Caring Staff

Restore features a multidisciplinary team of certified addiction treatment professionals, psychiatrists, licensed therapists, interventionists and coaches that staff our world-class treatment centers and living quarters. Our goal is to help those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders achieve lasting recovery. We like to say our job is removing any barrier that is in the way of clients getting better!

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Nicholas Russi
Executive Director

Nicholas, our Executive Director, has worked in the substance abuse and mental health field for the last 19 years. He is personally motivated and driven by his own life experiences, and almost two decades of Substance Abuse work, to provide the highest level of client care to those we serve. Nicholas joined the Restore Health and Wellness team in 2021, and since that time has worked with the team to create a safe and healing environment for those we serve here at Restore. His desire to help people live a substance free life, free from the grips of addictive disorders and crippling mental health problems, has become his life work and a passion that he commits himself to day in and day out. Today Nick oversees all departments at Restore Health and Wellness, and he is excited to create a community here that inspires growth and promotes healing. He currently holds licensure in the state of California as a licensed AOD counselor and certified clinical supervisor.

John R. Mulvey LCSW
Clinical Director

John R. Mulvey LCSW, has been licensed in California since 1993. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he completed his B.A in Psychology, and was awarded Honors in the Psychology Major. He is also a graduate of U.C.L.A. where he completed his MSW. John has been helping clients for almost 30 years. He has facilitated groups and individual therapy and has supervised interns. The clients John has served have consistently given him positive reviews for his therapy groups and individual work. John was nominated for Supervisor of the Year by one of his student interns. He has managed in-patient and out-patient programs and provided clinical leadership to a variety of treatment programs over many years. “I am proud to be a member of the Restore Health and Wellness team,” John says. “It is obvious that every member of this organization practices the same principles we teach our clients in recovery.” John’s approach to treatment and program development is to help clients feel less shame, cultivate hope and develop skills. “This is often just the beginning of one’s lifelong journey to wholeness. We need to listen carefully, individualize care, and honor the uniqueness and courage of all those who come to us for help.”

Dr. Akashdeep Gill, MD
Medical Director Psychiatrist

Dr. Akashdeep Gill is a board certified psychiatrist practicing in the Los Angeles area specializing in both addiction and general psychiatry. He has had the opportunity to train and practice in multiple clinical settings across the Los Angeles area including UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Olive View County Hospital and the Veteran Affairs medical centers. Personally, he has worked with and feels comfortable with patients from a variety of backgrounds and history.

His beliefs reflect his understanding that mental illness and addiction can be extremely difficult and painful. He acknowledges and understands that not everyone is the same and that a comprehensive diagnosis and flexible treatment plan are important to successful recovery. He believes in comprehensive care with a focus on the integration of evidence based pharmacology and psychotherapy specific to patient needs. Currently he works with Restore Health and Wellness Center as the staff psychiatrist.

Following graduation from Kent State University, he received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. He then completed his Psychiatry Residency at the UCLA – San Fernando Valley Program and graduated from the UCLA – Cedars Sinai Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship.

Greg Gibson
Program Director

Greg Gibson earned a Diploma as an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialist from Stratford Career Institute and went on to complete his Alcohol and Drug Studies Specialist II at Palo Verde College. Greg earned his AA degree in social and Behavioral Science from Coastline College. He has been actively involved in facilitating a Cognitive-Behavioral Relapse Prevention program for over 20 years where he interviewed and assessed applicants, developed lesson plans, and provided hands-on exercises in peer pressure, anger management, low self-image, negative emotional states, and boredom as precursors to relapse and provided coping skills to overcome them. Before working in treatment, Greg work with a Youth Diversion Program called Beyond Incarceration, where he provided one-on-one and group counseling for at-risk youth. Greg has also worked with a San Juaquin County Judge, and former Correctional Officer in a program called “Choices and Consequences” at several schools in a DUI court program across California. Greg has over 24 years of recovery and working with others who struggle with addiction is his passion. “Helping others heal the wounds from their past and assisting them in finding meaningful and lasting ways to deal with their struggles without the use of substances brings meaning and value to my life. Restore Health and Wellness LLC. Provides me that that opportunity.”

