by Asana Recovery News | Jan 11, 2019 | Blog | 0 comments | bowel health and substance use problems, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BOWEL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE, the connection between drug use and bowel health
Did you know that bowel health is often considered one of the most denounced health issues? While most of the world’s population tends to suffer from a string of these problems (from diarrhea related to food poisoning or constipation from a dairy allergy), talking...
As a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, Morgan is focused on many aspects of our clients’ recovery, including the treatment, support and mentoring of clients in both detox and residential treatment. She acts as the central receiver of relevant clinical data and works closely with the Clinical Director in the formulation of treatment plans for all clients. Thus, Morgan is directly involved in assessing and planning for the needs of clients and helping ensure that our treatment services are delivered effectively, from intake right through to discharge.
Kerri Sharoni works as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, directly assisting our clients and medical staff members throughout detox and residential treatment. She helps with medication, performs observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and assists in other ways, including scheduling medical appointments. Kerri focuses on each client individually, supporting overall client health in recovery, and ensuring that each client’s stay here is both safe and successful. Kerri says, “I chose to work in this field because it tends to be an environment that cultivates authenticity and fosters a sense of interconnectedness through commonalities and differences”
Kerri is originally from Brooklyn, NY and she has been a great addition our team at Asana Recovery.
Jeff Hocking works as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, directly assisting our clients and medical staff members throughout detox and residential treatment. He helps with medication, performs observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and assists in other ways, including scheduling medical appointments. Jeff focuses on each client individually, supporting overall client health in recovery, and ensuring that each client’s stay here is both safe and successful. Jeff says, “As a life-long drug addict myself, I failed in many attempts at sobriety until one particular case manager showed genuine empathy, respect, and acceptance of me right where I was. That was what triggered my motivation and confidence to be able to succeed in recovery. That man saved my life, and I want to be able to help others in the same way—meeting them right where they are and hopefully inspiring them to find success in recovery, too.”
Jeff is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California. His recovery is the most important thing to him and it is what drives him to advance his career in addiction treatment. He is currently working toward his state certification as a drug and alcohol treatment counselor, and we are glad to have him on our team at Asana Recovery.
Dedicating himself to the treatment, support and mentoring of clients in both Detoxification or Residential Treatment, Joseph Gonzalez plays a critical role as a Case Manager at Asana Recovery. He acts as the central receiver of relevant clinical data and works closely with the Clinical Director in the formulation of treatment plans for all clients. Thus, Joseph is directly involved in planning for the needs of clients and helping ensure that our treatment services are delivered effectively, from intake right through to discharge. As Case Manager, he also conducts individual and group counseling sessions and responds to crises within the addiction treatment setting.
Having worked in this role for ten years prior to joining Asana Recovery, Joseph’s skill and experience make him a valuable addition to our team. He is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor by the State of California, having received his training at the HealthStaff Training Institute in Santa Ana, California. He is also an ordained minister and finds personal fulfillment in serving others in recovery.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Level 4 Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor, Pam brings a wealth of training, skills, and experience to her role as a Therapist at Asana Recovery. She facilitates individual and group therapy sessions, including adults with co-occurring disorders, probing the experiences, conflicts, and emotions that underlie addictive and self-destructive behaviors, then guiding clients toward focusing on solutions. Pam also conducts family therapy sessions, and believes strongly that involving clients’ families is critically important to finding lasting solutions in recovery from addiction. She adds, “Life is really about connections, and our connection to others—or lack of any real sense of connection—can be a huge factor in addiction. I work to give others the tools they need to truly enjoy life and be productive members of their families and society.”
Pam has a Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon State University, a teaching certificate in vocational education from UCLA, certification in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment, and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Dominguez Hills. When she is not devoting her time and energy to helping others sort out the puzzle pieces of their lives, she can be found pursuing her passion for sailing and enjoying nature. We are grateful to have her on our team here at Asana Recovery.
