Transformational Addiction Recovery Program in Maui, Hawaii
Aloha and welcome to Maui Recovery! We know that meeting lots of new people can be overwhelming, so we made a little guide to help you out. Please note that this is only a reference, and if you are ever unsure of who to speak to about something, just grab any staff member and we will point you in the right direction! The intent of this guide is to help familiarize you with our staff, and to help you feel safe when you see new faces around the property.
CEO | Co-Founder | Chief Clinical Officer | PH. D. | LCSW-R
Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country’s foremost addiction experts. A former Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine where he specialized in teaching the neurophysiology and recovery techniques for addiction, he has also taught neuropsychology at the doctoral-level and has worked closely in developing clinical protocols with Dr. Howard Shaffer, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Director of their Division of Addiction. He lives with his wife and twin sons between Austin, TX and Sag Harbor NY and is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of mental health, philosophy, and both substance and screen addictions.
Dr. Kardaras has also, admittedly, lived a colorful life: he’s a former AAU National Karate champion, a recovering NYC nightclub owner and a coma survivor. Having once owned high-profile NY nightclubs where he had mingled with the likes of JFK, Jr., Uma Thurman and Tom Cruise, Dr. Kardaras emerged from that glamorous-yet-self-destructive world and discovered a healing path to his own recovery from addiction. Dr. Kardaras is also the author of “How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life” (Conari, 2011) and devotes his life to helping others find their path to recovery, healing and a life of meaning and purpose.
He has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News, FOX & Friends, NPR, Good Day New York and has written about addiction for TIME Magazine, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Salon, The NY Daily News, and FOX News, and has been featured in Esquire, New York Magazine, VICE, and Vanity Fair.
Considered a leading expert on young people and digital addiction, he is the author of “Glow Kids” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016), the seminal book on the clinical, neurological and sociological aspects of Technology Addiction (Smart Phones, Video Games, Social Media, etc.) and has clinically worked with over 1,000 teens and young people during the last 15 years. He has been active in advocating that screen addiction be recognized as a clinical disorder akin to substance addiction and has developed the most comprehensive recovery protocols to treat this emerging global problem.
Dr. Kardaras is also the creator of Seahab, an intensive experiential form of nature immersion therapy. Based on the very successful evidence-based principles of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH), Seahab has proven to be very effective as an intensive intervention to help addicts shift out of self-destructive and toxic lifestyle patterns.
Founder
David is a creative entrepreneur, CEO and creator of innovative and progressive ideas that become inspiring companies, products and work cultures that ultimately promote and create change. David lives in Austin, TX with his daughter Emily and their two golden retrievers Brewster & Lady, and enjoys being a father, reading mythology & novels, playing golf, boating, and helping others find their purpose, meaning and true path. He is currently working on a documentary film and tv series that shines a light on this growing epidemic of the millennial age and ways we may just be able to overcome it. Additionally, David was chosen for the, Young Businessperson of the Year Award 2019 by Maui Chamber of Commerce.
In 2015 he left his career at Google to follow his calling in the field of addiction & mental health, a place close to home in his personal journey, going to his first treatment center at the age of 17. He has spent the rest of his life pursuing a life of healing, transformation and recovery and set out on a pursuit of finding his ultimate potential. Today, he founded what is now Omega Healthcare, a transformational healthcare organization that provides leading programs around the country in the field of treating addiction and mental health. These Programs focus on addressing not only addiction, but also core trauma, shame, compulsive behaviors, and codependency that treat the root causes. While most centers treat the primary symptoms, our programs focus on bridging the traditional Recovery 12 step approach along with treating the underlying issues and family of origins, focusing on a more whole-listic approach.
Founder
David is a creative entrepreneur, CEO and creator of innovative and progressive ideas that become inspiring companies, products and work cultures that ultimately promote and create change. David lives in Austin, TX with his daughter Emily and their two golden retrievers Brewster & Lady, and enjoys being a father, reading mythology & novels, playing golf, boating, and helping others find their purpose, meaning and true path. He is currently working on a documentary film and tv series that shines a light on this growing epidemic of the millennial age and ways we may just be able to overcome it. Additionally, David was chosen for the, Young Businessperson of the Year Award 2019 by Maui Chamber of Commerce.
In 2015 he left his career at Google to follow his calling in the field of addiction & mental health, a place close to home in his personal journey, going to his first treatment center at the age of 17. He has spent the rest of his life pursuing a life of healing, transformation and recovery and set out on a pursuit of finding his ultimate potential. Today, he founded what is now Omega Healthcare, a transformational healthcare organization that provides leading programs around the country in the field of treating addiction and mental health. These Programs focus on addressing not only addiction, but also core trauma, shame, compulsive behaviors, and codependency that treat the root causes. While most centers treat the primary symptoms, our programs focus on bridging the traditional Recovery 12 step approach along with treating the underlying issues and family of origins, focusing on a more whole-listic approach.
