Paul’s education began with a BA in Social Science from Marylhurst College. He has a Master’s Degree in Experiential Therapy from the University Of Wisconsin. Paul has owned outpatient treatment facilities for the last 18 years. He founded another recovery facility with a focus on providing superior quality treatment for addictions and co-occurring disorders. He is continuously working towards expanding treatment offerings to better serve the growing substance abuse and mental health needs of our community. Paul is an accomplished hand cyclist who enjoys camping and numerous other outdoor activities with his wife Rebekah and their dog, Bella.

Kathy is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a nurse researcher who has been working with substance use disorders for many years. She has been awarded a substance-use disorder fellowship, published in substance use disorders and she continues to work in this area. Kathy facilitates patients going through alcohol, opioid, or other withdraw with non-addictive treatments. Because of her ability to use motivational interviewing and her many years of experience with substance use disorders and research, she is able to provide excellent care with patients going through withdrawal. This successful protocol helps individuals go through withdrawal with minimal symptoms. It also helps them prepare for the lifelong journey of sobriety, a healthy, satisfying and productive life.

Dana brings over 30 years of experience in a diverse range of critical medical field applications, including the management of Urgent Care facilities, an Internal Medicine office, and domestic and international business development for a medical device manufacturing company. Her work as a key member and manager of the detox team begins with her passion for helping clients advocate for themselves and being part of each client’s recovery process. She holds certificates in healthcare administration and as a medical assistant.

Shanelle Martinez, Accounts Receivable, Certified Peer Support Worker. I love engaging and interacting with the clients. the transformations are beautiful and very rewarding to be there to support the client on their journey. When I am not at work I am mommy to my son and three daughters, and wife to my husband. We are both recovering addicts and are celebrating 3+ years.

Katie Ross, BA in speech and hearing sciences, Administrative Medical Coding and Billing Specialist. I began at TPRC as a receptionist. I loved meeting all of the wonderful clients that came to our program and I loved seeing the many success stories unfold. My detail-oriented personality eventually led me into the billing department, where I have since become an expert in working claims to receive payment from insurance companies in order to make client responsibility minimal. Outside of the office, I spend my days out in the wilderness exploring with my family and my dogs. I enjoy good books and long floats on the river!

Prior to joining the team at Turning Point Recovery center, Mercy worked in management for federal contractors for more than 14 years and banking for over 10 years. She began as an intern and since then her career path within the organization has woven her back into supervising and finance. She enjoys working with a strong team that ensures compassionate client-care is the shared objective. She also likes working in a company that is constantly flourishing with innovative ideas. Mercy loves seeing her son grow and play sports, she loves live theater, musicals, and reading.

An Albuquerque native, Thomas works as a peer support specialist to support clients through their process of recovery. As a recovering former addict, he can work on a closer, more personal level with clients outside individual therapy and IOP sessions, with the ability to relate intimately to the challenges and successes of recovery. He has recently started school at UNM pursuing a substance abuse counseling degree.

Sandra Spurlock, MA, LMFT, Certified Therapist in EMDR, and International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGCG-II) Intake Assessor and Therapist: Complete Intake Assessments for new clients; work individually and in group (as needed) with clients in recovery, and work with Inpatient Detox and Outpatient Detox teams to help stabilize and encourage clients very new to recovery. Professional accomplishments include experience as a clinical supervisor and program coordinator for teams of clinicians working in recovery. Special interests in women in recovery; and trauma processing. Strongest value is in establishing a therapeutic connection that will activate and enhance healing. Have been a resident of Albuquerque since 1982 and love the mountains, rivers, and high desert of New Mexico, with a special interest in native plants and wild birds.. Live in the North Valley with my husband Greg and delightful cat Hannah (who is never allowed outside with the wild birds.)

Lawrence Martinez is multitalented and very busy! He’s our Facilities Manager, taking care of maintenance, keeping all the facilities clean and operational. He cooks for our residential clients and makes sure there’s food on hand for the rest of us. But that’s not all! Well versed in IT maintenance and certified in Business Administrative Technology, he also takes care of our IT systems and makes sure everything is operational. He’s a computer enthusiast, but is also studying to become a Certified Peer Support Worker. How does he balance it all? As a loving husband and father of five, Lawrence is practiced at multitasking! He says, “I value honesty, hard work and the interpersonal relationships with my coworkers and clients.” We see those values in practice every day, in everything Lawrence does.

Marissa Evans, Yoga Instructor, CPSW. A devoted student of yoga for 5 years, Marissa completed the 200-hr YTT in 2018 in the school of hot power vinyasa flow. An avid backpacker, trek leader and guide as well as runner and traveler, she has never looked-back. You will get a full-body workout with focus on alignment and form as you flow through a moving meditation and slide on into final meditation with an exhausted smile and and a calm, relaxed state of mind. Marissa continues to pursue further specialized teacher trainings and opps abroad this year to honor her path as a yoga teacher.