As a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, RJ Flores is focused on many aspects of our clients’ recovery, including the treatment, support and mentoring of clients in both detox and residential treatment. He acts as the central receiver of relevant clinical data and works closely with the Clinical Director in the formulation of treatment plans for all clients. Thus, RJ is directly involved in assessing and planning for the needs of clients and helping ensure that our treatment services are delivered effectively, from intake right through to discharge. As Case Manager, he also conducts individual and group counseling sessions and responds to crises within the addiction treatment setting. RJ specializes in behavioral health, pain management, detox care, and regulation of treatment for addicted patients, and he is trained in both general medicine and mental health disorders with expertise in a variety of traditional and alternative modalities.
RJ is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician-I in the State of California, having received his training at American Career College in Anaheim, California.
Kristin Castro brings her professional training and experience as a nurse to her role as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, directly assisting our clients and medical staff members throughout detox and residential treatment. She helps with medication, performs client observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and schedules medical appointments. Kristin is dedicated to supporting overall client health in recovery, helping to ensure that each client has a safe and successful stay here. “As someone who is active in my own recovery, I want nothing more than to be of service to others and to plant the seed of hope in those who are struggling,” Kristin says.
Kristin is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California. She received her nursing degree from CNI College, in Orange, California, graduating Cum Laude.
A native of Orange County, when she is not working, Kristin enjoys being out in nature, especially the beach, as well as being creative in the kitchen as an amateur chef, and she is both a yoga and cycling enthusiast and has completed a marathon!
Angel Elizalde is a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, directly assisting our clients and medical staff members throughout detox and residential treatment. He helps with medication, performs observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and schedules medical appointments. Angel’s focus is to support overall client health in recovery, ensuring that each client’s stay here is both safe and successful.
Angel is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California.
Serving as a Support Specialist at Asana Recovery, Leah Cuppels applies her skills and experience in the recovery setting to assist our clients and medical staff members throughout both detox and treatment. She helps clients directly in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, with the goal of making each client’s stay here as safe and successful as possible.
Leah is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California.
Kevin Do serves as a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, putting his training as a Licensed Vocational Nurse to good use. In this position, Kevin is on the front line of the medical care and treatment of our clients throughout their stay, assisting with intake and assessment, monitoring their medical condition and managing medications during detox and treatment.
Kevin earned his Licensed Vocational Nurse diploma at Stanbridge University, Irvine, California, and is currently continuing his education at California State University, Long Beach. He is certified in BLS and CPR.
Having a heart for people, Kevin has volunteered his time to serve members of the community in various ways, including making visits to those in hospice care and serving meals to the homeless. He also speaks Vietnamese fluently.
Dedicating himself to the treatment, support and mentoring of clients in Detoxification or Residential Treatment, Robert Dickinson plays a critical role as Program Director at Asana Recovery. He acts as the central receiver of relevant clinical data and works closely with the Clinical Director in the formulation of treatment plans for all clients. As such, Robert is directly involved in planning for the needs of clients and helping ensure that our treatment services are delivered effectively, from intake right through to discharge. As Case Manager, he also conducts individual and group counseling sessions and responds to crises within the addiction treatment setting.
Having worked in this role for ten years prior to joining Asana Recovery, Robert’s skill and experience make him a valuable addition to our team. He is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor by the State of California, having received his training at the Health Staff Training Institute in Santa Ana, California.
Having worked in drug and alcohol addiction treatment for seven years, Racheal Doll has the knowledge and experience necessary to help make sure the admissions process goes as smoothly as possible for everyone who comes to Asana Recovery for help. Racheal can answer your questions and work with you, your family, and your health plan to coordinate all aspects of admission into our treatment facility. She can arrange for an initial clinical assessment, handle the verification of health insurance coverage and secure any necessary approval, and even help with travel arrangements, if needed.
In recovery herself, Racheal brings to her position here a passion for helping others succeed in recovery. “I find genuine happiness in being a part of the miracles that happen every day in recovery,” she says.
