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Our Team

At California Treatment Collective, our team is committed to providing compassionate, individualized support throughout every stage of the recovery journey. Our diverse team brings together clinical expertise, lived experience, and a shared belief in the power of connection, accountability, and meaningful change.

Stephen McNamara

Co-Founder

Julian Ness

Co-Founder

Raul Vera

Co-Founder

Tim Tillemans, LMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Ryan Sauma, LMFT

Assistant Clinical Director

Jennifer Laux, ACSW, MA

Associate Clinical Social Worker

Dylan Tartz, AMFT, MA

Associate Therapist & Family Workshop Lead

Rafael Vega, MS

Case Management & Counseling

Joshua Luis

Director of Operations

Adoth Mirakhori

Certified Client Advocate & Support Staff

Elijah Straughter

Client Advocate & Support Staff

Stephen McNamara

Co-Founder

Stephen is a Co-Founder of California Treatment Collective and brings a deeply personal understanding of recovery to his work. His own mental health and recovery journey involved changing long-standing patterns of thinking and behavior while facing and ultimately overcoming substance abuse.

After moving across the country to seek help, Stephen found success through therapy, treatment, and the support of a sober community in Southern California. His experience taught him that meaningful change is possible when individuals remain open, listen to suggestions, and take action one step at a time.

Stephen’s experiences have given him the ability to connect with people from all walks of life without judgment. He particularly values spending one-on-one time with the men in the program and sharing the personal experiences, lessons, and perspectives that have helped him along his own journey.

A constant source of gratitude in Stephen’s life is the unwavering support of his mother, who never gave up on him. That belief became a source of hope that helped change his life, and today, Stephen strives to offer that same sense of hope and opportunity to the people he works with. He believes recovery is possible with the right support, direction, and willingness to take the next step.

Julian Ness

Co-Founder

With 14 years of experience in the mental health and substance use recovery field, Julian Ness is passionate about helping individuals discover hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose in life.

As a Co-Founder of California Treatment Collective, Julian brings a deep commitment to client advocacy, individualized care, and clinical excellence. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to ensuring that every individual feels heard, supported, and empowered throughout their recovery journey.

One of Julian’s proudest accomplishments has been building and growing the California Treatment Collective alumni program. He finds great fulfillment in watching the continued success of the men he has worked with and creating meaningful opportunities for connection, encouragement, and continued growth beyond treatment.

Julian believes recovery is about more than overcoming addiction and mental health challenges. It is about rediscovering joy, building meaningful relationships, and learning how to experience a healthy, fulfilling life.

His mission is to create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to believe in themselves, discover their purpose, and recognize the possibilities of a brighter future.

Raul Vera

Co-Founder

Raul is the Co-Founder of California Treatment Collective, a men’s outpatient center rooted in holistic healing and reintegration. Inspired by his own journey, Raul envisioned a space where recovery goes beyond sobriety—where mental, physical, and emotional wellness are nurtured together.

Through a unique blend of therapy, wellness practices, and life-skills support, Raul empowers men to rebuild lives filled with purpose, connection, and resilience.

Raul’s greatest motivation is his family. His wife, Mariah, is the heart and balance of their home, while their two boys, Jett and Archie, bring boundless joy and just the right dose of beautiful chaos. They are his daily reminder of what truly matters: love, growth, and the power of showing up—for yourself and for others.

Tim Tillemans, LMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Tim Tillemans is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at California Treatment Collective who is passionate about helping clients feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout their recovery journey. He is proud to be part of a collaborative clinical team providing personalized PHP/IOP dual-diagnosis care.

Tim brings extensive experience working in substance use treatment across multiple levels of care, including detox, residential treatment, and outpatient services. He also has six years of experience in social work and college academic advising, experiences that shaped his appreciation for collaborative, community-focused, and holistic care.

His therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, trauma-informed therapy, and IFS parts work. Tim particularly enjoys helping clients understand the different parts of themselves, work through shame, and develop greater self-compassion and confidence.

At the heart of Tim’s approach is the belief that therapy should be compassionate, collaborative, and judgment-free. He strives to create a space where clients can be themselves, feel genuinely heard, and develop the tools needed to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

Ryan Sauma, LMFT

Assistant Clinical Director

Ryan Sauma serves as Assistant Clinical Director at California Treatment Collective. He earned his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hope International University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California.

Ryan has experience working with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and complex mental health presentations. He is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and incorporates trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and lasting behavioral change.

In addition to his work at California Treatment Collective, Ryan provides clinical leadership at Brite Recovery, collaborating with clinicians and interdisciplinary team members to support effective treatment planning, strengthen clinical standards, and promote ethical, high-quality care.

Ryan’s approach to both therapy and leadership centers on collaboration and accountability. He helps clients develop greater insight into themselves, clarify what they value, and create meaningful, sustainable change aligned with the lives they want to build.

Jennifer Laux, ACSW, MA

Associate Clinical Social Worker

Jennifer Laux is an Associate Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work from San José State University. Her areas of clinical interest include substance misuse, attachment and relationship patterns, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and shame.

