Clinical Team · Costa Rica Treatment Center

With over 18 years of experience in addiction treatment, Paola is the General Director of both centers, overseeing all clinical and administrative operations. She ensures the highest standards of care and quality while guiding the treatment programs and clinical team.

Fabián brings a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, studies in administration and more than 27 years in recovery to his work, a mix that gives him a multifaceted understanding of addiction.

With a deep understanding of the challenges people face on the path to wellness, he is dedicated to providing compassionate support and guidance to our patients. His firsthand experience lets him connect with clients on a profound level, offering insight and encouragement rooted in empathy. He is committed to fostering a supportive environment at CRTC, where each person feels empowered to begin their own recovery with confidence and hope.

Mariana focuses on the systemic and relational dimensions of recovery, including family dynamics, support networks and relationships.

Paulina is a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction and child psychology, trained in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), complemented by Brief Systemic Therapy and specialized training in resilience.

As Head Psychologist at our San José center, she provides clinical support and psychological treatment to people facing addiction and related mental health challenges.

Carolina holds an M.A. in Mental Health and is a psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She leads the Emotion Regulation and Coping Skills classes and facilitates group therapy, helping people develop practical tools to manage emotions, strengthen coping skills and support lasting emotional well-being.

Tony supports clients across multiple recovery pathways including 12-step facilitation, SMART Recovery and Refuge Recovery.

As a CRTC alumna and a person in recovery, Claire brings valuable lived experience to her work supporting others through addiction and recovery. She is currently completing a postgraduate program specializing in addictions and is passionate about helping clients build the skills, confidence and support systems they need to succeed after treatment.

Catalina has experience working with families from diverse social backgrounds, including vulnerable communities. She supports patients and their families throughout the recovery process, promoting family involvement and healthier relationships.

She is committed to providing warm, person-centered care, ensuring that each individual feels heard, understood and supported.

Glenda is a social worker with a Licentiate degree in Psychology who has worked with people from diverse backgrounds. Her approach focuses on promoting personal development and holistic well-being while considering each person’s unique circumstances and challenges.

She provides individual, group and family interventions from an interdisciplinary perspective to ensure comprehensive and effective care.

Dalit brings an occupational therapy perspective to recovery, supporting clients in building functional skills and routines that sustain recovery in daily life.

A Certified Focusing Trainer since 2003 and Certifying Coordinator since 2012 with The International Focusing Institute, Suzanne specializes in Recovery Focusing, integrating felt sensing with the Twelve Steps to support healing from addiction and dysfunctional patterns.

She developed the H.O.W. We Heal model, which explores the felt experience of addiction and recovery through embodied group work. She has facilitated Recovery Focusing groups and trained facilitators over Zoom for more than a decade, and currently leads weekly groups at CRTC Riverside.

Raquel provides nursing support with specific expertise in acute detox care.

With over five years of experience in addiction treatment, Daniel leads the Nursing Department at CRTC Riverside, overseeing nursing operations and comprehensive patient care. His approach combines clinical care with compassionate and holistic treatment, promoting patients’ physical and emotional well-being throughout the recovery process.

Marion has over six years of experience in patient care, healthcare services and customer support. She is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care while ensuring comfort, safety and overall well-being.

She brings strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills to managing patient needs and responding effectively to challenging situations. Organized, reliable, adaptable and detail-oriented, she builds positive relationships with patients, families and colleagues.

As a dedicated Registered Nurse, Wayne has found a deep sense of purpose in caring for and nurturing others, providing not only clinical support but also compassion, guidance and a safe environment for those in recovery. Throughout every stage of his career, he has remained committed to helping others, building trust, working as part of a team and always going the extra mile.

Alejandro has comprehensive training in yoga, meditation and holistic therapies, and more than 20 years of practical experience in yoga, therapeutic massage, conscious eating and well-being practices. He is experienced in supporting people through processes of physical, mental and emotional development.

With over 20 years of experience, Andrea is a passionate yoga teacher and holistic wellness practitioner. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Health Sciences, and her expertise includes Vinyasa Flow, Restorative and Therapeutic Yoga. She also offers massage, sound therapy, aromatherapy and reflexology.

For over 15 years she has supported patients through recovery with holistic programs. Her approach nurtures body, mind and spirit as one, and she believes holistic therapies can inspire meaningful, lasting transformation.

With 20 years of experience in sales, customer care, retention and telephone collections, Martín brings strong communication skills and a compassionate approach to supporting individuals and families.

His own two and a half years in recovery have given him firsthand insight into the challenges of addiction. He draws on this experience to connect with clients with empathy and without judgment, helping them feel heard, understood and supported as they take their first steps toward recovery.

With over 15 years of administrative experience in the private sector, Marcial has a diverse background in hospitality, technology and business ownership, with experience in payroll, accounting and general administration. He joined CRTC Riverside in 2024 and now serves as its Operations Manager.

He oversees the center’s daily operations, coordinating housekeeping, maintenance, landscaping, kitchen services, transportation, billing, accounting controls and supplies, and provides the administrative and logistical support the organization needs to run smoothly.

With 16 years in recovery, Jimena’s own journey has inspired her to support others through theirs. She focuses on creating a safe place where patients feel supported and cared for, and accompanies them during recreational and therapeutic activities as part of their recovery process.

A professional chef with 13 years of experience in gastronomy and professional cooking, Kenneth is in charge of food preparation and planning. He combines culinary technique, quality and nutrition to deliver a healthy, balanced dining experience that contributes to patients’ well-being during their recovery.

With more than 10 years of culinary experience in well-known hotels and restaurants across Costa Rica, Bryan is a chef at our center. A bilingual graduate of the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA), he specializes in blending Mediterranean cuisine with other culinary styles, creating nourishing dishes that are essential to residents’ recovery.

Priscilla has 20 years of professional experience in the culinary industry, with expertise across many areas of kitchen operations. She is passionate about her work and committed to helping others through her skills and experience. She values continuous learning and professional development, always looking to expand her knowledge, and brings her full dedication to everything she does.

Luis Alfredo maintains living spaces that foster connection with nature, tranquility and hope. Through the cultivation of gardens and outdoor areas, he gives patients an environment of growth and renewal that mirrors their own rehabilitation toward a healthier, more coherent and liberated life.

Marbellys has 20 years of experience in professional cleaning. At CRTC she maintains clean, organized and welcoming spaces, helping create a safe, comfortable and harmonious environment where patients and their families can feel cared for and at ease.

She tends to each space with care and attention, supporting the well-being and positive experience of everyone who visits CRTC.

Yorleny is CRTC’s head housekeeper. She oversees the cleanliness and order of the facilities, ensuring a clean, welcoming environment for residents’ recovery and for staff. With eight years at the center, she brings reliability, enthusiasm and positive energy to every day.