The Desert Cove Recovery Center Staff

We believe that effective addiction treatment begins with expert and compassionate leadership. Our staff is comprised of medical professionals and knowledgeable caretakers who have years of experience working with addictions and the families of individuals in treatment.

Get to know us by reading our biographies below, or call to speak with us
directly: 888-971-1113.

Blake Nichols

After battling with his own addiction to drugs and alcohol, Blake was given the gift of Recovery at the age of 23. Soon thereafter, Blake altered his career path in order to work in drug and alcohol treatment. Since 2008, Blake has dedicated his life to the addiction field, gaining experience in all aspects of treatment including direct care, admissions and marketing, as well as administration positions. Blake’s greatest reward is being a part of the transformation that occurs when a patient arrives in treatment, and through hard work and the Miracle of recovery, emerges a confident and capable person who is ready to carry the message of recovery.

Michael Carlton, MD

As the CEO and Founder of Phoenix Recovery, Dr. Carlton has admitting privileges at all the major Phoenix-based hospitals and can provide detox services when needed. Certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Carlton has the knowledge to diagnose and treat specific problems and to manage addictive disorders, having cared for more than 25,000 individuals withdrawing from drugs and alcohol. Dr. Carlton completed his four year dual residency training in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and two years of a specialty fellowship in Medical and Industrial Toxicology. He has over a decade of experience in the treatment of addiction and has given educational lectures and seminars throughout the Southwest. Dr. Carlton has published numerous articles and has extensive knowledge in the fields of Addiction, Toxicology, and Medicine.

Christina Clark, B.S., M.S.

Christina graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling and received her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Sociology. Christina became passionate about helping others to overcome addiction after beginning her own journey of recovery in 2010. First finding passion in working with other women in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, Christina went on to work as a behavioral health Clinician, prior to completing her education in Addiction Counseling and working at Desert Cove Recovery. Christina is passionate about teaching others that suffer from the disease of addiction how to live a sober, productive and fulfilling life.

Seoyun Huh, LASAC, MSAC

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and came to Arizona to attend Arizona State University in 2001. I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling, received my first bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ajou University in South Korea and my second bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. I decided to give back to society and people after receiving unconditional love and support for my younger boy with a special needs from therapists and social workers. Many wonderful therapists and social workers have helped me and my family through the journey of discovering more in my boy than his diagnose, I am excited to be a part of the journey of people with the disease of addiction to discover what they are capable of accomplishing in their lives.

Katie Riordan

Katie was born and raised on Long Island, New York. After moving out to Arizona to begin her journey of recovery, she found that she was able to build such a firm foundation, that she decided to stay. She loves her job working with others in early recovery, and finds it extremely rewarding that she can now use her story to help others battling their own addictions. Katie is currently a student at Arizona State University and is working towards her degree to further her career in helping others.

Tyler Colby

Tyler was born and raised outside Boston, Massachusetts. Since beginning his journey of recovery in 2007, he has pursued different corporate career paths in the banking and insurance industry, but has returned to the behavioral health field where his interpersonal skills and knowledge of addiction are used to educate and inform families during their loved one’s stay at Desert Cove Recovery.

Tyler acts as a liaison between the Clinical Staff, the clients, and the families – helping to provide an insight into the daily lives of your loved ones. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to him at any time.

Melissa Rogers

Melissa first began working at Desert Cove Recovery in 2014 when she decided to switch careers and work in the field of recovery. It is because of her compassion and empathetic nature that she is drawn to helping others and why she is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Social work to become an Addiction Counselor.

Michael Skerbec

Michael was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Arizona in 2014 for his recovery. He recently was accepted into ASU, and is looking forward to working towards a degree in sociology. He enjoys working to help others who are in the same position he was once in during addiction. Michael manages the clinical and administrative aspects of Desert Cove and hopes to move forward towards a career in social work.

Lori Mischke

I went to Desert Cove for treatment 4 years ago and have been sober ever since. Desert Cove saved my life. I came to treatment from New York. After, I decided to go back to school to help others. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Grand Canyon University. I am currently working on my Master’s in Addiction Counseling at Grand Canyon University.