Candidate Statement

No candidate statement provided.

Candidate Statement

With a deep commitment to the addiction recovery profession and five years of dedicated experience in the field—including the last two and a half years serving as a Supervising Counselor—I am eager to bring my perspective, energy, and dedication to the CCAPP Board. I am a certified CACD II and have recently submitted all required documentation for my CCS-CA credential, reflecting my ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence in our field.

Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role that CCAPP plays in supporting professionals, advancing the standards of care, and advocating for the diverse needs of our communities across California. The landscape of addiction treatment is constantly evolving, and I believe it is crucial that we continue to adapt, innovate, and provide our members with the tools and support they need to succeed.

My primary goal in serving on the board is to be a strong advocate for our members and the individuals we serve. I want to ensure that the voices of counselors at all levels are heard and that we continue to foster a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking professional community. I believe my background in clinical supervision, combined with my passion for mentorship and education, uniquely positions me to contribute effectively to the organization's strategic initiatives.

Candidate Statement

No candidate statement provided.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be a candidate for the CCAPP Board and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and strength of California’s addiction treatment and recovery profession. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the importance of strong leadership, ethical practice, collaboration, and a commitment to the individuals and families we serve. I believe CCAPP plays an essential role in supporting professionals, promoting quality standards, advancing education, and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

If elected, I would bring a collaborative and practical perspective to the Board. I would work to ensure that the voices of counselors, treatment professionals, organizations, and the communities we serve are represented in discussions about the future of our profession. I believe effective leadership begins with listening, understanding different perspectives, and working together toward constructive solutions.

I am particularly committed to supporting professional development and accessible education, strengthening the workforce pipeline, and promoting high standards of ethical and evidence-informed care. I also believe CCAPP should continue to be a strong resource for professionals navigating an evolving behavioral health landscape, including changes in regulation, workforce needs, reimbursement, and standards of care.

Serving on the CCAPP Board would be an opportunity for me to give back to a profession that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I would approach the responsibility with integrity, openness, and a commitment to thoughtful decision-making.

I respectfully ask for your consideration and your vote. Together, we can continue building a strong, well-supported professional community and advancing quality care for individuals and families affected by addiction.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be nominated for the CCAPP Board of Directors, Category A, District 6. I have worked in the behavioral health and substance use disorder field for more than 25 years, serving individuals and families from many different backgrounds and stages of recovery.

Throughout my career, I have worked in residential and outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, reentry services, supportive housing, and programs serving individuals with co-occurring needs. My experience includes working with mothers and their children, adults returning to the community after long-term incarceration, and adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. I currently work as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor II, an employment classification based in part on my education and professional experience. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business management and continue to advance my education while working directly in the substance use disorder field.

What I have learned from my experience is that in order to provide effective treatment it is necessary not only to have knowledge and qualifications but also to show compassion, take responsibility, practice ethically, carry out strong advocacy and have an understanding of the difficulties encountered by both clients and the professionals who serve them.

I am interested in serving on the CCAPP Board because I want to contribute to the perspective of a counselor who has spent many years working directly with clients and communities. I understand the everyday responsibilities and challenges faced by frontline professionals, and I believe their voices should be represented.

Candidate Statement

I am a California CADC-II with more than 20 years of experience in substance use disorder and behavioral health services, including detox, residential, PHP, and IOP treatment. My background includes counseling, case management, treatment planning, ASAM assessments, utilization review, discharge planning, family engagement, program leadership, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance.

I am interested in serving on the CCAPP Board because I want to give back to the profession that has been an important part of my career. I would bring a practical perspective developed through years of direct client care, case management, program leadership, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. I want to support professional development, ethical and quality-driven practice, workforce development, and continued advancement of substance use disorder services throughout California. My goal is to listen to the needs of professionals in the field, contribute my experience, and help strengthen the profession for both providers and the individuals and families we serve.

Candidate Statement

No candidate statement provided.

Candidate Statement

No candidate statement provided.

