LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
Thomas Isbell
Co-Founder and CEO
Thomas’ passion for recovery is hard to miss. His vision and commitment to high-quality treatment drive the mission at Sabino Recovery.
Before joining Sabino Recovery Thomas served as founding director of The Pat Green Foundation, successfully raising millions of dollars for charity. He worked as a financial advisor for Seamless Capital, an Austin-based real estate company and has traveled the country as a motivational speaker. In recovery since 2010, Thomas has also served as a life coach and manager of a sober living home.
Pat Manley
Co-founder
Pat’s background in recovery spans 22 years. He serves as Executive Director and CEO of Hedrick House in Tucson, Arizona and is co-founder and CEO of Southwest Sober Living in Tucson, Arizona. His wealth of experience includes interventions with Hightower & Associates, a network of sober living houses and recovery facilities based in California.
Sober since 1990, he brings a unique perspective to Sabino Recovery. A US Army veteran, Pat studied psychology at the University of Arizona and has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since the 1980s. He also serves on the Navy Seal Legacy Advisory Board.
Peggy A. Holt, LPC, CTRS, EAGALA, BCC
Clinical Director
Peggy has 25 years of clinical experience working with substance use disorders and mental illness. She has provided program development as well as individual and group therapy for survivors of catastrophic events, Native American families, adults in prison and for at-risk youth. Most recently she worked at a residential treatment center where she helped develop their trauma and mood program and served as the primary therapist.
She is an accomplished and sought-after speaker and has lectured at Fortune 500 companies, national industry conferences, and internationally at the annual EAGALA conference in Australia. Peggy is the co-author of The Everest Principle, a book on peak performance.
Peggy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is trained in hypnosis, equine therapy, therapeutic recreation, biofeedback, and EMDR. She brings to Sabino Recovery a wealth of experience, breathtakingly positive energy and focused desire to help others.
Dawn Bantel, ND, CEDS
Medical Director
Dr. Bantel received her doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She previously served as Medical Director at Mirasol, a residential eating disorder center for adults and teens. In addition to having operated her own naturopathic family practice, Dr. Bantel is also recognized as a distinguished national speaker on the subject of medical management of eating disorders.
Kim Anderson Greenwood, MS, PMHNP
Psychiatric Provider
Kim is a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who has practiced in Arizona for over twenty years in all areas of mental health. He has broad and deep experience in therapy and medication management having served at acute, residential, and outpatient treatment centers. Kim has provided evaluation, diagnosis, medication and pain management, and cognitive behavioral therapy treatment for those with addictions, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders and many co-occurring disorders. Kim has also worked extensively with rural and Native American populations throughout Arizona. His treatment modalities focus on Mind, Body, and Spirit incorporating integrative therapy in all treatment plans.
Greenwood is a specialist in acupuncture detoxification and is a clinical hypnotherapist with a long list of honors and awards.
Andréa Copeland, Professional Counseling, BCIA Affiliate
Neurotherapist
Andréa has 7 years of experience in qEEG guided neurofeedback, both in private practice and residential treatment settings. Her expertise comes from working with individuals diagnosed with eating disorders and a history of trauma. She also has extensive experience in neurofeedback training for individuals affected by addictions, sleep disturbances, obsessive-compulsive thought patterns, attention issues, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Andréa is also a Registered Yoga Instructor certified in Hatha Yoga and Yoga Hour, with experience teaching Meditation + Pranayama, and Yoga Nidra with guided imagery. Andrea’s passion, skills, and dedication are a driving force to always seek out the latest evidence-based research and neuro-therapeutic training to improve the overall quality of life for Sabino Recovery Residents.
Marty Christensen, MA, MCAP, CAMSII, CSAT-C
Lead Primary Therapist
Marty brings to Sabino Recovery a unique blend of gentleness, passion for recovery, life experience, recovery experience, education, and work-related experience. Marty earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
Marty’s work experience includes The Veterans Administration (VA), Hazelden Betty Ford, Sierra Tucson, and The Hanley Center, as well as work in a correctional facility and outpatient settings. Marty sees his role as primary therapist as an honor to be of service to those who struggle, having experienced the loving gift of recovery from those who modeled the role of recovery and set the bar high for client care.
Robin Memel Fox, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Family Program & Primary Therapist
Robin has been working in the field of healing and mental health for over 25 years. Before joining Sabino Recovery, she worked as a Clinician and Program Manager for family services at Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. She has extensive experience working with childhood and adult trauma, PTSD, relationship/sexuality issues, domestic abuse, eating disorders and co-occurring mood disorders and addiction.
Robin is also passionate about the healing power of dance, movement, and mindfulness that integrates the body/mind/spirit. She received her MA in Somatic Psychology/Dance/Movement Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Robin is trained in EMDR, is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, and a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Robin brings humor, authenticity, warmth, and compassion to her work with clients and to her team, and is grateful to be a part of Sabino Recovery. She feels honored to work alongside the residents and staff in supporting the healing process and journey to recovery.
