Meet Our Professional Team
Clinical Team
Is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and an accomplished clinical director with over 15 years of dedicated experience in mental health and substance use treatment. Since 2009, he has made a significant impact in the field, working tirelessly to support individuals grappling with addiction and mental health issues in a variety of settings, including residential treatment centers and outpatient facilities. Having been sober since 2002, Sean brings personal insights to his practice, empowering clients to navigate their unique challenges and break free from the cycle of addiction and the difficulties associated with mental health disorders. His compassionate and client-centered philosophy fosters a supportive environment that encourages growth, resilience, and long-lasting recovery.
Clinical Team
Case Managers
Clinical Therapist
Medical Team
Lawrence V. Tucker, M.D. is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine, practicing in pharmacological management of psychiatric disorders and addiction medicine.
Amanda Ferguson, PA-C, is a nationally and state-certified physician assistant. She completed her Masters of Physician Assistant Practice at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis on primary care.
Mary Elmasri is a board-certified physician assistant with extensive experience in the field of addiction medicine and psychiatry. Mary received her Masters of Physician Assistant Practice at the University of Southern California. She is certified to prescribe buprenorphine-containing medications. She believes that addiction should be treated like any other chronic disease, with the proper medication, education, and support. She prides herself in empathetic care to all her patients.
Alexis Burciaga, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from California State University, Fullerton, motivated by her interest in how a healthy lifestyle can impact quality of life.
Ashley Yusam is a California-licensed, National Board Certified Physician Assistant who recently joined Gratitude Lodge in 2022. She completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2012.
Lori has worked for Addiction Specialist of Southern California since 2020. She loves caring for patients who are struggling with addictions and co-occurring disorders. Lori earned her Nurse Practitioner certificate from UCLA School of Medicine in 1996. She spent many years working in community clinics practicing women’s health and primary care. During that time she spent two years abroad working for Doctors Without Borders.
Desirée holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing, and a bachelor’s degree in health administration. She has worked in mental health and addiction medicine as a nurse in the Veteran’s Affairs dual diagnosis unit. She has also worked in public in-patient psychiatric hospitals, working with adults as well as adolescents, experiencing mental health crisis and substance abuse. Lastly, Desirée has also managed out-patient mental health clinics that specializes in addiction medicine and MAT therapies.
Executive Team
Prior to founding Gratitude Lodge, Mark worked in a corporate leadership role at a Fortune 100 company, working with multiple Fortune 500 clients in the industrial sector. Mark holds a BS in Business Management from Chapman University and an MBA from the University of Southern California with dual Graduate Certificates in Supply Chain Management and Financial Analysis. Mark is an IBM Summit Program graduate and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and the Trojan Athletic Fund.
Originally from Boston, Mark relocated to Southern California with the goal of starting a new sober life. He has been sober since 2007 and is an active member of the Orange County recovery community. Although now a Californian, he is still an avid Boston sports fan. (Go Pats, Sox, Celtics, and B’s!) Mark is passionate about helping others and has spent hundreds of hours volunteering at Hoag Hospital (ICU, Cancer Center), Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, and First House Detox Center of Orange County.
Mark started Gratitude Lodge as a way to give back to people struggling with alcoholism and addiction, and as a tribute to others that saved his life and helped him along the way in his own recovery journey.
Admissions Team
Chris Waters’, CADC II, brings extensive experience and a reputation for exemplary leadership skills to his role of Director of Admissions. Over the course of his ten-year career in the treatment industry he has held executive leadership roles in operations, admissions, and business development. His passionate commitment to helping people recover from addiction inspires his team to provide the highest standard of care to clients and their loved ones.
Chris intimately understands the struggles of addiction and through his own recovery process has found purpose in helping others. In his free time, Chris enjoys playing basketball, spending time with his wife and dog, and being of service to the local recovery community.
Operations Team
Brandon Payne
Business Development
Louis Odom
Human Resources
Jonathan Bacak
Client Care Advocate
Alex Lichtman
Lead Supervisor
Shawn Ingram
Lead Supervisor
Tawny Sanchez
Lead Supervisor
Elise Main
Lead Technician
Facilitators
Grant Musgrave
Group Facilitator
Tim Jalowiec
Group Facilitator
Lynn Schneider
Art Therapist
Alex Durham
Reiki & Yoga Instructor
Megan Brown
Music Therapist