Jennifer takes a humanistic, relational, and ACT-informed approach to therapy, emphasizing connection, authenticity, and an understanding of the root of the challenges clients face. She helps clients recognize patterns in their emotions, relationships, and behaviors through a gentle yet appropriately challenging approach that encourages insight and open communication.

Jennifer believes that meaningful growth often happens at the edge of discomfort. She strives to create a warm, safe, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel supported enough to explore difficult emotions, deepen self-awareness, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and aligned with their values.

Dylan Tartz, AMFT, MA

Associate Therapist & Family Workshop Lead

Dylan Tartz is an Associate Therapist and Family Workshop Lead at California Treatment Collective. Dylan takes an integrative approach to therapy, combining CBT, attachment-based work, and existential therapy to help clients develop practical coping skills, understand how early relationships can shape present-day patterns, and reconnect with a sense of autonomy and meaning.

Dylan brings a trauma-informed and culturally attuned perspective to the therapeutic process, recognizing the important role that family, identity, and lived experience play in each client’s journey.

Outside of the office, Dylan enjoys an active lifestyle and spending time at the beach. These values of balance, vitality, and connection also inform Dylan’s work with clients, helping them explore ways to create greater balance and meaning in their own lives.

Rafael Vega, MS

Case Management & Counseling

Rafael Vega holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At California Treatment Collective, he supports clients through case management and counseling, helping them identify goals, navigate challenges, and build greater balance and well-being.

Rafael takes a person-centered and solution-focused approach, meeting clients where they are while helping them identify practical solutions and opportunities for personal growth. His work incorporates cognitive behavioral approaches, psychoeducation, and both individual and group counseling.

His areas of focus include goal planning, personal well-being, grief counseling, meditation, and helping clients work through challenges that may be preventing them from moving forward. Rafael also supports clients with practical life skills such as resume development, job searching, and interview preparation.

As someone who values balance, mindfulness, and personal growth, Rafael strives to walk alongside clients throughout their journey. A Native Arizonan who has made California home, he draws from his own experiences and from the many knowledgeable and spiritually oriented individuals who have influenced his path in the mental health and addiction field. Rafael is passionate about helping clients create greater balance between mind, body, and spirit while developing the confidence and tools to build meaningful lives.

Joshua Luis

Director of Operations

Joshua Luis serves as Director of Operations at California Treatment Collective, where he oversees day-to-day operations, client care, and the systems that support each individual throughout their treatment journey.

Drawing from his own experiences with substance abuse and mental health, Joshua brings personal understanding, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others create lasting change. His approach is direct yet compassionate, emphasizing accountability while meeting clients with understanding and respect.

Joshua believes that connection and action are essential to recovery. He is passionate about walking alongside clients through some of their darkest moments and encouraging them to take contrary action rather than remain stuck in the patterns that hold them back. Through genuine connection, consistent support, and honest guidance, Joshua helps clients recognize their potential and build healthier, more fulfilling lives in recovery.

Adoth Mirakhori

Certified Client Advocate & Support Staff

Adoth Mirakhori serves as a Certified Support Staff member, Client Advocate, and Transportation Aid at California Treatment Collective. He provides compassionate and dependable support to clients throughout their treatment and recovery journey, helping ensure their day-to-day needs are met within a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

As a Client Advocate, Adoth helps clients navigate program expectations, communicate their needs and concerns, access appropriate resources, and remain engaged in their treatment goals. He works closely with the clinical and operations teams to encourage accountability, healthy decision-making, and consistency throughout the recovery process.

In his role as a Transportation Aid, Adoth helps coordinate and provide safe, reliable transportation to treatment-related appointments, meetings, activities, and other approved destinations. His support helps clients maintain consistency with their schedules while reducing transportation barriers that could interfere with their participation in treatment.

Adoth approaches his work with patience, professionalism, and compassion. He believes in meeting clients where they are while encouraging personal responsibility, positive choices, and continued progress. At the heart of his approach is a simple philosophy: he strives to do things out of love rather than for love. Through advocacy, dependable support, and genuine care for the people he serves, Adoth helps create a structured environment where clients can focus on their recovery and overall well-being.

Elijah Straughter

Client Advocate & Support Staff

Elijah Straughter serves as a Client Advocate and Support Staff member at California Treatment Collective, providing clients with dependable day-to-day support throughout their treatment and recovery journey. Elijah takes a client-centered approach and works to create a supportive, respectful, and positive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and encouraged.

In this role, Elijah helps clients navigate the daily structure of treatment while supporting them in developing healthy routines, maintaining accountability, and working toward their individual recovery goals. Through consistent encouragement and a compassionate presence, Elijah strives to help clients feel supported throughout each stage of their journey.

At the heart of Elijah’s approach is the importance of genuine connection. He believes that building trust and meeting clients with respect can create a strong foundation for growth and lasting change. Through day-to-day support, encouragement, and meaningful connection, Elijah helps clients move forward with greater confidence and purpose.