From Our CARF Accreditation Survey Findings:
"Earnest and highly dedicated, programmatic staff members love their jobs. Their exceptional enthusiasm for the work they do was palpable through the interviews conducted online and telephonically during this survey. Staff members' comments reflected that they feel empowered to help clients throughout all aspects of the organization's programs. They greatly enjoy working for the owners, whom they consider to be great leaders. They feel part of the organization, and they love the programs they have all created together.
When asked what they would do with a hypothetical $1 million dollars to improve Present Moments Recovery, staff members were hard pressed to respond, saying that they consider the organization to already be of high quality. Ultimately, their only suggestions were to install a swimming pool for the supported housing program and to use any additional funds to provide treatment to persons who could not otherwise afford it."
Meet Our Staff of Addiction Treatment Experts
Katie Hirst, MD
Medical Director
Katie Hirst, MD
A native Californian, Dr. Hirst grew up in the Bay Area before attending Stanford University for her dual undergraduate degree. She experienced two East Coast winters while teaching high school science outside of Boston, then returned West to attend medical school at UC San Diego, where she earned honors for leadership, academic accomplishment and patient care. After graduation, Dr. Hirst completed a dual residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at UC San Diego — and founded the UCSD Maternal Mental Health Clinic during her third year of training.
Dr. Hirst soon became a regional expert in the field of Reproductive Psychiatry, caring for women with anxiety, mood disorders and psychosis during pregnancy and the postpartum period. While serving on faculty in three departments at UCSD School of Medicine, Dr. Hirst delivered local and international lectures, wrote a teaching curriculum, published articles, supervised trainees and developed the first Maternal Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program in the Southwest United States.
Dr. Hirst developed an opioid addiction following the births of her daughters via C-section in 2008 and 2011, and left academic medicine to seek treatment in late 2013. Before returning to work in late 2015, Dr. Hirst developed a personal mindfulness meditation practice, even completing teacher training. Today she is proud to incorporate her strong knowledge of psychological theory with mindfulness meditation practice in her work with patients.
Dr. Hirst is board-certified in Family Medicine and Psychiatry, and is able to provide a unique level of care that encompasses the whole patient as a result of this dual training and expertise.
Dr. Hirst balances her rewarding work with personal time devoted to recovery, family and friends. She and her family are avid explorers of National Parks, and she is an enthusiastic indoor cyclist and (slow but steady) runner.
Nerice Kaufman, M.Div., MA, D.Min, LMFT
Therapist
Nerice Kaufman, M.Div., MA, D.Min, LMFT
Nerice has been a therapist and healthcare professional for over 35 years. She specializes in dual diagnosis, grief and loss and relapse prevention. She has worked in a variety of settings as presenter, facilitator, individual and family counselor and spiritual consultant. This includes over one dozen in and outpatient recovery programs. In recovery herself, she has personally used, as well as taught, all traditional as well as current modalities, in particular cognitive behavioral tools for recovery.
Amy Lajiness, LCSW
Eco-therapist
Amy Lajiness, LCSW
Amy Lajiness is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice who is thrilled to offer Ecotherapy groups at Present Moments. Amy utilizes an eclectic mix of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing, in her work with clients. Amy also brings her expertise as a Certified Ecotherapist to the group, assisting clients in reconnecting with the natural world around them as well as with their own inner nature.
Deborah L Flamino, BS, MA, CADC II
Therapist
Deborah L Flamino, BS, MA, CADC-II
Deborah has been working in recovery for the past 17 years both formally and informally. After spending her first 25 years as a professor of philosophy and world religions, she decided to enter the business world as a human resources manager at a start-up in the new field of genomics. Subsequently, Deborah changed careers by becoming an addiction counselor. Having spent a life studying the question, "What does it mean to be human?", she easily transitioned to counseling.
Deborah has a private practice counseling persons with addiction as well leading group discussions/education on the questions: What does it mean to be human? How best to embody that knowledge in the hope of living a more pain-free life?
Neethu Jacob, PA-C
Physician's Assistant
Neethu Jacob, PA-C
A proud native of Detroit, Michigan, Neethu Jacob joins our team at Present Moments with several years of experience as a Physician Assistant specializing in the field of Psychiatry. Her interest in mental health grew from a very young age, when she was introduced to the field by her mother, a renowned social worker. Upon graduating from PA School at Barry University, Neethu moved to Chicago and gained proficiency working in community clinic, private practice, long-term care and rehabilitation settings. She has served a wide range of populations, ranging from children in the foster care system to adults with challenging and complex mood disorders.
Neethu’s primary goal is to help her patients feel at ease when discussing, exploring and managing their mental health. She encourages her patients to understand that treating our brain is really no different than treating high cholesterol or a broken bone. She employs a holistic approach with treatment, focusing on whole-body wellness in tandem with mental well-being.
In her free time, Neethu loves exploring her beautiful new home base of San Diego. She is thrilled to experience all that California has to offer with her husband, Kevin and their cherished dog, Rylee. She also enjoys reading, live music and trying out new and delicious restaurants.
Kathryn O’Cain Meyer, M.Ed, LCAS
Kathryn O’Cain Meyer, M.Ed, LCAS
Kathryn earned her Master’s of Education in Clinical Counseling from The Citadel in Charleston, SC and is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. She considers it a privilege to work with individuals as they learn about addiction and begin their journey towards recovery. For over ten years Kathryn has utilized a variety of evidence based client centered approaches such as; Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, with a speciality in Experiential Therapy.
