Alta Mira Recovery

Bios

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  Maryann Rosenthal, Ph.D.

  CEO, Author, and Speaker

  Dr. Maryann Rosenthal has specialized in the treatment of addiction and mental health for more than 35 years. Maryann was a founder and Executive Director at Recovery Ways. She has a unique background and career working in both the business and clinical sectors of behavioral health care. Appointed by the Governor of California, Maryann served on the Developmental Disabilities Board. She is a member of the Domestic Violence Council and a founding member of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project in San Diego. She served on the advisory board for Life Medical Technologies, a women owned business dedicated to educating and provide life-enhancing, innovative medical products to the public. As Executive Director, Maryann introduced innovative recovery programs and outcome measurements that helped Recovery Ways expand access to quality, evidence-based care. Dr. Maryann is an internationally known speaker and author of Be A Parent, Not A Pushover. A champion of women’s causes, Dr. Maryann has consulted throughout America, Australia, Europe, and Asia on substance abuse, mental health issues, family dynamics and life achievement issues. She has appeared as a regular on national television and has been published in numerous magazines and has collaborated on many books and publications. Maryann believes that a satisfying and successful life requires a strong foundation of self, developed through resilience, meaning and purpose. This requires a blended treatment approach that is designed to meet the needs of the individual.

  Education:

  Link: Maryann Rosenthal, Ph.D.

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  Dr. Karen Spedowfski, PhD

  Executive Clinical Director

  Karen Spedowfski, PhD, Alta Mira’s Executive Clinical Director, is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Spedowfski’s career has been exclusively focused on the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders, and she has held multiple leadership positions within the programs she has worked. Dr. Spedowfski brings a compassionate, evidence-based, and practical approach to assisting clients and their families who are recovering from addictions and other mental health issues. Her work approaches the individual as a whole person with physical/biological, psychological, spiritual, and social/cultural needs, issues, and challenges that occur within various systems in the person’s life. As such, she believes that involving family members in the treatment process whenever possible is crucial to client success as well as the health and well-being of those around them. Prior to coming to Alta Mira, Dr. Spedowfski worked in multiple outpatient treatment settings, including several Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Services/Recovery Programs and at the Northern Illinois University Counseling and Student Development Center, where her experience included the assessment and treatment of those with eating disorders as well as leading campus-wide efforts to reduce the incidence of sexual assault among student residents. Her dissertation focused on exploring disordered eating symptoms in both men and women recovering from substance use disorders to better understand how both issues can be effectively and simultaneously addressed within an outpatient setting. Dr. Spedowfski served in various leadership roles throughout her 20-year career at Kaiser Permanente, including her most recent as the Program Director of the Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Vallejo, California from January 2010 through August 2018. From 2012–2015 she simultaneously served a three-year period as Chair of the Chemical Dependency Program Directors for the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region. Dr. Spedowfski is passionately dedicated to helping those in recovery from substance use disorders and other mental health issues. She believes in the fundamental resilience of individuals and families who dedicate themselves to the learning and change process of recovery that results in vastly improved lives and overall wellness. She strives to balance the application of proven therapeutic techniques and practices with an individually tailored approach to best ensure that the unique needs of each individual and family are met. Dr. Spedowfski holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the California State University – East Bay (formerly Hayward) and received both her masters and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Alameda, CA.

  Education:

  Link: Dr. Karen Spedowfski, PhD

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  Jeffrey Farber, MSW, LCSW

  Associate Director of Clinical Services

  I’m a military veteran, psychotherapist and life coach, specializing in mood disorders and substance abuse. Over the years, I’ve used an integrative psychotherapeutic approach. Integrative psychotherapy is multi-modal. —Meaning, it combines therapeutic theories and techniques within the treatment process. In terms of psychotherapeutic interventions, I’ve been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), motivational interviewing (MI), and psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT).

