address. You can click on your topic of interest to view experts in that particular area. Please be aware that our experts are familiar with all chemical addictions – including alcohol, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamines, over-the-counter and prescription medications, stimulants and steroids.

**Please note, Caron experts are able to speak about the below topics in the context that they pertain to addiction.

Michael S. Early

Michael S. Early
Chief Clinical Officer

Mr. Early oversees Caron's comprehensive continuum of care. His career spans more than 35 years in the field of chemical dependency treatment.

Mr. Early manages the development and implementation of Caron's treatment programs.

His expertise includes 12-step facilitation, integrating a multi-disciplinary team, intervention strategies and case management for long-term recovery.

In 2009, Mr. Early's journey from addiction to recovery more than three decades ago was featured in the book, Moments of Clarity: Voices From the Front Lines of Addiction and Recovery by Christopher Kennedy Lawford.

Prior to joining Caron in May 2001, he served as Manager of Continuum Services at the Hazelden Foundation from 1989 to 2001 and as Director of Prevention and Intervention Services and Coordinator of Alcohol - Drug Abuse Services at St. Croix Health Center in New Richmond, Wisconsin from 1974 to 1989. He has held a variety of leadership roles within state and national certification and training programs.

Mr. Early holds a BA in Human Services Management. He is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional.

Frank Tulak, Psy.D.,

Frank Tulak, Psy.D., Caron Director of Psychological Services

Dr. Tulak is the Director of Psychological Services at Caron. He is responsible for psychological evaluations, counseling and staff consultations.

He specializes in psychological testing, individual and group therapy, stress management, family therapy and the relationship between psychology and spirituality. Prior to Caron, he was the staff psychologist at Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center and Children's Behavioral Health in Johnstown, PA.

Dr. Tulak holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Immaculata College and a Mater's in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Harris Stratyner, Ph.D.

Harris Stratyner, Ph.D., CASAC
Regional Vice President of Caron New York

Dr. Stratyner is the Regional Vice President for Caron Treatment Centers' New York Recovery Center. He is a renowned addiction and mental health treatment specialist with more than 27 years of experience. In addition to treating patients, he oversees the clinical staff and develops and implements workshops and programs for patients in recovery at Caron New York.

Dr. Stratyner developed the technique "Carefrontation," which combines the latest motivational engagement techniques and an environment of respect and dignity to stress individual responsibility to deal with one's addiction or mental health condition.

Dr. Stratyner currently holds positions as a Clinical Associate Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and as a Vice Chair of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) Board of Directors. He is also a contributing author to the PDR Guide to Pediatric & Adolescent Mental Health (Published in 2009 by Thomson Reuters).

Before joining Caron, Dr. Stratyner held leadership and academic positions at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He was listed by the prestigious Castle Connelly almanac as one of the profession's leading specialists.

Father William Hultberg / Father Bill

Father William Hultberg, a.k.a. Father Bill,
Caron Spiritual Advisor

Father Bill is the Spiritual Advisor at Caron Treatment Centers. A Catholic Priest and a member of The Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, Father Bill is also a Certified Pastoral Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselor.

Currently, Father Bill offers spiritual and religious counseling to recovering addicts and family members and helps patients understand the 12-step spirituality of recovery. His Sunday service at Caron’s Chapel is a time-honored tradition at Caron. The service is geared towards patients and families in recovery and offers opportunities for them to share their stories of pain and hope with those in attendance.

Father Bill’s message can also be heard through Caron’s interactive website – www.caron.org/360. Additionally, Father Bill developed and implemented a spiritual program of support for HIV-positive and AIDS patients and has been an integral part in developing HIV retreat weekends that are hosted by Caron.

Father Bill retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991 after 35 years of service with the U.S. Army and Navy. As a Navy Chaplain he served with the Marines in the Vietnam War, where he received the Bronze Star Medal with a “Combat V” for Valor. In addition, as an active duty Chaplain with the U.S. Army, he received four Meritorious Service Medals for his work in developing and implementing alcohol and drug prevention programs.

Father Bill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Institute of Alcoholism Studies, San Diego, California and the U.S. Army’s Academy of Health Sciences Alcohol/Drug Counseling Program and has done graduate work in the addictive diseases at the University of Virginia.

He holds a master’s degree in education/guidance from Niagara University and a bachelor’s degree in education and Spanish from LaSalle University. He later pursued his theological studies at DeSales Hall, Hyattsville, Maryland and became and an ordained priest in 1962.