Robin Green, MSW, LMSW, CCTS-I
Primary Therapist
Robin comes to Sabino Recovery from CODAC Health, Recovery & Wellness in Tucson where she was a therapist at the Women’s Services site. She worked with women struggling with addiction, trauma, grief, and domestic abuse. Many of her clients had lost custody of their children and were working to get them back home. She also worked as a Patient Advocate at another residential center in Tucson.
She received her degree from Arizona State University and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I). This certification focuses on skills to treat those suffering from PTSD and anxiety disorders.
Robin approaches her work with a compassionate, calm and empowering approach, providing mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-care tools to residents.
Kris Williams, LMSW, EGALA, CFTP
Intensive Outpatient Program – Primary Therapist
Kris brings decades of therapeutic experience with families, children, and adults to Sabino Recovery. She has extensive experience working with those suffering from trauma, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Her experience includes working with the Native American population, social and counseling agencies, families, school systems, and drug rehab facilities.
Kris is passionate about bringing the healing powers of animals to the therapeutic process and is EAGALA certified as well as certified in animal-assisted therapy. She and her therapy dog have volunteered countless hours at homeless shelters, with autistic students, and at schools.
Kris received her Masters in Social Work at Arizona State University.
Cassandra Dick, BSN, RN
Nursing Director
Cassandra is a Registered Nurse specializing in behavioral health. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Northern Colorado in 2011. Since obtaining her degree, Cassandra has devoted herself to a career assisting those struggling with addictions, mental illness, and behavioral disorders.
Prior to her employment at Sabino Recovery, Cassandra acted as the lead nurse of an adolescent unit at an inpatient behavioral health hospital in Colorado. Cassandra then obtained a job as a traveling nurse and moved to Arizona where she began work at various behavioral health treatment centers around the Tucson area.
Cassandra’s favorite aspect of her work here at Sabino Recovery is getting to take part in the collaborative effort to mend broken, shattered lives into healthy, vibrant souls.
Anita B. Rankin, MA, ATR, CPT
Art and Poetry Therapist
Anita is a registered art therapist and certified poetry therapist specializing in trauma treatment with adults. She has worked in various inpatient and outpatient settings including The Center: Posttraumatic Disorders Program in Washington, DC, Capital Area Crisis Response Team – National Organization for Victim Assistance, DC Rape Crisis Center, and a federal correction facility.
She has taught art therapy and trauma treatment classes in the graduate program at George Washington University. In addition to publishing articles in professional journals, she is co-author of Managing Traumatic Stress through Art. In her work at Sabino Recovery, Anita integrates theories and practices from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, acceptance-commitment, and compassion-focused therapies; as well as mindfulness, positive psychology, and current research in neuroscience and creativity.
Anita received her master’s degree in expressive arts therapies from Lesley University.
Barbara Rose Gaynor, CLC
Counselor
Prior to joining Sabino Recovery, Barbara spent eight years as a counselor in a nationally recognized residential mental health facility. She was an educator at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in New York, the state’s only independent specialty children’s hospital, dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of children with complex medical illnesses and conditions.
After training as a Transitional Life Coach, Barbara Rose spent a decade supporting people going through change and worked with homeless youth and inner-city students. Barbara brings a compassionate perspective to Sabino Recovery, using a variety of modalities to help patients heal through therapy, lectures, and education.
As a 30-year resident of Tucson, Barbara recognizes the healing nature of the desert Southwest and believes strongly in the mission of Sabino Recovery.
Gerald Whitehawk, MA, BA (Hons)
Esotherapist™
Gerald uses Esotherapy® to turn treatment into stable, lasting transformations. His therapy is centered on esoteric wisdom. He works individually and in groups, for issues ranging from trauma and chemical/sexual addictions to codependency, mood, and eating disorders.
Previously, Gerald worked as a residential therapist at Sierra Tucson, where he provided individual and group therapy to patients with addictions, trauma, mood and thought disorders. Before that he worked as a Level 4 Registered Counselor (LPC equivalent) in Queensland, Australia.
Gerald graduated with highest honors in psychology and religious studies from the University of California at Davis. He also obtained an M.A. in integrative religious studies and has studied Clinical Hypnotherapy and NLP.
Blake Serpa
Vice President, Outreach
Blake has 6 years of professional outreach and sales experience in the technology and behavioral health fields. He has experience in community outreach and has lead a regional outreach team. Most recently Blake served as National Outreach Trainer for Lakeview Health.
Serpa graduated with a degree in Business Administration from The University of Mississippi. During his time in Mississippi, Blake lost his sister Brittney Rose to bipolar and suicide. In response, Blake and his family created The Britt Rose Foundation, which donates all proceeds to mental health education and prevention.
Since the loss of his sister, Blake has dedicated himself to supporting families and individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues to find quality assessment and treatment.
When Blake isn’t working he is on the golf course or spending time with his soon-to-be wife Megan.