Racheal is from Las Vegas, Nevada, where she spent several years in an interesting people-focused job of a different kind: working as a blackjack dealer. In addition to her job skills, she is talented in art and can play the cello and the ukulele. When not present at work, Racheal loves being present in the life of her family and enjoys her young daughter, Kaia, and reggae music.
Donna serves as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, working closely with the clients and medical staff members throughout detox and treatment to provide assistance in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, to ensure that each client’s stay here is as safe and successful as possible.
Donna is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California.
As Operations Manager at Asana Recovery, Yesenia plays a critical role in keeping things running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. She is responsible for coordinating staff scheduling to ensure consistent coverage for all programs and clients and making program schedule modifications as needed. She manages our payroll, accounts, and various HR-related tasks, and coordinates most essential services, such as maintenance and keeping track of our supplies inventory.
Exhibiting leadership and initiative, Yesenia is a valued contributor to our operational success, even assisting with our growth efforts. “I love my work here and, although my job is not on the clinical side, I am happy to be able to help Asana Recovery to carry out its mission to clients in important practical ways.”
Yesenia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human and Child Development from California State University, Long Beach. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
As a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, Chloe makes good use of her training and experience in both nursing and drug and alcohol addiction treatment. She is directly involved in the medical care and treatment of our clients throughout their stay, from assisting with intake and assessment to monitoring their medical condition and managing medications during detox and treatment.
Chloe takes a personal interest in the well-being of all of our clients and finds it rewarding to help people getting started in their recovery from addiction.
Chloe earned her Licensed Vocational Nurse diploma at Stanbridge University, Irvine, California, where she was class Valedictorian in the LVN Program. She is also certified in BLS and CPR.
Eric serves as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, working closely with the clients and medical staff members throughout detox and treatment to provide assistance in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, to ensure that each client’s stay here is as safe and successful as possible.
Eric is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California.
As one of Asana Recovery’s resident Personal Trainers, Mary applies her education, training and experience to helping our clients gain a new perspective and sense of determination in regard to their overall health and fitness. “I strongly believe that fitness is a truly therapeutic journey and I am most happy when I can create a positive atmosphere that promotes health, happiness and community,” Mary says. A former competitive soccer player, Mary hung up her cleats in favor of gloves and focusing on personal training, taking health and fitness to a whole new level with our clients.
Mary has traveled the world extensively, having visited almost 40 countries so far, but still prefers to call Southern California home.
She earned her degree in Dietetics at California State University, Long Beach.
Caroline’s calling to work in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and focus on client care is a natural fit with her pursuit of a degree to become a registered nurse, along with her previous education, training and work in the field of human development. She has clinical training and experience specific to mental health and drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
As a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, Caroline helps with the intake and assessment of clients and monitors their medical condition and medications throughout their detox and treatment, with the goal of helping to ensure that each client has a safe and successful treatment experience. She values the opportunity to apply her training and clinical skills in a rehabilitation setting, and finds her role both challenging and rewarding.
Caroline holds a degree in Childhood Development from the Institute of Social Pedagogic in Munich, Germany, and studied both nursing and child development at Long Beach City College.
Ensuring that each client’s admissions process goes as smoothly as possible, Kelsey May is available to answer relevant questions and works with our clients and their families to coordinate all aspects of admission to our treatment facility, from arranging for an initial clinical assessment to verifying insurance coverage and securing approval, to helping with travel arrangements, if needed.
Kelsey has worked in drug and alcohol treatment field for nearly ten years and we value her expertise in handling the variety of issues that can come up in connection with a client’s admission to rehab. “I do what I do to give back what was freely given to me: Sobriety and another chance in life. Watching others recover is the bright spot in my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says.
Kelsey has a Certificate in Marketing from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California.
Logan serves as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, working closely with the clients and medical staff members throughout detox and treatment to provide assistance in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, to ensure that each client’s stay here is as safe and successful as possible.
