Phyllis Meagher, MBA, CADC, CEDS

Executive Director/CEO

Phyllis has over 30 years experience in the addiction and mental health treatment field. Her wealth of experience includes successful creation and implementation of addiction treatment components working alongside cutting-edge leaders in many areas including behavioral, medical, traditional 12-Step, experiential services such as equine assisted growth and learning, holistic services such as acupuncture, massage and yoga, as well as neuroscience and addiction.

She has held a wide range of clinical and executive positions in hospitals, residential facilities, outpatient clinics as well as managed care companies; specializing in alcohol and other drug addictions, psychiatric disorders, eating disorders and chronic pain treatment. She has a Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Personnel Management, as well as a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist.

Dana M. Sperling, LMFT, M.S.

Director of Assessment & Community Outreach

Dana has been working in the addiction and mental health field for over 12 years. Dana received her Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Claremont Colleges and Master’s Degree from Bethany University, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She also attended Alliant International University, where she received additional postgraduate training. She has worked in hospital settings, residential care facilities and a family service agency. Dana has been an integral part of the Beacon House team for over seven years.

Bryan McAlister, LVN

Manager Support Technicians

Bryan received his nurse training in 1986 from United States Air Force School of Health Care Science in Wichita Falls, Texas. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Bryan relies on his physical assessment knowledge he gained through working in the field as a Medic and Emergency Room Nurse. He has vast experience in all aspects of nursing including the field of addiction. Bryan has been at the Beacon House for over seven years and works closely with our Medical Director.

Sonia Blue, LMFT

Primary Counselor

Sonia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. A graduate of Antioch University with her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Sonia provided therapeutic services to individuals, teens and families focusing on anxiety, depression, impaired relations and addictions in a variety of clinical settings for 15 years in Los Angeles. Having spent the last 10 years on the Monterey Peninsula, Sonia conducted clinical work with addictions and recovery, while working at the Clint Eastwood Youth Recovery Center at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Sonia continues to teach the popular class of Theories and Methods of Counseling at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Kurt Johnson, MA, RAS

Primary Counselor

Kurt Johnson earned his Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Colorado State University and graduated with honors from Regis University with a Masters Degree in Psychology. Kurt holds a Colorado license as a Professional Counselor (LPC 4956), completed Addictions Counselor Training through the Denver Health Medical Center; and is certified as a Registered Addictions Specialist in California. He has studied and been trained in a number of evidence-based therapeutic paradigms. In his years of counseling experience, he has worked with a wide range of clients and families in social service agencies, mental health settings and in substance abuse recovery. Kurt has additional training and experience in a number of special areas, including addiction intervention, anger management, couples counseling, conflict resolution, career counseling, and recovery from issues related to childhood abuse. Kurt employs a collaborative, empathic, holistic approach that draws from a number of proven methods, and focuses on client's goals.

Micheline Daly, RN

Counselor, Outpatient Manager

Micheline is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in both chemical dependency and psychiatric treatment. She has worked with adolescent and adult populations in inpatient and outpatient settings. Micheline first began working in the field of chemical dependency in 1987 and has 25 years of experience working with dually-diagnosed clients.

Maurine Moody, MFT

Counselor

Maurine Moody, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist has worked in the fields of addiction and mental health for over 20 years. She is especially interested in the neurobiology of these diseases, how they interact and the best treatments for dual diagnoses. Maurine teaches our clients Mood Management Skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Maurine received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Iowa State University, a Master of Arts in Sociology from Montclair State College in New Jersey, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from JFK University. She also spent seven years living, working and studying at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Through participation in numerous workshops with teachers from around the world, Maurine learned many alternative and holistic methods for personal growth. Maurine also has a private practice, as well as over 20 years of personal recovery experience.

Shannon Domingos, CASI

Assessment & Referral Coordinator

Shannon brings first- hand experience and understanding of the disease of addiction. Prior to joining the Beacon House team, Shannon managed an office for an Addictionologist. She has years of experience in equine assisted therapy and also worked as a Behavior Specialist with Autistic children and their families. Shannon is currently completing her internship hours as she works to obtain her certification as an Addiction Specialist. She is passionate about helping others and plans to continue her education in the mental health field.

 

 

Experiential Treatment Programs
Staff Biographies

Bill Hill

Birding Instructor

Led by Bill Hill, an expert wildlife photographer, birder and retired fire fighter, our residents are afforded the opportunity to become familiar with the diverse wildlife ecosystem that is the keystone of our local environment. More importantly it provides a foundation for developing the spiritual aspects of ongoing recovery.

Connie Yost

Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Instructor

Equine assisted therapy is one of the experiential services offered at Beacon House which fully incorporates the outstanding environment into the recovery process. Utilizing a picturesque horse ranch on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Equine Director, Connie Yost, helps all residents begin to understand that relating to horses can be beneficial to the recovery process through non-verbal connection and communication. Through this process the horses become aware and sensitive to the resident’s fears, anxiety, aggression and/or intentions. These interactions become powerful tools teaching the individual about boundaries, patience, expectations, diligence, solutions, fear and faith. Connie is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles and retired Director of Development at Columbia Pictures. She has ridden and shown hunters and jumpers competitively for over 30 years. Additionally she has been trained by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

Lee Larimer, PhD, FICPP

Director of Clinical Services

Dr. Larimer provides individual and group treatment, as well as comprehensive diagnostic services. He has over 40 years of experience helping others including extensive addiction treatment experience in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. He has expertise in the primary treatment of addiction disorders, as well as relapse prevention and co-occurring disorders.

