STAFF

Dr. Elizabeth J. Roberts, MD is the Medical Director of Pace Recovery and a board-certified psychiatrist, by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. She believes that it is important to address a person’s mental health issues to deliver effective addiction recovery care. Dr. Roberts takes a measured approach to mental health treatment. She is not the type of doctor that prescribes an abundance of sedating or dangerous psychiatric medications. Her philosophy for treating patients is to use the smallest amount of medication as possible while delivering the maximum amount of psychotherapy, exercise, good nutrition, and recovery education. She has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years. Her mission is to protect her patients from the addicting and damaging effects of over-prescribing psychiatric medications. She has published books and articles on the subject of misdiagnosing and over-medicating patients. She is the author of the book: “Should You Medicate Your Child’s Mind.” Her books brought her to the attention of a House Sub-committee that was investigating the harmful effects of psychiatric medications on children and invited her to testify in Washington DC on October 27, 2011. Dr. Roberts has also appeared on The Oprah Show, CNN, The Today Show, ABC News in Chicago, CBS News Los Angeles, and NBC News in San Francisco. She was featured as the addiction expert on the educational video; Think, Don’t Drink. Her radio appearances include Washington Post Radio, Washington D.C.; The Milt Rosenberg Show, Chicago; The Pete Wilson Show, San Francisco; Positive Parenting, San Francisco, and others. Dr. Roberts has been published in the Op-Ed pages of The Washington Post and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and quoted in publications such as the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. Dr. Roberts completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, earned her medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago, completed her adult Psychiatric Residency at the University of Hawaii and her Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Michael is a board-certified psychodrama practitioner and Certified Experiential Therapist as well as a drug and alcohol counselor. He has worked in various addiction treatment settings for over five years and has been facilitating residential and outpatient psychodrama groups for over three years. Much of his experience has been in treatment programs for women with a history of trauma as well as addictions, including eating disorders and codependency. During his training as an addictions counselor, Michael was profoundly affected by his first exposure to psychodrama—an action method based on the principle “don’t tell me, show me.” He recognized its power to create a sense of safety in groups, build deep connections among group members, unblock frozen feelings, foster creativity and spontaneity, help people embody new roles, and accelerate personal growth and transformation. Michael is especially interested in the use of experiential and somatic approaches to healing shock and relational trauma. In addition to its therapeutic benefits, Michael appreciates how the spiritual foundations and fundamental principles of psychodrama align with his engagement in 12-step recovery.

Kristi Starnes is a Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist with a specialization in Spirituality and Depth psychology. As an eclectic therapist, Kristi uses a mix of cognitive-behavioral therapy, Buddhist and Archetypal psychology, and Jungian dream analysis to assist clients in the reintegration of disowned parts of self and in the processing of historical traumas that continue to play out in their present lives. As a therapist, Kristi has worked with teens and adults suffering from addiction, mood disorders, and personality disorders. She most recently spent time working in residential treatment for adolescents with severe trauma, as well as with parents and infants in didactic therapy focusing on strengthening attachment.

Before becoming a marriage and family therapist, Kristi spent her 20’s and early 30’s working as an actor/musician, performing and teaching across the country. With an MFA in Theater, Kristi previously taught acting, voice, and movement to college students looking to reconnect to their bodies by processing psychosomatic blocks through various kinds of breathwork and release exercises. Kristi’s therapeutic style is influenced by social justice, creativity, and compassion. With a strong interest in Neuroscience, Kristi plans to become certified in Attachment-Focused EMDR and Brainspotting. Kristi holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles.

With over five years of experience working in treatment compliance and insurance coordination, Nicole is a true asset to both Rising Roads Recovery staff and the family members of clients. Her tremendous knowledge and compassion arm her in her role as advocate for our clients and their families with the insurance companies. Nicole’s goal is to help families feel comfortable and secure in their decision to pursue treatment, and she strives to make the insurance and financial process as stress-free as possible. Nicole is also responsible for our licensure and compliance, ensuring Rising Road Recovery up to date with all city and state regulations.

Jordan is a native of Seattle, Washington. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business. After earning his degree, Jordan worked in business development and sales in industries including software and international product sourcing. While in college, Jordan began an 8-year battle with alcoholism and addiction that affected every aspect of his life. After getting sober in 2011, Jordan discovered a passion for helping people struggling with addiction find recovery. He began as an intern and rose to Chief Development Officer at a well-known men’s extended aftercare program. Jordan is delighted to further his work with women’s extended care. After experiencing the benefits of long term recovery first hand, he believes that if an addict learns to love her life in recovery, anything is possible.