Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Ian Wolds, PsyD, Alta Mira’s Executive Director, is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Wolds has spent his entire career working in the care and treatment of clients with addiction and co-occurring disorders. He brings an integrative psychology framework to his work that emphasizes the interdependence of physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, developmental and systemic dynamics in each individual’s life.

Dr. Wolds has worked with a wide variety of clinical populations dealing with addiction, mental illness and other co-occurring disorders across individual, group, and family settings. He trained in residential and outpatient treatment environments while he completed his dissertation studying the spiritual components of 12-step recovery from a variety of cultural viewpoints. He received extensive post-doctoral training at Hanbleceya, a therapeutic community-based treatment program in La Mesa, CA, working with individuals and families dealing with severe mental illnesses and dual diagnoses. Dr. Wolds worked in a variety of clinical roles at Hanbleceya before becoming the clinical director of Hanbleceya’s start-up treatment center in Seattle, WA, in 2011.

At its core, Dr. Wolds’ work aims to foster recovery, growth, wholeness, and well being through the integration of complementary paths of healing. He believes in individualizing treatment to fit each client’s unique needs and interests. Dr. Wolds’ passion lies in supporting understanding and self-discovery, resiliency, and ultimately the creation of more meaningful relationships and a more satisfying life.

Dr. Wolds has a BA from the University of Southern California, and he received both his masters and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA.

Blog: A Higher Vision of Addiction Treatment: An Interview with Alta Mira’s Executive Director, Dr. Ian Wolds

Clinical Director

Karen Spedowfski, Ph.D., Alta Mira’s Clinical Director, is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Spedowfski’s career has been exclusively focused on the treatment of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders and she has held multiple leadership positions within the programs she has worked.

Dr. Spedowfski brings a compassionate, evidence-based and practical approach to assisting clients and their families who are recovering from addictions and other mental health issues. Her work approaches the individual as a whole person with physical/biological, psychological, spiritual and social/cultural needs, issues and challenges that occur within various systems in the person’s life. As such, she believes that involving family members in the treatment process whenever possible is crucial to client success as well as the health and wellbeing of those around them.

Prior to coming to Alta Mira, Dr. Spedowfski worked in multiple outpatient treatment settings including several Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Services/Recovery Programs and at the Northern Illinois University Counseling and Student Development Center where her experience included the assessment and treatment of those with eating disorders as well as leading campus-wide efforts to reduce the incidence of sexual assault among student residents. Her dissertation focused on exploring disordered eating symptoms in both men and women recovering from Substance Use Disorders to better understand how both issues can be effectively and simultaneously addressed within an outpatient setting.

Dr. Spedowfski served in various leadership roles throughout her 20-year career at Kaiser Permanente, including her most recent as the Program Director of the Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Vallejo, California from January 2010 through August 2018. From 2012-2015 she simultaneously served a three-year period as Chair of the Chemical Dependency Program Directors for the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region.

Dr. Spedowfski is passionately dedicated to helping those in recovery from Substance Use Disorders and other mental health issues. She believes in the fundamental resilience of individuals and families who dedicate themselves to the learning and change process of recovery that results in vastly improved lives and overall wellness. She strives to balance the application of proven therapeutic techniques and practices with an individually-tailored approach to best ensure that the unique needs of each individual and family are met.

Dr. Spedowfski holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the California State University – East Bay (formerly Hayward) and received both her masters and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Alameda, CA.

Consulting Physician: Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine

Dr. Steven Batki is listed in US News and World Report as one of the top doctors in the field of Addiction Psychiatry. Through a peer nomination process, he currently ranks in the top 10% for the entire United States. He is also listed as one of the Top Psychiatrists in San Francisco.

As our primary consulting Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr. Steven Batki is responsible for the psychiatric and addiction medicine needs for Alta Mira clients. Dr. Batki has 30 years of medical and psychiatric experience and is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and Chief of the Substance Abuse Programs at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Batki is also the Director of the Addiction Research Program and the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. Prior to his current positions, Dr. Batki was the director of the division of substance abuse and addiction medicine at San Francisco General Hospital.

