Quinn’s personal journey of recovery and experience within the treatment industry has lead him to a life long commitment to helping individuals and families toward their own path to recovery. His background includes counseling, family intervention work, operation management, marketing and business development both locally and nationally. He is deeply embedded in his local community and has a mission to bridge the gap between treatment and lasting recovery.
Aidan comes to Golden Gate Recovery with over a decade of experience working in the addiction field, specializing in men’s recovery programming. Aidan began his own personal journey in Southern California in 2014, and the long-term aftercare program he participated in was so instrumental in his life that he decided to further his own education in addiction counseling. Aidan has worked on both operational and clinical side of treatment starting as a peer support technician and operations now working as a counselor for over three years. Aidan holds a CADC-III, and is currently working towards his MBA.. Aidan intends to continue to provide personalized and effective counseling to all clients in his contact by integrating his own personal experience, higher education, and 12-step framework into one approach.
Carrie joined GGR’s clinical team in the spring of 2021 as one of its pioneering members. With many years of recovery behind her and a variety of roles in the treatment setting, she began at GGR as a counselor and seamlessly transitioned into the role of Clinical Director in 2023. Carrie exhibits strong leadership and sets a high bar for quality client care. Carrie has been instrumental in shaping the welcoming and warm atmosphere that GGR prides itself on daily. With her qualifications as both an LMFT and LAADC, she brings immense value to our program. However, it’s her unwavering commitment to the GGR community that truly stands out. Her presence at the center has had a profound impact on the clients we serve, making her an invaluable part of the team.
Neal has a passion for helping others achieve their full potential. Having an education background, and over a decade of personal experience in 12 step recovery, he combines hands on education techniques to form long term success with clients, while delivering a message centered in recovery. He believes in integrating life skills with recovery to help clients maximize their dreams.
Mariah has dedicated over four years to working in recovery and correctional-oriented environments. Her professional journey includes individual client work across various treatment settings, as well as a role as a substance abuse counselor for long-term offenders in the local prison. Being in long-term recovery herself, Mariah’s personal experiences uniquely equip her to establish an environment where people feel safe, comfortable, welcome, and most importantly, deserving of sobriety. Through her work with diverse populations, Mariah has honed her skills in group facilitation and deepened her passion for personalized, trauma-informed care in one-on-one interactions.
Taylor Lizarraga is a substance abuse counselor who is passionate about helping individuals find hope, purpose, and lasting recovery. His work is rooted in a deep faith in the God of his understanding and a strong belief in the power of community and service. Taylor believes recovery is about more than abstinence. It is about rebuilding relationships, discovering purpose, and creating a meaningful life worth living. He works closely with clients to build healthy support systems, strengthen accountability, and develop practical tools for long-term success. Outside of counseling, Taylor enjoys community outreach, mentoring, service work, fitness, and creating opportunities for people in recovery to connect and grow.
At 23 years old, Cyrus is a substance abuse counselor with over three years of continuous sobriety and a strong passion for helping others build meaningful lives in recovery. His own recovery journey has given him firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of long-term sobriety, allowing him to connect with clients through authenticity, empathy, and lived experience. Cyrus strives to lead by example and value integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic in both his personal life and professional practice. His goal is to help clients develop hope, build resilience, and discover that lasting recovery is possible through willingness, connection, and daily commitment.
Joe comes to the Golden Gate Recovery team with over 8 of years of experience working in the behavioral health field. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from University of Oregon, Joe began working as a Mentor and Life Coach for Dragonfly Transitions in southern Oregon. He has worked in operations management with sober living environments, has experience working as a clinician and administrator in substance abuse treatment programs, and has a background doing marketing and business development as well. Joe’s own journey through recovery was assisted by the men and women who worked in substance abuse counseling and he believes fully in the foundation-building of recovery that occurs in strong aftercare treatment programs.
Hollis Yarborough serves as the Director of Operations, overseeing the day-to-day operations that ensure every client receives exceptional care in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Having served in virtually every operational role within the organization—including office technician, weekend technician, house manager, driver, maintenance, and now Director of Operations. Hollis brings a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to deliver high-quality treatment services. As both an alumnus of the program and someone with years of personal recovery experience, he offers a unique perspective, understanding firsthand the challenges clients face while navigating early recovery. This lived experience allows him to meet clients where they are, lead with empathy, and hold them accountable to their recovery.
Mike is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Novato, CA and holds a Master’s in Integrative Counseling Psychology from CIIS in San Francisco, CA. He is a husband and father and has a personal journey with recovery spanning 14 years. Mike is personally and professionally committed to supporting individuals and families as they navigate recovery from addiction via warm, empathetic relationships of trust and safety.
Greg Has been working in the addiction and mental health field for over eighteen years at a variety of dual diagnosis treatment facilities around Northern California. He studied addiction and acquired his CADCII through UC Berkeley Extension Program and is certified by the State of California as an addiction counselor. Greg has also been a professional musician for over thirty years; performing, writing and producing primarily in his band The Mother Hips but also as a solo artist. He has shared the stage with members of the Black Crowes, The Grateful Dead among other musical luminaries. It’s his passion for recovery work and music that inspired him to develop his “Song of Recovery” music process group that he provides for clients of all ages at multiple California treatment centers.
Dr. Lawson is a former pediatrician who pivoted to work in mental health and addiction after 20 years of medical practice. She has a Master’s degree in Jungian and Archetypal Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute and now works at multiple mental health centers as a facilitator for group therapy centered on ways to reconnect with the unconscious as a source of inner wisdom. She believes that an important part of recovery is to regain trust in our inner knowing, which is often suppressed in active addiction, and she helps clients use resources such as dreams and tarot to guide inner reflection.
As both the Alumni Coordinator and a Golden Gate Recovery alumni, John is passionate about helping others stay connected in recovery after treatment. I work to build a strong alumni community through events, fellowship, and ongoing support. John has said that he has taken this opportunity to express gratitude by giving back to the place that played such an important role in his own recovery.
