substance abuse counselor orange county | Laguna | Newport Beach | Costa Mesa

MICHAEL FINCH, LPT, CADC II, SAP

(Counselor/Co-owner) Michael has been working in the field of addiction since 1990 in a variety of ways. He started out working in psychiatric nursing and working with co-occurring disorders. He has also worked with assisting doctors and nurses in medical detox of substance abuse patients. Michael has worked full time at the chemical dependency unit at South Coast Medical Center (Genesis and Pacific Coast Recovery) in Laguna Beach, CA. as a counselor since 1992. He completed further education at the Training Institute for Addiction Counselors, is an Internationally Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (ICADC) as well as a member of CADAC, NADAC, and the American Academy of Addictive Disorders as a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) and continues to maintain his psychiatric technician license through the state of California. Michael has also completed the requirements of the Department of Transportation (DOT) as a certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and recently completed certification as a Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP). Due to his many years of work on the front lines of addiction he has come to believe that deep inside every alcohol/addict there is a desire to find recovery and he is dedicated to helping individuals get in touch with that part of them. LPT #PT26676, CADC II #A4160708, SAP #13253, CCJP #CJP560109, ICCJP #501428, ICADC #110320, CAS #C3527

TOM OFFERDAHL, CATC, CCJP, CCS

(Counselor/Co-Founder) Tom is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor and has been working in the field of addiction since 1995. He interned at South Coast Medical Center and Capo by the Sea. Tom started his career working in Residential treatment as both a counselor and case manager. He also worked with the court system in the PC1000 program so has experience in treating clients involved with the legal system. Tom interned at South Coast Medical Center and then became one of their Primary Counselors in the Genesis Program. He supervised their internship program and also ran the weekly Family Group for 10 years. He facilitated both Chemical dependency groups as well as psychiatric educational groups, sometimes these groups were combined. Tom is a member of CAADE and has been trained in Interventions by Father Jack Kearney at TIAC. Tom is also a Certified Criminal Justice Professional, International Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor. Being a CCS allows Tom to supervise interns and guide them in their journey to becoming Drug and Alcohol Counselors. Being an addict himself he has a passion for his work, is active in the recovery community, and has a genuine desire to help those suffering from addiction and their loved ones. CAADE Cert# 970249, CCS-09038, CCJP#ADAC CJP700109, ICCJP# 501488.

ROSEMARY KANE, MS, LMFT, CATC

(Family Counselor) Individual, Couples, Family Counseling, Parenting, and Addiction. Prior to returning to school to pursue her dream of becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Rosemary worked in the field of Marketing for almost twenty years. In 2001, she graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a B.S. in Human Services, concentration in Group Therapy, and in 2003, she graduated from the same institution with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She currently sees individuals (children and adults), families, and couples. Her passion is guiding individuals, families and couples through the life changes that lead to positive change and growth. In addition to being a relationship therapist, Rosemary is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor giving her the right combination of skills to conduct loving and successful family interventions for those who want help in reaching their family member or friend who is caught within the throes of addiction. CAADE Cert# 970117.

ROBERTA "BOBBIE" ARALIS, CATC INTERN

(Counselor/Intern) Bobbie met Michael and Tom while interning at South Coast Medical Center in the Genesis Chemical Dependency Program. Her compassion and dedication for helping those suffering from addiction impressed them. "We knew back then that we wanted to work with her in the future and Embrace Recovery was a perfect opportunity.” Bobbie has a Certificate degree in Human Services and is currently acquiring hours as a Certified Intern by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE). Bobbie is passionate about teaching life skills that are needed to lead a happy, sober, and productive life in recovery. CAADE Cert# 2121-1

MIKE TURNER, RRW, INTERN

Mike is currently attending school at Training Institute for Addiction Counselors (TIAC) and met Tom and Michael during an Embrace Recovery open house. At that time Mike knew that Embrace Recovery was the perfect fit for his Internship. Since April 2009 Mike has completed the necessary hours for his internship and has really developed a passion to help those suffering from addiction. Mike is registered with California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) as a Registered Recovery Worker and is looking forward to taking his state certification test in June 2010. Mike has an extensive background with over 18 years in the Manufacturing Industry and 12 years in Customer Service. Mike really is passionate when it comes to recovery and is active in the recovery community. RRW # RW2466

CINDY DUPUIE, NUTRITIONIST

Cindy has been working in the recovery field for the past 4 years, educating and empowering those with a desire to maintain sobriety. She teaches clients that by properly supporting their body through eating well, supplementation and a few lifestyle changes, that their overall well-being will increase and their cravings will lesson. Cindy is helping people suffering from addiction by teaching them about their body in ways that they have never considered before and it is empowering! What sets her apart from many nutritionists is that while coming from a traditional education with a B.S. in Dietetics and Food Administration she also brings her experience with the Institute of Functional Medicine - an organization of brilliant health care professionals who are dedicated in teaching other healthcare professionals how to heal by find the root of the disease. Cindy has always felt that the human body is an absolutely amazing machine with its own innate ability to heal itself given the right tools. In addition to her work at Embrace Recovery she offers private consultations - including phone consultations, lectures/workshops, as well easy healthy cooking classes to teach all her clients how to make a difference in their lives. For more information about Cindy go to www.alivingbalance.net

BILL "BO" LEE, CATC, CNDAI II

(Counselor/Interventionist) Bo has excelled both professionally and personally with a Certificate in Chemical dependency from the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators. Bo is also board certified by the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Interventionists (NADAI). In addition to being a nationally accredited interventionist and chemical dependency counselor, Bo is also a recognized certified international life coach (CILC), as well as being trained in conflict resolution. Bo is trained in systemic, invitational Gorski and Johnson modalities of intervention and has worked in the medical, private, residential and executive sectors as a counselor and interventionist. Bo is committed to helping others achieve what he has in life, a life free from the bonds of addiction. A life of happiness, health, and self-awareness. CAADE Cert# 071467

DYLAN & EMILY

Dylan is a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) born on August 13, 2004. He has been with Embrace Recovery since the summer of 2008. Emily is a Sharpie mix born on September 15, 2005 and rescued on April 1, 2009 from being abandoned. She began participating at Embrace Recovery by early summer of 2009. They both attend groups when appropriate, usually in the evening. They tend to teach the clients about unconditional love and staying in the here and now. We respect our clients wishes and they only come to the program when all are in agreement.