  Link: Jeffrey Farber, MSW, LCSW

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  Dr. Steven Batki, MD

  Director of Medical Services

  Dr. Steven Batki is listed in US News and World Report as one of the top doctors in the field of Addiction Psychiatry. Through a peer nomination process, he currently ranks in the top 10% for the entire United States, and is also listed as one of the top psychiatrists in San Francisco. As our primary addiction psychiatrist since 2012, Dr. Steven Batki is responsible for the psychiatric and addiction medicine needs for Alta Mira clients. Dr. Batki has 30 years of medical and psychiatric experience and is triple board-certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. He is currently a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and Chief of the Substance Abuse Programs at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Batki is also the Director of the Addiction Research Program and the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. Dr. Batki earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and received his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. He completed both his psychiatry internship and residency at the UCSF School of Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is board-certified in both Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Batki is also a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. A national addiction expert, Dr. Batki is an active medical researcher studying addiction treatment and relapse prevention medications. He has received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the Department of Defense. Dr. Batki’s research and clinical interests focus on improving the treatment for alcohol, opioid, and stimulant dependence. His current work includes studies of alcohol dependence in patients with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Dr. Batki is listed in San Francisco Magazine’s 2019 Top Doctors for Addiction Psychiatry and Castle & Connolly’s 2019 Best Doctors in Psychiatry.

  Link: Dr. Steven Batki, MD

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  David Smith, MD

  Addiction Medicine Physician

  Dr. David E. Smith is recognized as a national leader in the treatment of addictive disease, the psychopharmacology of drugs, new research strategies in the management of drug abuse problems, and appropriate prescribing practices for physicians. He teaches that addiction is a primary medical illness that is best treated in a multidisciplinary fashion, utilizing the group process, individual psychotherapy, and 12-Step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. Dr. Smith founded the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics in 1967, inaugurating the principle of “Health Care is a Right, not a Privilege.” He is a Fellow and former President of The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He lectures extensively and is the author/co-author of more than 350 professional articles and books, including “Unchain Your Brain: 10 Steps to Breaking the Addictions that Steal Your Life,” with Dr. Daniel Amen. Dr. Smith has more than 45 years of experience treating addiction as a medical disease. At Alta Mira, he lectures to our clients on the neurobiological aspects of addiction, treating addiction as a brain disease, and the medical management of psychoactive drug dependence, including cocaine, alcohol, and prescription drugs.

  Link: David Smith, MD

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  Madison Buchanan, MD

  addiction psychiatrist

  Dr. Buchanan is board-certified addiction psychiatrist, having trained at Vanderbilt and UCSF. Outside of her work at Alta Mira she maintains a small private practice offering psychiatry and psychotherapy to young adults, creatives, and caregivers in addition to those suffering with addictions. She enjoys weaving integrative medicine into traditional pharmacological approaches and has training in psychoanalysis through the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis.

  Link: Madison Buchanan, MD

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  David Pennington, PhD

  Director of Neuropsychological Assessment

  Dr. David Pennington is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience in psychological and neuropsychological assessment, addiction treatment, and co-occurring disorders. He completed specialized training in assessment and integrated care at the San Francisco VA, where he later served as a funded investigator leading NIH-, DoD-, and VA-supported research on behavioral interventions and cognitive recovery in substance use populations. As Director of Neuropsychological Assessment at Alta Mira, Dr. Pennington leads a neuroscience-informed testing program designed to generate actionable insights that improve engagement, personalize treatment planning, and support long-term recovery. His work is grounded in evidence-based assessment practices and reflects deep clinical expertise in complex diagnostic evaluation and executive function testing. Dr. Pennington is also the CEO and founder of Melantha Health Psychology Consulting, PC and serves as Chief Clinical Officer of Innsightful, Inc., a digital mental health company advancing AI- and biosensor-supported interventions. His work bridges clinical practice, research, and technology innovation. He regularly consults with healthcare startups, leads training for early-career psychologists, and contributes to national conversations on mental health technology and recovery-focused care.