MPH | Executive Director | CASAC-T | CRPA | CARC
Amory was born and raised in San Francisco, where he was exposed to Buddhist philosophy at a young age. Amory utilizes a Buddhist informed practice of mindfulness in conjunction with Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Amory believes in a person-centered, strengths-focused treatment model that meets clients exactly where they are while also providing the tools to help them get where they want to be.
Amory is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, (CRPA) a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) and a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T). Amory is credentialed and or certified through the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC;) for all three credentials or certifications. Amory completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management in January of 2020 from SUNY Empire.
Prior to joining Maui Recovery, Amory worked as a Peer Advocate in New York, where he helped to build and develop Long Island’s first Recovery Community Outreach Center, which came to be used as a best practice model in New York. Amory was later invited to join and implement a new program that provided rapid response peer services to individuals in emergency departments who were struggling with addiction. Amory took on the role of program manager shortly after joining, and the program went on to successfully serve hundreds of individuals as well as earn the Pinnacle Award in the hospital system that the program operated within.
Clinical Director
I specialize in working with adults with addiction, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
My therapeutic approach is centered around Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Empowerment. I incorporate many different therapeutic modalities in my work with clients including Somatic Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Attachment Theory.
I help support clients to work through what blocks them from living their most vibrant and joyful life. I help support clients to feel more at ease in their body, to process and heal their trauma, and to have positive and healthy relationships with themselves and others. I believe that the client is the expert on themselves and I offer a warm and collaborative environment where I support them to move toward their goals and talk about what matters to them.
I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Bastyr University, and my Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (LH.61173052).
I OFFER SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS STRUGGLING WITH:
I’m passionate about optimal health and wellness in mind, body, and spirit, and I believe that the way that we take care of our physical body has a huge impact on how we feel and on our mental and emotional state. I help clients to build awareness about their own nervous system and help them learn how to emotionally regulate when they get triggered. I focus on supporting clients to practice being loving and kind with themselves and others in relationships, and practice healthy communication
Clinical Director
I specialize in working with adults with addiction, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
My therapeutic approach is centered around Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Empowerment. I incorporate many different therapeutic modalities in my work with clients including Somatic Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Attachment Theory.
I help support clients to work through what blocks them from living their most vibrant and joyful life. I help support clients to feel more at ease in their body, to process and heal their trauma, and to have positive and healthy relationships with themselves and others. I believe that the client is the expert on themselves and I offer a warm and collaborative environment where I support them to move toward their goals and talk about what matters to them.
I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Bastyr University, and my Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (LH.61173052).
I OFFER SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS STRUGGLING WITH:
I’m passionate about optimal health and wellness in mind, body, and spirit, and I believe that the way that we take care of our physical body has a huge impact on how we feel and on our mental and emotional state. I help clients to build awareness about their own nervous system and help them learn how to emotionally regulate when they get triggered. I focus on supporting clients to practice being loving and kind with themselves and others in relationships, and practice healthy communication
Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Board Certified Member of the NBCC
Tricia holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Mental Health from Chaminade University, Honolulu. Tricia is passionate about helping clients foster self-awareness and gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through an empathetic, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral approach to counseling. In addition, Tricia is certified in Equine Therapy through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). With a passion for animal assisted therapies, Tricia is dedicated to bringing animals and humans together for mental wellness.
Trauma Therapist | NLP
Zanny has a passion for helping clients understand and feel their mind, body, and spirit connection. She was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Zanny believes in meeting the client where they are, helping them see the beauty within themselves, and enlivening them into seeing their life purpose.
Zanny is a trauma informed therapist who specializes in somatic body tools, inner child healing techniques, and spiritual practices such as breathwork and meditation. She has helped clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues, spirituality and addiction.
Zanny is a Reiki Master Energy Healer and is certified as a Hypnotherapist with the American Board of Hypnotherapy. She is also a certified Neurolinguistic Programming Coach (NLP) and has her 500hr Hatha yoga teacher training certification
Trauma Therapist | NLP
Zanny has a passion for helping clients understand and feel their mind, body, and spirit connection. She was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Zanny believes in meeting the client where they are, helping them see the beauty within themselves, and enlivening them into seeing their life purpose.
Zanny is a trauma informed therapist who specializes in somatic body tools, inner child healing techniques, and spiritual practices such as breathwork and meditation. She has helped clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues, spirituality and addiction.
