Our staff is comprised of highly educated and experienced personnel with many years of practical experience working at premier rehabilitation centers.
At Soledad House, 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 at our rehab center in California. To learn more about Soledad House, contact us today.
Christian Small, MD
Medical Director & Psychiatrist
Christian Small, MD is board certified in addiction psychiatry, general psychiatry and family medicine. He is one of a handful of doctors in the US who have the experience and training to treat full spectrum medical and psychiatric illness. Dr. Small has become a leader in delivering evidence-based addiction practices, medical and psychiatric care to addiction treatment programs. He is the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, an innovative company bringing the highest level of patient care to substance treatment and mental health programs. Dr. Small was previously employed by the Veterans Administration in La Jolla as an addiction psychiatrist and at the University of California San Diego. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine and completed a residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
Allie Farmer
Executive Director
After 8 years of Operations and Logistics at Avalon Capital Group Inc, Ms. Farmer joined Soledad House in early 2017. Allie is a graduate of the University of Redlands, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. With over 15 years of experience in operations, business management, and workplace dynamics, Allie oversees Soledad House as a whole, exceling at analyzing data to enhance and improve all company functions. Allie is dedicated to helping women achieve recovery from addiction and mental health issues, grow into their divine purpose, and flourish in life spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Kristin Donahue, LMFT
Clinical Director
Born and raised in Northern California, Kristin graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and American Multicultural Studies and her Master of Arts in Marital Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. She has spent the last fifteen years working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, geriatric, insurance, crisis/first responder and military populations. Kristin most recently worked as a Psychiatric Emergency Response Clinician with the San Diego Police Department, providing clinical support to law enforcement and the community for dispatch calls involving persons in mental health crisis. She provided education and training to public safety personnel on mental health issues to ensure effective and compassionate interventions with persons in mental health crisis, as well as their family members and support persons. Kristin has also worked on Naval Base San Diego at the Fleet and Family Support Center, providing therapy to Active Duty service members and their families. She also deployed with various commands as part of the Navy’s Return and Reunion Program, providing counseling and life skills workshops to service members as they sailed back to their homeports. Kristin provided clinically driven and evidence-based resiliency training for FOCUS (Families Overcoming Under Stress) program for the UCLA Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior. During this time, she worked closely with the Wounded Warrior detachment at Naval Medical Center Balboa. Kristin completed her practicum work at Rady Children’s Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry. This placement was the start of Kristin’s passion for incorporating creative interventions with both art and play therapy modalities and incorporating family and systems work into her practice. Kristin enjoys teaching and spent the last 7 years as an Associate Faculty Professor in Human Services, Psychology, Counseling and the Marital and Family Therapy graduate programs at the University of Phoenix, San Diego Campus. She is excited to now be sharing her passion and expertise with the women at Soledad.
Ashlee Griebel
Director of Operations
After struggling with addiction for 8 years, Ashlee graduated from the program at Soledad House in early 2016. She found her passion in helping women recover through sponsorship and knew she wanted to work in the behavioral health field. She has since held a variety of roles at Soledad House and knows the day-to-day operations for both clients and staff. Her goal is to help every woman have a great experience while in treatment and hopes they leave feeling empowered and free from the bondage of addiction.
Marlyn Kellogg, AMFT & SUDCC
Program Director & Therapist
Marlyn achieved her undergraduate degree in Psychology in May 2010 from San Diego State University. She later resumed her studies in behavioral health services and graduated from San Diego City College’s Alcohol and Other Drug Studies program in May 2018 and has been working as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor ever since. She became certified in the state of California in May 2019 and has continued to fuel her passion for knowledge and growth by currently working towards dual Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling. She is set to complete her graduate school programs at the end of 2022.
Marlyn is enthusiastic about supporting her community by building relationships with and empowering individuals through recovery skills building. She excels in providing people in recovery with the tools and support needed to build increased self-efficacy, stability, and independence. Marlyn holds profound hope and a deep belief that people have the capacity to make the changes that they dream of while cherishing the privilege and joy she finds in being of service to those in the community.
Chantal Lessard
Director of Business Development
Chantal has an unmatched compassion for people in early recovery. She loves being a part of someone’s decision to get sober and remains deeply invested in their journey through treatment and beyond. Chantal passionately carries the message of hope to everyone she helps.
Lauren Eisher, SUDCC II
Program Manager & Counselor
Lauren has over 10 years of experience working in the behavioral health and substance use disorder field. She has had a variety of roles at Soledad House which gives her a unique understanding and relatability to the women she works with. Lauren obtained her Alcohol and Other Drug Studies certificate at San Diego City College in 2019 and is certified in the state of California as an SUDCC II. She is currently working on towards her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Utah and is set to complete her graduate program at the end of 2023.