Natalie serves as a Support Specialist here at Asana Recovery, working closely with the clients and medical staff members throughout detox and treatment to provide assistance in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, to ensure that each client’s stay here is as safe and successful as possible.
Natalie is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician in the State of California and has an Associates Degree in General Education from Cypress College, Cypress, California.
As a Support Specialist at Asana Recovery, Vince works closely with each of the clients and medical staff members during detox and treatment to provide assistance in the areas of medication, observation, including monitoring withdrawal symptoms, and medical appointment scheduling, as well as overall client health, to help ensure that each client’s stay is safe and successful.
“I love to do what I can to support and encourage people in recovery. As a recovering addict, myself, it’s rewarding for me to be able to serve my fellow man in this way—to help others receive blessing in the way that I have been blessed,” says Vince.
Vince attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, and the School of Ministry at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California.
Sabina is a classically trained chef and brings her love of good food and healthy eating to Asana Recovery, where she takes great care in planning and preparing meals for all of our clients that are delicious and nutritionally complete. It is her way of contributing to the healing of body and soul. She is skilled in specialized dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan.
“I have been working as a chef in this industry for several years and find that providing good food that is both healthy and appetizing is a way of showing you really care,” adds Sabina. “I love what I do!”
Sabiba’s formal training as a chef includes studying at Clos des Saveurs in Gensac, France, the Paul Bocose Institute, Ecully, France, and the Laguna Culinary Institute, Laguna Beach, California.
Serving as a Client Care Coordinator at Asana Recovery, Theresa is involved in client intake and assessments and helps with monitoring clients medically during detox and treatment, including management of their medications. She is skilled in crisis intervention, and helps to ensure positive outcomes for our clients by applying her knowledge, training and experience in mental health, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in diligently monitoring and assessing clients on a daily basis.
Theresa finds her role here personally rewarding, as she loves playing a positive part in our clients’ recovery process. She received her certification as a Medical Assistant from Everest College in Anaheim, California.
Serving our clients as the Clinical Director at Asana Recovery, Grant Clarke brings significant training and experience as a psychotherapist to this key position. In addition to his background in substance abuse assessment and treatment, his passion for behavioral health and commitment to excellence have proven valuable in the development of our addiction treatment programs, which use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic strategies and are individually tailored to each client’s particular history, diagnoses, and circumstances in order to achieve optimal outcomes.
Having worked in behavioral health for more than 15 years, Grant advocates the use of biopsychosocial assessments at the beginning of each client’s treatment in support of Asana Recovery’s holistic approach to addiction treatment. “I have always been passionate about the psychotherapy process and do my best to help others attain the life they want and deserve,” says Grant. “In order to achieve the best success in recovery, the process must start with an assessment of the whole individual—the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects—because everything about a person is interconnected.”
In addition to program development, Grant also oversees the clinical staff and their training, and is responsible for regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining the team at Asana Recovery, Grant worked in various clinical, supervisory and administrative capacities at several addiction treatment programs in Southern California. We are proud to have him as our Clinical Director.
Grant obtained a B.A. in psychology and a Master of Social Welfare at California State University—Long Beach. He has been licensed by the State of California to provide psychotherapy as a Clinical Social Worker since 2008.
As Program Director, with demonstrated leadership and clinical skills in substance abuse assessment and counseling, Jennifer assists the Clinical Director at Asana Recovery in developing and managing our addiction treatment programs and clinical staff, and with assuring continuing compliance with accreditation requirements.
