Hope By the Sea's staff of caring professionals is committed to excellence. We work together to provide a safe and confidential environment while working with the clients to achieve your recovery goals. Our staff utilizes a team approach to assure that all clients receive a comprehensive and in depth treatment experience. Each client works with a select group of professionals over the course of their treatment to achieve the maximum results. The staff of Hope By the Sea provides a unique combination of experienced drug and alcohol counselors who have successfully worked the recovery tools, the guidelines of which are found in the Twelve Step philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Theses staff members provide meaningful examples of what can be accomplished with sobriety if the steps are made a part of the person's daily routine. In addition, there are trained professional staff members who have worked with addictions for a combined seventy-five years. These professional include a licensed clinical psychologist and a licensed marriage and family therapist. All are hired, first, because of their ability to show love and compassion and, secondly, for their professional expertise. Even with this priority, we believe our staff has as much, if not more, experience working with substance abuse as any dual diagnosis recovery program. Our staff members are ready and willing to talk with interested parties about our goals, methodology, and treatment issues. We will never be too busy to explain our role and our philosophy.


Dr. Kenneth Gheysar, M.D.

Dr. Gheysar is an Addiction Medicine Specialist certified through examination by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He is in charge of all initial medical assessments. With over 10 years of experience as a Family Physician, he has attended to numerous patients with a wide range of diseases. He treats our patients for many conditions ranging from those requiring urgent care to ones with psychiatric illnesses requiring referral, as well as formulates their detox plans for a variety of substance dependence problems.

Dr. Gheysar has completed his undergraduate studies with honors at UCLA, prior to attending the University of California, Irvines's School of Medicine. After obtaining his medical degree from UCI, he went on to complete the University of Southern California's 3 year family practice residency program. In addition to being Board Certified by The American Board of Family Practice, he is an active member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.


Mel Glass Ph.D., MFT, LCSW
Clinical Director

Dr. Mel Glass has a Doctorate in Psychology with a specialization in Counseling Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Caser Management. He is licensed in California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Marriages and Family Therapist. As a Psychotherapist, he is licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorder in the state of California.

Dr. Glass has worked as a professional since 1973. He has maintained a private practice for 22 years, specialized in Dual-Diagnosis treating both addictions and coexisting psychiatric conditions, worked as a Deputy Probation Officer for the city of Los Angeles for almost 11 years, and has 10 years of hospital experience.

Dr. Glass is well known and respected for his integrity and commitment to delivering the highest quality of treatment available.


Michael Roham P.A.C.

Michael Roham is a Physician Assistant who, under the supervision of Dr. Gheysar, can make evaluations and prescribe medications. He enjoys working with all ages and is very good with young adults.


Penny Carlsen, R.N.
Administrator

Penny is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Nursing. After graduation she spent the next few years working at Loma Linda University Medical Center on the Neurosurgery, Neurology and Rehabilitation Units. She later served as the business manager for Medical Imaging Specialists, Inc. She has an extensive background in both clinical and administration. She is a warm and loving person and is considered by the clients to be the "resident mom".


Chad Carlsen Director Of Marketing

Chad Carlsen is the founder of Hope By The Sea. He has worked in the field of chemical dependency for 4 years. As a recovering addict and alcoholic he brings his personal experience of triumph thru adversity and is a true role-model to the clients. He has vast experience in the field of health and fitness, with certifications in nutrition and fitness. Not only does Chad serve as the Director of Marketing, he personally works with clients in education of health and fitness.


Cyndie Dunkerson, BAS, CMA
Director of Operations/Intake Coordinator

Cyndie came to Hope By The Sea with many years of experience in the field of chemical dependency. She brings with her a compassion for recovery. As a medical assistant with experience in the emergency room she brings calm to any situation. Cyndie works directly with clients to ensure their well being. She maintains the day to day operations of Hope By The Sea.


Jose Majias, C.A.D.C., N.A.D.C. II

My name is Jose Majias and hope to share a little of my self with you. I have been in the field of chemical dependency since 1981. My focus has been working with clients that suffer from Dual-Diagnosis as well as the substance abuse population. When needed I have worked with the family members, employers and probation department. I have found through the years that substance abuse is not just dealing with the use of mood altering chemicals, it is the underlying issues that need also be dealt with. I am a board certified substance abuse counselor C.A.D.C., N.A.D.C. II and have attended UCLA and USC.


Amanda L. Rahling, DAC

My name is Amanda L. Rahling. I have been counseling since 2000. I have worked in the field with clients that experience Co-Occurring Disorders and also with the Department of Corrections.

I really enjoy what I do because it gives me the opportunity to give back what was given so freely to me. I look forward to working closely with all the clients and staff of Hope By The Sea.


Kelly Carlsen
Director of Human Resources

Kelly, a native of California, has many years experience as an intervention aide to troubled elementary students. She currently works as our Director of Human Resources. She also works directly with the clients in job development skills and as spiritual mentor.


Mark Kosins, M.D.
(Consulting Psychiatrist)

Dr. Kosins established Affiliated Psychiatric Medical Group, Inc. in 1977. He specializes in innovative diagnosis and treatment planning for a wide variety of behavioral, learning and emotional problems for children, teenagers and adults. APMG, Inc. has a reputation for evaluating and treating difficult diagnoses and chemical imbalances that may cause underachievement, school failure, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bi-polar disorders, panic and anxiety, aggressiveness and brain toxicity from drugs and/or alcohol abuse.