  Link: David Pennington, PhD

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  Sonya Johnson, LVN, BSHA

  Director of Health Services

  Sonya has been with Alta Mira for a little over two years as an on call detox nurse. Sonya holds the following degrees as LVN, Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Congressional Health Nurse. Sonya is currently in school for her master’s in psychology. In the past Sonya has held roles as VP of Operations/Clinical, Executive Director, Regional Health and Wellness Director and Director of Risk Management. Sonya has over 28 years in Healthcare with 6 years of behavioral health in corrections. She is also an author, and in the past speaker for Women’s Empowerment, Health topics, and Abuse. She is a Board Member for Global Nursing Accreditation and Certification Council. Sonya is passionate about the mental and physical care of others. Her motto is “You have to go through it, to get to it”. Sonya takes pride in what she does. She is known for increasing employee morale, strong work ethics, integrity and compassion for others.

  Link: Sonya Johnson, LVN, BSHA

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  Kellie Beals, Psy.D.

  Clinical Psychologist

  Dr. Beals received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University and brings with her more than 12 years of clinical experience working in the mental health field. Dr. Beals has worked with clients of all ages, from pre-teens, to seniors, both individually and in family sessions. Dr. Beals is a compassionate, mental health therapist bringing extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, with a specialization and depth of knowledge in the older adult population, and addiction with expertise in individual and group counseling. Dr. Beals comes to Alta Mira with extensive training in patient-relations with a focus on assisting clients through difficult life situations and transitional periods and developing clear and concise, goal-oriented treatment plans after initial client assessment. Dr. Beals developed and delivered workshops for Awake While Aging, founded on IONS’s Conscious Aging methods, and through independent research of private groups at assisted living facilities. She also worked for Progress Foundation as the Residential Mental Health Director for their substance abuse center for seniors. Dr. Beals subscribes to a holistic approach to treating addiction recognizing that addiction is not just a physical or psychological issue but a multifaceted condition involving emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. This approach focuses on healing the entire person rather than simply addressing the symptoms of addiction. It integrates various treatment methods, such as therapy, mindfulness practices, physical health improvement, nutritional support, and the cultivation of a strong support network. This comprehensive perspective empowers individuals to regain control of their lives and fosters a deeper, sustainable healing process.

  Link: Kellie Beals, Psy.D.

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  Andrea Garrett, LMFT, CMAT, CSAT

  Addiction Therapist

  Andrea (Drea) Garrett, LMFT, CSAT, CMAT has dual certifications from the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction as a Certified Sex and Multiple Addictions Therapist with a focus in Substance Use Disorders. Drea earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley (Go Bears!), and her Master’s Degree from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga. Drea comes to Alta Mira with over 15 years of experience in mental health and addiction services. She has worked in the mental health drug treatment court, adolescent and adult psychiatric emergency services hospital and crisis units, and as a part of the street crisis response team in San Francisco. She has also worked extensively with the unhoused populations in the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. In addition to community mental health, she also works in a group practice that focuses on treating sex and pornography addictions and betrayal trauma.

  Link: Andrea Garrett, LMFT, CMAT, CSAT

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  Nicole "Coco" Kramer, APCC

  Primary Therapist

  Nicole “Coco” Kramer (she/her) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in substance use treatment and trauma-informed psychotherapy. Nicole brings a unique integration of evidence-based clinical practice and contemplative wisdom to her work, grounded in years of training in ethics-based mindfulness and neuroscientific somatic trauma therapy. Nicole’s approach to substance use treatment recognizes that people develop use patterns and symptoms for meaningful reasons, often rooted in nervous system dysregulation. She specializes in adapting Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing trauma therapy, and Harm Reduction Psychotherapy to meet each client where they are, supporting them not only in reaching their substance use goals but in healing the underlying challenges that drive their use. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from San Francisco State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University. Prior to her career as a therapist, she worked professionally with the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, helping to build grassroots communities grounded in ethics and resiliency-based mindfulness practice. This background informs her collaborative clinical approach and her commitment to community-based healing.

