FMM: You have spent over 15 years as an attorney. How did you switch gears to build a treatment center?
After I graduated from law school in 2000, I worked for large national law firms and specialized in litigating large construction/public works projects in Southern California. Although I was involved in very challenging cases arising out of projects involving baseball stadiums, movie studios, university campuses and other high-profile disputes, I derived very little personal satisfaction from my work.
I became a serious alcoholic. I reached the point where alcohol became more important to me than the most important things in my life. My marriage dissolved. My relationship with my children was strained. I felt like I was trapped in a career I hated and was drowning myself in a bottle. It was awful.
Then, in 2014, I got incredibly lucky. I broke down completely. I gave up on the idea that I could control my problem with alcohol on my own. I became completely willing to turn myself over to a program dedicated to long-term sobriety. I was an empty slate with a destroyed ego – and that was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Everything in my life changed for the better. I found my calling. I left my career as a litigation partner at the premier construction litigation firm in the country and used my life savings to start this treatment center with my three partners. My family came back to me. My relationship with my children is better than ever. Moreover, I had the added bonus of creating a company with a primary mission of improving the lives of others. I could not be more grateful for all of the struggles I went through because that is what it took to get me to where I am today.
FMM: What sets AMFM Healthcare apart ?
We firmly believe our clients and their needs drive our guiding principles. We craft tailored treatment programs, and all of our internal teams work collaboratively to anchor our decisions in the soundest medical practices with heart and humanity enabling us to set the bar in our industry and to provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Hands down we have the best clinical talent in the industry.
Many of our clients have struggled previously in treatment, we aren’t usually their first try at getting help. We are confident that our program is their missing piece. Our dedicated team works to create a safe, healing environment for clients to develop tools that make maintaining long-term health possible. Our primary goal is to allow individuals to live the best life they possibly can.
FMM: Tell us about your Clinical Approach.
We use an evidence-based approach with multiple types of therapy tailored to the individual in order to best address their needs. We have medical doctors, licensed clinical social workers, marriage/family therapists in individual and group setting providing flexible services that can be appropriately calibrated to individually address each client. All of our clinical groups are led by By Master’s or PhD-Level Therapists and each client will receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and will have a weekly individual assessment with our psychiatrist.
FMM: Share the diverse methods of therapy.
Because we maintain a dedicated clinical staff to a small population, it allows us to provide a deeply personal experience. Individualized treatment planning allows us to set specific treatment goals with the collaboration of our clients. As I mentioned earlier, we have a variety of clinical talent from medical doctors to licensed clinical social works and marriage and family therapists. All are uniquely trained, and all bring specific talents, expertise and skills to our team. A few of the specific modalities we use are: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, somatic experiencing and psychodrama. We use this training in both private and group sessions, family sessions as well as our telehealth platform, Mission Connection.
FMM: We provide the tools you need to take back your life and start a meaningful future. What tools does AMFM Healthcare offer?
Depending on the program we offer:
- 45/90 Day Primary Care
- Multiple options for long-term care
- Weekly Individual session with Board-Certified Psychiatrist
- Medication Management
- Evidence-based modalities
- Life skills and ADL training
- Groups led by Master’s and PhD-level therapists
- Family group therapy
- Individual psychotherapy
- Non-routine psychological testing
- Yoga
- Career counseling
- Volunteer opportunities
- Life skills training
- FMM: Why are people coming to AMFM Healthcare today? Can you share a story (or two) about how the center has changed lives?
These stories are the best part of my job. There are many such stories but a couple come to mind. Some of the most important individuals in our company who have executive positions operations and finance came through our program. I got to watch as these young men came to us broken and hopeless. I witnessed their daily improvement and ultimate success in the completion of our program. I watch the same things happen for them that happened for me – improved family relationships, academic success, professional success – not to mention their rapid rise to the executive ranks of our company following their successful treatment. Those are the sorts of reasons why people come to AMFM Healthcare.
FMM: What are you most proud of during your time at the center?
I am most proud of the fact that our organization has been able to help people make dramatic changes and turnarounds in their lives. I have never been involved in anything that remotely compares to the sense of achievement and purpose that comes with watching people turn their lives around and get back on the right track. Nothing comes close.