Emily McCay, RADT
Case Manager
Emily McCay, RADT
Emily is a part of the clinical team with both personal and professional experience in the recovery industry. After becoming sober, she enrolled in and graduated from Cal State University of San Marcos intent on helping others in need.
Emily is a member of a local non-profit committee intent on establishing accessible services including recovery options for less fortunate members of North County. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading about philosophy, spending time with family, and fighting the stigmas of addiction. With both passion and academic prowess from which to draw, Emily is uniquely qualified to help those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Ryan Fehlhaber, RADT
Ryan Fehlhaber, RADT
Ryan Fehlhaber is a counselor with Present Moments Recovery. His main task is to educate and guide recovering people to a new and happy substance free life. As a former Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Fehlhaber continues the fight back home, but against a different enemy, the harmful substances that have been destroying his friends, family, and citizens he swore to protect. When Mr. Fehlhaber isn’t counseling you can find him going on adventures with his family, or reading books about psychology or ancient civilizations.
David Corman, RADT
David Corman, RADT
David is a focused and experienced professional with ample skills as both leader and follower. He understands and lives the qualities and traits that embody a life of recovery. As part of the Marine Corp, David possesses the abilities that encourage and promote efficiency, making him the ideal individual to lead our residential facility. He supports our clients and their families by creating a safe and secure environment so that treatment can flourish.
Debbie Johnson
House Manager and Lead Program Technician
Debbie Johnson
Debbie graduated from Palomar College with a certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. She is also RADT certified. Being a mom of two sons who suffer with Substance Use Disorder, helping others is a strong passion of hers. Debbie brings a wide range of experience, both personal and professional to our clients. Debbie enjoys family, friends, and also her furry family: Bruiser, who is the house dog at our Sober Living house that Debbie manages, and Scooter the house kitty.
Fay McGrew M.A.
Fay McGrew M.A.
Fay has been teaching Qigong in San Diego for over 20 years effectively applying modernized versions of ancient health practices into integrative programs at major medical institutions such as Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine, San Diego Cancer Research Institute, Silverado Senior Living for the Memory Impaired, Chopra Center, and Mind Body Medicine Mental Health program at Naval Medical Center San Diego.
Brandon Parkhurst & Wesley Geer
Music Expression
Brandon Parkhurst & Wesley Geer
Brandon and Wesley are two passionate musicians who share their message of hope and talent to inspire others in recovery. Brandon is a singer/songwriter from San Diego. He has been the key songwriter for Kut U Up and Yovee for over 15 years as well as toured with Green Day, Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World.
Charlie Phillips
Yoga and Music Teacher
Charlie Phillips
Charlie recently moved to Carlsbad from suburban Philadelphia, were he owned a yoga studio and taught yoga and music therapy at a 120–bed inpatient treatment center for 15 years. Charlie aims to weave his experience, strength, and hope into his teachings to help the recovering person. His current passions are softball, bike riding, songwriting, and musical performance.
Kristin Wilhite, HHP
NLP, Nutrition
Kristin Wilhite, HHP
Kristin is a Certified Master Practitioner of Hypnotherapy and Mental & Emotional Release as well as a Certified Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming. She helps clients through old patterns and develop new strategies for living a life in recovery.
Kathy Plaisted, AMFT
Equine Therapy
Kathy Plaisted, AMFT
Kathy holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked for more than 30 years in the field of Experiential and Adventure therapy. Kathy is certified as an Equine Specialist with over 30 years of horse experience. She has developed curriculum, trained numerous therapists from local organizations, and been at the forefront of providing experiential therapy services throughout San Diego County. She is known for her success with clients who have failed to thrive in the traditional “office” environment and holds to the belief that people are resilient and can overcome life’s adversities. She specializes in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and Adventure Therapy with a focus on Trauma-related issues including PTSD, anxiety, depression and co-occurring addictions.
AMFT # 108317
Emily Kilbane, Holistic Health Coach
Holistic Health Coach
Emily Kilbane, Holistic Health Coach
Emily is a certified Holistic Health Coach currently working at Present Moments. She obtained her certification through The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.
Emily serves as a guide to help clients work towards an improved lifestyle and overall health. She explores their nutrition patterns, relationships, physical fitness, spirituality and self love. She is extremely passionate about helping clients understand how to eat to fuel and heal their bodies. In addition, she focuses on the brain-gut connection and how to improve client’s gut health in order to heal their brain and prevent illness.
Kelley Keatly, RYT-200, RKM
Kelley Keatly, RYT-200, RKM
Kelley Keatly is a native San Diegan and trauma-informed Yoga teacher. She is also a Reiki practitioner and incorporates healing modalities in teaching and in serving as an end-of-life doula. In her free time, she explores rural San Diego trails with her husband and she loves spending time with her three children.
Mark & Amy Gladden
Owners
Mark & Amy Gladden, CADC II, ICADC
Present Moments Recovery is a residential and extended care treatment program located in San Diego North County helping men & women attain sobriety, achieve emotional balance and gain independent living skills devastated by the disease of addiction. Mark and Amy Gladden, a couple in long term recovery themselves, offer those suffering an opportunity to heal and grow in a loving, supportive environment. We’re honored and grateful for each person that chooses to share their journey of recovery with us. We set up a Drug Rehab in San Diego North County to support a community based treatment approach for long term recovery.