Meet Our Staff
The majority of staff at CASA Recovery is in recovery.
This allows us an informed perspective having "been there and done that."
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Krishna Jessick, C.A.T.C. #051193 - Program Director With 15 years of experience in the Drug & Alcohol Recovery field, Krishna has previously helped create and market four different Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs in Orange County, CA. Currently, she is founder and Program Director of CASA Recovery, a 25-bed facility in San Juan Capistrano, CA. She is a graduate in Human Services: Drug and Alcohol Studies from Saddleback College, a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC) and a longtime member of and educator/provider for the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE). Krishna is also trained in Crisis Intervention, Recovery Coaching M.L.E., Relapse Prevention, Denial Management and Primordial Sound Meditation. Her community outreach positions included acting as liaison between Drug Court and Saddleback College, working with the County of Orange Risk Reduction Education and Community Health (REACH) Program, acting as an advisory board member of the TEACH Program at Saddleback College, advisor on Mental Health/Dual Diagnosis and Substance Abuse at Orange Coast College, and a member of the Drug Treatment panel for the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (Prop 36). She has served as Key Note Speaker at the 2008 CAADE Conference in Costa Mesa, CA, as well as Key Note Speaker at the 2009 California Indian Law Association Conference speaking on substance abuse in Indian Country. Krishna has completed several hundred successful interventions since 2000. After research and preparation with family members, she prefers to use a loving, compassionate style in convincing clients to choose treatment. She concentrates more on revealing how the client's quality of life and relationship suffer because of their addiction. She asks if they are living their dreams and if they are accessing their true potential, often convincing them to find a new purpose in life by choosing to get treatment. She also uses her own experience with addiction as a way of identifying with the addict/alcoholic. As a result, she receives very little resistance to her unorthodox approach to the intervention process. |
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Ernest Templeton – Intake Director Ernie is the Intake Director here at CASA Recovery. He has 20 years of experience in technology sales and marketing prior to bringing his talents to the team here at CASA Recovery. Holding a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Long Beach, Ernie values the opportunity to be active in the 12-step recovery community. "Bringing others into the 12-step community is one of the greatest gifts I could give. I am proud to be reaching out to others in need through my work." |
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Dr. Michael Rudolph, M.D. #G48974 – Consulting Physician "As individuals recover from the disease of addiction, they need personal and professional dedication. Individual attention and care is an integral part of the healing process at CASA Recovery." Dr. Rudolph received his Medical Degree from Columbia University in 1981 and has since worked in emergency medicine and addiction medicine. He is also active in teaching emergency medicine at Western University and a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and California Society of Addiction Medicine. "Participating in each client's recovery is so exciting and the compassion in this program is unparalleled." |
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Counseling Staff |
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Mary McKenzie, L.M.F.T., M.Ed. - Therapist "It has been a long time dream of mine to work at a center where caring, respect, and treatment of the whole person is the bottom line. This climate creates a place of safety, where causes, as well as symptoms, can be explored and healed. I am thrilled to be a part of the exceptional treatment team at CASA Recovery." In the counseling field for 20 years, Mary received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College, and a Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Idaho. Mary is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. "Empowering others in their healing and recovery is one of my life's greatest joys." |
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Don Keith, C.A.T.C. #112781- Program Supervisor "I am grateful to be part of the solution here at CASA Recovery, helping clients from varied pasts build a new, bright future." Don brings the special gift of humor to our clients and keeps everybody laughing. He has spent the past 18 years working in the Social Service/Human Service field, including 6 years working for the Orange County Probation Department. He has completed his C.A.T.C. at Saddleback College and is a licensed Drug & Alcohol Counselor. Don is trained in Denial Management, Relapse Prevention, and Primordial Sound Meditation. He is also active in his 12-step program and shares his experience, strength and hope. "I really appreciate the compassion and understanding our clients receive. They are all treated with dignity, no matter who they are or where they come from." |
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Lisa Burdick, C.A.T.C. #112552 - Counselor Lisa worked in the Entertainment Industry for 28 years as a SAG franchised talent agent, instructor, and child's advocate. During Lisa's time in the Entertainment Industry, she referred numerous clients and other members of the industry into recovery for Drug or Alcohol abuse, eventually discovering that she wanted to work in the field of Recovery. "I'm using my education and personal experiences to serve the community to help promote wholeness, for the body, soul, and spirit through counseling. My goal is to assist other to achieve their most important life goals." Lisa has a Certificate in Christian Counseling Pyschology from Saddleback Church of Lake Forest. She has her Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Studies from Saddleback College and is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC). |
