Robert Pfeifer, MSW - Founder & Managing Member
Mindi Levins-Pfeifer, LCSW - Executive Director
Robert and Mindi have a combined 40 years experience working with adolescents and young adults, as well as developing, overseeing and managing programs in the health services and education fields. They have both performed in executive, management and direct service roles. Their professional careers began while working in Hollywood, California for non-profit agencies that focused on adolescents and young adults. For Mindi and Robert, Sober College is a labor of love, second only to their marriage of eleven years and two children.
Loree Cohen, LCSW -Clinical Director
Loree Cohen comes to Sober College with over 25 years experience in the Addictions and Mental Health fields, specializing in Chemical Dependency and Co-Ocurring Disorders within the young adult and adolescent populations. Loree, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, received her Masters Degree from USC in 1983 and continued at UCLA for post-graduate work.
Loree has a rich and varied background and has successfully performed as a Program Director and Case Management Coordinator for facilities including Pine Grove Hospital, San Fernando Adult Health Care Center, North Hollywood Hospital and the Pacific Lodge Boys Home. Other titles she has carried include Director of Social Services, Psychiatric Evaluations Consultant, Therapist and Medical and Psychiatric Social Worker. Loree was most recently employed as the Clinical Director at Tarzana Treatment Center where she oversaw a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and medical professionals.
As a result of her love for women's issues and in her spare time, Loree has been actively involved in facilitating survivor, addiction and self esteem groups specifically for women. She has a patient and normalizing presence which benefits both staff and residents. Sober College feels lucky to have such an experienced professional on board.
Brian Brekke, L.A.C, President - Sober College University
Brian's combination of enthusiasm and professional experience is the ideal combination for the Sober College experience and young adults with substance abuse issues. Brian is a Licensed Addictions Counselor and a standing member of the United States Parachutist Association. As the President of Sober College University, Brian is responsible for the development of strategic relationships, creation of college and high school curriculum, family therapy programming, and a professional training series.
In addition to being a founding member of the Sober College team and working as the Director of Operations since its creation Brian was the builder and the architect of Sober College and its programming for the first 18 months of business. Under his direction Sober College secured the foundation of its core business model, developed its therapeutic programming, and developed a family therapy program.
Brian has been involved in the treatment industry his entire life. His family owns and operates Wilderness Treatment Center since its inception 22 years ago. Wilderness Treatment Center is a 12-step based wilderness treatment program for men ages 14-24. Brian served in many roles since 1997 including Wilderness Instructor, Primary Counselor, Outreach Coordinator and Director of Referral Relations. Brian grew up on the ranch since the tender age of 4, having 38 Drug Addict and Alcoholic big brothers his entire life.
Combined with all this experience, Brian has also completed graduate college level work for his M.A. in Counseling Psychology. Brian's undergrad degree is in Psychology and he graduated from the Montana West School of Addiction Studies Program while obtaining his Licensed Addiction Counselor certification. Brian is currently completing coursework towards his MBA with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.
He has been a guest lecturer on Adolescent Behavior Health with the Ben Franklin Summit for Excellence series, Progress Valley Networking Association, and South Texas Independent Outpatient Programs. He is the Keynote speaker for the Sober College Family programs.
In his free time you will find Brian traveling to different drop zones across the country with friends to skydive and find adventure. Brian currently has over 700 skydives and is always planning his next trip.
Bruce Stark, MD, Physician
Bruce Stark, M.D. brings a great combination of professional expertise, enthusiastic energy and a down-to-earth manner that makes him ideal for the Sober College environment. Special interests include medical treatment and evaluation of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and all aspects of preventative health care. An avid surfer, skateboarder and guitar player, Dr. Stark is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and also a Diplomate with the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a Graduate of the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 1990. He has 12 years experience in private practice and did his Residency Training in Internal Medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Stark is a specialist in non-invasive cardiac testing, headache management and substance abuse while he spends most of his time treating a wide variety of illnesses. These include treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, weight loss, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, preventative health care and cancer screening. Dr. Stark is committed to treating all aspects of a patient's health, physiological and psychological.
Dr. Stark is married and enjoys spending his spare time surfing, playing guitar and coaching his daugter's T-Ball team. Dr. Stark also speaks Spanish.
