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Treatment Team

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Cheryl Alvarez, PsyD

Dr. Cheryl Alvarez received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. She completed her pre-doctoral clinical internship at Fairview State Hospital in Costa Mesa, California. Dr. Alvarez has significant experience in neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries. Her current area of interest and clinical work is with clients that have addictions, and she is currently researching the effect of cognitive rehabilitation methods with substance-induced brain damage.

INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS

Dr. Monisha Vasa, MD
Independent Addiction Psychiatrist

Dr. Monisha Vasa is a psychiatrist who specializes in Addiction Psychiatry. She completed her medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She completed her General Psychiatry residency, her Chief Residency, and an Addiction Psychiatry fellowship at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Her areas of expertise include evaluating and treating dually diagnosed individuals, as well as treating health care professionals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Her treatment philosophy is based on respect and compassion for each individual patient, and working with each client to obtain improved functioning and quality of life for him/her.

Dr. Kenneth Gheysar, MD
Independent Addictionologist

Dr. Gheysar, is an addiction medicine specialist, certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASA M). Dr. Gheysar holds medical degrees, with honors, from U.C.L.A. and U.C.I., and a residency at U.S.C. He has over 12 years of specialized experience in treating patients with addictions and other related illnesses.

Dr. Svetlana R. Stivi, MD
Independent Integrative Physician

Dr. Svetlana R. Stivi is the Medical Director and a founder of the New Health Institute. She received her Medical Degree from the University of California at Irvine, in 1995. She completed her residency at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in 1998. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine, a Diplomat of The American Board of Holistic Medicine, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College for Advancement in Medicine and the American Medical Association. Dr. Stivi received the distinguished"Golden Apple Award"as the outstanding teacher of 2004-2005 at the Long Beach Family Medicine Residency Program.
Dr. Stivi has extensive training and experience in nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, botanicals use, bio-identical hormone replacement, and human potential for self healing. She has successfully diagnosed and treated thousands of patients with myriad and serious medical conditions.

PSYCHOLOGISTS/THERAPISTS

Anna McCarthy, Ph.D.
Consulting Psychologist

Dr. McCarthy is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the treatment of substance disorders and trauma, along with family/marital issues, depression and anxiety.  Dr. McCarthy graduated from CSULB with a bachelors and masters degree in psychology and graduated from the University of Houston with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.  She completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System.

Stephen Creel, LMFT
Licensed Therapist

Stephen Creel is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He received his MA in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in 2001. Counseling individuals with substance abuse disorders and their families has been his main focus for the past seven years. Stephen uses an eclectic approach combining the insight of Psychodynamic therapy with the practicality of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. These, along with his creativity and compassion, combine to make him an effective agent of change for his clients.

Sarah C. Stuchell, MFT
Licensed Therapist

Sarah is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) who specializes in healing couple and family relationships from the consequences of substance abuse.  She is invested in helping clients and family members understand and overcome addiction problems, while improving trust, intimacy and satisfaction within those relationships. She relies heavily upon the latest scientific research to ensure a high standard of care in her work.  Sarah received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and is completing a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University.

Mack Harris, CPLC
Life Coach / Spiritual Therapist

Mack is a certified professional life coach, specializing in life transitions, marriage coaching, pre-marriage education, personal and spiritual growth, and vision development.
He is also certificated by the state of California as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Mack is an ordained minister with over 17 years of experience in pastoral counseling and care.  He is the current director of pastoral care and counseling in a large local church and congregation.  Mack is passionate about helping people to integrate successful spiritual principles with their real life issues. 

COUNSELORS

Loren Levitt, CAS
Addiction Counselor

Loren Levitt has a BA from Long Island University. She is also a CAS certified addiction recovery specialist. Having an extensive background with many of the top treatment facilities throughout the U.S. brings an understanding of the various treatment styles and approaches. Being in recovery herself, she remains active in the overall recovery community.

Tracy Cure, CAS
Addiction Counselor

Tracy Cure is a Certified Addiction Specialist. Tracy has years of experience in treating those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and utilizes her own recovery experience when working with clients.

Christopher Similia
Spiritual Counselor

ADJUNCT PROFESSIONALS

Kate Fennelly, LAC
Acupuncturist / Herbalist

Kate Fennelly is a California State licensed acupuncturist and herbalist practicing in Orange County. She is a certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and uses the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NA DA) Auricular (ear) Protocol. She specializes in pain management, substance abuse, addiction recovery, detoxification and rehabilitation. Kate has also studied and continues to utilize Vipassana Meditation and is a Reiki practitioner.

Sharon Hardy, RD/CDE
Registered Dietitian

Sharon Hardy completed her degree in Nutritional Sciences from California State University, and her graduate work at Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach. Sharon specializes in medical nutrition therapy for those suffering with chemical dependency and other issues.

Usha Delorme, MSW
Activities Therapist

Usha Delorme, MSW was born and raised in Mumbai, India, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work, the focus of which was drug intake general effects. Usha is a Registered Instructor with Yoga Alliance and has been a professional Yoga instructor for years. Additionally, Usha has extensive education and experience in Eastern holistic philosophy, integrating the mind, body and spirit, through the practice of meditation, restorative breathing, other complimentary physical activities, as well as therapeutic art.

FOUNDER

Derik Brian
Founder and Owner of Miramar Recovery

Derik Brian is the founder and owner of Miramar Recovery.  Miramar Health, his behavioral healthcare company, comprises Miramar Recovery and the Eating Disorder Center of Newport Beach, as well. Derik’s in depth understanding of addiction, both through personal and familial experience, lead him to create an addiction and dual diagnosis treatment program that is among the finest in the field, today.

 

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