Colleagues

Bob Womack, Artist

Http://rawsakstudioinc.com

As Michele’s real life partner, he has influenced her work greatly.

As the artist that he is, he has worked tirelessly for his non-profit when he was with Steve Kauffman to help inner city youth and gang kids.  He has donated much of his art to assist Michele in spreading the message of helping families and the disadvantaged youth.  He provided the art work on Michele’s website and her logo as the good witch Glinda waving her wand over Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

He has partnered with Michele and her Recovery Life Coaches to continue to provide for the “kids who need a break”.  His work is listed on his website http://www.rawsakstudioinc.com.

You can reach him at 213-220-8796 or Bobwomack@gmail.com.

Scott Silverman

Your Crisis Coach

As founder of Second Chance, Scott works with people to break the cycle of substance abuse, unemployment, poverty, and homelessness for 25,000 at-risk teens and adults going through the incarceration system. Scott is co-founder of Confidential Recovery, an intensive outpatient substance abuse recovery program. 1-619-993-2738.

Scott is co-founder of Tough love, helping families move past the crisis to the road of recovery. As a community organizer, he recently co-founded SOAP (San Diego Society of Addiction Professionals). Over the last fifteen years Silverman has helped more than 24,000 at risk individuals back into the workplace, into society, and into productive lives.Named a CNN Hero of the week, Silverman was also honored when San Diego named February 19 Scott Silverman Day in recognition of his contributions to the city. He is frequently a contributor on radio and television.

Renee Sievert

Sievert Services

Renee is a Master Certified Coach trained by Martha Beck, Ph.D., and a Certified Equus Coach, Master Facilitator trained by Koelle Simpson.  She coaches individuals, couples, families, and groups.  Renee is delighted to provide team-building, strategic planning, leadership coaching, and transformational experiences with horses. 1-619-507-6683

Renee an Executive Coach and Equus Coach at and serves as an instructor on the faculty of Martha Beck, Inc. Life Coach Training (LTC), UC Davis’s Northern Training Academy and a training and leadership consultant at Mental Health Systems, Inc. in San Diego, CA.

Renee has over 25 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, with an advanced certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing as well as HIV and AIDS. She has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in California for over 15 years and am certified in Gestalt Therapy, Domestic Violence Treatment, Critical Incident Stress Management, and Alcoholism and Addiction Treatment.  I am a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), the International Speakers Network (ISN), and the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Mick Meagher

Mick Meagher

Mick was the CEO and Executive Director of The Gooden Center in Pasadena, California, and also operates a law office, M. David Meagher, in Escondido, California. Mick is a lawyer, and an addiction treatment professional with over 40 years of experience working in the addiction field. He started in addiction treatment in 1975 as a counselor at the Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit at the Navy Hospital at Camp Pendleton.1-760-484-3415

While there, Mick trained several times at the Johnson Institute in Minneapolis. He has owned an outpatient center, worked as a counselor and Intervention specialist in treatment centers. Using his undergraduate degree in business, he has restructured 8 for-profit and non-profit programs that ranged from a 20 bed hospital unit to a 78 bed free standing center.

Mick is a California State Bar member. He divides his services between addiction treatment professionals and courts. He has represented clients in Federal and State courts. His legal practice consists of matters related to Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction for health care professionals and organizations, the First Amendment (called SLAPP) Litigation and
Business Litigation. His SLAPP representation is primary focused on defense from SLAPP suits. He focuses business litigation on contracts, trade secrets, and unfair business practices.

Mick holds a business degree, and prior to entering law spent over 17 years in Chemical Dependency Treatment, Intervention training, Treatment facility management and consulting full time. After 12 years of experience, and over 2000 interventions, Mick wrote “Beginning of a Miracle: How to Intervene with the Addicted or Alcoholic Person” (Health Communications, Inc. 1987). This book has been described as one of the best books ever written on the subject
Intervention. Mick’s book is a step by step guide that teaches the reader how to develop strategies to overcome the denial present in anyone who suffers from chemical dependence.
Mick’s addiction consulting services range from restructuring treatment centers that were
failing to provided training for over 5,000 professionals to establish Intervention services.
Participants in his programs include Family Members, Attorneys in MCLE programs, members of Physician Well-Being Committees, Physicians, Therapists, Educators and business leaders.

Namir F. Damluji, MD

Dr. Namir Damluji, MD is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California-San Diego.1-760-944-0200. He pioneered the study and treatment of Mood Regulation Therapy (MRT) in depression. He co-authored  Feeling Terrific: Four Strategies for Overcoming Depression Using Mood Regulation Therapy with Michele Downey and Renee Sievert.
He has over 40 years of experience. He is a board certified psychiatrist whose specialties include Psychiatry and Neurology. He graduated from the University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq in 1975.

Jessica Yaffa

JessicaYaffa.Org
NoSilence NoViolence, Inc.