Dr. Batki earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, and received his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Dr. Batki completed both his psychiatry internship and residency at the UCSF School of Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is board-certified in both Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Batki is also a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Batki is an active medical researcher studying addiction treatment. He has received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the Department of Defense. Dr. Batki’s research and clinical interests focus on improving the treatment for alcohol, opioid, and stimulant dependence. His current work includes studies of alcohol dependence in patients with traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

Dr. Batki is listed in San Francisco Magazine’s 2019 Top Doctors for Addiction Psychiatry and Castle & Connolly’s 2019 Best Doctors in Psychiatry.

Blogs:

The Value of Relapse Prevention Medication in Addiction Treatment: An Interview with Dr. Steven L. Batki

How Medications Ease Withdrawal Symptoms and Fortify Recovery: An Interview With Dr. Steven L. Batki

New Research on PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder Brings Hope: An Interview with Dr. Steven L. Batki

Reflecting on the Impact of Dr. Steven L. Batki, Alta Mira’s Consulting Addiction Psychiatrist and Recent Award Recipient

Consulting Physician: Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine

Dr. Driscoll serves as our primary independent consulting medical physician and is responsible for the detoxification and medical needs of our clients. She is board certified in both Internal and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Driscoll has 15 years of experience at Alameda County Medical Center in Oakland where she completed her residency and later served as an attending hospitalist instructing a team of residents, interns, and medical students. She has cared for over 7,500 patients suffering from medical complications caused by addiction. Dr. Driscoll earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and Bachelor’s in Human Biology at Brown University. She is an Advisory Board Member at Stepping Stone Residential Recovery Program for Women in San Francisco and a member of ASAM and CSAM.

Addiction Medicine Physician

Dr. David E. Smith is recognized as a national leader in the treatment of addictive disease, the psychopharmacology of drugs, new research strategies in the management of drug abuse problems, and appropriate prescribing practices for physicians. He teaches that addiction is a primary medical illness that is best treated in a multidisciplinary fashion, utilizing the group process, individual psychotherapy, and the 12-Step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. Dr. Smith has over 45 years of experience treating addiction as a medical disease.

At Alta Mira, Dr. Smith lectures to our clients on the neurobiological aspects of addiction, treating addiction as a brain disease, and the medical management of psychoactive drug dependence, including cocaine, alcohol and prescription drugs. Dr. Smith founded the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics in 1967, inaugurating the principle of “Health Care is a Right, not a Privilege.” He is a Fellow and former President of The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He lectures extensively and is the author/co-author of over 350 professional articles and books, including Unchain Your Brain: 10 Steps to Breaking the Addictions that Steal Your Life, with Dr. Daniel Amen.

Director of Neuropsychological Assessment

Laura Natta, PhD is the Director of Neuropsychological Assessment and is responsible for the individually-designed, comprehensive assessment of all Alta Mira Clients, as well as supervision of Ph.D. and Psy.D. Resident Psychologists and MFT Interns. She obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Neuropsychology from Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University. Her dissertation work was conducted as a joint effort of the Palo Alto VA and Stanford School of Medicine and she has presented research at regional and national conferences. She has been working with addiction-compromised individuals for over 15 years in a variety of settings, including residential, inpatient, acute and specialty clinics.

Dr. Natta has been with the VA Healthcare System since 2009 and has received specialty training in assessment of trauma, behavioral sleep medicine, traumatic brain injury assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and pain. She serves as Associate Assessment Faculty at various psychology programs in the Bay Area, is a Supervising Assessment Clinician at El Camino Hospital, and serves on the Board of Directors of The Northern California Neuropsychological Forum.

Beyond Diagnosis: An Interview with Dr. Laura Natta on Comprehensive Psychological Testing in Addiction Treatment

Primary Therapist

Sharif Ali, LMFT, is a primary therapist at Alta Mira. Sharif earned his LMFT and LPCC licenses at John F. Kennedy University’s graduate program in Counseling Psychology. Prior to becoming a therapist, Sharif worked in other roles at Alta Mira, including Recovery Support Coordinator. Sharif has extensive experience with addiction and co-occurring disorders, with a special focus on relapse prevention.

