Treatment Team

Our award-winning, multidisciplinary treatment team includes some of the region's top physicians, nurses, licensed psychologists, psychotherapists and alcohol and drug counselors.  They work together to provide dynamic psychoeducational groups, individual and family therapy, holistic wellness education and complementary therapies, specialty consultations and medication management, when indicated.

 

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Executive Director/Co-Founder

 

Dr. Saalinger holds addiction counseling certification through the American Academy of Healthcare Providers and is a marriage and family therapist.  She is a respected  advocate for individuals and families and has helped them heal and overcome the effects of addiction for over 30 years. Her book and curriculum, Fearless Change: Embrace the Choice to Reinvent Your Life, is an integral part of Lasting Recovery’s programs.

 

 

Arthur Farkas, Ph.D., SAP

Clinical Director/Co-Founder

 

Dr. Farkas is a licensed clinical psychologist and substance abuse professional.  He served on the faculty of University of California San Diego Medical School and has authored/co-authored over 40 publications on addiction in peer-reviewed journals. Arthur facilitates psychological testing, out of state DUI requirement classes, drug and alcohol assessments and individual counseling.

 

Bruce Pevney, MD, ASAM

Medical Director

 

Dr. Pevney, a graduate of the State University of New York College of Medicine, Dr. Pevney, a graduate of the State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine, has been in the practice of Addiction Medicine for 43 years.  He was a Charter Member of the California Society of Addiction Medicine and is certified by that body. He also has been certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 1987. In addition to his private practice, he has served as Medical Director of many world renowned inpatient and outpatient addiction dependency programs in the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego Areas.

 

Dr. Pevney brings his vast experience, knowledge and gentleness to our team by helping clients begin to heal their bodies from the effects of addiction.  Dr. Pevney provides outpatient medical services for conditions directly related to addiction problems including detoxification, education, support and prescriptions for medications including Suboxone.  Dr. Pevney facilitates medical clearance to clients before they begin the Lasting Recovery treatment program.

 

 

Kai MacDonald, MD

Director of Psychiatric Services

 

Dr. MacDonald brings to our team a wealth of experience in addiction treatment, dual diagnosis, psychotherapy, neuropsychiatry and behavioral medicine. Dr. Kai, as he likes to be called, recently named one of the Top Three Psychiatrists in San Diego County, is a Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and Diplomate, American Board of Family Practice. In addition to his private practice, he is Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California San Diego, Deptartment of Psychiatry, UCSD; Medical Director, Clinical Trials, and Assistant Director, Psychiatry Consult-Liaison Service, Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit at UCSD.

 

Dianne Micklish, CADC II

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

 

Dianne Micklish, a CAADAC certified alcohol and drug addiction counselor, has been working in addiction treatment helping men, women, adolescents and families for over 15 years. Her experience as staff counselor at Mesa Vista Hospital and Therapeutic Partner/Lead Counselor for Scripps McDonald Adolescent program, and Executive Director for Pemarro Residential Treatment Facility for the relapse prone, have taught her that effective treatment can build resilience in the face of addiction.  Dianne brings her knowledge, enthusiasm and skill to empower clients and their families. She is the lead group counselor in the Adolescent afternoon and Adult evening programs.   

 

Tamra Anderson
Director of Admissions

 

Tamra Anderson, a CAADAC Registered Recovery Worker, brings years of knowledge, compassion, and experience in treatment field to our clients and staff. She is the first voice on the phone helping families understand more about treatment options and she facilitates admissions to our programs.   Tamra provides administrative support to our treatment team and individual attention to our clients and families throughout the treatment process.

 

Jeff Cox, CATC-i

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling Intern

 

Jeff Cox, an alcohol and drug counselor intern, brings exceptional knowledge, experience, and compassion to our clients.  Jeff co-facilitates our evening adult groups and is our Aftercare Coordinator, facilitating the weekly adult alumni group. His insight, life experience and ability to understand the challenges of adults, teens and their parents, bring balance to our clients’ treatment experience.

 

Carol Rider, L.Ac., M.T.O.M.

Licenced Acupuncturist

 

Carol Rider is licensed by the California Medical Board as an acupuncturist and she is a master of traditional oriental medicine.  She has helped detox clients from addictive substances over the past 9 years.  Carol provides introductory sessions to our clients in the stress-reduction component of our alcohol and drug programs.  Her clinic is located on the same premises as Lasting Recovery and is available for private sessions.