Our Staff
We believe every person coming into our program deserves the best possible treatment. Our staff has numerous years of experience working at premier rehabilitation centers, affording our residents the highest level of care possible.
Fred Murray M.S., C.A.T.S,
Executive Director
Fred has over fourteen years experience in the chemical dependency field. Since the beginning, he has worked at Scripps McDonald Center in a variety of roles from House Manager to his position as Lead Relapse Counselor in the Residential Adult Treatment Program. Fred completed and received certification in the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADE) at San Diego City College. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Human Services from Springfield College, where he later earned Master’s Degree in Human Services and Organizational Management. In addition, Fred is a drug educator for nurses in diversion, is a guest lecturer and educator at several San Diego area colleges and universities and at the San Diego Bar Association as well as other legal associations. He is a consultant to several treatment facilities including The McMilland Center in Torrance, California, and Soledad House, for which he designed and developed their program curriculum and treatment protocol.
P. Mark Milgram M.D.
Medical Consultant
Dr. Milgram is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who received his residency training at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York. After over thirty years as a practicing OB/GYN, he became interested in the prevention of disease and specifically nutritional therapies. He is a Certified Prevention Specialist by the Certifying Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CCBADC), and has three degrees in counseling from UCSD; in Counseling and Interpersonal Communication, Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Advanced Intervention. He also served as a Clinical Instructor and Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSD School of Medicine Department of Reproductive Medicine. He has conducted many teaching and educational seminars in the prevention of disease and advanced surgical techniques, LASER and endoscopic surgery, and enjoys teaching other physicians integrative medicine and advanced surgical therapies. Dr. Milgram is known as a patient advocate. He is passionate about giving the body what it needs to heal itself, and using the entire knowledge base of medical advances, eastern and alternative treatment modalities, sensitivity, compassion and communication in the armamentarium of patient care. Certified as Counseling Intern by CCBADC, NAADAC and CAADAC, he is a member of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the American Nutraceutical Association.
Joan Barnett M.A., M.F.T
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Joan began her experience as a clinician at San Diego State University in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. She graduated with Honors and went on to complete two more years of graduate school in that field. As a graduate student she was in charge of the family therapy component of the Speech and Language Clinic. She continued another two years of graduate school at the Professional School of Psychological Studies and graduated with an M.A. with an emphasis in marriage, family and child counseling in 1984 and attained her license as an M.F.T. in 1991. She has worked in numerous setting around the county with the social and medical models of recovery from alcohol and chemical dependency. She worked for the Dept. of Social Services- Child abuse and family reunification section. Also, while at the county she was selected to work in the Steps in Recovery program providing lectures, process and psycho-educational groups, case management, and reunification services in addition to providing extensive reports for Juvenile Court of San Diego County. She was a Program Therapist for the Vista Hill Foundation’s Vista San Diego Center residential treatment Center. She worked with a female population involving residents with multiple diagnoses including PTSD, severe sexual abuse, chemical dependency and eating disorders. Joan has also been in private practice.
Ellie Parrish, LCSW
Consultant Family Program
Ellie brings over twenty-eight years experience working in both social and medical model chemical treatment facilities. She worked as the Out-Patient and Aftercare Supervisor at the Clint Eastwood Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, co-developed and facilitated the Family Program at Scripps McDonald Center and completed an internship with Terry Gorski to become a Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist. Ellie is a CAADAC Certified Clinical Supervisor, which required her to complete 10,000 hours supervising a staff comprised of paraprofessionals and licensed clinicians. She is also a Certified Counselor for the treatment of Gambling Addiction.
For the past nine years, Ellie has taught undergraduate courses focusing on Eating Disorders, Sex Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Family Systems dealing with addictions at National University. She has also had a private practice specializing in addictions, codependency, couples counseling and relapse prevention. Ellie is a team member for the PET (Psychiatric Evaluation Team) at Sharp Mesa Vista Psychiatric Hospital and has experience with psychiatric treatment including work with dually diagnosed individuals.
Gregory McFadden, MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. McFadden has been helping the residents at Soledad House since day one. Dr. McFadden is an expert in correctly diagnosing and prescribing medication for mental health issues which may accompany addiction. Dr. McFadden has been practicing medicine since 1987 and was board certified in Psychiatry in 1989. Dr. McFadden received his medical degree from the University of Hawaii in 1982. He served his internship specializing in Psychiatry at John Hopkins Hospital and served his residency specializing in Psychiatry at John Hopkins Hospital.
Andria Donovan
Residential House Manager
Andria completed a chemical dependency internship with Scripps McDonald Center and is presently enrolled in a nursing program. She is a member of CAADE and CAADC governing bodies and will take both organizations exams. Andria plans to specialize in both the therapeutic and medical aspects of addiction therapy.
