California Department of Health Care Services Program Certification #: 490041AP Exp: 4/30/2023
California Department of Health Care Services Detoxification Facility License #: 490041BP Exp: 7/31/2023
Steven Shifflett MD
Medical Director, Addiction Specialist
Steven Clay Shifflett was born and raised in Napa, Ca. He now lives with his wife Susan in St. Helena. He works as an ER physician and as an addiction specialist. In addition, Steve has coached high school football for 20+ years.
Katie Schwimmer PsyD
Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Katie Schwimmer is a Licensed Psychologist who serves Pura Vida in the role of Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Schwimmer Supervises the interns and staff members who are accumulating hours towards their certification/ licensure. Dr. Schwimmer has works in the field of substance use disorders for over 10 years.
Kate Jehue CADC-I
Program Director
Kate comes to us with extensive experience in the field of addiction and recovery after working in residential treatment for six years. Kate is certified as a CADC-I and is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Kate’s strength lies in her ability to combine humor with evidence-based practices to provide high quality education to our clients that is both entertaining and informative. Helping others is Kate’s passion in life and shows up every day with the intention of making a positive difference in our clients’ lives.
Kirsten McMurray
Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Treatment Program Coordinator
Kirsten is completing her traineeship at Pura Vida Recovery Services as she works toward her Masters in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco. Kirsten has been a part of the Pura Vida team in various capacities over the past 3 years and is now taking her passion for recovery to the next level as she pursues her ultimate goal of becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in the field of addiction treatment.
Michelle Montalbano CADC-I
Friends and Family Program Counselor
Michelle pioneered the Pura Vida Family Program and has grown it to have a wider community support component. Through her own personal experiences, she has developed a passion and further desire to provide support and education to loved ones of the addicted and afflicted. Michelle is also a professional photographer, so she sometimes wears multiple hats for Pura Vida! All of her free time is spent with her grandkids.
Click here for more information on Pura Vida’s resource for Friends and Family programming.
Justina Holguin RADT-I
Counselor
Justina born and raised in Napa Valley, she serves as one of our counselors at Pura Vida Detox and Withdrawal management. Justina brings her own personal experience of recovery into her role working directly with adults who struggle with addiction. Justina brings compassion and empathy into her role and is dedicated to helping her clients continue their recovery and achieve their goals. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Brianna Diebert CATC-II
Counselor
Bri is a Certified Addictions Counselor that brings passion, empathy, and dedication to her work. Bri has an Associate’s Degree in Human Services: Addiction Studies and is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development. She has goals of obtaining her Master’s Degree in Psychology and continuing to work with individuals suffering from addiction. She utilizes her own experience in recovery to aid others with their goals of sobriety holding the belief that every person is capable of growth if given the support. Bri is thrilled to be on the Pura Vida team!
Richard Watson RADT-I
Counselor
Rick Watson has been happily married for twenty two years with three grown children. He simultaneously worked with adults and adolescents who have suffered with addiction, PTSD, homelessness, and mental health diagnosis while obtaining his Masters degree in Human Services from Liberty University in 2012.
Max Kite RADT-I
Counselor
Max comes to us after having worked in a residential rehabilitation center for people who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction in Sonoma County. Max is a Registered Addiction Counselor under the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California. Max brings the skill of allowing the client to be their number one advocate, believing that every person is capable of change. Max believes that personal insight into one’s own addiction coupled with gaining knowledge of the tools necessary for a healthy and happy life are the keys to long term sobriety. Max is a compassionate, funny, knowledgeable, and kind individual who is truly here to make a difference.
Candace Morales, CADC-I
Counselor
I am a devoted Substance Abuse Counselor Certified by the state of California, with 14 years’ experience in substance abuse treatment. It is my belief that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires time and care without judgment. I work in collaboration with my client to help them clarifying their goals for treatment. I draw from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation, rather than adopting one methodology for all individuals and issues. As a counselor, I am warm, open, encouraging, and direct. I believe in holding a safe space for my clients to explore and discover techniques that will effect change.
Matthew Winters RADT-I
Detox Program Manager
Matt is a longstanding member of team Pura Vida. He is originally from New York where he got his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from the The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Matt worked as a chef for 16 years in Manhattan where he refined his cooking and management skills before discovering his new passion. He has started a life-skills cooking group where he now passes on the art of cooking nutritious and healthy meals to our clients. Matt’s strengths lie in his unparalleled patience and ability to make groups both fun and educational. He has his RADT-1 and is currently in school and studying for his CADC-1 certification. Matt shows up every day ready, willing, and able to make a difference.
Jessica Woods RADT-I
Team Lead, Medical Assistant
Jessica Woods-Killam recently completed her medical assistant certification at CalRegional in 2022, and shortly after took part in the RADT-I certification. She is driven by her passion of helping and understanding others, she hopes to become an RN in her near future.
Selena Chavez
Medical Assistant
Selena joined Pura Vida as a MA after completing her externship with us. She is driven by helping others and being able to support all the patients in their journey towards recovery. Selena has received her certification from Cal Regional as well as The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). She finds fulfillment in the role she takes at Pura Vida.
Katharine Wignall, RN
Nursing Supervisor
Katharine is a Registered Nurse who, after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Dallas, received an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Katharine’s past nursing experience includes clinical work at both Stanford Health Care, where she worked as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Intermediate Intensive Care Unit, as well as at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where she worked as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. As the Nurse Administrator at Pura Vida, Katharine helps ensure continued safety and quality of all medical care administered at Pura Vida’s Medical Detox Facilities.
Marisa Bradley RN
Nurse
Marisa has worked in healthcare for sixteen years. She obtained her Associates Degree of Nursing from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2019 and her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix in 2020. Marisa currently works as an Emergency Department nurse. Recently, she has done some work in community nursing, as well as disaster response.
Erica Crean RN
Nurse
Erica Crean is an RN with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Linfield College. She has 2 years of experience, including corrections and emergency nursing, which has allowed her to gain experience in many different aspects of nursing.
Steven Shifflett MDMedical Director, Addiction Specialist
Katie Schwimmer PsyDClinical Supervisor
Kate Jehue CADC-IProgram Director
Kirsten McMurrayMarriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Treatment Program Coordinator
Michelle Montalbano CADC-IFriends and Family Program Counselor
Justina Holguin RADT-ICounselor
Brianna Diebert CATC-IICounselor
Richard Watson RADT-ICounselor
Max Kite RADT-ICounselor
Candace Morales, CADC-ICounselor
Matthew Winters RADT-IDetox Program Manager
Jessica Woods RADT-ITeam Lead, Medical Assistant
Sarah CaldwellMedical Assistant
Selena ChavezMedical Assistant
Katharine Wignall, RNNursing Supervisor
Marisa Bradley RNNurse
Erica Crean RNNurse
