Paige Bottom recently joined Foundations Recovery Network as the Chief Executive Officer for La Paloma Treatment Center in Memphis, Tenn. Paige has been committed to the field of addiction and mental illness for over 18 years, beginning her career working with adolescents diagnosed with both psychiatric and chemical dependency problems.
Paige's path began in direct clinical work in Virginia after completing her undergraduate work in psychology, but soon branched into prevention and education as well through work as an Employee Assistance Professional for several Fortune 500 companies. Throughout this time, Paige remained dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people whose lives had been affected by addiction and mental illness, and so returned to graduate school with a dual focus of Counseling Psychology and Business Administration.
It was during her time in graduate school that Paige decided to move out of direct care and into program development, operations and administration. This move was driven by a desire to have a greater impact on how care is delivered and to reach a larger portion of an underserved population, with the ultimate goal of providing services that result in a powerful, life-changing experience and greater rates of success.
After receiving her Masters in Business Administration in 1996, Paige worked extensively in Wilmington, N.C. and then in Santa Cruz, Calif., creating and nurturing programs to be more responsive, efficient and effective.
As La Paloma's CEO, Paige brings a gentle, compassionate strength to her commitment and continues to stand for excellence in clinical care and customer service.
Kyrstan Anderson
LPC-MHSP, Director of La Paloma Outpatient Services
Kyrstan joined the La Paloma staff in 2007, where she created and implemented a powerful curriculum, which focuses on understanding one's diagnoses through education and insight into how co-occurring disorders impact individuals cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally and spiritually. As director of La Paloma Outpatient Services in East Memphis, it is Kyrstan’s goal that each outpatient client is able to define who they are and rediscover their own goals and potential in life before leaving the program. Her approach includes the belief that through increased knowledge and awareness, clients will develop whole wellness and healing that will dramatically increase their quality of life and create the opportunity to succeed in all areas.
Kyrstan received her Masters of Science in Counseling and Bachelors of Art in Psychology from the University of Memphis. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Services Provider (LPC-MHSP), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Rehabilitations Counselor (CRC). Kyrstan is a Level 2 trained EMDR therapist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, family systems and crisis intervention and management.
Prior to becoming director of La Paloma Outpatient Services, Kyrstan worked as a residential therapist for inpatient treatment at La Paloma Treatment Center (formerly Foundations Associates) and helped create and implement the Family Program. Additionally, Kyrstan worked as a group and individual therapist to children and adolescents with emotional and intellectual disabilities, including Autism and Asperger’s, as well as Learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder and Dyslexia.
Martha Anderson, MS
Clinical Therapist
B.S. Education from the University of Memphis
M.S. Counseling from the University of Memphis
In 2009, Martha Anderson joined La Paloma as a Clinical Therapist, leading individual, group, and family therapy sessions and handling treatment and discharge planning.
Anderson began her work with addictions through an internship during graduate school. It was her work with people who had mental health problems suffering from addiction that brought her to specialize in dual diagnosis.
From there, Anderson went to work at Community Mental Health Centers, Professional Care Services and Youth Villages working with people of all ages who dealt with issues ranging from depression and bipolar disorders to addictions and abuse.
As a firm believer that you can't treat addiction without treating the mental health issues that usually accompany, Anderson sees the importance of treating the whole person. Her strong background in family work helps her support clients as they cope with their past and present.
In her free time, Martha loves spending time with family, working out and reading.
Advice:
Reach out and be open to the process. Don't stop before the miracle happens.
Adrian Blotner
Medical Director, Stress Management for Chronic Pain Program
A graduate of Louisiana State University and Harvard Medical Schools, Dr. Blotner is board certified in Pain Medicine as well as Psychiatry, and is a nationally recognized expert in the management of chronic pain disorders with associated sleep, anxiety and mood disorders. He is also recognized as an expert in safe and effective prescription of narcotic pain medications.
Dr. Blotner currently serves as Medical Director of the La Paloma Stress Management for Chronic Pain Program. This specialized Intensive Outpatient Program helps those who suffer from chronic pain to improve their functioning in their important life roles, cope more effectively with stress and reduce the impact of stress on mind and body.
