Treatment Team

Our award-winning, multidisciplinary treatment team includes some of the region's top physicians, licensed psychologists, psychotherapists and alcohol and drug counselors.  We work together to provide outpatient detoxification for alcohol and drugs,  dynamic psychoeducational groups, individual and family therapy, holistic wellness education, 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 licensed 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 the educational components of the adult outpatient programs,  psychological testing, out of state DUI requirement, drug and alcohol assessments and individual counseling.

 

 

Kai MacDonald, MD

Medical Director

 

Dr. MacDonald brings to our team a wealth of knowledge and experience in addiction treatment, dual diagnosis, psychotherapy, neuropsychiatry and behavioral medicine.

Dr. MacDonald has been twice named by his peers as one of the Top Doctors in San Diego County. He has been board-certified in both Family Medicine and Psychiatry, and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

In addition to his private practice, he is a Volunteer Clinical Faculty at the University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, UCSD, and is actively involved in research and teaching in a diverse number of fields, including attachment, addiction, attention deficit disorder, and oxytocin.

 

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 and mental health problems.  Dianne brings her knowledge, enthusiasm and skill to empower clients and their families. She is the lead group counselor in and Adult evening program.

 

Tamra Walker
Director of Operations

 

Tamra Walker, a CAADAC Registered Recovery Worker, brings years of knowledge, compassion, and experience in the 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 and operational support to our treatment team and individual attention to our clients and families throughout the treatment process.

 

Jeff Cox, CADA

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling Intern

 

Jeff Cox, an alcohol and drug counselor, brings exceptional knowledge, experience, and compassion to our clients.  Jeff co-facilitates in 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.

Licensed 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 9 years.  Carol provides introductory sessions to our clients in the stress-reduction component of our alcohol, drug, and dual diagnosis programs.  Her clinic is located on the same premises as Lasting Recovery and she is available for private sessions.

 

 

I can never thank the staff and everyone else for helping me find my way out of the addictions that were sucking the soul out of my life. They were all supportive & truly caring, available 24/7 to help. I especially liked the camaraderie & support of my women’s group. This program was a life preserver. Thank you for giving me my life and self back!!!
- Kathy S.