Our Admissions and Clinical Staff

Admissions

Director of Admissions
Brian Burke

Brian is a warm and caring individual who is passionate about helping others find recovery.  Brian has been integral in the operations of Sober Living by the Sea for many years heading up a wide variety of departments at different times. 

Brian has two BA Degrees from Seattle University (for Humanities/Liberal Arts and Business Administration/Management).

Brian 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.

Brian was the primary party responsible for the creation of the Sober Living by the Sea Alumni Network which is very strong today.  Brian also currently acts as the Facilities Manager. 

Clinical Staff

Director of Clinical Operations
Kristine Emry, LCSW

Kristine is a vivacious and creative individual who embodies our facility's mission of creating a personalized treatment experience for every individual and showing them that life without drugs or alcohol can be better than they ever imagined possible.

After graduating magna cum laude with a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, Emry moved to California to become the clinical supervisor at a shelter for teens in Long Beach. She earned her LCSW, then developed a program for severely emotionally disturbed youth.  She expanded her knowledge and became certified in several modalities, including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) and Motivational Interviewing.  Kristine was awarded LPS designation and UCLA’s certification for co-occurring disorders.

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.

Staff Therapist
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 Administrator
David Hickman, B.S., Th. M., CAS-II

David Hickman has 18 years of experience treating addiction in a wide variety of clinical roles.  David has built his expertise in the field of recovery by participating in the entire continuum of addiction treatment settings including medical detoxification and inpatient psychiatric facilities.  David is also a minister and has an extensive background in spiritual counseling, recovery, and crisis management.  David's group process and counseling focus is on family dynamics and personal responsibility.

David brings a calm and caring demeanor to the men and women he works with. Known for building positive and sincere relationships with the clients at Sober Living by the Sea as well as in the local recovery community which he has been a part of for the past 20 years, David has been married for 31 years, has two adult children, and recently became a grandfather.

Program Administrator of The Rose
Sandy Taylor B.S. CADAC II, CCGC, EDS

Sandy Taylor has over 15 years of experience in chemical dependency treatment programs, working primarily with women in recovery. With over 21 years of personal recovery, she is extremely qualified to teach by example the benefits of living a full life in sobriety. Sandy has helped hundreds of women find a new way of living and taught them how to work through all the issues that surround early recovery. Her nurturing and caring demeanor offers women in recovery the opportunity for personal growth.

Program Manager of The Rose 
Tanya Desloover, CADC II and M.A. Counseling Psychology

Marriage and Family Therapist in Training, Tanya joined our staff in 2004 and was the program director of the Reflections Program for Mature Adults prior to becoming program manager at the Rose.  Prior to joining us, Tanya had a 20 year career in pediatric research at Children’s Hospital in Seattle.

Program Director for Celebrate Recovery Christian Track: 
Charlie Graham, B.S., M.Ed., CADC II

Charlie Graham joined the SLBTS team in June 2005 to start the Celebrate Recovery program for our clients seeking a Christian-based recovery. Prior to that, he served as a leader and Assimilation Coach at Saddleback Church's Celebrate Recovery from 1998-2006. He has consulted nationwide to churches starting Celebrate Recovery programs and has participated in various speaking engagements on recovery topics. His expertise in communication and group dynamics enables him to serve on all levels, from individual counseling to small groups to large organizations. He is a Psy.D. Candidate at the California Graduate Institute of Psychology.

Director of the T.E.A.C.H. Program
Heather DeVore, CAADAC, BS, CTC-MS

Heather assists recovering students get college credits by directing our T.E.A.C.H. College Program

Heather has many years working in both the education field and the field of recovery. 

Heather brings with her enthusiasm, insight and a healing presence which are key factors in her success as a clinician.

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 for Eating Disorders
Michele S. Lob, Psy.D., MFT

Michele is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist who has extensive experience in working with families, children and individuals. She held the position of clinical director of the first substance abuse treatment center for women and children in Orange County. Michele’s passion and strength is in offering women a genuine love, hope and caring on their journey to self-empowerment and recovery.