OUR TEACHING FACULTY
We have brought together some of the leading experts in the field of addiction, diagnosis, treatment, management, research, funding, and recovery. All have years of experience in their fields of expertise and are members of the post graduate faculty of the American College of Addictionology & Compulsive Disorders.
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Luke Hatch, LCSW, C. Ad.
Executive Director/Founder KW Legacy Ranch, a new state of the art adolescent clinical residential treatment program that incorporates the Stages of Change Model and uses a working cattle ranch as its therapeutic model. Former Executive Director of Turn-About Ranch, Utah. Appeared on Dr. Phil show in 2010 & set up the referral network.. Spent 5 years working with juvenile sex offenders & adjudicated adolescents; 7 years working with adolescents & families at a residential treatment center in Utah; & provided community in-service training preventing sexual abuse for the Head Start program. Specialist in youth corrections, addiction treatment assisted living for individuals with intellectual disabilities, sexual offender treatment, anger management, family therapy, marriage counseling & counseling for depression and anxiety.
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Christina A. Caufield, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist with an Internship and Post-Doctoral Residency at Harvard Medical School in Geriatric Neuropsychology. She is a Governor Appointee on the State of Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corp., and is a Co-Chair on Florida's Optimal Aging and Mental Health Board. She also serves on the Executive Committees of Florida Council on Aging, Brain Injury Association of Florida, and Smart Justice of Florida. Clinical expertise in substance abuse, trauma, recovery, integrated health and bain disease disorders.
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Phillip Diaz, MSW, LLD, DACACD
Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Assistant Deputy Director, responsible for 17 Federal Agencies and a 1.5 billion dollar budget, directing Drug Prevention Policy and International Demand Reduction, 1989-91; Former Development Officer, Nova Southeastern University; Former Governmental Affairs Officer for Recovery Network and faculty at over 10 institutions; Partner and Family Therapist for Lifescape Solutions Recovery Center in Delray Beach, FL; over 30 years developing governmental and private enterprise ventures for business, state and federal agencies, projects and grants and other opportunities; holds many awards, 2 from the Executive of Office of the President; co-author of 7 books.
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Matthew McCoy, D.C., DACS(C), DACACD
Director of Research, Life University, Marietta, Georgia; Professor in Clinical and Chiropractic Sciences. Developer and Lead Instructor for the Clinical Rounds and Case Study Program at Life University. President, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation Research. Editor, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health.
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Ed McGowan, MPA
CEO, Concept House, Miami; 20 years of government & senior level management experience developing and managing behavioral health & Human service programs, i.e., V.P. Strategic Planning/ResCare/Lockheed Martin/Calif/Indiana/New York City & Arizona's TANF Program; Subject Expert for USAID-Baghdad & Basra; Assistant Mayor, City of New York, Social Services and Behavioral Health Programs.
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Matthew Gissen, M.S., D.H.L., J.D, C.Ad.
Founder and President, Village South inc., Village South Institute of Human Resources Inc., Miami FL; Consultant to U.S. Department of Justice; Office of Juvenile & Delinquency Programs, Washington, D.C. and other Federal Agencies; Consultant to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Therapeutic Communities of America; Adjunct Professor, University of Miami, Addiction Training Program; Initial appointee to the National Advisory Council of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Washington, D.C.; Member, Miami Dade Addiction Services board; Trainer and Frequent Conference Presenter.
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Jay M. Holder, D.C., CAP, CASAP, DACACD
Laureate, Albert Schweitzer Prize in Medicine from the Albert Schweitzer-Gesellschaft, Austria; Adjunct Professor, St. Martin’s College, Milwaukee, WI; Postgraduate Faculty, Life University, Marietta, Georgia; former Distinguished Faculty, Pharmacology, University of Miami, Center for Addiction Studies and Education; Founder/Director, Israel Certification Board of Addiction Professionals, Jerusalem, Israel; Founder/Director, Holder Research Institute, Miami Beach, Florida; Primary Investigator of numerous scientific research studies; inventor of many medical devices, modalities, and medical patents; author of several texts.
Michael Schaefer, DC, M.D., OMD, MPH, MCAP, DACACD
He earned his D.C. Degree with Honors from Life University, A Masters in Public Health from University of South Florida; A graduate of the University of Science, Arts, & Technology Medical School, Montserrat. He holds various licenses among different states. Board Certified in Addictions & Compulsive Disorders. currently he is the CEO of a substance abuse facility that focuses on detox and treatment of opioid and alcohol dependence patients, with special interest in treating HIV and HEP-C co-occurring illnesses.
Linda Wilson, B.S., MSW, LCSW
Currently Clinical Social Worker & Clinical Care Manager at Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems, Adjunct Professor University of Phoenix. For the past 10 years she has worked extensively treating survivors of childhood sexual abuse, providing psychotherapy for youth and families, and advocating for best practices throughout the behavioral health service delivery system. CFARS and FARS trained Brief Strategic Family Therapy Certified: Targeted Case Manager Supervisor.
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Cindy Schwartz, MS, MBA
Project Director of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida Criminal Mental Health Project – Jail Diversion Programs. Cindy has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a Consultant for the SAMSHA SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access a& Recovery (SOAR), and consultant for the SAMHSA Gains Center.
