I find it incredibly rewarding to be a part of a team that cares so much about the patients and their family. I get to work with the people I look up to, some of the best therapist around. I get to work with my friends.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
Live Music, Fishing, Running, Spending time with my family and friends. I love traveling and seeing new places. I’ve also been known to binge on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
It’s really hard to know people suffering. For me, the toughest part of the job is to see suffering and not having the power to do anything about it.
Q: Do people really recover from drug and alcohol addiction?
Yes, absolutely.
Q: Do you have any pets?
I have two dogs, A Great Dane and a Lab.
Q: What are the most common barriers to recovery you see people face in early on in their treatment?
Changing lifestyle and old habits, replacing unhealthy relationships, dealing with consequences, managing boredom and mood swings.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant?
That’s hard to answer, I kinda cycle through favorites. I’ve been on a Pho kick lately, so Saigon Noodle and Dream Berry. I have also been eating at La Frontera, they make the best tacos in town.
Q: What lead you to work in the addiction recovery field?
When I was getting sober I had some really great counselors, specifically a lady named Angie Haught. She help save my life. It inspired me to do the same.
Q: What is your style of facilitating group sessions?
Conversational and honest. I try to create an environment that is comfortable and safe in which people can get the support and direction they need. Humor along with sincerity, truth along with compassion.
Q: What is the most important thing you’d like your clients to learn while in treatment?
I’d like them to learn how to live and enjoy their lives without going to jail or losing their families. I’d like my clients to learn how to deal with all the stuff life throws at you in a healthy way so that they can achieve their goals.
Q: Who are your role models?
My mother and father, Jesus, Buddha, The Beatles (not Ringo), Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dostoevski, Joe Strummer, my wife and daughter, Krishna, John Fante, Jean Paul Sartre, VanGogh, Joan of Arc, Jonas Salk, Malala Yousafzai, Carl Sagan, and Khalil Gibran to name a few.
Q: How would you describe The Recovery Center?
A healthy and supportive environment where people can find friendship, structure, and a hot cup of coffee.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
I have varied taste in movies. I like everything from David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick films to superhero movies. Jaws is always on my top 10 list.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of being on staff at The Recovery Center Intensive Outpatient Program?