Andria grew up around 12 step recovery programs and started her sober journey in 2006. She understands the discomfort that comes with early sobriety and thoroughly enjoys assisting women transition into a sober life.
Barbara Beach
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Barbara Beach is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Associate. She recently received her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Eastern Washington University while simultaneously completing the certification program for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling at UCSD. She also completed an internship at Scripps McDonald Center in 2009 and successfully passed the written portion of the California Alcohol and Drug Addictions Counseling Board exam in June 2010. For the two years she was at UCSD she facilitated a women’s aftercare group at Scripps McDonald Center.
Annette Reid
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Annette attended UCSD Extension for Alcohol and Drug Studies from July 2008 to May 2009. She interned at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center and the Scripps McDonald Center. She passed her CAADAC in December 2010 and currently volunteers at Scripps as a facilitator for a women’s aftercare group.
Adrienne Abeyta
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Although a recent graduate of San Diego City College’s Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, Adrienne has diversified experience in the field counseling. She has worked in recovery with the homeless population at St. Vincent de Paul’s and currently works in a woman’s recovery home for eating disorders. As a certified Life Coach, she has been working closely with people for nine years, helping them to explore and develop their spirituality. Drawing from the wisdom of Mindfulness and Mythology, she teaches her clients how to heal by weaving a new life story. Adrienne is currently working in pursuit of her psychology degree. Her other studies include Addiction and the Brain, Yoga, Guided Imagery and Meditation.
James Takas
Resident Advocate
James received completion certificates for CAS training, medical assistant, first aid and CPR. 20+ yrs of sobriety. Served on Board of Directors for the Wayback Mens Recovery Home (4+ yrs). Live-in mgr at womens sober living (12+ yrs). House mgr Supervisor and trainer (10+ yrs). Night medications mgr Bay Recovery (2+ yrs).
Kathryn (Kat) Kirby
Art Therapy
Kathryn (Kat) Kirby is a Registered Art Therapist, having graduated from Lesley University with a Master’s in Education, specializing in art therapy, in 1978. She works with people in recovery from eating disorders and addictions, using the arts for healing and developing better self-confidence and self-understanding. She has worked as an Art Therapist at several local residential treatment programs such as Puente da Vida and Casa Palmera. Kat teaches at the University of California, San Diego, in their “Therapeutic Uses of Art” Certificate program. She has recently joined the faculty as a Mentor and instructor at Prescott College’s Master’s of Art in Counseling Program. Kat believes that “Art Heals”.
Jeff Blum
Team Building Facilitator
Jeff is the Principal and Lead Facilitator with The Team Building Company and brings over thirty years of corporate training experience to his profession and facilitation methods. Jeff applies his humorous and enthusiastic approach to a variety of groups including sports teams, at-risk youth, the military, incarcerated prisoners, schools and a diverse group of corporate teams. In the chemical dependency setting, Jeff helps create and foster a team approach, encouraging participants to work together and support one another in sustaining their common goal of sobriety.
Personal Trainers
Kelli Williamson
Kelli is not only a graduate of The Soledad House, but one of our main trainers. She trains the girls every Wednesday. Her training style with the girls includes couple exercises, circuits, and interactive workouts. She has her Marketing Degree from Deakin University in Melbourne Australia. Kelli grew up doing gymnastic for ten years, playing volleyball, field hockey, and surfing in High School. She was originally trained by 24 Hour Fitness and is now certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and training privately under her own business of Body By Kelli. Kelli loves working with the girls from the house because she knows what they are going through and feels exercise and healthy living is one of the main ingredients to staying sober.
Charlie Pratummanee
Charlie not only trains the girls on a weekly basis but is a recent graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Charlie has been in the fitness industry for 3 years and what started as a part-time job in the fitness industry has evolved into a life-time commitment and passion for fitness and nutrition. Charlie swam competitively for 12 years and wrestled in High School. In a nutshell, Charlie likes to emphasize on full-body circuits supplemented by dynamic core stretches and plyometrics.
Catherine Dean
Catherine is a wellness consultant and specializes in helping our clients achieve optimal wellness. Through re-education, relaxation, meditation and yoga Catherine teaches each client how to face difficult challenges with poise and confidence. Yoga is a natural way to detoxify the body. A regular practice harmonizes the nervous and endocrine system promoting emotional well being. Catherine explores a variety of techniques to help clients achieve optimal health. She has a B.Sc in Environmental Health and is certified is multiple yoga modalities, including, restorative, hatha and yin styles, she offers deep relaxation, meditation and re-education. Catherine is from Ireland, now living in San Diego, and has over 7 years teaching experience. www.catherineldean.com
