Our Team At Casa Capri Recovery: For Women, By Women

Karen is a graduate of Saddleback College and obtained her Alcohol and Drug Studies Certificate. Joining the Casa Capri Recovery team with years of experience in the treatment industry, Karen has been on a mission to help women recover since 2008. Arriving in California from Florida, Karen has proven that grit and determination are the keys to her success. Even in her earliest days as support she was keenly aware that clients were the most important part of the equation and their experience mattered above all else. Her special attention to detail, while also being able to keep an eye on the big picture, allows Karen to lead from a unique perspective. A leader by nature, her vast clinical knowledge and education (coupled with her practical sense) make her an asset to the entire treatment process, not just for the team she leads, but the clinical team and, of course, the clients. One asset in herself she holds in the highest regard and looks for in others is to remain teachable; she is always exploring creative ideas and ways to be more efficient. Karen believes a significant part of client success is having the best support team in place to ensure the client experience is safe, loving and comfortable.

Kristen believes every human being is born with the potential for living a satisfying and meaningful life, for having relationships that work, and for experiencing joy and inner peace. She wants every woman who enters the doors of Casa Capri Recovery to be able to live lives that are free of conflict, external stress, and internal anguish. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she has spent her career helping people through their personal traumas, emotional needs, substance abuse, and relational difficulties. Her passion and drive to help others stems from her own journey where she has triumphed, persevered, and continues to grow. With a specialty in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, she believes trauma is a core wound and if treated properly can help break addictive cycles. As Clinical Director, Kristen manages and mentors the clinical team at Casa Capri Recovery for women. She ensures the highest quality of cutting-edge evidence based clinical services are offered and is constantly researching to maintain a uniqueness that aligns with our all-women’s setting. She leaves no stone unturned when it comes time to digging into each case making sure individualized care is at the forefront of the curriculum, believing one size does not fit all.

Liz Miller, our Clinical Programming Director, brings her specialized expertise in both substance abuse and eating disorders to Casa Capri. Utilizing a psychodynamic framework, Liz integrates principles from Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her work with clients. Since beginning her career in substance abuse treatment in 2014, Liz has gained valuable experience in a variety of clinical and operational roles. Today, Liz works closely with clients to ensure that all aspects of every case are addressed, taking great joy in helping her clients achieve freedom from the bondage of their substance use and eating disorders. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from New York University.

Michelle was born and raised in La Habra, CA where she graduated from La Habra High. At a very early age Michelle knew she wanted to make a difference by taking care of others. After graduating High school, she went on and furthered her education by graduating from Cerritos College in Cerritos, CA with an AS degree in Science. From there she propelled into Stanbridge College in Irvine, CA, where she graduated with her LVN license. With her ambitious passion and intelligence, Michelle has been working in the field for the past 3 years. Michelle specializes in Eating Disorders, Drug and Alcohol Addictions, and in Sublocade/Vivitrol injections. Her full determination and positive outcomes led her to our facility to bring us her heart, knowledge, and expertise.

Sophie, our dedicated Operations Director, goes above and beyond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the women in our community. With a strong background in daily operations and staff management, she is committed to creating a nurturing, supportive environment for those seeking recovery. Sophie’s passion for helping women thrive is evident both in her professional and personal life. Before starting at Casa Capri, she could be found volunteering at the Lynn House or Ashland Home working with newly sober women. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women to heal and thrive makes her a valuable asset to our team.

Lauren values every client’s individuality and utilizes a strength-based approach to assist them in reaching their goals. She wholeheartedly believes every client is deserving of long-term recovery and stability. She has worked in the public health sector, hospice/palliative care, addiction, mental health and eating disorders. Having a wide range of experience expands her knowledge to further support clients with a variety of needs. Lauren has experience providing brainspotting, inner child work, cognitive therapy, emotion focused therapy, somatic work, internal family systems, and many more modalities. She is currently working on becoming fully certified in brainspotting and interested in EMDR certification in the future to further improve the outcomes of the individuals she serves.

Halle Biggins comes to us after being in the mental health industry for the past 5 years, the first 3 in ABA for children with autism. Halle is a trainee with us now and she will graduate in May 2023 from GCU with a master’s in professional clinical counseling. She plans on becoming EDMR certified upon completion focusing on trauma. Halle knows first-hand what addiction can do to a family as she has close family that have suffered, and she understands the effects the disease has on the addict and families alike. Passionate about people and their mental health, she believes working with women to better their lives is one of her purposes in life. Halle is looking forward to helping women feel empowered and arming them with the tools so they can take control of their lives.

