Staff
Our addiction and alcoholism treatment and recovery staff at Hope By the Sea consists of caring professionals committed to excellence. We work together to provide a safe and confidential environment while communicating with clients one-on-one and in group settings to help them achieve their recovery goals. Our staff utilizes a team approach to ensure that all clients receive a comprehensive, in-depth treatment experience. Each client works with a select group of professionals over the course of his or her treatment to achieve the maximum results. Our staff takes pride in the success of our patients and the many ways our alcohol and drug rehabilitation center benefits their lives.
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. These 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 many years of experience have shaped our team’s thorough understanding of the challenges, accomplishments, and needs of patients undergoing drug and alcoholism rehab.
Hope by the Sea’s professional staff includes a licensed clinical psychologist and a licensed marriage and family therapist. All staff members 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. We will always be available to listen to our clients and their families. In this way, we help patients to stop drug and alcohol abuse and form new and healthy ways to handle life’s ups and downs.
Our staff members believe strongly in our patients’ success. Clients instantly sense our staff members’ genuine concern and dedication to the recovery of our patients. Our belief in every patient’s ability to succeed means a lot to our clients and their loved ones. Our staff understands why patterns of drug abuse occur, why they are difficult for individuals to stop, and what steps anyone can take that will lead to lasting life changes.
Penny Carlsen, R.N.
Administrator
Penny Carlsen 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".
Ernest Carlsen, M.D., Ph.D.
CFO
Ernest Carlsen is the co-founder of Hope By The Sea. In 1972 Ernest Carlsen, Ph.D., M.D. developed the technique and equipment for what is known as "Grey Scale Imaging." This pioneering technological breakthrough has revolutionized diagnostic ultrasound. He has a dual Ph.D. one in bio-physics and one in nuclear medicine. Dr. Carlsen was a Graduate from the Loma Linda University school of medicine in 1969.
Chad Carlsen
Executive Director
Chad Carlsen is the co-founder of Hope By The Sea. He has worked in the field of chemical dependency for 9 years. As a recovering addict and alcoholic he brings his personal experience of triumph though 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 Executive Director, he personally works with clients in their education of health and fitness as related to their recovery.
Kelly Carlsen
Director of Human Resources
Kelly Carlsen has been with Hope By the Sea since its inception. She spent several years working as an intervention aide to troubled elementary students. She currently works as our Director of Human Resources as well as working directly with the clients in job development skills and personal growth.
Sharon Stafford PhD
PSY18759
Clinical Director
Dr. Stafford is a licensed clinical psychologist with years of experience working in in-patient and out-patient treatment settings. She has been employed as a research coordinator and has done research in the area of chronic pain, has worked as program director of in-patient psychiatric treatment for children, has worked in crisis management in an emergency room setting, has been a school consultant, and is currently employed as clinical director and has her own private practice.
Dr. Quinlan Strong
Program Director
Dr. Quinlan Strong is a Doctor level Psychologist who has been working in the field of Co-Occurring disorders since 1988. She is also a professor for bachelor level students within the criminal justice field. Her approach to therapy is an eclectic approach utilizing cognitive behavioral modification as the primary emphasis. She enjoys and has great passion working with clients who have substance abuse issues. She understands the personal battle of addiction because she have been living in the recovery process since May 19th, 1987.
Ryan Kelly
College Program Director
Ryan began working in the field of education advisement in January 2009. As an enrollment advisor, Ryan effectively enrolled more than 250 students with a 91% continuation rate (meaning only 9% dropped out). He earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Management while working full time, and successfully finished his final class after completing a 90 day treatment program at Hope By The Sea. Having previously attended Saddleback Community College from 1998 - 2001, Ryan is extremely knowlegeable with all aspects of the school that is the main focal point of our college program.
Candy Carlsen, RN
Medical Liason
Candy Carlsen has worked in the field of nursing for several years. She worked at UCLA Medical Center in the neuro/surgical trauma ICU and also at Hoag Memorial in the cardiac ICU. She has extensive training in psychoparmacology and works very closely with Hope By the Sea’s physicians. She educates clients and families on the importance of proper medication management and compliance, when necessary.
Cyndie Dunkerson, BAS, CADC II CA-CCS
Certification: A4980110
Counselor/Clinical Supervisor/Criminal Court Liaison
Cyndie Dunkerson is a certified chemical dependency counselor and clinical supervisor who has been working in the field of addiction since 2002. With Hope By The Sea since the beginning, she brings with her a compassion for recovery, as she had to overcome her own personal struggle with the disease of addiction. As a medical assistant with experience in the emergency room she brings calm to any situation. She works closely with clients who have legal issues by offering personal assistance in the criminal court process with the goal of alternative sentencing in treatment rather than jail time.
K. Mitchell Naficy, M.D., FAAFP
Dr. Naficy is a Board Certified specialist of Family Medicine whose style of patient care involves caring for the person as a whole, rather than just treating a particular symptom or illness. His credentials include a Bachelors degree in Microbiology from Rutgers University followed by obtaining his medical Doctorate in Puerto Rico. Dr. Naficy completed an internship in 1990 at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles and then 3 years of residency at UCI Medical Center in Irvine, CA.
Nicole Cable, MS, MFTI
BBS Reg: 60361
Nicole is Master's level Marriage and Family Therapy Intern who earned her degree with California State University of Sacramento. She has a personal compassion for the clients and families she treats. She specializes in working with those who have experienced trauma and other Co-Occurring Disorders. She is experienced at working with couples, families, individuals and in the group process.
Frank Buffa
Bio-Psycho-Geneologist
Working in the field since 2005, Frank came to Hope By The Sea bringing with him his knowledge of the Co-Occurring Disorder population. He specializes in working with clients who suffer from sexual trauma and anger control issues. In addition, he enjoys helping clients identify and change old behavior patterns to implement healthy change and create a solid base to continue successfully into their future.
Jose Majias, C.A.D.C., N.A.D.C. II
Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Jose Majias has been in the field of chemical dependency since 1981. His focus has been working with clients that suffer from Dual-Diagnosis as well as the substance abuse population. Whenever needed he also works with the family members, employers and probation department. He has 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. He is a board certified substance abuse counselor C.A.D.C., N.A.D.C. II and has attended UCLA and USC.