Julio Barragan, I’m a detox technician here at TPRC, I’ve been committed to this team for the past three years wholeheartedly. I’m currently in pursuit of my EMT – Basic license to provide our patients with the quality care they need. I’m blessed to have my wife and five beautiful children, even after the struggles of being an alcoholic and a drug abuser myself and now I can proudly say “I’m going somewhere in life” by keeping my higher power first (I’m a God fearing man), staying involved in my community and, always staying busy with my kid’s, loving my wife, working on my hobby (cars) and, volunteering for the fire department. Working for TPRC I have made some lifelong friends not only fellow co-workers but, past patients.

Lauren Bermingham, B.S, Admissions Supervisor. By studying Health and Behavioral Sciences, I found a passion in mental health and more specifically, treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder. I have previously worked in treatment centers in Delaware and California where I did counseling and program management for outpatient services. Outside of working for TPRC, I enjoy reading, learning to cook, and staying active.

Jeremy Cordova, BA, CPSW, TPRC Admissions Coordinator. I am dedicated to helping addicts find recovery and maintain sobriety. Prior to Turning Point, I studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of New Mexico, I am currently planning to work towards earning a Masters in Social Work. In January 2020, I will be celebrating three years in recovery. Outside of work, I stay busy with working out almost daily, playing beach volleyball, and caring for my giant baby Jaxx, a 150 pound Rottweiler.

LouAnne Dirawi, MLS (ASCP)CM, LMT, NTS, IRM, I am the Medical Laboratory Scientist for TPRC. It's a fancy title awarded to me for achieving a Bachelor in Science and a national licensure allowing me to perform urine drug screens for the company.

And as much as I love lab analytics and testing, I have another side to me that might surprise you if you were to meet me in person. I help people heal themselves as a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Natural Therapeutic Specialist, and an Integrative Reiki Master. I also enjoy facilitating an energetic connection to Spirit through meditation and other Shamanic practices (non-drug related of course).

I feel that it is important to embrace all aspects of your personality to be a complete and whole person. I believe that it is important to never stop learning, never stop growing, always embrace who you are, how special you are, and what you have to give back to others. There is only one you and you are awesome so share it.

Nathan Gonzales, Detox Manager. My job is to ensure all clients receive quality patient care while adhering to the requirements as set forth for all documentation in order to receive payment. I oversee the medical assessments, admissions, and discharges from all medical detoxification programs, and work with the provider to establish the appropriate level of care for each patient. I have worked for TPRC x4 years, starting at inpatient detox, as a technician.

Ava Dasya holds a MSW, a MA in Theology, and a post-graduate Carpenter Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Religion (Vanderbilt Divinity School). She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, who affirms the dignity and worth of each person and their capacity to transform their lives with depth of meaning, purpose, and joy. Intensively trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Ava believes all radical healing is rooted in a spiritual ground and practice. In her down time, Ava pens Japanese poetry, engages in contemplative photography, practices Pilates, and lives with her many sentient canine and feline companions. “Do not be afraid to begin again!”

Lily Spurgeon, CPSW, Brand Ambassador, Community Marketing Segment Manager, and Social Media Director extraordinaire. I am passionate about helping those seeking recovery from substance use disorder and ending the stigma attached to it. I do this by managing Turning Point Recovery Center and Focused Recovery of New Mexico social media accounts. I stay busy with my two boys, 4 cats, attending UNM and being involved in the recovery community. I am also a recovering addict with a great style, especially with great shoes, and a gregarious personality to go with it. Are you following TPRC on Facebook and Instagram?

Elijah Williams is an Admissions Coordinator here at Turning Point Recovery Center. He is often the one who will pick up the phone when you call and ask for help. When he is not screening clients over the phone, he is either meeting face to face for registration or on the phone with insurance companies. He also participates in alumni activities as he graduated from Turning Point July 2018.  At 9 months of sobriety he was interviewed as a success story for Turning Point and you can read his story on our website. Since then that number has grown too 22 months of sobriety.  He believes accountability within our program and the individuals accountability to themselves is what makes this program work. He believes that getting himself to the IOP groups, making the required phone calls, the required 12 step meetings and being willing to dig deep and make major internal and external changes was a recipe for success, and he is the proof. Now he gets to take his personal Turning Point experience and use it to help others remain successful in our program. Outside of work he is regarded as one of the top Stand Up Comedians in the city of Albuquerque. He is also an aspiring filmmaker and uses his own experiences as inspiration for both.