Aliza Vayngurt

Aliza completed her undergraduate degree at The University of San Francisco in 2014, with a major in Political Science. After school, she had her own experiences and exposure to the world of Addiction and Substance Abuse, and she discovered her passion when given the opportunity to work in the field and help other addicts like herself. She joined the Restore Health and Wellness Team in 2021 because she wanted to help people find the same solace that she had found in her own recovery. Ms. Vayngurt has been working in the Substance Abuse field for three years and is currently working towards becoming a Certified AOD Counselor. Before her role as The Director of Operations, she had the opportunity to explore various areas within the industry including but not limited to Case Management, Compliance, and current Operations. She is avidly working towards expanding her knowledge and experience in treatment. She states, “When I was in the grips of this disease I couldn’t see a way out, and that kept me sick and hopeless, but I want to let other people suffering from this disease know that there is a way out and there are people willing to help them find their hope again”.

Joshua Rood
Therapist

Joshua has experience working with substance abuse clients since 2014 from Los Angeles' Union Rescue Mission (URM) in Skid Row. Joshua started as an intern responsibilities with enrollment for homeless clients and support in their sobriety and drug rehab program. He was hired in May 2015 to both assess clients enroll and support through case management needs. Joshua also was responsible for undergraduate and graduate intern oversight in the client intake office and marketing department. After URM in 2017, Joshua enrolled as a Master's of Social Work student at University of Southern California's Suzanne Dworak School of Social Work. His program facilitated work opportunities in senior services non-profits in the Los Angeles area. These responsibilities were care for hospice clients, bereavement support (Los Angeles Home For The Aged); social services in-home care, Claims Conference for Holocaust survivors, and Adult Protective Services (Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles). Both of these opportunities provided program development experience, client care in quality assurance, and therapeutic experience and techniques in grief, loss, and bereavement, Motivational Interview, Problem Solving Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In 2019, Joshua completed his Master's of Social Work degree and registered as an associate of clinical social worker in the state of California. Joshua has been with Restore Health and Wellness since September 2019.

Beth Farar
Therapist/ Family Specialist

Beth Farar is a California Native, a Lover Of Life and a Creator of Positivity all while helping others become the best versions of themselves mentally, physically and spiritually. Graduating from Cal State Northridge in 1992 as a Radio TV Film Major, she became a Newscaster in Malibu and other surrounding areas. Shortly after, she began acting and participating in theatre where she truly enjoyed participating in plays throughout the early and mid 90’s.

In 1998, she received her Masters in Psychotherapy at Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, California. Beth has helped thousands of people over the years in Addiction Treatment.

She started her career as a therapist counseling children in various Public Schools in the San Fernando Valley, but her true passion was working in Drug and Alcohol Rehab with those suffering from Substance Dependence. Beth doesn’t just treat the client, but treats the entire family as a whole. Beth believes that people suffering from unresolved trauma and the inability to tolerate those painful feelings is what leads them to drugs and alcohol.

As an experiential therapist, Beth often uses nature to do Grief and Loss Exercises for clients who are suffering from the loss of a loved one through a divorce, death, emotional cut off, or loss of self. Helping clients identify their desires which empowers them to make positive and healthy changes in their lives. Her approach is compassionate, direct, and nonjudgmental all while helping clients feel safe in their recovery process.

Two years ago, Beth became a Health and Wellness Coach and now helps people become healthy from the inside out. She feels that you can’t have a healthy mind without a healthy body and you can’t have a healthy body without a healthy mind.

Beth loves dogs, music, ocean, travel, cooking healthy, eating clean and lots and lots of laughter.

Jeffrey Lynch
Lead Case Manager

Jeffrey Lynch is a CADC II certified drug and alcohol counselor in the state of California. Jeffrey credits his success largely due to his exploration into mindfulness. Learning to live in the present moment was a powerful tool in helping propel him in his own recovery. He is currently enrolled in UCLA’s Training and Mindfulness Facilitation Program, after completing the Intensive Practice Program. It is his hope to acquire as many tools as possible to give back to others, especially those within the recovery community, or simply those who wish for the freedom he has found within his own practice. He currently serves his community by leading weekly Mindful Fullness Relapse Prevention sessions and providing One on One Mindfulness teachings with clients.

Sarah Roleter
Case Manager

Sarah began her recovery career with Restore in 2018 and received her RADT. Sarah started as a Behavioral Health Technician and moved up to a Lead Technician and Shift Supervisor before becoming a Case Manager. Sarah is a great example of what you can achieve with hard work. Sarah is dedicated to Restore’s mission and client recovery. Her love and passion for helping others is what drives her. Sarah also has worked with California’s homeless population and at a Domestic Violence Shelter. "I feel very fortunate to have a purpose today, I love my Job and am so grateful to be a part of the Restore Team and their purpose."