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Jesus Magana, C.A.D.C.-I #C4670711 - Counselor "I always had a passion for helping others. It's what I was meant to do and I knew I definitely had the experience." He took the route to recovery through legal intervention and a hard knocks treatment program, which he credits for getting him to the point of surrender. "I was tired of the lifestyle, my next step was to die." Jesus cut off all contact with his old friends and made new friends with people in recovery. His hard work paid off and just received his CADC-I certification and is a Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist and Certified Intervention Specialist. "I've found working at CASA Recovery to be beneficial in every area of my life in terms of working with different clients and programs – the dual diagnosis and holistic treatment has expanded my horizons. Learning what I have has helped me grow as a person and overcome a lot of my fears so I can help others do the same." |
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Michael Carlyle, C.A.D.C.-I #C4570711 - Counselor Mike is a graduate of InterCoast College and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-I). He is an active member of AA, has extensive knowledge of the Big Book and the 12 Steps, and has years of experience as a Sponsor. "I lived on the streets for a good part of my life, completely aimless and without a purpose. I was out of touch with my family and I felt like I didn't belong anywhere because I had nothing to offer anyone. After years of homelessness and numerous trips to prison I finally felt broken enough to ask for help. The help I received from people in recovery, and the unconditional love that was shown to me, opened my eyes to a new way of living. I was taught early on in recovery to reach out to the newcomer and try to give them hope, and I chose to take that lesson and turn it into a way of life." |
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Wellness Center Staff |
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Grant Collins, M.S., Acupuncturist #AC9668, Oriental Herbalist "The clients at CASA Recovery have a special place in my heart. It is great to watch the transformations that occur as a result of such an amazing program." Grant graduated with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Southwest Acupuncture College. He is California Board Certified and has been in private practice since 2003. His administration of acupuncture allows clients reduced cravings, reduced chance of relapse, better sleep and a calmer mind. Grant has also spent many years instructing and competing in martial arts. He is a member of the Elite Doctor's Speakers Bureau, educating the public on health and nutrition. "It is a joy to help clients achieve optimum health through Chinese Medicine." |
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Celeste Seiler – Massage Therapist "No other program that I have worked for can match CASA Recovery's revolutionary holistic approach to rehabilitation." Celeste, owner of A Touch of Heaven Massage and Holistic Healing, has witnessed the devastating effects of addiction on the body, mind and spirit both in her family and her clientele for years. These events inspired her to bring her gift of touch to all those struggling with this disease. Celeste specializes in "detoxification massage", Ayruvedic and Oriental techniques and nutritional therapy. These methods restore proper organ function, relieve pain and get clients back in touch with their bodies. "It's great working in a program where clients get real skills to change their lives." |
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Bernie Wolfe, Certified Trainer and Nutritionist An International Sports Sciences Association Certified Fitness Trainer for the last 18 years, Bernie Wolfe believes in "Developing your fitness from the inside out". Bernie will work on not only the proper exercise program to get you looking better, but also the proper course of diet to help you start feeling better. In addition to Bernie's work as a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, over the last 25 years Bernie has been working in the Fitness and Nutrition fields while concentrating on Afro and Latin-American studies. Bernie's study of Afro-American and Latin-American cultures led him towards the world of percussion, a result of which has brought Bernie around the world as an instructor to students interested in traditional forms of drumming. As the leader of CASA Recovery's drum circles, Bernie brings both his background as a Afro-Cuban based drumming expert, as well as a key awareness to cultural sensitivity necessary for making a drum circle experience more spiritual for its participants. |
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Native American Track Staff |
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Jacque Tahuka-Nunez A California Indian whose ancestors built the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Jacque has made a successful career out of sharing her Acjachemen culture, history, and love of the creator. Recently chosen by the state of California as the 2009 Indian Educator of the Year, Jacque prides herself on preserving and passing her culture along through the oral Native American tradition of storytelling. "When Creator opens a door for a person to use their God Given gifts whether it's Native American basket weaving, soapstone carving, or traditional shell necklace making it is important to let the craft making open the clients heart to honest communication and the healing of the soul. In our sessions we give the clients another avenue to reach for their Higher Power. It is an honor to be a part of the Staff at CASA Recovery path as clients move towards sobriety." |
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Peter Macias A Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate recipient, Pete's primary focus is on Alcohol relief, Pete feels that spiritual ceremonies have many healing properties, believing that old traditions can help people get back to their roots. Pete is a member of the Pala band of Mission Indians and works on healing and recovery through traditional Native American ceremonies. |
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