Prior to joining the team at La Paloma, Dr. Blotner served as Medical Director of the Chronic Pain & Dual Diagnosis Programs on the Behavioral Medicine Unit at Jo Ellen Smith Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Jordan Emerson
Chef
As La Paloma's head chef, Jordan Emerson fills his days planning menus for a healthy and balanced diet, preparing those meals and managing the dining room and food service operations. He accomplishes this by meeting and exceeding the expectations of clients through thoughtful planning, working mindfully, creativity and a passion for vibrant, diverse and exciting food.
With extensive work in the hospitality industry in the California bay area and Big Sur and providing corporate hospitality for racing companies like Players Racing and Forsythe Championship Racing in tow, Emerson came to La Paloma because of his desire to help others while doing what he loves- creating good food.
Emerson sees the importance of dual diagnosis treatment and seeks to provide a positive influence for others through healthy diet choices during their healing process.
To keep himself healthy, Emerson enjoys biking, hanging out with his dogs and would like to see more of the world.
Favorite part of working at La Paloma:
Every day I start fresh with the opportunity to do good things and I am thankful for all the opportunities I've been given.
Pat Friedman, LPC
Director of the Detox/Assessment Unit
Masters in Counseling from the University of Memphis
Licensed Professional Counselor
With seven years experience in the dual diagnosis field, Pat Friedman comes to La Paloma expertly prepared for her role as Director of the Detox and Assessment Unit.
Friedman first became familiar with La Paloma and its integrated treatment through training and seminars affiliated with the facility and began referring individuals to the center. Eventually, she was brought on as the Lead Residential Therapist and later transferred to the Outpatient services to implement the Partial Hospitalization Program for clients with Medicare.
It is the educational component of co-occurring disorders and the comparison of addiction treatment to the concept of treating co-occurring disorders that most interests Friedman. She believes that it is the knowledge of these facets that renders positive outcomes for both individuals and families.
Outside of work, Friedman never experiences a dull moment while keeping up with her sons, painting and enjoying her exercise regiment consisting of ballet, yoga, gymnastics and cardio.
Advice:
Strive to be open to new ideas and concepts, and approach recovery as an adventure. Through this process you will find the most interesting person ever- yourself.
Robert Murray, MD
Psychiatrist, Intensive Outpatient Day Program La Paloma Outpatient Services
A graduate of Yale University with a PhD in biology and of Meharry Medical College, Dr. Murray is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He completed residency training in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University and in psychiatry at the University of Washington and Vanderbilt University.
Prior to joining the staff at La Paloma, Dr. Murray held positions including Medical Director at Cumberland Heights in Nashville, Tennessee; The Meadows in Wickenberg, Arizona; and Charter Charleston Behavioral Health Center in Charleston, South Carolina. He has also served on the faculty of Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee. He currently holds an appointment to the clinical faculty of the University of Tennessee, Department of Psychiatry in Memphis.
Jocelyn Penner, MA, MA, LMHC, CAP, ICADC
Clinical Director
Certified Addiction Professional
Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jocelyn Penner began her career as a social worker for the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Child and Family Protection Services, where she managed an emergency shelter for emotionally disturbed adolescent girls and provided services for abused children and families in crisis. Jocelyn has worked with men and women of all ages with multiple addictions, co-occurring disorders and mental health issues at Rush Behavioral Health in Lake Forest, Illinois, at Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minnesota and at the Hanley Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. In addition to working as a Chemical Dependency Counselor, Jocelyn was a Family Counselor for several years and most recently held the position of Director of Family Services at the Hanley Center.
Jocelyn received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, graduating with high honors from Providence College, Otterburne, Manitoba; a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, graduating with Great Distinction from Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia; a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois; and a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling from Hazelden Graduate School, Center City, Minnesota. She is a Certified Addiction Professional, Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Angie Thomason, MS, NCC
Trauma Resolution Program Coordinator
Masters in Counseling from University of Memphis
Certified by National Board for Certified Counselors
Trained by EMDR Institute
As the Trauma Resolution Program Coordinator, Angie Thomason provides education, assessments and uses EMDR to address unresolved emotions and negative beliefs about one's self regarding past events.