  Link: Nicole "Coco" Kramer, APCC

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  Elizabeth Gruber, MSN, PMHNP-BC

  Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

  Elizabeth Gruber is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in dual-diagnosis and medication-assisted treatment. She has extensive experience providing psychiatric and addiction-medicine care across inpatient, detox, and outpatient settings. At Alta Mira Recovery, Elizabeth offers compassionate, trauma-informed care with a focus on helping clients achieve emotional stability, safety, and lasting recovery.

  Link: Elizabeth Gruber, MSN, PMHNP-BC

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  Hallie Vandsburger, PMHNP

  Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

  Hallie Vandsburger is a graduate of Cornell University and UCSF’s psychiatric nurse practitioner program. She is a lifelong psychiatry enthusiast. Her favorite part of practice is helping people finally achieve restful, deep sleep. It’s the foundation of inner peace! Outside of work she lives in the East Bay with her husband, two kids, and pit bull.

  Link: Hallie Vandsburger, PMHNP

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  Tarik Boukhari

  Operations Director

  Tarik Boukhari is a highly accomplished professional serving as Alta Mira’s Operations Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations of our esteemed addiction treatment center. With more than 20 years of experience in financial and operational management, Tarik brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Before joining Alta Mira, Tarik held the position of Vice-President-General Manager at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. In this capacity, he successfully managed finance, budgeting, and day-to-day operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory reporting requirements. His exceptional leadership and strategic decision-making skills have significantly contributed to the success of the organization. Tarik’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and an MBA in Finance. Additionally, he is a polyglot, fluent in five languages, which enables him to effectively communicate and connect with diverse individuals. Tarik’s management philosophy revolves around prioritizing the well-being of his staff, maintaining a client-centered approach, and taking prompt action on critical matters. With his strong commitment to excellence and compassionate leadership style, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Alta Mira continues to provide exceptional care and support to those seeking addiction treatment.

  Link: Tarik Boukhari

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  Jake Noonkester

  Culinary Service Manager

  Jake is an accomplished young culinary professional with almost a decade of experience in kitchens. As Culinary Service Manager, he and his team are responsible for the ever changing menus and dishes that are provided to the clients here at Alta Mira. Jake has had a passion for food his whole life and started his career in kitchens at seventeen. After a few years at a local favorite restaurant, Jake trained at San Francisco Cooking School and went on to cook at Nopa, a San Francisco staple. After many nights and many orders, Jake brings his experience and passion to Alta Mira in the form of excellent service and delicious meals.

  Link: Jake Noonkester

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  Thomas Peña

  Director of Client Support & Program Coordination

  Thomas Peña joined the Alta Mira Recovery Programs team in July of 2019. His career has spanned industries, including experience as a business manager for a group of tech-focused magazines and later as chef and owner of an award-winning, Michelin-star restaurant. Since then, he has completed the UC Berkely Extension’s Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies. Thomas has also been a member of the San Francisco recovery community for many years and brings a passion to connecting our clients to valuable resources.