As Alta Mira’s Recovery Support Coordinator, Sharif worked with clients to create a safe and supported transition out of residential care. He prepared clients for recovery support upon discharge, lead groups on relapse prevention and sustainable recovery, and coordinated Alta Mira’s alumni activities.

He is dedicated to making Alta Mira a safe and healing environment for personal growth, education, and recovery from addiction, for both clients and alumni.

Primary Therapist

Rainey Temkin, PhD, is a Primary Therapist at Alta Mira Recovery Program. She obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Serious Mental Illness and Diversity and Community Mental Health from Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University as well as an MA in Counseling Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley. She has been working with dual-diagnosed and chemically dependent individuals in a variety of settings, including inpatient, public hospital, and community mental health clinics. Dr. Temkin has received specialty training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis.

Primary Therapist

John Fenwick is a primary therapist at Alta Mira. He obtained his graduate degree in clinical social work from the University of Kansas and completed his post-graduate training in psychotherapy, family therapy, and diagnostics at the Menninger Foundation. He also obtained additional post-graduate training in Body-Oriented Gestalt Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Biofeedback, Mentalization-Based Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. His clinical experience includes providing trauma recovery therapy to victims of “The Troubles” in Belfast, Northern Ireland as well as to survivors of childhood abuse, psychological and attachment trauma, and domestic violence in the United States. In addition, he has provided psychotherapy and family therapy to clients suffering from addictions, compulsive behaviors, and serious mental illnesses. John has also served as a clinical training supervisor and lecturer in Systemic Psychotherapy and Family Therapy at the Prudence Skynner Clinic and Institute of Family Therapy in London, England as well as in psychotherapy training programs in the United States. For the past several years, John’s practice has focused on helping individuals and families resolve and heal from trauma, addiction, and relational conflict.

Family Program Director

Dr. Tracy has been conducting Professional and Family Interventions for over 20 years. He is a nationally recognized speaker and educator in the areas of Impaired Health Care Professionals, Opiate Addiction secondary to Chronic Pain and Systemic Family Interventions. He is an expert in providing extensive monitoring services and family case management. He has experience in program development and facilitating family programs for some of the most respected treatment centers in the country.

Dr. Jim Tracy graduated in 1979 from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and he practiced General Dentistry for 18 years. Before making a change to help Families through Systemic Family Interventions while continuing work in helping Impaired Health Professionals.

Trauma Workshop Facilitator

Kelley L. Callahan, PhD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Albany, Ca and in the process of becoming a trainer for the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. Her doctoral training included an internship at the National Center for PTSD at Dartmouth Medical School and a two-year post-doc at Harvard Medical School, Victims of Violence Program. She has served as adjunct faculty for John F. Kennedy University and California Institute of Integral Studies teaching courses on somatic approaches to the treatment of trauma as well as attachment informed psychotherapy. She is passionate about helping folks understand the interplay of trauma and addiction and how survival strategies, although at one point adaptive, can keep individuals, families, and society stuck in patterns they are wanting to move beyond. Her clinical work and teaching are grounded in the neurobiology of trauma and mindful awareness, with the goal of supporting individuals in regulating their nervous systems – thereby having a choice about how they live in the present moment.

Trauma Workshop Consultant

Janina Fisher, PhD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist whose professional mission is to bring her complex understanding of trauma to both clients and their therapists. She believes the key to healing is not just knowing what happened, but transforming how the mind, body, and soul still remember it.

Known for her expertise as both a therapist and consultant, she is also Assistant Director of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, past president of the New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation, an EMDR International Association Credit Provider, and a former Instructor, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Fisher has been an invited speaker at the Cape Cod Institute, Harvard Medical School Conference Series, EMDR International Association Annual Conference, Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health, Annual Western Conference on Behavioral Health and Addictive Disorders, and the Esalen Institute. Dr. Fisher lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on topics related to the integration of research and treatment and how to introduce newer trauma treatment paradigms into traditional therapeutic approaches.

Grief & Loss Workshop Facilitator

Gigi is Executive Director and founder of Alcohol Recovery Solutions, Inc., a licensed clinic offering care to adults struggling with alcohol and drug dependency.

