Our Team
Patrick Singer, BS, CRPM, Program Director
Patrick Singer is a gift to Laguna Beach Recovery. Having devoted most of his adult life to helping people find freedom from Addiction, Patrick has become a friend, helper, teacher, mentor, and even hero to many. With over 25 years of sobriety, Pat has accumulated years of valuable experience helping people of all ages from many walks of life find freedom from addiction, compulsions, and destructive behavior. Whether on radio shows, authoring new treatment protocols, or simply in one-on-one intimate sessions, Pat is full of practical wisdom, genuine compassion, and insightful therapeutic counsel.
Mark R. Kisner, MSW, CADC-II, Clinical Director
Mark Kisner is an effective, popular and conscientious Counselor. Clean and sober since 2001, he is-passionate about helping people find breakthrough. His primary methodology is assisting people to achieve more adequate, productive and satisfying social adjustments through applied psychotherapy pertaining to thinking, emotions, and behavior. In his one-on-one sessions, Mark helps clients examine their own intrapersonal and interpersonal processes leading to a new understanding of the ideas, structures, and motivations that have affected the life's course. Simply put, Mark Kisner helps clients find out who they are, why they are, and forge a new path becoming who and what they want to be.
Julie S. Mermelstein, M.A., MFT, Recovery Coach
After working as a Marriage & Family Therapist, patient advocate, drug education teacher, hotline counselor for abused women, an actress and a stand-up comic, Julie Mermelstein brings a WEALTH of experience and understanding to her counseling practice. Our clients absolutely love her unique approach. In her own words, Julie says of her work:
"My passion for substance abuse recovery runs deep, which has led me to commit myself to helping others recover from addiction. I have over 13 years of personal and professional experience in this field. If you are looking for someone to help you get sober and stay sober I’m a safe and reliable source of guidance and support. I will ground you in the realities of addiction and help you to create a spiritual program that will help to prevent relapse and allow you to lead a sober joy filled & balanced life."
"I believe we all have a calling and this is mine. I believe the best in people, I am eternally hopeful and optimistic. I have experienced and witnessed extraordinary levels of healing. I know it’s possible. I will meet you where you are and we will take this journey together. My toolbox is full, overflowing with humor, creativity, insight and desire to see you living your best life."
Larry Bert, BA PSY, CAADE Cert, Program Counselor
Larry Bert brings a wealth of experience to Laguna Beach Recovery. He has been in the field of chemical dependency for over 30 years. Larry jokes that he has been around so long in this work he has treated "a small town" of people by now. Larry is appreciated by his clientele as being a very compassionate and perceptive counselor. In his years of working with addicts, Larry has specialized as a Family Counselor, an Interventionist and worked in Program Development. His approach is very "reality based" helping clients get a clear, realistic picture of how to overcome addiction on a daily basis. Larry is CAADE Certified as an addiction specialist, has a BA in psychology, and many, many years of successful counseling experience.
Dr. Edward Smith, MD, Medical Advisor
Laguna Beach Recovery is proud to have a “doctor's doctor” serve as medical director in charge of client evaluation and medical services.
Dr. Edward Smith, former Medical Director at Men’s HealthCare of Orange County and Hillsdale medical group (Burlingham, CA) provides the absolute best in medical care. Board certified from the American Acedemy of Family physicians and member of the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, Dr. Smith has faithfully served the citizens of Orange County for many years, and built a wonderful reputation abroad doing volunteer work with the non-profit Flying Samaritans organization.
Terry Baldwin, CAS, Facility Director
Terry Baldwin comes to Laguna Beach Recovery after having served faithfully at another residential treatment center in Orange County. Terry is truly a “jack of all trades.” Known for his compassion and empathy, Terry has earned the respect of many clients who look to him as a “real life” example of the power of working a good program. Whether it is leading small groups, fixing a broken door, or just putting his arm around a hurting client, Terry has “been there” when he needed to be for many in the program. Having overcome many extreme personal difficulties and challenges, Terry brings a wealth of wisdom and understanding to his work helping people find their own path to Recovery.
Keri Smith, BA PSY, CAS (Int/Cand), Director of Client Services
Keri Smith is a San Diego State University Psychology graduate and is currently a student pursuing a drug and alcohol counseling certificate. Keri says she was once bound with fear and faced many obstacles in her own Recovery path, but today she enjoys sobriety and her new life of helping others. Keri serves as Assistant House Manager at Laguna Beach Recovery. She is an understanding, compassionate, and patient person who feels that her life calling is to share with others the pathway to freedom. Keri's perspective is that she was given invaluable tools that showed her a new and better way to live and her joy and passion in life is to pass those tools on to others.
Daniel Bietz, BS, CSCS, MT, Massage Therapist/Fitness Consultant
Professional massage is an integral part of alcohol and drug detox and is a wonderful tool to help relax and release stress. Daniel Bietz brings to Laguna a love for people and a passion for his healing art. Daniel's impressive resume begins with earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.
While at Westmont, he interned in Sports Medicine. In 2005, he completed a Massage Therapy program at Santa Barbara School of Massage, becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT). He has worked in two Physical Therapy clinics as a Physical Therapist Aide and as a full-time Massage Therapist at a clinic in Santa Barbara. He earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), in 2006.
Not only does Daniel work with Laguna's clients, but also works as a Massage Therapist in a Chiropractic office and as a Personal Trainer. Daniel uses Swedish, Deep tissue, Sports, Myofascial release, Shiatsu, and Reflexology modalities in his successful healing massage practice.
Teo - Per. Trainer, Gym Specialist
TEO is one of Laguna Beaches most beloved and successful personal trainers. His works Laguna's clients at a full-scale gym with a complete program that includes stretching, cardio work, and strength training. His passion is to help people realize their full potential physically, and get in the best shape of their lives. With his extensive training and experience, TEO works individually with our Laguna Beach Recovery clients, meeting them where they are, and helping them to make measurable physical progress during their time at Laguna.