Jessica is a survivor of domestic violence. She has transformed a set of extremely traumatic circumstances into a triumphant story. Ms. Yaffa is the co-founder and President of No Silence No Violence, a non-profit committed to providing education, training, resources, and community development in order to eliminate stigma surrounding relationship abuse and sexual assault, while creating awareness, shifting perspectives, and facilitating change around the way we talk about domestic violence, as well as addressing the needs of those affected by this epidemic.1-858-413-6063

Jessica has recently published her memoir “Mine Until: My Journey Into And Out Of The Arms Of  An Abuser”and a workbook for therapists’ titled: Help Me, Help Her; A Therapist’s Guide to Treating Survivors of Domestic Violence. She offers one-on-one coaching for those who are at risk of engaging in, or are in the process of healing from traumatic relationships. As a survivor herself, she understands the difficulty that exists surrounding the disclosing of our thoughts, feelings, and decision making process as it pertains to relationship trauma.

While there are often people in our lives who truly love us, and ultimately want what’s best for us, it can often take the accountability, empathy, and compassion of a professional coach (who happens to have engaged in the journey) in order to fully come to terms with what we have endured, while also creating space for long-term shifting in our belief systems surrounding who we are and what we are deserving of, both within and outside of intimate relationships.

Robin Kohler

Robin is a licensed acupuncturist for 21 years with a Masters of Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is certified through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.(N.A.D.A.) and was the presentation speaker at NADA in 1996. She is also a member of the UCSD Medical Faculty as a Clinical Health instructor and frequent guest lecturer.1-858-483-1217

Robin has been involved with the recovery community for over 21 years.  With clinical experience in social work and public health, she additionally has over 20 years working in the biomedical field. She presented an Acupuncture Detox program to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors regarding Prop 36 in 2001.

Robin has been supervisor of the homeless clinic in Pacific Beach and Senior Clinic since 1998 as well as ongoing teacher of Qi Gong classes for homeless women. She also facilitates a local medical detox clinic.  She has a private practice in Pacific Beach where she has successfully treated many conditions too numerous to mention. She lives near the ocean with her husband Bill and their adorable cat.

Mary Hubbard

Mary Hubbard
Marste Training Center

Mary is the owner and Executive Director of MARSTE Training Services (MTS), Mary Hubbard and her team provide services such as clinical supervision, vocational education, CEU training, consultation, recovery coaching and student support with a specific focus on Substance Abuse, Developmental Disabilities and Co-occurring Disorders.1-619-971-6686

Mary is a CA licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LAADC), an International Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS) and an International Certified Prevention Specialist. She is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) certified through NAADAC which allows her to maintain services such as assessment, evaluation and monitoring for the Department of Transportation and other public safety oriented positions. She also has a Masters Degree in Higher Education and has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services.

As the previous Director of Training and Education for Mental Health Systems Inc., and the Administrator of the William R. Mead Training Academy (WRM-TA) (2005-2012), Mary developed and implemented a high quality school to train substance abuse counselors. In 2012, Mary developed the MTS school, a vocational school for SUD and Co-Occurring counselors. Her training programs, education and service model are based on evidenced based practices, theory, models of care, clinical knowledge and application to practice. In addition, MARSTE School follows state requirements of teaching to TAP 21 – Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice.

Mary’s continuing education training programs focus on SUD topics, clinical supervision in integrated programs, management, leadership, ethics, gender studies, trauma informed services, and facilitation of counselor skill development. Her expertise and passion is in providing services that fit each individual and teaching others to work with participants with one or multiple diagnoses.

Mary’s private practice services include substance abuse Disorder (SUD) evaluations, assessments and counseling sessions. She is part of a team of professionals at The Center for Personal Growth, based in San Diego, CA. The center is composed of dedicated experienced therapists who work together with each individual to progress toward growth and healing.

Mary offers counseling in private and confidential settings with affordable rates. For an SUD counseling appointment with Mary Hubbard, please call 619-663-6095.

Michael C. Koch, BS, CADC II, SAP

Program Counselor:. True North Recovery Services. 543 Encinitas Blvd Suite 109. Encinitas, Ca 92024. 760.230.0779. Cell 760.224.6631. www.sandiegoaddictions.com

Michael C. Koch comes to True North Recovery Services with several years of experience in the alcohol and drug addiction field. In the past he has worked as the director for multiple sub-acute detoxification programs and as a counselor at another intensive outpatient program in San Diego. Notably, he also worked under the direct supervision of John E. Milner, MD, a physician and true pioneer in the field of addiction treatment in San Diego County.

In his former life, before becoming a counselor, Michael was no stranger to the consequences and damage brought about by addiction. He spent 19 years of his life serving the public as a peace officer, first as police and then for 10 years as an undercover narcotics detective. As you can imagine, Michael has seen it all and done it all. He is one of the rare and exceptional counselors who comes to the field with a background of harrowing experiences that ground him day in and day out. He knows what life and death look like in addiction as a result of the front row seat that inspired his dedication and career change.

In addition to bringing a unique background into this work, Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University in Criminal Justice Administration, is a Certified alcohol and Drug Counselor, Level II, and holds the rare distinction of carrying the highly specialized NAADAC SAP credential, which qualifies him to work with employees of the Department of Transportation that have substance use disorders.

Michael has dedicated his life to assist those suffering from drug and/or alcohol dependence. He believes the choice to stop the behavior is hampered by the physiological dependence and the lack of coping mechanisms to live life in the present. He believes each person has the ability to adopt a positive program of recovery and live life free from alcohol and drugs. The choice is back in the hands of the person seeking help when dependence stops and true recovery begins. Honesty, open-mindedness and the willingness to change are what it takes to begin a new life and experience a new found freedom from active addiction.