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.
Loree Adams, MSW, LCSW
Loree Adams is a Primary Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has a Masters of Social Work Degree from the University of Illinois. She has over 25 years’ experience working in the helping profession. Prior to coming to Desert Cove Recovery, Loree held various positions in the substance abuse field; including 15 years at Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington, Illinois. While at Chestnut Health Systems she was an Addiction Therapist, Outpatient Services Coordinator and Director of Adolescent Services. She has overseen an Early Intervention Program with Student Assistant Specialists in 32 schools, a full continuum of Outpatient Substance Abuse Services, and 3 Adolescent Substance Residential Units. Loree was also the Director of 3 specialized Substance Abuse Treatment Units for adult female offenders within the Illinois Department of Corrections. She has been the Clinical Director on 3 federally funded research projects related to substance abuse treatment. Loree has published on topics related to youth and adolescent substance abuse and has been a trainer on topics related to adolescent development, substance abuse treatment, treating dually diagnosed youth, working with families, crisis management, program planning and development and clinical supervision. She was selected by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to serve on a team of national experts on adolescent substance abuse treatment to conduct site visits to monitor compliance and program evaluation to 12 states awarded a federal grant. Additionally, Loree has worked in community corrections, mental health and in higher education. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate students at Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University. Loree is excited to be living in Arizona!
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.
Mary Lopez, RN
Mary is a Registered Nurse with 23 years of experience working in acute care. She is a 1992 graduate of the Raritan Valley School of Nursing and attended Argosy University School of Psychology. Mary’s extensive Emergency Room, Critical Care, and Trauma Nursing experience coupled with her passion for Recovery complement our staff. Mary’s certifications include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, IV, EKG, and Critical Care. Mary has been instrumental in helping our organization achieve our Joint Commission Accreditation and maintaining our high patient care standards. She has been recognized by ICAN’s youth program (the Chandler Coalition on Youth Substance Abuse) for working to educate the local community about Substance Abuse. Service is a large part of Mary’s life. She volunteered at Super Bowl XLIX events and serves regularly in Celebrate recovery. Mary received the 2012 Volunteer of the year for her work in the Gilbert School District.
Megan Cleary
Megan is a native to Arizona, being born and raised in Scottsdale. While working towards a degree in Criminal Justice at Scottsdale Community College, Megan found her true calling is helping others in early recovery. She is extremely passionate about showing individuals that there is life after addiction and uses her experiences, strength, and hope to be of service to others. Megan not only sponsors other women in the program, but is involved in community outreach, and volunteers her time by bringing meetings to people in recovery currently in hospitals and correctional institutions.
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.
Corin Fort
Corin Fort was born in Ulysses, Kansas and shortly after moved to Brea, California. Arizona became her home in 2006. Her journey with recovery started in 2013 and since she has decided to work in the field of recovery. Her goal is to continue to try and make a positive impact on anyone struggling with addiction both inside and outside of work.
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.
Nathaniel Bush
Nathaniel has undertaken a life-long commitment to both, spread awareness of addiction, misuse, and abuse, and to help others as an addiction professional: his accomplishments and dedication to a career of helping others is life affirming. He has been an active member of the recovery community since May of 2010, has been working in the field of substance abuse treatment since 2013, and is a full-time student at Arizona State University, where he is on track to earn his Masters of Social Work. Through his vocational and volunteer experience Nathaniel has, among other things, had the opportunity to manage recovery homes, facilitate psychoeducational groups, and work with families through the admission process, in the Phoenix area. As a Primary Therapist, Nathaniel brings a wide variety of personal, educational, and volunteer experiences and prides himself on contributing his honest, straight forward, and righteous values to The Desert Cove Recovery family.