Zanny is a Reiki Master Energy Healer and is certified as a Hypnotherapist with the American Board of Hypnotherapy. She is also a certified Neurolinguistic Programming Coach (NLP) and has her 500hr Hatha yoga teacher training certification
Medical Director | MD
Dr. Reza Danesh is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine physician with extensive training in treating patients going through acute withdrawals from alcohol and drugs. Dr. Danesh completed his residency at UCLA and has worked at world class hospitals including Cedars-Sinai and Seattle’s UW Harbor View Medical Center. Dr. Danesh has experience working in level 1 trauma centers, medical intensive care units, and is the founder of MODO MD, the Mobile Doctor service that oversees the initial medical screening upon your arrival at Maui Recovery. Team MODO makes on site calls 24/7 for a variety of medical needs. These include symptom management, not only related to detoxing, but for a variety of other medical illnesses such as UTI, respiratory infections, or lacerations requiring stitches. MODO also offers IV hydration and IV vitamin administration to help fuel your recovery.
Medical Director | MD
Dr. Reza Danesh is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine physician with extensive training in treating patients going through acute withdrawals from alcohol and drugs. Dr. Danesh completed his residency at UCLA and has worked at world class hospitals including Cedars-Sinai and Seattle’s UW Harbor View Medical Center. Dr. Danesh has experience working in level 1 trauma centers, medical intensive care units, and is the founder of MODO MD, the Mobile Doctor service that oversees the initial medical screening upon your arrival at Maui Recovery. Team MODO makes on site calls 24/7 for a variety of medical needs. These include symptom management, not only related to detoxing, but for a variety of other medical illnesses such as UTI, respiratory infections, or lacerations requiring stitches. MODO also offers IV hydration and IV vitamin administration to help fuel your recovery.
DNP, M.Ed., FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP
Bradley is Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He has a Masters of Education in Counseling. He works with our patients to complete medication evaluation and on-going management.
PMHNP-BC
Katelyn is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 5 years of experience working in mental health. She started her career as a Registered Nurse on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit where she cared for individuals in crisis. Her experience includes working with adults with acute and chronic depression, anxiety disorders, grief, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and PTSD. She currently works with adults to provide ongoing medication management.
PMHNP-BC
Katelyn is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 5 years of experience working in mental health. She started her career as a Registered Nurse on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit where she cared for individuals in crisis. Her experience includes working with adults with acute and chronic depression, anxiety disorders, grief, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and PTSD. She currently works with adults to provide ongoing medication management.
MSN, MPH, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Tania is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She started her nursing career working in Emergency Psychiatry and in Emergency Departments, where she recognized a high need for quality and accessible psychiatric care for many individuals.
MSN, APRN-RX, PMHNP-BC
Luke is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has recent experience working on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Previously he was a public health Registered Nurse at a community clinic in San Francisco, California, that specialized in care for the LGBT community as well as people experiencing homelessness. His psych-specific treatment populations include young adults with serious mental illness; adults with chronic depression and anxiety; and people living with residual symptoms of trauma.
Director of Admissions | Certified Recovery Addiction Coach
Nick has lived on Maui for most of his adult life. He grew up in the North West, Seattle Washington and Eugene Oregon. He moved to Maui when he was 19 to get away from substance abuse, toxic family dynamics, and the lifestyle that follows drug addiction and alcoholism.
Unfortunately you can’t run from yourself, the disease of addiction and alcoholism follow you everywhere you go, even to paradise. Nick struggled with substance abuse throughout his adolescence and young adult life never feeling he fit in, no matter the situation or circumstances. He lost several promising jobs and relationships due to poor choices around drugs and alcohol. In 2007 he had his daughter Nikole and hoped fatherhood would temper his addictions but even the birth of a beautiful little baby girl couldn’t combat the power of addiction. Ultimately Nick lost all things that mattered the most to him, his daughters, careers, vehicles, friends, relationships, and self-respect. In January 25th 2014 he checked into his 4th residential inpatient recovery program and this time he was homeless, unemployable, broken physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and mentally.
That date is his sobriety date 01-25-2014 the most important date in his life. Something shifted in his last recovery and sober-living. He finally surrendered his self-will and completely abandoned himself to the program of recovery. At that time in 2014 he didn’t have a job, bank account, drivers license, visitation of his daughters, but what he did have for the 1st time in his life was hope and faith. After recovery and sober living Nick started working in the center he had graduated from. He became extremely passionate and involved in the recovery community on Hawaii. In late 2015 he moved back to Maui to be closer to his daughters and help open Maui Recovery. Today Nick has full custody of his 10 year old daughter Nikole and is very involved in his Hanai daughter Steishas life. He recently purchased a condo for himself and his daughter in Kihei, Maui. Nick went back to school on Maui and studied Human Services at UH Maui campus. He is the Director of Admissions with Maui Recovery. He has dedicated his life to staying clean and sober and carrying a message of recovery to those who are still suffering. “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness
Director of Professional Outreach | Case Manager | J.D
Rich has a diverse background which makes him a good fit in our program. He is a former EMT and also a former attorney. He managed the 12 Step program’s Maui office for nine years before coming to Maui Recovery. He has also been in recovery himself for over 15 years and has chosen to pass that recovery on to others as his primary purpose in life.