Jennifer is a certified substance abuse counselor and has significant training and experience specific to drug and alcohol addiction. She is skilled in such things as group facilitation and crisis intervention, and her level of skill and experience, along with her dedication, energy and compassion, make her a great asset to our recovery program. She commits herself fully to seeing that clients and their families receive appropriate care at every stage, from orientation through after-care, and that, in the process, their clinical and familial needs are addressed to the fullest extent possible. “I always find myself advocating for our clients, since I know that, for each of them, nothing is more important than their recovery,” Jennifer says. “I consider it an honor to be able to serve as Program Director at Asana Recovery—a position at the very heart of what we do in planning and implementing our addiction treatment programs, and that is where my heart is, also. There is no greater reward for me than seeing a client leave here a different person than when they came in.”
Jennifer obtained a certificate in Drug and Alcohol Studies from InterCoast College, and a certificate in Social and Behavioral Studies from Norco College
Doctor Chris Small has been at Asana Recovery since our founding. He is responsible for the administration of medical services and clinical care here, which includes the management and oversight of individual treatment through the duration of each client’s stay.
Dr. Small is certified by both the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Family Medicine, making him one of a handful of doctors in the U.S. who have completed additional training necessary to treat the full-spectrum of medical and psychiatric illness.
At Asana Recovery, we recognize the importance of a detox program that is administered by the right professionals who have the proper training and experience to manage the symptoms and administer the appropriate care to ensure a safe, successful and complete detoxification as a critical first step in recovery. With his unique qualifications to treat both medical and complex mental conditions, Dr. Small brings that expertise to Asana.
In keeping with his dual board certifications, Dr. Small’s approach to treating addiction is based on the concept of a strong mind-body connection—that true healing must take into account both the physical and emotional/psychological needs of clients. Families and clients who turn to Asana for their recovery needs can find comfort in knowing that every treatment plan is designed for each client’s particular medical and psychiatric needs.
After obtaining his medical degree from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Dr. Small completed his dual residency training at the University of California, San Diego, where he is currently an assistant clinical professor of the Department of Health Sciences.
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Adam started his career in addiction treatment and recovery in 2015 when he realized that he could apply his more than 10 years experience in workforce development and helping match individuals with the right organization to the addiction treatment setting. In addition to workforce development, Adam also developed expertise in facilities and property management, and he was able to call on all of his knowledge and experience in helping to develop and expand the services of other residential treatment facilities in Southern California. Before starting his career, Adam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the College of Liberal Arts at California State University, Long Beach.
Adam’s long record of community service includes working as an adviser to and public speaker for numerous non-profit agencies, community-based organizations, and both state and federal agencies, including the United States Department of Labor. He served two terms as Chair of the California State Rehabilitation Council, which works in partnership with the California Department of Rehabilitation to ensure that all Californians with disabilities are represented, informed, and empowered, and receive appropriate individualized services toward the goal of obtaining meaningful employment opportunities.
As Chief Operating Officer at Asana Recovery, Adam is responsible for overseeing the establishment and expansion of our residential treatment programs, staff management, and daily operations, always striving to ensure that our services are provided at a level above and beyond the industry norm—so that everyone who comes to Asana for treatment will be provided the tools to achieve real, lasting recovery.
As CEO of Asana Recovery, Mark brings 20+ years of experience in business development and operations to help innovate and effectuate an exceptional, yet cost-effective, approach to addiction treatment that incorporates both traditional and alternative therapeutic methods, and provides a truly individualized program of treatment for each client, thereby increasing the chances for real recovery.
Prior to founding Asana Recovery, Mark was instrumental in developing another addiction treatment provider into one of the fastest growing organizations in Southern California. The knowledge and experience he acquired during that tenure, along with his education and prior business experience, have equipped Mark with the tools necessary to successfully navigate the waters of today’s complex healthcare system and addiction treatment environment, bringing foresight and stability to the organization so it will always be able to carry out its mission in recovery, even in challenging times.
Mark earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. He was drawn to become actively involved in various non-profit organizations and public causes early in his career, including the founding of Bikestation, which seeks to improve the quality of life in urban communities through the development and operation of bike-transit centers. His ability to think outside the box and his interest in promoting the greater good make his role as CEO at Asana Recovery a natural fit.