Rebecca Reyes, MD, Psychiatrist
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Reyes made the move to Los Angeles after graduation from the Chicago Medical School, and began her study of Psychiatry at the UCLA/SFV Residency Training Program, where she served as Chief Resident of the Consultation-Liaison Outpatient Service. She gained invaluable experience in the treatment of mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as eating disorders during her residency. Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Reyes ran the psychiatric intensive care unit at Vista Del Mar Hospital in Ventura, California for several years before leaving to open her private practice in Calabasas. The countless hours on the High Intensity, Adolescent, and Dual Diagnosis/Detox and Partial Hospitalization units proved invaluable to her well-rounded experience in addiction medicine. Never one to turn down a challenge, Dr. Reyes, along with her husband, enrolled at Southwestern University School of Law a year ago. She is currently a second year student and member of the nationally renowned Moot Court Honors Program, which she was invited to join after receiving the Cali Award for academic excellence by earning the highest score in her Legal Analysis and Writing class last year. After graduation, Dr. Reyes plans to continue practicing Psychiatry while also engaging in tort reform and medical malpractice law.
Both Dr. Reyes and her husband enjoy spending free time with their three young children, and can be found any given Saturday enjoying the outdoors or exploring the community. An avid artist and former Art Major, Dr. Reyes has continued to cultivate her artwork as a means to relax and unwind after a long day at the office, and she enjoys displaying it at her Calabasas office.
Gabrielle Pelicci, Ph.D. - Academic Director
Gabrielle Pelicci, Ph.D. is passionate about working with young adults and people with addictions. She has extensive background in the healing and teaching professions. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Masters degree in Education at Teachers College Columbia University and a Doctoral Degree in the Humanities with a focus on Integrative Medicine. Gabrielle has over a thousand hours of training in holistic healing modalities including several forms of Massage Therapy and Yoga Therapy. She has also traveled to Asia, Africa, India, Mexico, South America and Europe to study different cultural approaches to healing. During her undergraduate studies, Gabrielle worked as a counselor for children and adults with developmental disabilities. During graduate school, Gabrielle worked as an academic tutor and a Communications Assistant at Teach for America. After finishing her Masters Degree, she worked as Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the US Department of Education in Washington, DC. Since 2001, she has been working as an independent consultant and instructor for high-end treatment centers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, wellness centers and private clients.
When she's not working, Gabrielle is on her sailboat, reading poetry, visiting a museum or dancing with friends. She believes that life is an adventure and should be enjoyed to the fullest. Gabrielle is excited to be part of the Sober College family.
Nazanin Fathi, M.A., Therapist
Nazanin Fathi brings youth, energy and years of experience to Sober College as our Women's Primary Counselor. Nazanin has a Bachelors Degree in Biology, Women's Studies and Education from the University of California, Los Angeles as well as a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. Naz is currently in her second year of obtaining her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of ,Los Angeles. She has experience working in the Peace Corp, Women's Trauma Centers, and Tarzana Treatment Center, as well as school sites and private rehabilitation centers.
Kristine Spencer, Admissions Director
Kristine joins Sober College with an extensive background in office management, administration and project planning. Having previously worked in the real estate, finance and graphic design industries, Kristine has ascertained that true success and fulfillment is achieved through offering compassion and understanding at the service level, especially to other young adults as they discover and "trudge the Road of Happy Destiny" in recovery.
Kristine is working towards a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and aspires to earn a Masters Degree in Architecture and Art History. In her free time, Kristine enjoys going to the gym, cooking, writing and hanging out at the local remote control airplane field. Above all else, Kristine is dedicated to the 12-step lifestyle and extending her experience, strength and hope to those who share this amazing journey.
Ken Niemann, Fitness Director
A native of Pennsylvania, Ken received his bachelors degree in biology from Pepperdine University where he served as the captain of an intercollegiate Lacrosse team. After working nearly a decade as a nuclear and biochemist at places such as UCLA and Amgen, he returned to school to receive his Doctor of Chiropractic degree and M.A.s in Bioethics and Communications. He is National Academy of Sports Medicine and Emergency Medical Technician certified and remains active by playing and coaching Lacrosse, doing triathlons, and working as a private trainer and spin instructor. Ken is also president of The California Center for Fitness and Functional Medicine, an evidence-based health and fitness company that serves a role in consumer advocacy.
