Women’s Addiction Treatment Staff

Administrative Staff

Shana Penny, MS – Executive Director

Shana Penny has over 10 years of experience directing and operating substance abuse treatment programs. She has been responsible for developing multiple treatment tracks across expanding programs while creating an intimate“community setting” for all clients.  She has several years of marketing and account management experience in the addiction treatment field and her passion for business has contributed to the program’s growth in stature, profile, and admiration within the industry. Her interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills have become an invaluable asset in moving the company forward. Her interests in the chemical dependency field include being a role model and motivator to women who were once hopeless, having now created a life filled with purpose, meaning, and serenity.

Shana holds a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) from San Diego State University and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children..

 

Renee Capela – Director of Operations

Renee has extensive history working in administrative and operational roles. She spent years working at the law office of a public defender before transitioning her skills to the treatment field. Over the past few years, she has been able to help oversee the administrative end of a facility. Her knowledge of management, administration and operations are a key asset to our program. Renee’s goal is to always create an environment which fosters respect, value and appreciation for everyone around her. This culture enables clients to grow, and in turn creates a space for recovering women to achieve long-term sobriety while living fulfilling and prosperous lives.

Connie Johnson – Director of Business Development

Connie graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in cognitive psychology and a minor in criminology, law and society. She knew from the beginning that her passion resided in saving lives and helping others and now has over 13 years of experience working in behavioral healthcare. Her career started at a women’s eating disorder program followed by many years at a dual diagnosis program. She has now been working with women in transitional care for the past 6 years. Having held a variety of roles in the field, including compliance, admissions and business development, Connie is passionate about empowering women and helping them better themselves.

Clinical Staff

 

Ashley Hinesley, CADC II – Program Director

Ashley is a huge asset to the Tranquil team. She previously worked in residential treatment for 3 years where she was a behavioral health technician and discharge planner. This experience has helped her immensely with her role today. She assesses and counsels our clients, facilitates groups and is always available for our clientele if they need assistance. Her strengths include intake assessments, discharge planning, client care and intervention protocols. Ashley not only works extremely well with our women, but also connects with families and other treatment providers to ensure that we are communicating appropriately. Her goal is to give our clients the best experience possible and to ensure their transition in and out of our program is smooth and stress-free.

 

Gregory Pospisil, LMFT, CSAT, CDWF – Therapist

Gregory Pospisil is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and Certified Daring Way Facilitator (CDWF).  He is EMDR trained and currently working toward his certification.

Gregory has been a primary therapist at treatment centers in Los Angeles and Palm Springs since 2008 where he gained experience working with male and female sex and love addicts and their partners.  He has helped individuals and couples struggling with relational and intimacy challenges as well as mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Gregory studied with Dr. Brené Brown and her team and became trained in The Daring Way©.  He currently helps clients develop and live a wholehearted lifestyle as they address vulnerability and shame, empathy, compassion, and connection.

Gregory is very proud to be a member of the team at Tranquil Palms.

 

Rebekah McCammon – Therapist

Rebekah McCammon is a licensed clinician who works with and for those individuals currently struggling with chemical dependency and mental health issues. Rebekah has been involved in the field of chemical dependency and mental health since 2009, starting her work initially as an intern with the Soroptomist House of Hope, a women’s sober living facility in the Coachella Valley. Rebekah utilizes a client-centered approach that focuses on an individual’s ability to achieve true autonomy, self-awareness, self-worth, and ultimately self-love through utilization/application of strong and concrete skill sets representative of Dialectical Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, and Trauma-Informed Care technique/approaches. The application of Mindfulness as a core skill that supports client utilization of additional skill sets/concepts, is integral to Rebekah’s clinical practice.

Prior to work as a clinician with Tranquil Palms, Rebekah worked for three years at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage California where she assisted individuals, families, and loved ones through the admissions process. After beginning clinical work at Betty Ford, Rebekah moved on to work at multiple other dual diagnoses and primary mental health facilities where she was given the opportunity to continue utilization and teaching of effective evidence-based techniques in community, group, and individual settings. Rebekah has extensive clinical experience working with a variety of client populations to include children, adolescents, young adults, mature adults, couples, and families.

Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master of Arts degree with honors in clinical psychology from Cardinal Stritch University; Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rebekah is licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

 

Christina Riemer, LMFT – Therapist

Christina Riemer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She currently supervises a multidimensional staff who provide care for consumers of Behavioral Health Services. She has worked as an Adult Clinician and Children’s Clinician. While attending California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus, earning a degree in Psychology, she worked in Substance Abuse, providing intake counseling. In 2009, she earned a Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology at California State University, San Bernardino.

 

Nicole Savage, CADC II – Counselor

Nicole is a counselor who has over 9 years of experience working in residential settings for underserved pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. She has helped many clients successfully reenter into society and provides support with daily living, individual and group counseling and crisis intervention. Nicole is proficient in implementing evidence-based practices such as Thinking for a Change, Matrix: Relapse Prevention Program, Hazelden’s Living in Balance Program, and Seeking Safety for clients with PTSD and substance abuse disorders in group settings. She also has expertise in delivering 12 Core Functions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to clients. Additionally, Nicole is efficient in administering psychological assessments such as Addiction Scale Index (ASI) and Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA).

 

Mark Accomando – Spiritual Guidance Counselor

Mark is the founder of Evoke Peace Now, a spiritual education organization that shares positive and practical spiritual practices in conjunction with the traditional 12 Step recovery program. His goal is to assist clients with aligning with peace and wholeness. He shares the effective use of spiritual tools like daily peace practices, meditation, and affirmations. Mark has extensive experience working with clients in early recovery and in all stages of treatment. He even started a local AA 12 Step meditation meeting based on the 11th step. Mark’s mission is to share practical and interesting tools to help clients live a confident, grounded and successful sober life.

 

Sylvia Herrera – Counselor

Sylvia is a drug and alcohol counselor certified through College of the Desert. She has previous experience working in treatment as a behavioral technician. Sylvia was also a counselor at a DUI school and helped people understand how substance abuse negatively impacts their lives. She taught her clients how to avoid addictive behaviors and how to refrain from relapsing. Sylvia is passionate about what she does and loves helping women succeed in a life of sobriety.