New Existence Recovery clinical team
Our Dedicated Team

Healing Guided by
Experience & Compassion

Our board-certified specialists and licensed therapists bring decades of combined expertise in addiction medicine, trauma-informed care, and holistic wellness.

25+

Years Combined Experience

100%

Board Certified Staff

6:1

Patient-to-Staff Ratio

98%

Family Satisfaction Rate

Our Clinical Team

Meet Our Clinical Team

At New Existence Recovery, our clinical team represents the highest standard of addiction treatment expertise. Every member of our staff holds advanced credentials in their respective fields, with specialized training in evidence-based addiction treatment modalities, trauma-informed care, and dual diagnosis treatment. Our team includes board-certified addiction psychiatrists, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), certified addiction counselors (CADCs), registered nurses with addiction specialty certifications, and holistic wellness practitioners.

What sets our team apart is not just their credentials, but their genuine commitment to patient care and their personal understanding of the recovery journey. Many of our clinicians have personal or family experience with addiction, bringing both professional expertise and authentic empathy to their work. This combination creates a treatment environment where patients feel truly understood, not judged. Our staff participates in ongoing continuing education, attends national conferences on addiction medicine, and stays current with the latest research in neuroscience, pharmacology, and therapeutic interventions.

Our clinical philosophy centers on collaborative, individualized care. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all treatment protocol, our team conducts comprehensive assessments and creates personalized treatment plans that address each patient's unique history, co-occurring mental health conditions, trauma background, family dynamics, and recovery goals. We believe that lasting recovery requires treating the whole person—addressing not just the addiction itself, but the underlying pain, trauma, and life circumstances that contributed to substance use. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of a patient's well-being is considered and addressed throughout their treatment journey.

Our Team's Core Competencies:

Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment Protocols
Trauma-Informed Care & EMDR Therapy
Dual Diagnosis & Co-Occurring Disorders
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Family Systems Therapy
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention
LGBTQ+ Affirming Care Practices
Military & Veteran-Specific Treatment
Holistic & Integrative Wellness Approaches
Leadership

Clinical Leadership

Our leadership team sets the standard for compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment at New Existence Recovery.

Dylan Walker - Chief Executive Officer at New Existence Recovery

CEO

Dylan Walker

Chief Executive Officer

Leadership & Strategic Vision

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Chief Executive Officer

Dylan Walker

CEO

Dylan Walker founded New Existence Recovery with a vision to transform addiction treatment through compassionate, evidence-based care. With a deep commitment to helping individuals and families heal, he has built a team of exceptional professionals and created a treatment environment that prioritizes dignity, respect, and lasting recovery. His leadership philosophy centers on innovation, clinical excellence, and treating every client as family.

Nicholas Risse - Executive Director at New Existence Recovery

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nicholas Risse

Executive Director

Operations & Client Care Excellence

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Executive Director

Nicholas Risse

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nicholas Risse brings extensive experience in addiction treatment operations and client care management to New Existence Recovery. His dedication to creating exceptional treatment experiences and ensuring the highest standards of care delivery has been instrumental in building our reputation for excellence. Nicholas's hands-on approach and commitment to both staff development and client success creates an environment where healing truly happens.

Our Philosophy

A Collaborative Approach to Lasting Recovery

At New Existence Recovery, our team operates as a unified care system. Every clinician, therapist, nurse, and wellness specialist collaborates daily to create individualized treatment plans that address the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.

Evidence-Based Protocols

Every treatment decision is grounded in the latest clinical research and proven methodologies.

Multidisciplinary Rounds

Daily team meetings ensure every patient receives coordinated, comprehensive care.

Trauma-Informed Environment

Our entire staff is trained in trauma-sensitive practices to create a safe healing space.

Our Hiring Standards

We maintain rigorous hiring standards to ensure every team member brings both clinical excellence and genuine compassion to their role. All clinical staff must hold active state licensure, demonstrate specialized training in addiction treatment, and commit to ongoing professional development. Beyond credentials, we seek individuals who embody our values of empathy, integrity, and patient-centered care. Our selective hiring process includes clinical competency assessments, values alignment interviews, and thorough background checks to ensure we build a team worthy of our patients' trust.

New Existence Recovery team collaboration

“Recovery is not a solo journey. Our team walks beside you every step of the way.”

— Dr. Sarah Mitchell

Care Team

Your Complete Care Team

Every member of our multidisciplinary team plays a vital role in your recovery journey — from medical care to holistic wellness.

John O'Donnell - Clinical Director at New Existence Recovery

John O'Donnell

LMFT #131080 | CATC IV #156594 | EMDR

Clinical Director

Individual & Group Therapy
Latoria Gardner - Substance Use Disorder Recovery Coach at New Existence Recovery

Latoria Gardner

SUDRC

Substance Use Disorder Recovery Coach

Client Advocacy & Care Coordination
Marcus Nichols - Program Manager at New Existence Recovery

Marcus Nichols

PROGRAM MANAGER

Program Manager

Program Coordination & Client Success
Get in Touch

Begin Your Journey
With Our Team

Schedule a confidential consultation with one of our clinical specialists. We are here to answer your questions and help you take the first step toward lasting recovery.

24/7 Confidential Line

(949) 919-6490
JCAHO Joint Commission Accredited

Huntington Beach, California

JCAHO Accredited Facility

View Admissions Process

Request a Consultation

All inquiries are 100% confidential.

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