Candidate Statement

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than two decades of experience working with adolescents, families, and individuals affected by substance use and behavioral health challenges. My professional experience includes community-based prevention and intervention, juvenile drug court services, school-based programs, clinical treatment, and organizational training and consultation.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to submit my candidacy for the CCAPP Board. With extensive experience in (SUDs) substance use disorder counseling, women’s treatment specialization, and sexual health education, I have dedicated my career to advancing ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive care for individuals and families impacted by addiction.

As a Substance Abuse Program Manager and qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), I have overseen compliance, clinical operations, and program development within regulated environments, including DOT mandated services. My work has consistently focused on improving access, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that treatment providers uphold the highest standards of practice.

My background as a Board Certified Diplomate Sexologist and Women’s Treatment Specialist allows me to bring a unique and necessary perspective to the field—one that integrates trauma informed care, intimacy and identity work, and gender responsive approaches. These competencies are essential for addressing the complex realities faced by clients, especially women navigating co occurring disorders, stigma, and systemic barriers.

In addition to my clinical work, I am the founder of Ms. Bev Addiction Counseling and Consulting Services, (Ms Bev ACACS) Queen Building Academy (QBA), where I champion education, empowerment, and community centered support. My leadership experience includes program creation, nonprofit collaboration, and advocacy for equitable behavioral health services.

I seek to serve on the CCAPP Board to contribute my expertise, strengthen the profession’s integrity, and support initiatives that elevate counselor training, workforce development, and client outcomes. I am committed to advancing CCAPP’s mission and ensuring that our field continues to evolve with compassion, innovation, and accountability.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be considered as a candidate for the CCAPP Board of Directors.

I have worked in the addiction recovery field for more than 20 years and have been a credentialed CCAPP member since 2005. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of helping individuals and families navigate addiction, treatment, intervention, and long-term recovery. My work has also expanded to advocating for veterans, first responders, and others whose substance use and mental health challenges require compassionate, informed, and specialized support.

CCAPP has played an important role in strengthening California’s addiction treatment profession, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience to that mission.

If elected to the Board, one of my priorities would be supporting and mentoring fellow CCAPP members, particularly professionals who are developing their careers and learning to navigate the responsibilities that come with working in this field. I believe experienced professionals have an obligation to help prepare and encourage the next generation of addiction recovery practitioners.

I am also committed to protecting the credibility of our profession. Strong credentialing requirements, ethical practice, continuing education, and professional accountability are essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the people we serve receive qualified, responsible care.

I would bring practical industry experience, a collaborative perspective, and a commitment to service to the CCAPP Board. I would be honored to help CCAPP continue advancing professional excellence while supporting the people who dedicate their careers to addiction recovery.

Candidate Statement

I am asking for your vote for Individual Board Member in CCAPP District 9.

I previously served on the CAADAC Board of Directors for four years, where I developed a deep appreciation for the governance and advocacy work that strengthens our profession.

I have a background in startup leadership and college teaching. And I have worked in AOD counseling since 2009, gaining experience in AOD Outpatient, Mental Health Rehabilitation Counseling, Sober Living Environments, Emergency Psychiatric Services, Psychiatric Facilities, and DUI programs. Currently, I am affiliated with the Alert Driving DUI Program in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties.

As a CADC-II with a Ph.D. in Business Administration, my doctoral research examined cognitive dissonance and since then I have applied my research toward evidenced-based substance use disorder treatment engagement.

My research interests are how internal conflict between substance use behaviors and personal values can become a powerful catalyst for change. This perspective informs my belief that CCAPP's mission requires both scientific rigor and compassion for the complex psychology of recovery.

My credentials and research expertise position me to contribute to CCAPP's credentialing standards, education initiatives, and advocacy efforts.

My experience has given me an understanding of the continuum of care and the unique challenges faced by both counselors and clients. I speak Vietnamese and have travelled to Vietnam several times, which fuel my interest in reaching out to underserved Asian populations.

