Substance Abuse Treatment Center Staff

• Licensed clinical psychologist
• PHD doctoral level therapist
• Specialty therapist
• Neurocognitive specialist
• Acupuncturist
• Counselors/case managers specializing in addiction and psychological treatment
• Certified personal trainer
• Registered dietitians

Other professionals involved in your healing process may include your personal physician or therapist as well as other specialists, depending on your personal needs and desires.

Key staff members at New Seasons Recovery include:

Scott Ackerman, MSW - Director of Admissions
The first segment of Scott Ackerman’s professional training began on the east coast where he earned his graduate degree in social work while working as a civil servant for many years with the Crisis Intervention office in Pennsylvania. After obtaining licensure, Mr. Ackerman practiced social work for a variety of organizations specializing in mental health treatment with selective populations, specifically the dually diagnosed. In the 1990's Mr. Ackerman was hired by a large hospital to start up and develop an emergency psychiatric service to assess and treat people who presented in Emergency Rooms with an urgent need for care. This service quickly became very successful and in great demand not only locally but nationwide as hospitals were recognizing increasing needs to process psychiatric emergencies in the ER environment. Familial demands eventually required relocation to California where Mr. Ackerman then worked as Clinical Director of a private psychiatric center in Santa Barbara for the next seven years. He subsequently advanced his skills running programs and addressing and treating the multiple needs of the dual diagnosis population utilizing an assortment of individual as well as group formats. As New Seasons' Director of Admissions, Mr. Ackerman is incorporating his many years of experience, education and training to promote our exceptional treatment program and to enlighten the public and private sector on the many features and benefits the program has to offer.

Rod Amiri, MD - Consulting Psychiatrist
Dr. Amiri is a board certified psychiatrist who joined New Seasons in December of 2006. He is an advocate and firm believer in the biopsychosocial model to treatment of psychiatric disorders, and was drawn to New Seasons' multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of substance use disorders. In June of2005, Dr. Amiri completed his residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where he served as Chief Resident. During residency, Dr. Amiri mastered intensive psychotherapy skills and won several awards, scholarships, and fellowships offered by various organizations such as the California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Furthermore, He has gained experience in teaching and was professor of anatomy and physiology at the American University of Complimentary Medicine in Los Angeles from 2002-2004. Dr. Amiri has presented nationally on the psychiatric effects of HIV/AIDS as well as sexual disorders at the 2004 &2005 APA annual meetings. Dr. Amiri currently has a private practice in West Hollywood, California.

Nathan Kaehler - Acupuncturist

Adina McGarr, Psy.D. - Therapist
Adina has her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and specializes in eating disorders, addiction, and dual diagnoses. She is a primary therapist and facilitator of our Body Image groups. Adina has been working with eating disorders for the past ten years and views them as an individual's unconscious attempt at avoiding/distracting themselves from painful and intolerable affect. "As clients become more invested in their eating disorders, as a conscious or more often unconscious coping mechanism, the disorder becomes a severe problem in its own right and what was once used to regulate the self, gain a sense of control, and/or improve feelings of self-worth becomes a significant source of distress and actually impairs emotional, psychological, physical, and social functioning". In addition to her work with eating disordered individuals, she has also worked with children with pervasive developmental disorders, adults in an outpatient community mental health setting, adults and adolescents with inpatient chronic and severe mental health issues, and students in a college setting. In conjunction to her work at New Seasons Recovery, Adina also has a private practice.

Linda Stephens, M.S., R.D., M.F.T. - Nutritionist, Therapist
Linda wears two hats at New Seasons: Registered Dietitian (Nutritionist) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has master’s degrees in both institution management and marital and family therapy. She has experience in organizations from acute care hospitals to chemical dependency treatment and eating disorder treatment facilities, in long term care institutions for various populations and clinics. She oversees dietary services and plans menus that are varied and interesting, prepared with fresh, natural foods keyed to the seasons. She provides staff training and oversight to ensure that the best safety and sanitation practices are followed in meal preparation and service. She also conducts nutrition assessments of clients and offers nutrition counseling individually and in formal nutrition education groups. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Linda provides psychosocial assessments and psychotherapy to individual clients and participates in treatment planning for all clients with other professional staff members. With both nutrition and therapy skills, Linda works closely with clients who have eating disorder symptoms.

Miriam Woodrow , PHR - Human Resources/Business Office Manager
Miriam Woodrow, a Certified Personnel Practitioner and Professional in Human Resources (PHR), joined the New Seasons team in February of 2007. Miriam brought five years experience working as a Human Resources Administrator/Health and Safety Manager at a European subsidiary of a Colorado based company and six years experience as a Drug and Alcohol Program Manager for a medical/legal facility in Malibu, California where she also directed human resources and the day-to-day operations of the business. Miriam's professional training began in Ireland where she earned her Human Resources Certification and Professional in Human Resources designation while attending the University of Limerick. She graduated with distinction in the training and development program and was awarded for receiving the highest grades. Her professional memberships included the Institute for Personnel Management and the Institute of Training and Development. Miriam relocated to California in 1995 where she worked for Intertec publishing for four years. She now oversees the human resources department along with managing New Seasons' business office. Miriam provides human resources support to the facility by managing all personnel issues within corporate policies and procedures and all federal and state guidelines. She assists in the recruitment and job placement process and enjoys planning events on behalf of New Seasons.

