COMPASS MENTAL HEALTH TEAM

Mark Lazare, M.A. – Chief Executive Officer

Mark Lazare began his career in health care and crisis management in 1995, when he created a commercially viable psychological consulting service for Maricopa County hospitals.  From 1996 to 2002, the consulting service grew to include 14 hospitals under contract, serving over 4700 clients per year.

In August 2002, Lazare founded Compass Mental Health, LLC, a licensed behavioral health agency.  The focus of Compass Mental Health, LLC is to provide the highest level of service in the areas of crisis intervention, out-patient stabilization, bridge counseling, coaching, and employee assistance programs. The primary goal is to improve the health & independence of individuals, couples & families, with tailored services to meet specific needs. 

Over the years, Lazare has developed many clinical assessment tools and protocols for crisis services and interventions.  He has over ten years experience in emergency crisis interventions and assessments, performs trainings and seminars on assessing dangerousness of clients to self and others, and is an expert on Arizona’s involuntary commitment laws Title 36 Article 4 related to COE and COT.

Lazare has completed the ”Mitchell Model” training on Critical Incident Stress Management, as well as received training in ”multi-disciplinary protocol on child abuse investigation.”   He acts as a resource for questions regarding the federal  statutes COBRA and EMTALA relating to psychiatric patients  for hospitals.  Lazare has demonstrated competency in age specific counseling per the requirements of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

Brett Slaughter – Chief Operating Officer

As the COO at Compass, Brett Slaughter is responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as overseeing the strategic development and execution of the company’s corporate and service plans. Brett brings over 15 years of experience in business operations and a wealth of leadership and entrepreneurial expertise to the Compass program team.  Since assuming operational leadership at Compass, Brett has successfully integrated several new behavioral health services into the organization which has accounted for a 47% increase in revenue in the past year.

Kevin Alexander, D.B.H. – Chief Clinical Officer

Kevin Alexander is a Doctor of Behavioral Health, specializing in integrated medical and behavioral health care. He has more than 15 years of clinical experience, providing direct behavioral health care, managing and administering public and private behavioral health organizations, and facilitating patient psychiatric care in medical settings. Dr. Alexander completed his education and training as a clinical counselor through the University of Phoenix in 2001, and completed his Doctoral degree in the first graduating class of Arizona State University’s Doctor of Behavioral Health program. His education, training, and experience in behavioral health care, specifically in the practice of integrated care, has been instrumental in building Compass Mental Health’s crisis program.

Sandra DeVries, M. Ed., LISAC – Clinical Manager

Sandra DeVries has over 20 years experience in the behavioral health field in Maricopa County and began her career at Compass Mental Health as a crisis counselor. Prior to that, she worked at The Guidance Center in Flagstaff and also with Magellan Health Services for 10 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business Management from Rockford College in Illinois and a Master’s degree from NAU in Counseling. As Clinical Manager, DeVries oversees the clinical and medical staff, development of programs and implementation of policies.