Ocean Recovery Staff of Addiction Treatment Professionals
Our staff is devoted to providing an innovative, creative, effective, and personalized treatment experience. The staff at Ocean Recovery is composed of licensed therapists, addiction counselors, as well as addiction medicine specialists. Located on site in Newport Beach California, our team specializes in addiction treatment, eating disorder treatment, and relapse prevention.
Kathy Tunney, Executive Director
Kathy Tunney is the executive director of Ocean Recovery. After attending California State University Long Beach, she received her Master’s Degree in Counseling. Tunney has 25 years of experience in the field of addiction treatment. She has developed numerous family programs designed to assist the whole family toward recovery when one or more members suffer from addiction. She has extensive experience working with individuals who are dually diagnosed, incorporating a multi-dimensional treatment model to address the facets of addiction and co-occurring diagnoses as they relate to each other. At Ocean Recovery, Tunney offers a therapeutic program in conjunction with a gender-specific addiction treatment approach to help men and women achieve sobriety and rebuild their lives.
Sherry Fixelle, R.D., C.D.N. Program Nutritionist Residential Extended Care and Outpatient Program
Sherry Fixelle graduated from Hunter College in New York City with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and went on to work at Columbia’s Psychiatric Institute in the Eating Disorder Research Unit. Sherry has appeared on Prime Time Live and Turning Point T.V. news magazines and more recently on PBS’s Freedom Speaks, discussing body size acceptance and eating disorders. Sherry has been a nutrition adviser and writer for health and fitness newsletters, eating disorder journals, and lectures and develops wellness programs at a number of hospitals, sports centers, and out-patient treatment programs. Sherry is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, The Academy of Eating Disorders, The American Dietetic Association, The American College of Sports Medicine, and The American Anorexic and Bulimia Association. Since 1993, Sherry has worked in private practice counseling individuals on the importance of normalized eating by encouraging a diet that is more inclusive and accepting of all foods.
Grace Murphy, MA, RN, MFT
Grace Murphy has been an individual therapist at Ocean Recovery since 2004 and has been in practice as a marriage and family therapist since 1982. She specializes in addiction medicine, codependency and ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) issues. Currently she is Chairman of the Board on the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) for the state of California and is past president of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) for the South Bay region. She previously practiced as a registered nurse and currently maintains a private therapy practice in Palos Verdes, CA.
Thom Montgomery, PhD, CAADAC, CAADAC II
Thom joined Ocean Recovery in May 2003 as a therapist and counselor. He now holds the position of Clinical Supervisor while continuing his counseling duties. He is certified by the California Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors, the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors, and the International Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors. Educated at the University of California Irvine, he has worked in the field of addiction since 1976 and has been instrumental in establishing care for those who suffer from addiction. He is a major proponent of licensing and credentialing counselors and programs and sits on several boards, including being a member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-Valley Community Police Council. He is listed in “WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN MEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE.” With Thom’s extensive experience, education and expertise in counseling, he ensures the organization is providing the best service and care available for our clients, their families and the community.
Peg Tilford, MRC, LCPC, CSAT-S, CADC
With over 20 years of clinical experience in the field of chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders, Peg has worked with individuals, couples, and families in residential and private practice settings. Utilizing multiple treatment modalities ranging from guided imagery to cognitive behavioral therapy, Peg seeks to enhance clients’ internal resources and integration of body, mind, and spirit. Peg has additional training and sensitivity to the interaction of multiple addictions, including sexual addiction and compulsivity. She is a supervisor for therapists completing the training process developed by Patrick Carnes, PhD.
Karen Knab, MA, MFTI, RAS
Karen Knab has been working in the field of addiction counseling since 2005. She began working at Hazelden Center for Youth and Families in Minnesota for two years while completing her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She began working at Ocean Recovery in 2007 as a counselor in both the chemical dependency and eating disorder tracks. Currently she is the program director of the men’s facility. She specializes in dual-diagnosis among young adult populations.
Walt Nielson, MA
Walt Nielson utilized his tumultuous upbringing in the Whitehall projects in Philadelphia and his experience of nine years in the military into a BA of History at CSUF and an MS in psychology. He is currently in the process of getting his doctorate, while simultaneously pursuing a facet of his career working with gang affiliated youth. He has worked with autistic youth and runaway youth in the Trenton, NJ Projects. Walt came to California seven years ago, and has been working with the men’s alumni and women’s recovery units for the past five years.
Jason Curren
Jason began working in the field of chemical dependency and addiction counseling in 1991. His own experience in recovery inspired him to dedicate his life to carrying the message ascertained by the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is instrumental in endorsing the principles of the 12 Steps, through which individuals struggling with addiction can achieve freedom from the obsession of alcohol and drugs. Jason has extensive experience working as a case manager with clients inpatient, outpatient and in day-treatment settings. In addition to case management at the Ocean Recovery men’s facility, he conducts weekly study groups on the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous, in which the 12 Steps are contained. Jason is committed to service, which is an essential component of the program of AA. He organizes recovery panels in which Ocean Recovery clients have the opportunity to visit adolescent treatment centers and share their own experience, strength, and hope.
Brian Dunphey, MA, MFTI
Brian Dunphey has worked in chemical dependency treatment since 2005. Brian earned an MS in Marriage & Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach. Brian has trained and worked extensively in cognitive-experiential interventions for addiction & trauma at the Veterans Administration Hospital of Long Beach & CSULB Counseling Clinic. As an intern with Jewish Family & Children Service – Long Beach, Brian worked with individuals, couples & families and facilitated grief counseling groups for high school students and for adolescents coping with parental divorce & separation. Brian’s work at Ocean Recovery includes facilitating the Men’s alumni group and working with the men’s recovery unit. He also works with a private practice in Laguna Woods.
Jonathan Bellman, MD
Dr. Jonathan Bellman is a psychiatrist in Orange County. He completed his training at New York University Medical Center in 2001. Dr. Bellman is the medical director of the Westminster Therapeutic Residential Center (County of Orange Health Care Agency) for individuals with mental illness. He is a consultant and lecturer at Hoag Hospital and a consultant at assisted living facilities to evaluate individuals struggling with substance abuse, depression, and other cognitive disturbances. Dr. Bellman is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Orange County Psychiatric Society. He is also in private practice in Newport Beach.
We maintain 24/7 staff supervision with office hours from 8am -10pm.