Having previously worked in inpatient and outpatient dual disorder facilities, Thomason brings knowledge and experience to La Paloma. These jobs, along with working as a hospice provider, also have filled her with empathy and compassion for the struggles people encounter in healing.
Thomason believes in the healing power of a holistic approach and appreciates how La Paloma encourages their staff to explore alternative methods of healing. By doing so, each client truly has an individualized treatment approach that can offer the best opportunity to identify strengths and develop new skills.
Outside of work, Thomason is active in her children's schools and enjoys music, movies and reading psychological thrillers. She is also learning more about herbal medicine and other healing modalities.
Advice: Be honest and committed to stand in the fire and trust that you will come out of this experience with the tools you need.
Stephen Watts
Professionals Program Counselor
B.A. from the University of Memphis
M.A. from the University of Memphis
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor (NAADAC)
With knowledge and experience working with field specialists suffering from co-occurring disorders, Stephen Watts heads up La Paloma's Professionals Program. As the program's counselor, Watts facilitates groups and provides counseling and therapy to clients.
While in college, Watts worked in an indigent treatment program and stayed in the field after graduation. He later came to La Paloma to specifically work in a professional's program.
Watts is drawn to holistic treatments like acudetox, nutrition and aromatherapy as they become a larger part of treatment. He believes these treatments, like those offered by La Paloma, help maximize a client's journey to recovery.
When not working with clients, Watts enjoys reading, movies and hanging out with his wife.
Advice: Do not wait. Jump in.
Michaela Whitehead, NCC
Clinical Care Coordinator, La Paloma Outpatient Services
Michaela Whitehead currently serves as the Clinical Care Coordinator of Outpatient Services, primarily working with clients in the morning and afternoon Intensive Outpatient Programs. She began at La Paloma Outpatient Services as an intern during her final semester of graduate school. Immediately upon completing her Masters of Science in Counseling, Michaela joined the staff full-time. A Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Michaela is actively working toward her Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Services Provider (LPC-MHSP) license.
Prior to working at La Paloma, Michaela worked at the Career and Psychological Counseling Center at the University of Memphis. While in graduate school, Michaela had the opportunity to work with abused and at-risk adolescents at Youth Villages. Additionally, she has experience as a counselor at The Exchange Club Family Center, where she worked with women & children who were victims of domestic violence and facilitated trans-parenting groups for divorcing parents. Michaela has extensive experience in the assessment of individuals with various emotional, mental health and substance use disorders.
Passionate about helping her clients, Michaela uses an empathic, person-centered approach to therapy, and the motivational interviewing style of counseling used at La Paloma is most congruent with her own personal counseling style. She believes this compassionate and comprehensive approach helps each client work toward an individualized plan for sustained recovery and a fulfilling life. Michaela enjoys facilitating process and psychoeducation groups, where she plays an active role in teaching clients that they have the power to grow and change in positive and healthy ways.
Greg Williams, CRC
(National Certified Counselor) Therapist, Intensive Outpatient Evening Program La Paloma Outpatient Services
A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Greg serves as the outpatient therapist for the evening Intensive Outpatient Program and facilitates psychoeducational groups for the morning IOP. As a therapist, he is passionate about finding the strengths and the goodness in each person. Most clients have looked at the symptoms of their disease and the etiology for so long, that he realized they need help and guidance to locate and nurture their true spirit.
Greg holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Memphis, a degree that specializes in the treatment of people with mental and physical disabilities and illness. Prior to joining the staff at La Paloma, he put that knowledge to work at the Memphis Recovery Center and Serenity Recovery Center. He facilitated the family program at both facilities and worked with mandated clients with mental illness and/or substance dependence. He expertise also extends to alternative sentencing methods and the importance of long-term engagement by the client in the recovery process.
Greg has more than 11 years of sobriety, and he brings his own challenges and strengths with substance dependence and mental illness into the therapeutic process. He understands the challenges that the clients may experience with regard to employment, family relations and the negative stigma that is associated with their diagnosis. His goal as a therapist is to help people move from the bondage of active addiction and untreated mental illness to the freedom and happiness of a meaningful and fulfilling life.