The clinic’s philosophy extends beyond getting sober and focuses on inspiring clients to overcome the burdens of past traumas while teaching the coping skills needed for long term recovery.

The workshop goals for clients include:

• Understanding complicated, chronic and delayed grief with knowledge of the five stages of grief
• Learn a set of coping skills to effectively process through grief & loss
• Clients develop their own Story of Grief & Loss
• Learn to use the tools – the five stages to create healing

Having the Best Relationships of Your Life Workshop Faciliator

Dr. Abby Medcalf is a psychologist and addiction expert who has helped thousands of individuals create meaning and happiness in their lives through counseling, training, and her relationship programs and books. With over 30 years of experience, Abby is a recognized authority and sought-after speaker known for her unique blend of comprehensive research, hands-on experience, and humor. She motivates individuals to break through in every relationship (starting with the relationship they have with themselves) so they can lead more enthusiastic and fulfilled lives.

Rising Strong™ Workshop Facilitator

Ann has earned two Master’s degrees; one in theology from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University and the other in counseling from National-Louis University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), a state-certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC), a nationally-certified multiple addiction therapist with certifications in sex addiction as well as work addiction and financial disorders (CMAT), and a certified Daring Way™ facilitator (CDWF). She is also fully trained in EMDR Therapy.

Ann’s practice consists of individual and group counseling with a specialty in experiential therapy. Her main objective is to offer the recovering individual a safe place to express feelings and heal traumatic wounds. Ann sat on the Advisory Board for the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP) for many years. IITAP oversees the CSAT certification and its curriculum, developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes, author and pioneer in sex addiction treatment.

She has also received certification from Brené Brown’s organization, The Daring Way™ and facilitates individual sessions and workshops with this new and ground-breaking curriculum.

In addition to over two decades of clinical experience, Ann brings over forty years of personal experience in the recovery field. She believes that, no matter what a person’s problems are, healing and freedom are possible. There are no hopeless cases.

Money Workshop Facilitator

Melissa is a Certified Financial Planner and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) LPC/MHSP, and she serves as the Managing Member and principal Financial Planner at Hammel Financial Advisory Group, LLC.

Her areas of expertise are investing and holistic financial planning coupled with personal counseling and coaching.

Goals of the Money Workshop are:

• Learn how their relationship with money has contributed to their addiction patterns
• Move beyond shame and self-sabotage, begin to restore relationships, increase confidence, and enhance personal recovery and financial success.
• Learn to experience renewed hope in their personal and financial lives while in early recovery
• Become financially awake, aware and empowered.

Authenticity and Conscious Recovery Workshop Facilitator

TJ Woodward is a revolutionary recovery expert, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and addiction treatment specialist who has helped countless people through his simple, yet powerful teachings.

He is the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method, which is a ground breaking and effective approach to viewing and treating addiction.

TJ is a featured thought-leader on wholehearted.org along with Brene Brown, Dr. Gabor Matte, and Mark Lundholm. He was also given the honor of being ordained as an Agape minister by Dr. Michael Beckwith, and is also the founding minister of Agape Bay Area in Oakland, which was the first satellite community of The Agape International Spiritual Center in LA.

TJ is the author of the books Conscious Being: Awakening to your True Nature and Conscious Recovery: A Fresh Perspective on Addiction.

www.tjwoodward.com

Process Addiction Specialist

Dr. Lank brings to Alta Mira more than three decades of clinical experience in addiction treatment.

For the past decade Dr. Lank has run a highly successful private practice as a clinical psychologist focused on treating individuals and their families suffering from addiction and other co-occurring mental health disorders. She has also served as a strategic Clinical Consultant to a number of nationally recognized treatment centers, including Alta Mira, where she developed the founding programs. Prior to her private practice and consulting business, Dr. Lank served as the founding Primary Therapist and Clinical Leader at Bayside Marin, a high end residential addiction and dual diagnosis treatment program in the Bay Area. Before Bayside, Dr. Lank served as a Clinical Coordinator at UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute in their Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine. There her work included research, clinical coordination and oversight for a federal and state-approved pilot program for opiate replacement treatment supported by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Dr. Lank completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Langley Porter’s Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program and her Pre-Doctoral Fellowship as a Neurological Assessor and Chemical Dependency Therapist at Kaiser Permanente’s Department of Psychiatry, Chemical Dependency Recovery Program (CDRP). After completing her doctorate, she served as a Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University.