If elected, I am committed to serving with integrity, promoting excellence across California's addiction profession, and advancing CCAPP's mission to support both professionals and the communities they serve.

I respectfully ask for your vote, and I look forward to networking with all the CCAPP Professionals in District 9.

Candidate Statement

I am currently serving as the Executive Director for River City Recovery Center and have Been working in the treatment field since 2006. I am a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II) As well as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Treatment Executive (CTE) through CCAPP. I also am currently serving as a board member for CCAPP. Simply put, I believe in the mission of CCAPP and would love to continue to support said mission.

Candidate Statement

Joel is the Chief Executive Officer of First Responder Wellness and has over 17 years of experience in the Behavioral Health space. He started his career as a Case Manager and quickly found a niche for integrating experiential and outdoor education into his clinical work. He created Adventure Programming for Extended Care programs and integrated outcome measures to validate the success of utilizing the outdoors to enhance clinical care.

He has grown professionally having different roles throughout organizations including clinical, business development and marketing, compliance, and Executive Level Management. Joel has successfully guided programs through the CARF and Joint Commission Accreditation process as well as State level licensing and certifications. Along the way, he integrated his education in business and clinics to grow programs and utilize outcomes measures to guide that growth. Joel has a passion for clinical and experiential-driven programs. He believes that quality outcomes data collection helps guide staff in creating extraordinary programs ultimately leading to successful clinical outcomes for clients.

Joel currently is the Chairman of the Education Board for CCAPP and is a Board Member on the Membership Board. During his time on both Boards, he has supported CCAPP in securing funding for Counselor training and professional development as well as bringing awareness to the needs of counselors in their day-to-day duties. Joel’s goal with the Education Board is to help raise the bar when it comes to counselor education and training and support CCAPP in creating opportunities for growth within the Behavioral Health Field.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be considered for the CCAPP Board of Directors as a Program Representative and to bring decades of clinical, programmatic, and leadership experience to this role.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Substance Abuse Professional, I have dedicated my career to strengthening behavioral health and substance use disorder services. My work has focused on supporting individuals, families, and communities impacted by addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, incarceration, and reentry.

As Clinical Director of Bold Recovery, Inc., I provide clinical leadership and help develop and strengthen programs that promote recovery, accountability, stability, and long-term success. Throughout my career, I have worked alongside treatment professionals, community organizations, justice-system partners, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience.

My commitment to this profession extends beyond clinical practice. I previously served as President of the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), contributing to professional certification and education initiatives. I have also been recognized for my service to the addiction field.

As a Program Representative, I would bring a voice grounded in experience, collaboration, professional standards, and advocacy for the treatment workforce. I believe strong organizations are built by listening to the people doing the work, understanding the challenges programs face, and creating meaningful partnerships that strengthen services.

I am committed to supporting ethical practice, workforce development, professional education, culturally responsive care, and quality services throughout California.

I would be honored to contribute my experience, leadership, and continued commitment to CCAPP and the professionals we represent.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to seek re-election to the CCAPP Board of Directors and the opportunity to continue serving an organization and profession that I deeply value. I currently serve as Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Health Group, where I oversee behavioral health programs across the continuum of care and work closely with clinical, operational, and direct-care teams serving individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. I hold a Ph.D. in General Psychology, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC). Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of mental health and substance use treatment settings, from direct clinical care to clinical supervision and executive leadership. These experiences have given me a unique understanding of the challenges facing our field at every level—from the professionals providing care each day to the programs working to maintain quality, compliance, accessibility, and sustainability. During my time with CCAPP, including my service on the Board and as the chair of the AARC committee, I have become even more committed to advocating for the addiction profession and the people who dedicate their careers and lives to this work. I am seeking re-election because I believe there is still important work to be done. I want to continue using my experience, voice, and leadership to strengthen our workforce, elevate the addiction profession, support high-quality and ethical treatment, and ensure that CCAPP continues to represent the professionals and programs serving individuals and families impacted by addiction throughout California.