Lawrence Barragan
Case Manager

A North Carolina native, Lawrence relocated to the Los Angeles area after completing treatment at Restore in 2018. Returning to Restore in 2020 as a Behavioral Health Technician, Lawrence then moved into position as Intake coordinator, before becoming a Case Manager. Having already obtained his RADT, he is currently pursuing his CADC and Associates in Addiction Studies at Los Angeles Pierce College. Active in the local recovery community, he has come to see LA as home. Passionate about sharing the gifts of recovery, Lawrence has worked with many who suffer from addiction, encouraging them to "trust the process". He believes in a mind, body, soul approach and has a philosophy of changing everything from the ground up. This approach encourages therapy, regular exercise, and 12 step support groups.

Jeff Rothman
Case Manager

Jeff started his journey with Restore Health and wellness as a technician. He has now taken on the position of case manager. Jeff enjoys helping clients find their passion and guide them through their own journey of recovery. Jeff brings empathy to his clients and meets them where they are at when assessing their needs.

Rick Hagaman
Recoveryfit

Rick Hagaman has provided his elite fitness and wellness services to individuals and corporate groups since 2006. He has utilized this success and experience along with over 18 years of active recovery to create the Recoveryfit program. “Early on, I was lucky enough to realize just how essential fitness and exercise was to my recovery. Sometimes it was the only thing between me and a drink. I developed this unique program in an effort to share the gift of fitness with others suffering from addiction who are searching for tools to stay clean and sober.

Recoveryfit is an expertly crafted group fitness program presented in alignment with the 12 Steps and 12 principles of recovery. This innovative program elevates the emotional well-being of clients through exercise; consequently, increasing the chances of long-term recovery from addiction. Recoveryfit centers on the often-neglected PHYSICAL COMPONENT of recovery by providing the valuable tool of fitness to people struggling through the early months of the recovery process.

Safe and effective exercise is universally beneficial for all who do it; however, Recoveryfit’s comprehensive fitness program is especially beneficial to those individuals recovering from addiction:

Produces endorphins (similar to drugs)
Partially replaces cravings for drugs and alcohol
Exercise may reduce withdrawal symptoms
One can start developing healthy habits to replace ones which have been destructive
Feel better and look better; increasing your self esteem
If I have low self-esteem, my mind tells me I might as well drink
Exercise can slow down the alcoholic mind for a period of time
Creates a special bond and camaraderie within the group

Clients experience recovery at the physical level through this one-of-a-kind exercise program, creating a paradigm shift not only for recovery, but also for fitness and exercise.

Dan Surico
National Outreach Director

Dan Surico was born and raised in Long Island, New York. After his own personal struggles with addiction, Dan relocated to across the country to start his journey through recovery in 2013. Over the past seven years, Dan has gained a well-rounded background in a variety of facets in the treatment industry including sober living management, admissions, community outreach and national account management. Dan joined the Restore Health and Wellness Center family in 2020 with the title of National Outreach Director. His goal is to assist those suffering from this disease and their families in any way he can.

Donny Barth
Director of Admission

With 10 years of personal recovery and 7 years of industry experience, Donny is a strong believer in the transformative nature of sound clinical treatment experience. Donny struggled with substance abuse through high school, college, and afterward, putting his family and loved ones through unimaginable stress for years. Today Donny has a passion for educating families and loved ones of the co-occurring struggles that addicts and alcoholics face, as well as addressing and coaching them through codependent relationships to help empower loved ones to draw healthy boundaries and set up a path for long term success. Donny believes real success stems from addressing underlying issues- that substance abuse disorders are merely a symptom of a larger problem, and that access to quality clinical care is the foundation of that recovery.

Natanya Ross
Southern California Outreach

Natanya has been working in the field of addiction for the last 12 years. Natanya brings enthusiasm and dedication to her work that is unparalleled to many we have seen. Through her kindness and warmth, she has the ability to connect with clients and their families on a level where they can relate to her story, and feel safe with her guiding them through the process of entering treatment. Natanya started at a very young age as a child actress and through her struggle in her own addiction found a passion for working in the field of treatment. At Restore, Natanya approaches her job with compassion and love and tries to always come from the heart space that has allowed her the opportunity to help as many people as possible. In Natanya’s own personal life she is an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and sponsors many people in that community and well as being the founder of San Fernando Valley's Feed The Homeless which is a service organization that provides hope and a meal to those suffering and in need. As of 2018 Natanya serves on the executive board of WAAT (women’s association of addiction treatment) as the director of social media and co-founded the Golden Thread Women’s empowerment group. Natanya continues to strive towards growing with Restore and strengthening her skills not only as the Southern California Outreach representative but as a member of the Restore community.