Rick Macrory, CCDC, Program Director
Rick Macrory is a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor with the California Certification Board of Chemical Dependency Counselors. He has experience as a Case Manager and facilitator in other treatment facilities, and has a thorough knowledge of the 12-step program and how it works for recovery as well as life. A native of Southern California, Rick attended Point Loma College in San Diego, CA. where he studied Business Administration and excelled in basketball and baseball for the school teams.
In addition to his studies, Rick has worked on many professional levels, from construction to top sales positions, as well as real estate and mortgage experience. More than that, Rick brings to Sober College his own real life experiences and street knowledge from his 20-year battle with drug addiction, which led to broken family relationships, attending treatment facilities, and eventually spending 4 years incarceration because of drug addiction. Rick has been sober for 7 years.
Rick's strengths are his genuine love, care, and concern for young adults who struggle with addiction, as well as helping his clients find meaning and purpose in their lives. He has a unique ability to build trusting relationships that allow him to mentor and counsel, not only through words, but also by sharing and experiencing fun activities in sobriety with these young adults.
Rick's hobbies include working out, playing all types of sports, and in addition he is a devoted Los Angeles Lakers fan. Rick is very spiritual and thanks God daily for all the ways he has been blessed. He accepts as a blessing that he has the opportunity to work and help make a difference in the lives of young adults.
DaMarcus Morton, Primary Counselor
Coming from a background where success was simply a word on a motivational poster, DaMarcus has overcome his own adversities. DaMarcus was introduced to social services at the early age of 12 where he participated in Say Yes To Tennis Inc., a drug prevention program focused on teaching tennis. After participating in this program for 6 years, he began working for this program as a mentor/tennis instructor. DaMarcus took a break from the social service arena to focus on his education so that he could return to the work he loved with more knowledge and education. DaMarcus received his degree in Criminal Justice in 2001. DaMarcus has since used this education not for punitive means, but for empowerment. With the goal of one day creating his own program, he began gaining experience in the different populations of social services, ranging from the homeless population, abused and run-a-way youth, youth involved in the justice system, mental treatment and now, drug and alcohol treatment.
DaMarcus attends Pierce College where he is currently working on obtaining his CDP in the field. DaMarcus comes to us here at Sober College from Tarzana Treatment Centers where he also worked with the youth population. DaMarcus is our Lead Counselor for the Apartment Program where he works to assist the residents with developing independent living skills.
Sarah Vick, Primary Counselor
Sarah has extensive background in the healing profession and experience working with youth. Sarah has spent a large part of her life expressing herself through dance, painting and music. Her natural artistic ability was stifled while she was as an addict. Although she traveled extensively, it was not until Sarah got sober that she found herself. The recovery process led her to become an active member in AA and also sparked her interest in the healing arts as a massage therapist. Currently, Sarah is enrolled in college working towards a degree in Somatic Psychology. Her background allows her to connect with a wide range of experiences and offer nonjudgmental support as positive role model to the residents at Sober College.
Don Duitz, M.A., Residential Staff
Don has extensive life experience which offers a rounded understanding of people. He graduated UCLA and spent years in wholesale, retail and service businesses. While moving around within careers, it was as a direct result of raising his family of five children, he realized that his fulfillment came from helping others. He then began his training at VBS Counseling Center which led him to earn his Masters Degree in counseling at Cal State Northridge. Don has been associated with the VBS Counseling center for over 20 years leading groups in relationship and communication skills as well as individual counseling.
His experience also includes counseling at a drug and rehabilitation hospital which housed dual diagnosis patients. He used poetry and role playing and reality training to help patients to connect to themselves and find self assurance. He also worked as a Therapeutic Behavior Specialist setting up programs to be facilitated by their community resources such as teachers, clergy and family.
Don is a native of Los Angeles. His interests vary from health and fitness, hiking, tennis, and meditation. He believes that part of the spiritual process to recovery is to fill the inner vacuum with contentment and purpose.
Annika Richards, Director of Marketing
Annika is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley, where she received her Bachelors Degree from the school of Geographical Sciences. Following graduation, Annika worked in the marketing department of various companies, including General Motors. Her previous experience also includes a role overseeing the John Casablanca School in Beverly Hills, California. Annika has over two years experience in various organizations in youth drug prevention and education and specifically within the addictions field and has a strong passion to help those struggling with substance abuse and low self esteem issues. In her spare time Annika enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics..
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