He leads meetings of SMART Recovery here and takes clients to 12 Step meetings. He is also the Alumni Coordinator and tries to keep in contact with all former clients of Maui Recovery. He is Maui Recovery’s contact for Professionals who want to refer their patients/clients to treatment. This includes Lawyers, Doctors, Therapists, Nurses or any other Professionals who need help for themselves or their clients. Rich also works with each client on their discharge planning and any case management needs they might have while in treatment.
Director of Professional Outreach | Case Manager | J.D
Rich has a diverse background which makes him a good fit in our program. He is a former EMT and also a former attorney. He managed the 12 Step program’s Maui office for nine years before coming to Maui Recovery. He has also been in recovery himself for over 15 years and has chosen to pass that recovery on to others as his primary purpose in life.
He leads meetings of SMART Recovery here and takes clients to 12 Step meetings. He is also the Alumni Coordinator and tries to keep in contact with all former clients of Maui Recovery. He is Maui Recovery’s contact for Professionals who want to refer their patients/clients to treatment. This includes Lawyers, Doctors, Therapists, Nurses or any other Professionals who need help for themselves or their clients. Rich also works with each client on their discharge planning and any case management needs they might have while in treatment.
Operations Manager
Wayne brings years of experience in the human services field to guide the operations at Maui Recovery. Wayne has been in recovery for a long time and uses his own personal experiences in helping the clients. He carries himself with ease and compassion and is a living embodiment of what it means to be in recovery.
Surf Therapist
Josh is the founder of Surf Clinics of Maui nonprofit Surf school and infuses aloha into all that he does. Josh has been sharing the gift of surfing for over 25 years, and has been utilizing surfing as a form of therapy for the recovery community on Maui since 2017. Josh also work with at risk youth and the adaptive community.
Surf Therapist
Josh is the founder of Surf Clinics of Maui nonprofit Surf school and infuses aloha into all that he does. Josh has been sharing the gift of surfing for over 25 years, and has been utilizing surfing as a form of therapy for the recovery community on Maui since 2017. Josh also work with at risk youth and the adaptive community.
Nurse
Jeri oversees medications and helps answer non-urgent medical questions. Jeri currently works as an emergency department nurse at Maui Memorial Hospital, and has 24 years of experience in the medical field.
Nurse
Jeri oversees medications and helps answer non-urgent medical questions. Jeri currently works as an emergency department nurse at Maui Memorial Hospital, and has 24 years of experience in the medical field.
Caterer
Robyn’s career as a chef and caterer has led to a lifetime of showing love through food. Robyn prepares every meal for my clients as if she were hosting family & friends in my own home. She takes great care in preparing meals to meet all dietary needs and restrictions.
Program Assistant
Diamond was born and raised on Maui and is a mother to two lovely children. Diamond has been in recovery since early 2016.
Program Assistant
Diamond was born and raised on Maui and is a mother to two lovely children. Diamond has been in recovery since early 2016.
Program Assistant
Jubee was born and raised in Lahaina, Maui. He is heavily involved in 12 step fellowship and has a passion for Recovery.
Program Assistant
Marketing Director
Shane was born in Anaheim, California and spent 6 years of his life in Germany. His family settled in Arizona where Shane attended high school. Freshmen year he suffered a sports injury which required multiple surgeries and multiple prescriptions for painkillers. Shane was only 17 when he graduated from high school and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America. While his potential looked endless, Shane was battling an addiction to black tar heroin. With multiple failed attempts trying his own way, Shane finally moved to Austin, TX for drug treatment. That was back in 2012 and has remained sober since.
Recovery Therapy | Leadership Training.
Betsy Bowen’s education background includes a broad range of recovery therapy and leadership training. Her mission is to assist her clients to reawaken and come alive in Nature through self-discovery exercises in the pristine wilderness of Maui. Her passion for the Hawaiian Culture and language offers clients a way to connect with the land and sea of the ancient Hawaiians and creates a powerful healing environment for recovery. Betsy combines her life experiences with her own recovery journey to guide clients to reawaken to the courageous hero within themselves on their own journey in recovery.
Recovery Therapy | Leadership Training.
Betsy Bowen’s education background includes a broad range of recovery therapy and leadership training. Her mission is to assist her clients to reawaken and come alive in Nature through self-discovery exercises in the pristine wilderness of Maui. Her passion for the Hawaiian Culture and language offers clients a way to connect with the land and sea of the ancient Hawaiians and creates a powerful healing environment for recovery. Betsy combines her life experiences with her own recovery journey to guide clients to reawaken to the courageous hero within themselves on their own journey in recovery.
Trained Service and Therapy Dog
And he’s really cute. What more can we say?
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