Ruben Barrios, M.A. - Therapist
Ruben received a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Northridge. He has had over 5 years providing individual, group and family therapy with diverse populations in both inpatient/outpatient treatment settings. His clinical and research interests are eating disorders, substance abuse, personality disorders, ADHD, and mood disorders. He intends to complete his PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Dustin Spoor - Recreation Coordinator
Dustin comes to the New Seasons team with over a decade of experience in the field of personal training and fitness development. Dustin also has 5 years experience working as a youth counselor and group home manager for displaced youth. In addition to receiving certifications from IFPA and Expert Rating Certified Professionals he is actively pursuing advanced certifications in nutrition and Cross fit training systems. Dustin is an avid outdoor enthusiast of hiking, surfing, biking, cross training, free diving and many other sports and leisure activities. Dustin brings a passion for an active life and is driven to help people in recovery live a happier, healthier lifestyle through sober activity.

David Vazquez - Case Manager
David has facilitated and participated in over 3500 hours of treatment center courses which include, Anger Management, Relapse Prevention, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior and Aftercare treatment planning. For over 3 years he worked as a counselor at The Walden House, facilitating seminars which included but not limited to, Relapse and Recivdivism, Living in Balance, interpersonal effectiveness, Emotional Regulation and Distress Tolerance. He also worked at Tarzana Treatment Center for 2 years prior to coming to New Seasons where he has served as a lead Technician, responsible for serving as the Alumni coordinator, and eventually becoming PM Shift Supervisor. In addition, he has completed over 160 hours of training in Introductory to Counseling, Dual diagnosis along with Alcohol and Substance Abuse courses through Porterville College.

Valerie Wayne, M.A. - Admissions Counselor
Ms. Wayne holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University. Valerie has worked as an Intake Counselor Coordinator for John Bradshaw, noted author on dual diagnosis/codependency issues, at his treatment center. Ms. Wayne former positions have included working for Radar's eating disorder clinic as well as Vista Del Mar psychiatric hospital, where she conducted intake interviews and psychosocial assessments for their adolescent, geriatric and chemical dependency units. She enjoys every opportunity counseling candidates for admission while helping to facilitate individuals on their journey to recovery. In being part of the New Season's Recovery team, "I feel honored and privileged to be part of our client's healing process and respect the courage and commitment it takes to face this disease."

Gregg Thomas, CADC - Community Relations Manager
With many years of sobriety, Gregg Thomas brings a wealth of both personal and professional experiences to New Season's Recovery. He started his career as an extremely successful musician recording and touring with some highly notable bands spanning a 35 year period of time. As a professional rock drummer, he fought the battle with alcoholism and drug abuse that dragged him to the bottom when he was at the top of his profession. After getting sober in the eighties, he returned to school and received a Certified Addiction Specialist certificate in 1989. In his position as Community Relations Manager at New Season's Recovery, he is responsible for marketing, and providing contact lists that includes interventionists, residential treatment facilities and working with other professionals in the drug and alcohol field. Gregg assists in establishing and managing client relationships through the music, television, and film industries in the acquisition of new clients and retention of existing clients. Mr. Thomas is the liaison between high profile clients and client producers including maintenance of confidential status for client(s). Gregg also coordinates referrals to other professionals as appropriate for the on-going recovery of both clients and family members.

Stefanie Parmisano - Shift Supervisor
Stefanie joined the New Seasons team as a Shift Supervisor with 10 years experience in the Healthcare and Behavioral Health field. Stefanie has 5 years experience in a Supervisory role while providing direct care to and overseeing the care of individuals with co-occurring issues such as substance abuse/chemical dependency, developmental disabilities, homelessness and severe mental illness. Stefanie's experience also includes working with a variety of individuals and disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression, abuse and neglect in a Residential Treatment setting; Stefanie is certified in Professional Assault Response Training with strong skills in Crisis Intervention/Conflict Resolution. She has also received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Suicide Prevention and Self Injurious Behaviors.

Kelly Maring , C.N.A. - Shift Supervisor
Kelly joined the New Seasons team in May of 2007. While attending college at Kalamazoo Valley, in Michigan, she received her Associates Degree in General Education. She then went on to Allegan Tech were she earned her C.N.A. During her schooling in the Midwest Kelly worked for Hope Network, providing care to adults with mental illnesses. Before joining New Seasons staff she was a C.N.A. at Radar Programs' Pacific Shores Hospital. At Pacific Shores Kelly Worked with Eating Disorder patients. Kelly is excited about her newfound passion of working in recovery. She is preparing to continue her education in Alcohol and Drug counseling here in California.

Dora Larios - Residential Facilities Manager
Dora has been part of the New Seasons team for over 2 years. Her passion for working with those entering recovery is what drove her to complete her addiction studies education and obtain her counseling certification at Oxnard College 6 years ago. As a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at New Seasons, Dora has served as a residential counselor/case manager and Shift Supervisor and is now the Residential Facilities Manager. She oversees the residential and transitional living facilities as well as the residential staff. With a strong compassion to help others, as well as a deep interest in the field of addictive disorders, Dora is grateful to be a part of the New Seasons Team.