Dr. Larimer received his doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He completed his internship training at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, California and his post-doctoral residency at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. He has advanced credentials in family systems therapy, as well as clinical psychopharmacology. He is also credentialed in the Treatment of Addictions through the American Psychological Association’s College of Professional Psychology.

Lee Goldman, MD

Consultant / Addictionologist

Dr. Goldman has been actively involved in the addiction community since 1980, when he accepted the position of Medical Director for the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) Recovery Center. He brings over 30 years of expertise in family practice, addiction treatment and emergency medicine.

Dr. Goldman completed his medical training at University of Southern California, moving to the Monterey Peninsula after finishing his residency in Pennsylvania in 1978. He is Board-Certified in both family-practice and addiction medicine. He joined CHOMP in 1980, and continues to work with their emergency department where he received the Physician of the Year award in 2009. He developed and implemented an alcohol withdrawal scale tool utilized at CHOMP, as well as numerous forensic facilities.

Shari Corbitt, Psy.D.

Director of Neuroscience & Senior Clinical Advisor

Dr. Shari Corbitt is the Founder and CEO of Agoura Neurofeedback Inc, a comprehensive, clinical business practice in Beverly Hills and Agoura Hills, CA. Dr. Corbitt conducts individual and group psychotherapy, clinical program consultation and frequent public speaking. She is also honored to serve as the Senior Director of the Neuroscience Center at the Beacon House. Most recently, Dr. Corbitt served as Vice President of Promises Treatment Centers and prior to that, Clinical Director at Sierra Tucson. Her earlier experience includes: Clinical Director of the Indian Health Council, Inc. on the Rincon Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley, CA and Program Director at Casa Palmera, an Eating Disorders and Chronic Pain Management inpatient treatment facility in San Diego, CA. Her areas of specialization include: the treatment of eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and chronic pain. Dr. Corbitt currently enjoys conducting her Cellular Healing GroupsTM for people with comorbid eating disorders and chemical dependency and her “DBT of the 12-Steps”, a group that aims to teach people how to actually do all of the confusing things we are taught in recovery such as: Turn It Over, Trust the Process and Let Go and Let God!

Jenna Marsala, MA, MFTI

Assessment & Referral Counselor

Jenna received her Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Chico and a Master’s Degree in Psychology, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Chapman University.
Jenna has worked with a county funded transitional age (16-25) program treating individuals, families and couples. An integral member of the Beacon House professional team, Jenna is currently completing her internship hours as she works to pursue her licensure.

Carol L. Edmonds

Family Counselor

Carol Edmonds is our Family Counselor, facilitating our weekly family support group and helps families to address addiction issues and codependency. She also facilitates our weekly aftercare groups, assisting clients as they work to meet the recovery goals of their continuing care plans. Carol has over 20 years experience in the drug and alcohol treatment field and is a certified relapse prevention specialist, a trained Arise interventionist, and also holds a Certification in Substance Abuse Counseling from University of California, Berkeley.

Leah Hopkins, MS, RD, CDE

Nutrition Specialist

Leah is a registered clinical dietitian and nutrition specialist in the field of addictive behavior, weight management, and eating disorders. Leah received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics from San Francisco State University, and a Master's Degree in Human Nutrition from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. Additionally, she recently obtained her Credential as a Certified Diabetes Educator. Leah has been working in acute care facilities, outpatient counseling, and public health education for over 25 years throughout the Monterey Peninsula and San Francisco Bay Area. She has a passion for teaching people how to bring mind and body together for better health and well-being. Leah is excited to combine her nutrition knowledge and expertise with the emerging field of neuroscience, sharing the latest, most relevant information with the Beacon House community.

Jim Sapia

Director of Culinary, Facility & Fitness Services

Jim Sapia creates healthy, delicious meals at the Beacon House. He has developed a nutrition lecture program, conducts weekly cooking demonstrations, and encourages our clients to build healthy habits that go beyond the treatment of their addiction. Jim has been cooking professionally for 25 years and has held chef positions at two five star resorts and cooked for the opening ceremonies at 2002 Winter Olympics. Jim is a graduate of the Cabrillo College Culinary program and the University of Utah Food and Beverage Management program. [VIEW VIDEO]

Emi Takeshita-Doty, MFTI, RASi

Clinical Outreach Specialist

Serving as an Aftercare and Alumni Counselor throughout the Fresno, California region for Beacon House, Emi coordinates and leads an aftercare/alumni group that meets on a weekly basis and acts as a Beacon House liaison to the Fresno area. She is a Marriage Family Therapy Intern, as well as a registered Addiction Specialist Intern, having earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehigh University and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Brandman University. In addition to her experience at Beacon House, Emi was a Counselor at Monterey Peninsula College where she provided individual support services to enrolled students.

Ducky O’Toole

Golf & Recovery Program Instructor

Led by our Golf Program Facilitator and Beacon House Alum (1998), Ducky O’Toole, our Golf & Recovery Program utilizes the Beacon House philosophy, the 12-Step Principles for recovery and the game of golf to help residents start living again. Ducky, a Class A PGA Professional and Beacon House Board Member has developed these authentic experiences to enhance Beacon House programs, provide outdoor opportunities and promote healthy lifestyle choices, this simple program leverages recovery principles to develop self-confidence and help individuals build a new life.

Sarah Sanders

Yoga Instructor

Our Yoga program at Beacon House is taught by licensed Yoga, Spin & Pilates Instructor and Holistic Nutritionist, Sarah Sanders. Having studied with renowned Yoga instructors from around the world, Sarah’s classes at Beacon House challenge, yet motivate clients to come out of their comfort zones, exploring new poses and create a sense of calm and healthfulness.