  Link: Thomas Peña

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  Nico Fitzgerald

  Experiential Program Manager

  Nico Fitzgerald is a Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist (CTAS), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and certified Verbal De-escalation Instructor (through the Crisis Prevention Institute). His career began in the great outdoors, where he guided group adventures across diverse landscapes, from the rugged mountains of Colorado and the awe-inspiring rapids of the Grand Canyon to far-flung destinations like New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and Patagonia. This early exposure to the beauty of nature and the resilience of the human spirit ignited his enthusiasm for both adventure and personal growth. Driven by a desire to make a deeper impact, Nico returned stateside to begin pursuing his Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University. This laid the foundation for his role as Program Director at High Watch Recovery Center, a dual-diagnosis residential treatment facility in Kent, CT. Here, Nico played a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge addiction therapy with the timeless teachings of AA’s 12 Steps, fostering holistic healing for countless individuals. By joining the Alta Mira team in 2012, Nico found his dream job. In serving as the Experiential Program Manager, he combines his personal and professional love for all things recovery with his innate spiritual connection to the healing powers of nature. Collaborating closely with our multidisciplinary clinical team, Nico leverages the natural and cultural treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area to craft transformative offsite experiences tailored to meet the unique clinical needs and interests of our clients. The Experiential Program takes full advantage of Marin County’s extensive network of hiking, biking, and trail running paths, as well as its proximity to the San Francisco Bay for water-based activities like sailing, surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Nico’s unique program offers a diverse range of activities like equine-assisted therapy, ropes challenge courses, and ziplining adventures, all meticulously designed to treat the mind, body, and spirit of our clients while providing them with secure and well-structured opportunities to confront and conquer challenges, uncover latent strengths and abilities, and cultivate renewed and more resilient senses of self. The Experiential Program outings are also rumored to be super fun!

  Link: Nico Fitzgerald

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  Sandra Sims

  Director of Alumni Services

  Sandra Sims is the Director of Alumni Services at Alta Mira Recovery Programs. As Director of Alumni Services, Sandra provides ongoing support for clients as they prepare to transition from residential treatment to the next chapter in their recovery. She is responsible for creating, coordinating, and facilitating all Alumni services, including our weekly support groups, quarterly tune-up events, workshops, sober outings, and outreach. Drawing from her own experiences in recovery, Sandra is passionate about supporting clients in achieving and maintaining long-lasting sobriety. Sandra is originally from the Chicago area and relocated to San Francisco in 2000. She worked in the corporate world of marketing and advertising for more than 20 years prior to joining the Alta Mira Recovery team in 2018. She is currently a member of the TPAS organization (Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services).

  Link: Sandra Sims

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  Allison Behr

  Client Care Coordinator
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  Harmony Malone

  Director of Admissions

  Harmony Malone is an experienced healthcare professional with a strong background in addiction and mental health treatment. She has been dedicated to helping individuals in this field since 2010, and has served as the Director of Admissions for Alta Mira Recovery Programs since 2019. Here, Harmony oversees the admissions department, maintains communication with referral sources and families, and provides initial contact with clients. Harmony’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science, a research position at UCLA Medical Center, and completion of UCLA’s Certified Addiction and Drug Abuse Credential Program. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working for esteemed treatment centers. She has held roles in Program Management, Admissions, Intake, and Utilization Review, where she has consistently advocated for clients seeking high-quality clinical and medical care. Harmony’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. She was honored to receive the top award for all employees in her nationwide treatment organization. This recognition was a result of her outstanding achievements in excellence, innovation, and customer service.

  Link: Harmony Malone

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  Jeff Rocco

  Senior Admissions Advisor

  Jeffrey Rocco joined Constellation Behavioral Health as an admissions advisor in 2019. He quickly discovered that Constellation’s values and collaborative approach to healing blended well with his experience, enthusiasm, and ethics. Now, Jeffrey serves as our Senior Admissions Advisor for both Alta Mira Recovery Programs and Bridges to Recovery, and enjoys working with the dynamic teams at both programs. Jeffrey has a career spanning nearly two decades. Prior to landing at Constellation, he crafted and led admissions teams at exemplary programs such as The Palm Beach Institute and Breathe Life Healing Centers. Over that time, Jeffrey gained a broad exposure to a wide array of evidence-based clinical approaches, modalities, and cultures in primarily dual-diagnosis residential treatment settings. He has enjoyed working with some of the most well-respected professionals in our field and brings a depth of compassion and experience rarely seen. As our Senior Admissions Advisor, Jeffrey draws upon his wealth of experience to work closely with clients, their families, and our internal treatment teams to help determine the best program to fit for each client’s personal needs and goals. He takes great pride in representing both Alta Mira and Bridges to Recovery, and through this dedication provides a seamless and compassionate experience for those seeking help.

  Link: Jeff Rocco