Balboa Horizons Professional Staff

The clinical staff at Balboa Horizons stands out as the single most vital resource of the Holistic Healing Program for Women.  Our Professionals have been screened and selected for their background and success in the field of women's addiction, and recovery.

Balboa Horizon’s is pleased to present a highly trained and skilled staff that brings over 40 years of experience into the healing environment with compassion, professionalism and a dedication to the care needs that are specific to recovering woman.  In addition, our staff has an understanding of the life-changing challenges and issue’s that women commonly face in recovery.  Our staff provides care that is personal, individualized where necessary and addresses the physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that have lead many women to addiction.

The Balboa Horizons program is unlike any other in combining a gentle inspiring environment with extensive daily and weekly exposure to leading professionals in the field with a generous staff-to-client ratio.

 

Lenny Segal, MBA, LMSW

Executive Director

Lenny Segal is the Executive Director of Balboa Horizons.  He has a Masters Degree in clinical social work from Arizona State University, with over 11 years of experience in the addiction field. Lenny has spent the last ten years at the prestigious Cottonwood Tucson treatment program working as a Primary Therapist. 

Lenny specializes in the treatment of individuals who suffer from co-occurring / dual diagnosis issues.  He understands the importance of being able to work and address the underlying problems that have caused the hardships in their life today.  It is only by targeting and overcoming these underlying issues, that enable a person to maintain ongoing recovery. Lenny's passion is helping individuals work through areas of their lives that they have struggled with for so long.  At Balboa Horizons, Lenny takes an active approach in helping the Resident and their Families move towards their goals. 

 

“It is an indescribable feeling that I get when I work with an individual and for the first time they are happy with themselves.  I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to help so many amazing people.”

 

Tonya Meeks, MFTI
Primary Therapist

A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Tonya Meeks, MFTI. has been working with young adults and families with dual diagnosis, complex trauma, primary psychological, chemical, and drug dependency in treatment programs and private practice. Prior to working as the primary therapist at Balboa Horizons, Tonya was the Program Director for primary psychological treatment center, Psychological Care and Healing, PCH. In addition, Tonya has worked as a therapist at UCSB in the Alcohol and Drug Department and at Community Counseling and Education Center in Santa Barbara. Tonya received a Master’s in counseling from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. Tonya’s specializes in complex trauma, addiction, grief, and expressive art therapy.

Tonya currently maintains a private practice working with adults, adolescents, and couples in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach. Tonya is a member of California Associate of Marriage and Family Therapists and the Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment. In addition, Tonya received her Bachelor’s in Performance from New College of California. Tonya has a passion for the arts and has created a one-woman show called Open Eyes. Tonya’s combines her own recovery, art, and psychotherapy to facilitate psychological growth in the women at Balboa Horizon’s Treatment Center.

 

Shannon Reed, CADC-II

Counselor

Shannon is a state-certified Addiction Treatment Counselor and works closely with her clients at Balboa Horizons. She has a long background in real estate finance and has been an active leader in various youth organizations throughout California.

She excels in motivating and assisting clients to renew hope, build life skills and find new purpose. Shannon navigates her clients through the treatment process by helping them identify individual goals and develop a plan for achievement. She believes that educating the families we serve and facilitating understanding is a critical component to recovery.

Suzanne M. Casale CATC CAADE

Director

After 20 years as a successful entrepreneur, Suzanne began her work in addiction treatment following a personal experience with recovery. She became dedicated to sharing with others the same transformation that recovery brought into her own life. In working to create a solid and balanced program for Balboa Horizons, Suzanne believes in blending the core principles of 12-Step recovery with clinical methods that have proven effective in the treatment of addiction.

Suzanne graduated received certificates in both Alcohol and Drug Studies and Family Services from Saddleback College. She is a state-certified Addiction Treatment Counselor and a registered member of the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators.

 

Linda Kraemer, LMFT

Primary Therapist

Linda works with individuals and groups and believes that the components for effective therapy include client education, goal establishment, an open environment and a trusting relationship. She has learned specific techniques to treat individuals struggling with substance abuse, anxiety, panic, depression, personality disorders, self-harm, anger and low self-esteem. Linda uses a practical, problem-solving approach and believes in being honest and direct with her clients, while maintaining her attitude of compassion.

 

Dr. Kristin Briscoe, PsyD

Primary Therapist

Dr. Briscoe has extensive experience assisting individuals, families and groups to achieve optimal wellness. She holds a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology along with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has worked in various Southern California treatment centers specializing in substance abuse and co-occurring conditions. She has a natural way of assessing the needs of her clients and employs a range of therapeutic techniques most suited for them. Dr. Briscoe helps individuals make profound mental, emotional and behavioral shifts that bring about effective personal and professional change. She has a diverse background working in both the clinical and emergency medical services and crisis intervention. Her experience allows her to easily recognize and help those experiencing physiological and psychological stressors as they manifest.

For the last six years, Dr. Briscoe has concentrated on stress management and relapse prevention. She assists individuals and families with understanding the driving forces beneath obsessive/compulsive and high-risk behaviors, so that they may gain freedom from such behaviors and their consequences. Developing a healthier view of one’s self, releasing limited thinking patterns, overcoming resistance and emotional blocks and finally experiencing peace are some examples of what clients can expect from sessions with Dr. Briscoe.

 

Betsy Bradley, CADC-II
Counselor

Betsy has 13 years working in addiction treatment. Her approach is eclectic and based in the Family Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioral techniques. She strives to help clients overcome the blocks created by negative thinking patterns and shame. Betsy is also a strong believer in the connection of mind, body and spirit. She passionately emphasizes that we get to be here on our life journeys and helps individuals create their own destiny. Betsy is pursuing her Master’s in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton and has been a state-certified CADC-II since 2000. Her 15 years of personal 12-Step experience are reflected in her clients as she leads by example.

Also a strong believer in the Mind, Body and Spirit connection, her focus is passionate about "getting to be here", in this journey called life, and believes in helping others create their destiny. She is pursuing her M.S. in counseling through California State University Fullerton, and has been a CADC II credentialed since 2000. Her 15 years of 12-step experience is passed on to her client's through the example she sets.

 

Caitlin Murashie CADCA, RRW

Case Manager

Caitlin is a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and registered Recovery Worker. She has five years of personal experience in recovery and has worked in a variety of treatment programs including adolescent and detox facilities. Caitlin has dedicated her life to helping women recover from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.

 

Sharon Brand Kellems – CATC

Residential Manager

Through her own treatment experience and seven years in recovery, Sharon found that she has a passion for helping individuals struggling with addiction and specifically sought to work with women in recovery. She acquired and Associates Degree and certification in Addiction Counseling, Corrections and Criminal Justice from Saddleback College and has worked in the recovery field since 2003. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton.

Consultants

Dr Hisham Korraa MD Medical and Psychiatric Consultation

Dr Britton Arey MD Medical and Psychiatric Consultation

Erika Vargas, J.D., MFT - Therapist

Rand Lundmark, MA, CAS, CADC II
Dr. Gary Dylewski, Medical & Psychiatric Consultation
Allison J. Pratt, B.S., MBA Pratt & Associates Vocational Counseling
Christine McIlwain, Ed.D., MFT
Michael Rudolph, MD