Lauren believes that fostering an environment of empowerment, self-worth, community, and healing is an essential piece in the recovery process. Lauren is dedicated to making sure the women at Soledad are getting their needs met and is grateful to walk alongside the women as they begin their journey into recovery.
Dr. Alexis Gutierrez-Rafe
Therapist
Dr. Gutierrez-Rafe is a psychological associate experienced in treating anxiety, depression and trauma. She utilizes an integrative approach, incorporating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment Competency, and Regulation (ARC). She has experience working for a strength based, relational, attachment focused model. She believes in adapting her approach to best fit the unique presenting needs of each of her clients. Dr. Gutierrez-Rafe enjoys utilizing a strength-based approach that values a strong collaborative relationship with her patients that considers their unique multifaceted backgrounds.
Dr. Gutierrez-Rafe graduated with a BA from the University of California Davis and earned her Doctorate of Psychology from The Wright Institute. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Oakes Children’s Center in San Francisco, CA and a formal post-doctoral residency in the Child and Family Psychology Department at Kaiser Richmond, CA.
Anna Lyons, LMFT
Therapist
Anna has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Professional Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. She has experience working with individuals in recovery and as a crisis intervention counselor with survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and their perpetrators. She also worked with individuals transitioning from the prison system to sober living homes. Her approach begins with empathy and integrates CBT, ACT, MI, CRM, SFBT, and DBT to help individuals reach their full potential. She values connection, authenticity, and loyalty and encourages others to utilize their values to live a meaningful life.
Fred Murray, MS, CSAC I
Clinician
Fred has over twenty 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 certifications 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, he 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 McMillan Center in Torrance, California, and Soledad House, where he designed and developed their program curriculum and treatment protocol.
Helen Lotsoff, AMFT
Therapist
Helen has held a variety of positions working in behavioral healthcare including house manager, case manager and therapist. She prides herself on upholding high legal and ethical standards as well as being sensitive to cultural diversity. Helen loves helping those in need, specifically those struggling with substance use disorders. She is driven by her passion for assisting others in personal growth and is excited that she can share this with other women through Soledad House.
Maddie Plansky
Therapist
Maddie is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselors who graduated from University of San Diego’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. With her clients, Maddie pulls from several therapeutic approaches including Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Resiliency Model, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Attachment Theory. Both personally and professionally, Maddie operates under the belief that through the development of trusting, meaningful relationships to self and others, humans have the power to transform their thoughts, beliefs and behaviors and emerge as their most authentic self. She uses a trauma-sensitive and culturally humble approach that emphasizes the mind-body-spirit connection in the pursuit of healing.
Maddie holds space for individuals, couples, and families and specializes with clients impacted by trauma and addiction. Working from a foundation of neurobiology of trauma, she leads with non-judgemental awareness and a lens of curiosity in each session, approaching symptoms as a source of information. She is committed to cultivating a compassionate space to show up with you on your healing journey, whatever stage you may be at.
Dorian Hudson, CAODC
Counselor & Case Manger
Dorian got a full scholarship to The Art Institute in San Francisco with a major in Photography. She graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis on Children and Families. She returned to school to get a substance abuse certificate from San Diego Community College where she graduated Phi Theta Kappa. Dorian’s passion is to assist women in the recovery process by using creativity and fun.
Jennifer Rotge, SUDCC
Counselor & Case Manager
Jennifer Rotge received her certificate of completion from San Diego City College AODS Program in 2017. She completed her internship at Soledad House and is excited to be a part of the team doing counseling and case management. Jennifer has personal experience with the heartache involved with substance use and has also witnessed the freedom that is possible. She has a passion for women and knows that healing and recovery are possible. Jennifer desires to come alongside women and empower them to heal and live the life they were created to live. She believes each woman has a unique purpose only they can carry out regardless of their past and they have the ability to turn their tragedies into triumphs and their pain into purpose. Jennifer wants to empower, encourage and support each and every woman who walks through these doors and see the miracle that awaits.
Amber McBride
Sound Healer
Amber has acquired over 500 hours of yoga training and certifications including Trauma-Informed Yoga, Yoga of 12 Step Recovery, Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Sound Healing, and Anusara Yoga. She attended Arizona State University and received her degree in Health Sciences, Healthy Lifestyles Coaching. Through sobriety, Amber has stepped into her authentic self, having to feel and accept every emotion, every situation, every thought. She remembers ‘home’, the inner light within herself, within you, connection, community, love, meditation, deep rest, and of course all practices of yoga. Amber continues to remain a student first, a teacher and guide second. Through her teachings and guidance, she hopes to help you find your home inner light too.