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Liliana L. Salazar, M.S., Ed.S, Ed.D(c)
Liliana is the National Director for Special Education and Student Support for Academica. Previously the Exceptional Student Education District Director coordinating 464 schools and 35,000 special education students managing a $77 million dollar IDEA grant; She is a noted conference presenter and has published many scholarly works.
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Valera Jackson, M.S., D.H.L., C.Ad.
President, resources Development Group, a National Consulting Firm Specializing in the Development of Health Service Projects. Holds a master's degree in health education with an emphasis in substance abuse; more than 25 years experience in community, state and national services for people with substance abuse problems; is Chairperson of the National Women and Children Task Force, a national organization formed to focus attention on increasing services and funding for Women with Children Treatment Programs; has a strong background in program development and design; a frequent conference presenter; a consultant for the U.S. Center for substance Abuse Prevention & U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Washington, D.C.
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Ali Hall, J.D., M.I.N.T.
Ali is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) & has designed and facilitated over three hundred Motivational Interviewing workshops, & provides training for trainers in evidence-based practices. Ali is a training associate for Center for Strength-Based Strategies as well as the Behavioral Healthcare Institute of the University Of North Carolina School Of Social Work. She completed her graduate studies at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University as well as the Cornell University School of Law.
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Ron Jahner, ND, LAc.,C.Ad,
Ron has over thirty years of experience in clinical nutrition & natural therapies & is a Charter Instructor with Neuro Somatic Programming Seminars (NSP) & Total Body Modification Seminars (TBM). He has extensive experience in cooperative integrated therapy in hospital environments & medical clinics working with medical doctors, chiropractors & other health specialists in developing innovative therapy protocols individualized for metabolic management of the seriously ill.
Maritza Paz, D.C., DACACD
A graduate of Life College and has been in private practice since 1993. Recipient of the Chuck Gibson Scholarship for Clinical Excellence; Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Chaminade-Madonna College. She has achieved advanced standing in the fields of Clinical Auriculotherapy, Torque Release Technique. Internationally renowned lecturer and great communicator.
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Rita M. Holder, C.Ad., CAC, CASAP, DACACD
Director of Family Therapy and Aftercare at Exodus Treatment Center; Associate Director of the Clinical Residency Training Program at Exodus-Concept House; Board of Directors of Concept House, a residential and outpatient addiction treatment center in Miami. She is on the Executive Board of the Israel Certification Board of Addiction Professionals, Jerusalem, Israel; NADA Certified in Acupuncture Detox, Certified in Auriculotherapy, and has extensive training and experience in other alternative modalities and their impact on addictions and compulsive disorders. In the 1960's, she co-founded one of the nation's first holistic health and nutrition centers, in Mill Valley, California; and is an internationally renowned lecturer, writer, and poet.
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Sony Canteenwala, D.C.
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Life College; Awarded Member of the International Chiropractic Honor Society; ICA Representative Assemblyman for Manitoba, Canada; Recipient of the International Leadership Award by the ICA, 2004. In private practice in Winnipeg, Canada.
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William Berry, LMHC, CAP
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Professional; over 20 years in the field of addiction treatment; teaches at Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University; maintains a private practice in group, individual and family therapy; authored the book "Addiction: A Human Experience"; writes for Psychology Today online.
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Calixto Garcia-Abid, CSW, Ph.D.
President of Community Technological Institute of Miami; licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Florida; former Associate Director of Florida International University, Counseling and Psychological Service Center; lecturer and speaker at many state and national conferences on crisis intervention, behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, Cognitive Reflex Therapy (which he founded), biculturalism, gerontology and education; founder of the Student Counseling Center’s Biofeedback Lab at Florida International University; over 20 years of experience teaching at various levels of academia.
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Lynn Lafferty, Pharm.D., MBA, N.D., CNC, CNHP
Doctor of Pharmacy and licensed pharmacist; Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist, Nutritionist and Chef; Assistant Professor at The College of Medicine at Nova Southeastern University; wrote the In-DEPTH (Drug Education & Prevention Tools for Your Health) and The Perfect Time to Quit (smoking and marijuana cessation program) for high schools; worked with veterans exploring alternative treatments for PTSD, brain injury, hormone imbalances, depression and sleep disorders; published in consumer and peer reviewed journals.
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Kimberly Landero MA- LISAC, LCADC,LMFT/CPC/SAP/MAC
Kimberly is an independent Substance Abuse Counselor with a Masters in Psychology Marriage & Family Therapy. She provides marital, family and group counseling. She provides anger management therapeutics, and works with co-occurring disorders.
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Sgt. Eloy Salinas, CFBC, CNDASI, MHFA Y/A, C.Ad. DACACD
Sgt. Salinas is a Mental Health Peace Officer with the distinction of being a “Train the Trainer” (TtT) Certified Instructor for the Texas School Safety Center in San Marcos Texas He is a nationally Certified Chaplain for his department. Sgt. Salinas also teaches part time for South Texas College at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence and has extensive trainings and many years of experience in: Anger Management, Suicide, Marital, Depression, Anxiety, Spirituality, Ethics, Family Violence, Substance Abuse Prevention and Low Rope Elements Course.
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