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Life Healing Center of Santa Fe Staff Biographies
The care team at Life Healing Center are licensed mental health and addiction treatment professionals selected for their ability to work with a wide range of clients, families, and problems. The facility is justifiably renowned for its small clinical caseloads - a Life Healing Center therapist often carries only three or four clients, and meets individually with them two or more times weekly.
Senior Managers
Cheryl Brown, Executive Director
With over 25 years of service in the behavioral healthcare industry, Cheryl brings a diverse skill set to share with the Life Healing Center team. Her background in clinical, administrative and marketing services, infused with her passion to serve those who remain challenged by behavioral and addictive disorders, provides decisive support and positive regard to individuals she works with. Cheryl supports maintaining and establishing collegial relationships with facilities and therapy professionals whose clients and patients we share. “Working together as a therapy community, both internally and externally, we can truly provide the best practice and care to those we serve”.
Karen Brownd, MA, LPCC, CSAT - Clinical Director
Karen’s varied background includes four years as a primary therapist at Life Healing Center, as well as experience with persons having co-occurring disorders in an addiction treatment setting. She has additional training in sexual addictions under Patrick Carnes and working with grief and loss. Karen utilizes a variety of therapeutic techniques to enhance the client’s internal resources as a spiritual basis for personal transformation - healing from within. Karen is a graduate of the University of Memphis and of Southwestern College.
Kristi Dew, Director Milieu Services
Kristi brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the areas of addiction counseling, supervision and recovery. Prior to coming to Life Healing Center she served as Program Coordinator for a residential and transitional women’s trauma and addictions program. Kristi considers herself to be a “bridge builder” in terms of teaching, training, organization and utilizes “a pragmatic visionary.” management style. While working as a LADAC in Nebraska for over twenty years, she served on the Governor’s task force to develop a statewide screening tool used for comprehensive client assessment and appropriate care level recommendations. Kristi enjoys being a part of the treatment team and the continuing endeavor of providing an opportunity for safety, healing, and restoration to our clients.
Marshall Milliken - Director of Marketing
Having worked in the treatment field since 1995, Marshall has served in a variety of marketing, management and administrative roles. He was a co-owner and Marketing Director of Onsite Workshops through 2006, and most recently served as the Referral Relations Liaison for Cumberland Heights Treatment Center prior to joining Life Healing Center. Marshall is based in Nashville, TN and serves as the Clinical Outreach Coordinator in the Southeast region of the United States.
Dr. Roxana Raicu, MD - Medical Director
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Our Care Team
Sonja Frenz, LPC, MSW - Therapist
(University Kassel, Germany; Hakomi Institute of Boulder) Sonja has been with the Life Healing Center since 1998 as a Lead Counselor and she is now with us as a part-time weekend therapist. She is offering body-mind centered psychotherapy and integrates principles of mindfulness and non-violence in her sessions. Sonja has a special interest in sharing meditations-and relaxation techniques, helping to build inner resources through somatic experiencing.
John Herman, LISW - Therapist
John has 12 years experience working with children and adults. He uses EMDR, DBT, action oriented therapies and ego state work to help clients integrate mind, emotion and spirit into a healthy whole. He works to help clients find value and purpose to the difficulties they have using these experiences and the healing of them to develop an integrated, meaningful view of their lives.
Morgan Holford, MA, LMHC - Therapist
Morgan is a Certified Hakomi Therapist and Trainer who has worked extensively with individuals and couples in private practice for more than 20 years. Her primary modality is Hakomi Experiential Psychotherapy, a body-centered, mindfulness-based method. The focus of her work at Life Healing Center is somatic trauma resolution, helping clients build safety, resources and empowerment in their bodies.
Darby Long, MA, LPCC - Therapist
(University of Wisconsin, Texas Women’s University) Darby has 27 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families in residential and private practice settings. Darby’s experiential approach to therapy involves mind/body/spirit integration with a special focus on the release of blocked emotions. She has created 24 guided imagery meditations for relaxation and wellness. Darby is level II trained in EMDR and DBT. Her work at LHC includes Breath/Energy sessions to release blocked emotions.