Katie Martinez is a graduate from Healthstaff Training Institute and completed their drug and alcohol counselor course top of her class. She started at Casa Capri as an intern for case management and has now been a full-time client services manager since 2022. After being witness to multiple loved one’s battle with the disease of addiction, Katie grew up knowing she wanted to give back to this community. She began her life as a counselor at the age of 13 as a peer counselor in high school, then became a mentor in her early twenties for at-risk youth and is now a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Katie’s goal is to continue to grow in her career path to eventually obtain her CADAC III. She also has extensive experience working with domestic violence victims and veterans who suffer with addiction and how PTSD and C-PTSD effect substance use. She would like to continue that work and, in the future, have part in more programs that cater to these populations and give them the resources they truly need, like Casa Capri. Katie loves to spend her free time playing video games, creating art and spending time with her family.

Hanna McAlister is the Registered Dietitian at Casa Capri Recovery. Hanna’s nutritional background began with the eating disorder population in 2011 working as a Dietetic Technician. In 2013 she graduated with her BS in Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles, and then went on to work in public health with WIC (women, infants, and children) where she completed her dietetic internship. From 2016 to 2018, Hanna was a Registered Dietitian at an eating disorder treatment facility working in all levels of care: inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient. Hanna discovered her passion of working with the substance abuse population in 2017 when she began facilitating nutrition groups and counseling clients at a treatment facility in Newport Beach. Hanna is an intuitive eating advocate and loves to help clients find balance in their diet and lifestyle, while also healing their metabolic function and any other co-occurring nutritional issues relating to their substance abuse.

Paul Alexander is the CEO, President, and Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. With over 27 years in behavioral healthcare, Paul brings deep expertise in integrated treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, along with a passion for organizational health and transformational leadership.

A pioneer in collegiate-based residential treatment, Paul authored a research study at the University of California validating this innovative model. His experience spans clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing, and financial planning—making him a respected leader in both care delivery and organizational growth.

Paul holds a BA in Criminology, Law, and Society from UC Irvine (Summa Cum Laude), a JD from Loyola Law School, and a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist designation from Saddleback College, where he was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Service Award. He currently serves on the board of NAATP, as well as The Family Recovery Foundation and CarePossible, both of which support treatment access for military families.

In long-term recovery himself, Paul is known for his integrity, vision, and personal commitment to the work. He lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and their sons, Noah and Dean.

Jillian McCarney has devoted her career to helping individuals heal from substance use and mental health disorders. As a co-owner of Northbound Treatment Network, a leading behavioral health provider in California, her leadership has played a key role in guiding clinical teams to deliver exceptional, evidence-based care.

With a diverse background in medical sales and behavioral health, Jillian brings a unique, macro-level perspective to the healthcare industry. Her experience as a consultant and brand developer has allowed her to collaborate with some of the most forward-thinking professionals in the field, blending innovation with compassion.

Previously serving as a District Manager for Foundations Recovery Network, Jillian thrived in roles focused on team development, training, and coaching. She is committed to lifelong learning, continuously expanding her knowledge through certifications, trainings, and international conferences.

Jillian’s passion, professionalism, and curiosity continue to drive her impact in the recovery space—both as a business leader and an advocate for integrated, high-quality treatment.

Erick Rocca is a seasoned financial leader known for his ability to blend strategic business insight with deep financial expertise. As Chief Financial Officer at Northbound Treatment Services since 2019, Erick brings a collaborative approach—partnering with department leaders and mentoring finance teams to ensure that every business decision is both informed and impactful.

Erick’s career began at Ernst & Young as a Senior Auditor, where he honed his technical foundation. He later spent over a decade at The Irvine Company in senior finance roles, culminating as Senior Director of Accounting and Finance. Since joining Northbound in 2017, first as Vice President of Finance and Accounting, Erick has played a key role in scaling operations and supporting sustainable growth.

A Certified Public Accountant, Erick earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from California State University San Marcos. He is recognized for his strategic mindset, steady leadership, and commitment to building financially sound, mission-driven organizations.

Alexa Pelech is the Chief Marketing Officer at Northbound Treatment Services, where she combines her passion for helping others with a strong track record in addiction treatment marketing and outreach. Since joining Northbound in 2019, Alexa has held several key roles—including Referral Relations Manager and Director of Business Development—before stepping into her current leadership position in March 2023.

Alexa began her career in behavioral healthcare as an Outreach Coordinator with American Addiction Centers, where she quickly developed a reputation for her compassionate approach and results-driven mindset. Today, she leads Northbound’s marketing strategy with the same energy and heart, driving growth while staying true to the mission of recovery.

Alexa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Studio Arts from San Francisco State University and later studied Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling at Los Angeles Pierce College. Her creative background and commitment to service continue to shape her authentic, human-centered leadership style.