PERSONAL  GROWTH  TEAM

Mario Duran, LCP 1499, MS
Personal Growth Clinical Director & Co-Founder

Mario Duran is Personal Growth Clinical Director and a Co-Founder of New Summit Academy, bringing more than 25 years of experience in residential treatment and mental health services across multicultural settings. With advanced training in group psychology and substance abuse treatment, he integrates a relationship and solution-based approach into his work, supporting students, families, and staff with insight, empathy, and practical guidance. ​Mario is currently completing his doctoral dissertation in educational research and has contributed to numerous publications on behavioral health, best practices, and addiction. He regularly consults with educational institutions, mental health organizations, NGOs, and international bodies to promote effective, evidence-based approaches to care.
In addition to his role at New Summit Academy, Mario serves as Director of the postgraduate program in Addiction Studies at UNED Costa Rica and acts as liaison for the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR). He is a professional member of the International Society of Substance Abuse Professionals (ISSUP) and has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels for over two decades. His background also includes extensive clinical supervision in the United States and Costa Rica, as well as training in neurofeedback therapy. Since 1998, Mario has been a licensed psychologist and active member of the Costa Rican Professional Board of Psychologists, where he has also served on the Ethics Committee.

At the heart of Mario’s work is a deep commitment to community, mentorship, and growth. He plays an active role in mentoring the school’s clinical team, fostering supportive relationships with students, and leading the weekly parent support group at New Summit Academy as well as workshops for parents on intentional parenting and family wellbeing. A lifelong learner, Mario draws inspiration from spiritual teachings and values time with his family. He has lived in Costa Rica most of his life, with meaningful chapters spent in the United States and France.​

Dr. Danny Recio, PhD
Co-Founder & Director of The Bridge Costa Rica

Danny Recio is Director of The Bridge Costa Rica and a Co-Founder of New Summit Academy. With more than 20 years of experience as a clinician and a guide toward young people finding wellbeing, Danny's inspiration toward the work remains as strong as on day one. A native of Costa Rica, Danny’s worldview was deeply shaped by his formative years studying in South Africa, where his curiosity for the mysterious and diverse world of people and culture took root.

Trained in Clinical Psychology in both Costa Rica and the United States, Danny took an interdisciplinary path for his doctoral studies, earning his degree in Integrated Ecology. His approach to working with students draws from a rich tapestry of disciplines - including Anthropology, Evolutionary Biology, Constructivism, Neuroscience, and Ecology - reflecting his belief that, like nature, learning thrives through diversity and interconnectedness.
Danny is known for his keen ability to understand the worlds his students and families have constructed, and designing sophisticated intentional experiences to explore new ways of finding wellbeing. His work is grounded on guiding people to their zone of optimal learning, where they can capitalize on their strengths as well as safely venture to adopt new skills by pushing the edge of their abilities. Outside of his professional life, Danny seeks to become a master of the ordinary, by learning to take in the simple and profound experiences of everyday life. Whether he’s out in nature (especially the ocean), sharing human moments with people of different walks of life, enjoying the preciousness of being a dad and husband, or diving into the never ending quest to comprehend how humans work, he seeks to understand what it means to truly live a life worth living.

​Caleb Cortes, MS, LCP, Therapist

Caleb Cortes is a therapist with more than a decade of experience supporting New Summit Academy students and families. Caleb earned his degree in Clinical Psychology and licensure in 2010 and later completed a Master’s in Addiction Studies in 2021. His professional background includes roles in public education through the Ministerio de Educación Pública, as well as in rehabilitation centers and private practice. He has extensive experience in group therapy, diagnostic assessment, substance abuse counseling, and the development and delivery of trainings and workshops.
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In addition to his work at New Summit Academy, Caleb teaches at the graduate level in the fields of Clinical Psychology and addiction treatment, where he continues to mentor and support emerging professionals in the field.
​Outside of work, Caleb enjoys quality time with his wife and young children. His commitment to family and personal growth mirrors the care and dedication he brings to his professional life.

​Ignacio Vasquez, MS, LCP, Therapist

Ignacio Vasquez is a trauma-informed therapist and certified EMDR practitioner who brings nearly a decade of experience to his work with students and families at New Summit Academy. With a deep understanding of both therapy and experiential education, Ignacio supports student growth through evidence-based practices and a compassionate, relationship-centered approach.

Ignacio earned his Bachelor’s degree and licensure in Psychology in 2015, and went on to complete a Master’s in Addiction Studies in 2022. He was elected to serve as an Alternate Board Member on the Ethics Court of the Psychologist Professional Association of Costa Rica for the 2021–2022 term, reflecting his ongoing commitment to ethical practice in the mental health field. In addition to his role at New Summit Academy, he teaches at the graduate level, mentoring future professionals in clinical psychology.
​Ignacio began his journey at New Summit Academy as an Experiential Education mentor, where he led cultural activities, coordinated the Student Council, and facilitated Aventuras programs. His unique ability to bridge experiential and therapeutic work led to his transition to the Personal Growth team. In his personal time, Ignacio enjoys playing guitar, exercising, gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family. His balanced approach to life informs his work and inspires the students he supports.

Noelia Montero, LCP, Therapist

Noelia Montero is a dedicated psychologist with a passion for supporting young people through culturally informed, empathetic, and creative approaches to care. She brings a diverse background in clinical practice, cross-cultural education, and child welfare to her role at New Summit Academy.​

​A graduate with honors from the University of Costa Rica, Noelia has experience in private clinical practice, mental health support in medical settings, and the design of cultural immersion programs that promote cross-cultural learning. In 2022, she began volunteering with PANI, Costa Rica’s national child welfare agency, where she has played a vital role in protecting the rights of minors. Through this work, she has gained meaningful experience in child protection legislation, adoption processes, and the broader systems of care for vulnerable children in Costa Rica.
​Noelia’s career reflects a strong commitment to advocacy and innovation in youth support. Her professional and volunteer efforts have deepened her interest in developing holistic, research-informed systems that promote the personal growth and wellbeing of adolescents. Outside of her professional life, Noelia continues to explore creative and compassionate ways to connect with and uplift the lives of others, guided by a belief in the transformative power of education, care, and community.

Amalia Gamboa, MSW, Personal Growth Advisor

Amalia Gamboa is a Personal Growth Advisor with a background in social work and a passion for guiding young people through positive change. With a foundation in ecotourism and a career rooted in experiential education, she brings a unique perspective to her clinical work, one that blends the healing power of nature with evidence-based approaches to personal growth.

​Amalia has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults, particularly those navigating risk-taking behaviors and substance use. Her professional practice is integrative and student-centered, and she is especially passionate about helping students reshape the stories they tell themselves, fostering greater emotional resilience, self-agency, and healthy mood regulation. 
​Before joining New Summit Academy, Amalia honed her skills in a variety of outdoor and therapeutic settings, where she developed a deep understanding of how experiential learning can support emotional transformation. Her work is grounded in empathy, trust, and a belief in each individual’s potential for long-lasting growth. Outside of her professional role, Amalia finds joy in the outdoors, especially mountain biking and rock climbing, and values the connection between physical challenge and personal wellbeing.

Dr. Milena ​Radulovich, Psychiatrist

Dr. Milena Radulovich is a certified psychiatrist specializing in autism diagnosis through the ADOS-2 assessment. Her passion for mental health began in her teenage years and has been the driving force behind her career. Before joining New Summit Academy, she worked at an international addiction treatment center and in the psychiatry departments of several national hospitals.

Outside of her professional life, Milena enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and her cats as well as engaging in crafts and exploring new cooking recipes.