Deborah Schroder, MS, ATR-BC, LPAT - Family Therapist
(Mount Mary College) In addition to her work at Life Healing Center, Deborah is a supervisor for teams of practitioners in the growing field of in-home family therapy. She is also a family therapist in private practice. Deborah is the Program Chair for Art Therapy at Southwestern College, where she teaches numerous courses. We highly recommend Deborah’s book, Little Windows into Art Therapy.
Alisha Shelbourn, MA, LPAT - Therapist
(Southwestern College) Alisha has been an art therapist for four years, and also has a diverse background working with children, families, and individuals at varying stages of treatment and recovery. She has many years experience in the trauma recovery and addictions fields, as well as working with inmates in the corrections system. Alisha employs art and process therapy to empower her clients and facilitate their connection with the inner self and spiritual growth.
Tisha Sjostrand, M.A., LMHC, LPN - Family Therapist
(College of Santa Fe). Tisha has over 10 years of experience in the mental health and health care communities. As an educator, nurse, and psychotherapist, she is able to apply a holistic approach to wellness. Her philosophical approach is to bridge the great divide of mind, body, and spirit. She is currently an adjunct faculty member of the Education Department at the College of Santa Fe and a weekend family therapist at the Life Healing Center.
Paige Paul, MA, LMHC, LSAA - Therapist
A graduate of the College of Santa Fe, BA, and Southwestern College, MA, Paige has been working in inpatient treatment settings with an addiction focus for the past year. She is experienced in working with co-occurring disorders in all phases of the recovery process. As a skilled Art Therapist, Paige utilizes this creative therapy to facilitate growth and empower patients from within. Paige currently facilitates the Men's Sexual Integrity Program.
Deborah Payne, CCN - Nutritionist
(University of Guelph) Deborah is a Board-certified Clinical Nutritionist who helps clients who specializes in Nutritherapy for clients with eating disorders, disordered eating, and related issues. She has over 20 years experience in the health and nutrition field with an expertise in balancing body chemistry for better health and recovery. Using comprehensive blood chemistries, Deborah’s main goal is to identify and correct the imbalances that are contributing to a client’s mood, energy, weight, and eating problems. Her special interest is in raising consciousness around the nutritional and biochemical root causes of addictions and eating disorders.
Dr. Blair Sylvan Grey, M.A., D.O.M. - Acupuncturist
Dr. Sylvan Grey has been practicing oriental medicine for 10 years. She has studied with the 88th Generational Daoist Master of the Jade Purity School for 6 years, focusing on psychological and emotional disharmonies. Blair integrates other vibrational modalities, such as tuning forks and essential oils, to assist each client attune to their spiritual core as they release any trauma within. Acupuncture balances the body's energy, facilitating a body-mind integration of the daily therapeutic process.
Cheryl Cambay, BA - Clinical Outreach Coordinator
Cheryl comes with ten years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field in a variety of different capacities. With five years of marketing in the addictions field, Cheryl is experienced in the areas of trauma, eating disorders, chemical dependency, and sexual addictions.
Bret Alexander - Counselor Aides Supervisor
Bret has many years of experience working with the experiential learning platforms. He has been an Outdoor Education Field Instructor, Wilderness Instructor, Ropes Course Facilitator, Raft Guide, Ski Instructor, and Youth Corrections Officer. As the department supervisor, he is able to pull from his experience to provide trainings that are educational, interactive, and most of all fun. Bret continues to assist his team members and promote their individual growth to provide the best support system possible and enhance the patient's therapeutic process.
Kenneth H. Farr - Director of Food Services
(Southern University of New York) As our Executive Chef, Ken is responsible for all food preparation, menu development, dietary staff, and kitchen maintenance. Working closely with the Dietician and Clinical Staff, he has created low-fat, delicious, and appealing menus that accommodate upwards of 60 clients, family members and staff daily. He invites clients to participate in meal preparation through cooking demonstration and monthly seminars.
David Lewis - Clinical Outreach Coordinator
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