Experiential Program Manager

In his role as Experiential Program Manager, Nico combines his two true passions – a love of recovery and a love of the great outdoors.

After earning his BA at UCLA, Nico began his career in adventure travel as an international white water rafting and sea kayaking guide, a job that took him from the mountains of Colorado, down the Grand Canyon, and to far off places like New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and Patagonia. Ready to get back on dry land but never far from a trailhead, Nico returned to his home state of Connecticut to serve as Program Director at High Watch Recovery Center, a 78-bed dual-diagnosis treatment facility where he helped the team integrate the latest breakthroughs in addiction medicine into the time-tested spiritual teachings of the 12 Steps.

At Alta Mira Recovery Programs Nico collaborates with our multidisciplinary clinical team to implement and manage our therapeutic Experiential Program for individuals seeking freedom from addiction. He tailors the incredible array of activities that the Bay Area offers to meet the individual interests and abilities of our clients. With Marin’s unfettered access to breathtaking hiking and trail running, biking, sailing, surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding – not to mention equine therapy, indoor rock climbing, world class museums and sightseeing – the opportunities at our disposal are endless. Nico is committed to his own program of successful long-term recovery, and to sharing his personal journey for the benefit of our clients while providing compassionate care to everyone who walks through our door.

When he’s not out trail running, paddling or skiing, Nico is working to complete a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University.

Recovery Assistant Manager

Amy is a former school teacher who changed career paths to be able to assist those on the road to recovery. She has worked in the chemical dependency field for 3 years and is near completion of the CAADAC Program at U.C. Berkeley Extension.

As our Client Services Manager, Amy helps clients develop unique programs targeting their individual needs. Also, she oversees the Experiential Program which provides opportunities for clients to explore activities in sobriety. Amy is also a writer and the author of Secrets of a Soccer Mom.

Program Coordinator

Lucille is responsible for all client, staff and program scheduling. She meets with each client as soon as they arrive to welcome them, orient them to the schedule and explain program options. She also coordinates with all staff, contractors and workshop facilitators. Prior to joining Alta Mira, Lu worked for 15 years at University College in Cork, Ireland. There she was responsible for Human Resources in Academic Appointments. Lu earned her Business Studies Certificate at Passage West College, Cork, Ireland.

Continuing Care Coordinator

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Jonathan is a SHRM Certified Human Resources Professional, most recently employed as the Senior AmeriCorps and Human Resources Manager at SBP (formerly St. Bernard Project) in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. In his role at SBP, a rapidly expanding disaster recovery non-profit organization, he recruited extensively, standardized trainings and HR processes, and developed cultural initiatives to improve team morale and increase personal accountability across 5 affiliates.

Jonathan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of New Orleans. He has also earned a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies from UNO, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from Tulane University.

Executive Chef

Stephen Cook has been involved in the culinary world for the past 15 years. After graduating from The California School of Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Blue Pasadena, he worked for seven years at the Mission Bistro as the Chef de Cuisine under former instructor Chef Richard Hanna. He moved on to work at the Anaheim Marriott as Lead in the Banquet Kitchen, before coming to work at Alta Mira in 2013. Stephen loves being able to share his passion for food with the clients and staff at Alta Mira. He’s always loved food, and knew he wanted it to play a big part in his life. The bond between chef and patron, he says, is sacred. “Food and sharing food with others holds power, it creates comfort. Conversations and open sharing are a constant at the dinner table.” He is proud to put his culinary skills to use here, providing high-quality, delicious meals that delight and fortify clients during their stay. In his spare time, you’ll probably find Stephen at a farmers’ market or food show. When he’s not thinking about food, he also enjoys baseball, camping, snowboarding, and reading.

Director of Admissions