Staff

Admissions

Director of Admissions
Bruce Levinson

Bruce Levinson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations and not-for-profit associations.

Bruce has an extensive background in addiction and recovery and is recognized as one of the leading admissions professionals in the country. His knowledge of available programs and treatment modalities enable him to provide invaluable assistance to addicted individuals, families, employers and other professionals in the field.

Clinical Staff

Medical Director
Warren R. Taff, MD, MPH

Warren Taff works extensively both with chemically dependent and psychiatric patient populations. With specific expertise in medication management, he is on faculty at University of Southern California for the psychiatric residents. Board certified, he has served as Medical Director for chemical dependency, eating disorders and psychiatric treatment programs as well as several psychiatric facilities.

As Medical Director of Health Management Center, he is experienced with a vertically integrated delivery system and provides guidance to the treatment team in the delivery of their continuum of addiction treatment services.

Consulting Psychiatrist
Joseph Pursch, MD

As Director of the Alcohol Rehabilitation Service at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Long Beach, California from 1973 to 1980, Dr. Pursch treated Betty Ford, Billy Carter and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He served on President Carter’s Alcohol and Drug Commission and Ronald Regan’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Drunk Driving.

In addition to consulting at Sober Living By The Sea, Dr. Pursch sits on the Board of Trustees of the National commission Against Drunk Driving. The recipient of The Distinguished Service Medal from the President of the United States, Dr. Pursch has been listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Medicine and Best Doctors in America.

Director, Medical Education
Kevin McCauley

Kevin McCauley served in the Navy as a Naval Flight Surgeon for both The Red Lions, a helicopter squadron, and with an F/A-18 Hornet training squadron, The Sharpshooters.

As Director of Medical Education at SLBTS, McCauley lectures on addiction medicine for residents and families as well as providing staff training on addiction medicine. He serves further through media presentations and as liaison to local and national treatment professionals.

Clinical Director
Jerry Brown, PsyD, MFT

Jerry Brown has worked over 37 years in the counseling field, and over 25 years in the field of recovery.

Jerry has taught both graduate and undergraduate college courses in the area of counselor training and is the author of "Militant Parenting, A Survival Guide For Parents with Problem Kids." Dr. Brown is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Program Director
Tom Wilkinson, BA, CADC

Tom Wilkinson has been in the addictions treatment field for more than 15 years in both medical and social model treatment centers.

Tom has extensive experience in treating chemically dependent and dual disordered clients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Tom is an accomplished educator and lecturer on all aspects of chemical dependency treatment and recovery.

Medication Management
Jim Weisshaar, RN

Jim Wesshaar has over 16 years experience working in chemical dependency and psychiatric fields, including being a Charge Nurse for seven years at Western Medical Center in Anaheim, CA.

Jim serves as a medical treatment facilities and physician liaison for our residents, distributes medication to residents, assists with their medical needs and provides invaluable psychological support and medication management.

Celebrate Recovery Coordinator
David Hickman, Ph.D

David Hickman is a minister and has an extensive background in spiritual counseling, recovery and crisis management.

David has worked inpatient, outpatient, as well as with local church recovery ministries. David's group process and counseling focus is on family dynamics and personal responsibility.

Case Manager
Sandy Taylor BS, CATS, CEDS, CCGC

Sandy Taylor has over thirteen years experience working in chemical dependency treatment programs.

Sany is an experienced group leader, she conducts education groups and family workshops. She also works with eating disorders.

Case Manager
John Mallett, CATS

John Mallett is a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist through the California Association for Drug and Alcohol Educators. He has nine years of diversified experience at inpatient and outpatient treatment centers.

John's approach to educational groups and treatment modalities is unique and creative. John works with helping clients identify self-defeating behaviors and finding solutions for each.

Case Manager
Johnny Orlando

Mr. Orlando has many years of experience working in the social model of recovery. His many years of experience in the field of chemical dependency include helping clients take ownership for their actions, creating positive plans for the future.

Johnny O. is known around Sober Living by the Sea for his Big Book studies, STEP workshops, and an uncanny ability to address core issues in the context of 12-Step recovery.

Case Mangaer
Marc A. Machlin, BS, CADC II

Marc A. Machlin has been in the field of Chemical Dependency Treatment for more then 10 yrs. He has worked in Medical and Social models both inpatient and outpatient and dual diagnosis modalities.

Mr. Machlin applies education, behavior modification 12-step and therapeutic knowledge to help clients make desired changes in their lives.

Director, The Victorian
Barbara S. Cole, MFT, Ph.D

Dr. Cole is a well-known drug, alcohol and eating disorder treatment practitioner. She has been the past director of a residential treatment facility, as well as a former clinician at the Betty Ford Center.

Dr. Cole has authored several books including "Gifts of Sobriety" and "Losing The Battle, Winning The War: A Spiritual Approach to Healing Eating Disorders."