Our Wellness Team

As an Owner/Founder and the Chief Executive Officer at New Method Wellness, Ed Blum brings a supportive, no-nonsense approach to the center. He is passionate about recovery service and has been a crucial leader in developing New Method Wellness, bringing the center’s strengths to the forefront. Ed’s hands-on, personable leadership style enables him to connect with clients during their treatment; his vested interest in each person’s progress makes clients feel they have a personal ally at the highest level of the organization. Ed cites the consistency and spiritual values of the company as its strengths, and he sees his contribution as rearticulating those fundamentals. Ed has a 30-year background as a successful business executive and has served in the military for 15 years. He enjoys cooking for crowds and loves to play golf.

Bing is the Chief Financial Officer at New Method Wellness. He oversees payor relations, support services, information technology, legal, standards and compliance, and health information management areas. Having owned several businesses in the past, including a daycare center, Bing is well suited to serve as our financial strategist. He utilizes his economic management and strategic planning experience to help New Method Wellness continue to grow and provide cost-effective services to clients and their families. After landing a football scholarship at Boise State University, Bing graduated from Vanguard University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Juanita serves as the Director of Admissions at New Method Wellness. Having joined New Method Wellness in 2013, Juanita served for five years as a practicing clinician before accepting the role of Assistant Clinical Director in 2018. During this time, Juanita helped expand the role of the LGBTQ, trauma, and aftercare programs. Now, in her role as Director of Admissions, Juanita utilizes her extensive clinical background in pursuit of identifying relationships with other nationally prominent treatment providers that address mental health and addiction in America. Juanita assists families in navigating the admission process at New Method Wellness. Juanita is a duly accredited Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC-II) with International Accreditation (ICADC).

Sue Anne is our Director of Client Affairs at New Method Wellness. Sue Anne comes to New Method Wellness with a rich management work history in business development and customer service. As the Director of Client Affairs, Sue Anne is often the first face our new clients see during the intake process and the last face they see during discharge. A constant with every client throughout their time at New Method Wellness and long after, Sue Anne coordinates check-ins with alumni. It ensures that all clients transition efficiently back into their families, work, and personal life as sober members of society. She is extremely personable and kind, making her a valuable confidant for our clients.

Dr. Randall Turner is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Having earned his Medical Degree from the distinguished Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, he then completed his Psychiatric Residency training at the prestigious Loma Linda University. At New Method Wellness, Dr. Turner serves as direct supervisor to Michael Clark, PA-C, MSPAS. Married with four children, Dr. Turner is a talented musician who enjoys reading, bird watching, and traveling.

Michael received a B.A. in psychology from University of Tennessee. He received his Masters of Health Science from the University of South Alabama where he belonged to the Alpha Theta Chi Honor Society, Michael is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Michael is a member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Michael cares for the psychiatric needs of patients with an emphasis on communication to ensure each patient is thoroughly assessed. He works closely with our medical team to ensure any concerns are met. Michael Clark is supervised directly by Dr. Randall Turner, DO.

Dr. Sternbergs is one of New Method Wellness’s longest serving therapist. She started her career as a registered nurse (RN), which lead to her interest in the psychological needs of individuals. She received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Boston University, where she was asked to co-evaluate their inaugural Master’s Program Specializing in Counseling Women. Ruta also completed the requirements for her Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) from the American Behavioral Studies Institute. For the past several years, she has been an active member of the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Orange County. She has discovered that her true calling is in the field of addiction recovery. “I cannot think of any other disease that has such a profound impact on so many.” She considers it to be an honor to connect and work with clients as they embark on their personal recovery journey. Ruta enjoys her family, friends and all creatures, big or small.

Claudia is an accomplished individual pursuing her master’s degree in psychology at Arizona State University. With a strong focus on psychology, she has dedicated many years to serving as a life coach and counselor. Claudia’s extensive experience in the field, spanning over eight years, has equipped her with a deep understanding of various treatment modalities. Having triumphed over her battles with addiction, Claudia has emerged as a beacon of hope for others seeking recovery. Her personal journey toward sobriety has provided her with invaluable insights and empathy, which she uses to guide her clients through their own paths of healing. As a resident of South Orange County, Claudia’s passion for helping people in her community is evident in her unwavering commitment to their well-being.

Kathi is a Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor at New Method Wellness. Kathi graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and minors in Psychology and Human Services. Having found trauma relief and recovery through a personal yoga practice, Kathi became a 500-hour certified Yoga Teacher. She incorporates Yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness to help aid her clients toward a transformative and healing treatment experience. Kathi has experience facilitating trauma and addiction recovery groups through Yoga 12 Step/ trauma within the military/veteran communities.

Ismary is a Counselor at New Method Wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and is a Juris Doctor. Motivated by a desire for an impactful career with a more personal nature, she decided to pursue a graduate counseling degree at Naropa University with an emphasis on wilderness therapy. Drawing from her mental health training and outdoor interests, Ismary provides holistic support with a humanistic and transpersonal approach to therapy. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, camping, connecting to the natural world, as well as traveling and exploring new cities, foods, and cultures.

Morgan is a counselor at New Method Wellness. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Montana State University in Bozeman, where she gained experience working as a crisis counselor on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and began her passion for working with families in crisis. Morgan is earning her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. She is particularly interested in the dual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and substance use disorders. In her spare time, Morgan enjoys puzzles, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Olivia began acting in film and television at six and has enjoyed a successful career, starring in numerous roles over the past 35 years. After her own struggles with addiction and finding joy and freedom on her path to recovery, she became inspired to return to school with a newfound passion for helping others. She is close to completing her bachelor’s degree in criminal psychology and a minor in religious studies. She plans on continuing with her education and will pursue a master’s degree in counseling. Her goal and what she feels is the true role of a lifetime is to bring hope, comfort, and healing to those who are hurting.

Vanessa serves as the Human Resources Manager at New Method Wellness. With her creative mind, Vanessa is also an asset as our Social Media Specialist. She is attending Walden University to obtain her BS in Psychology with Addiction and plans on continuing her education toward pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Along with her academic studies and personal experiences, Vanessa uses her intellect to connect with the clients and create a comfortable and safe environment when entering treatment. Additionally, Vanessa is an animal lover interested in learning more about animal-assisted therapy. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family, watching scary movies, and walking dogs.

April is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. April has been partnering with New Method Wellness to provide Equine Therapy for over 10 years. She utilizes a trauma-informed approach to her work, focusing on the horse-human connection as a pathway to healing. She is passionate about sharing the transformative power of horses, and firmly believes in the horses ability to facilitate change. April is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and received specialized training in Equine Facilitated EMDR.

Louis Heit is our Clinical Supervisor, providing supervision and clinical oversight to our counselor and therapist team. He is licensed in California as both a Clinical Social Worker and as a Marriage and Family Therapist, has Professional Certificate training in Business Management from the University of California, and has over thirty years of experience in providing direct care, training, supervision, program development and management, with specialties in trauma recovery, substance abuse treatment, mood disorders, and pain management. In addition to running a private practice and his work at New Method Wellness, Louis is a clinical preceptor for the US Navy, Camp Pendleton Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program, and is on the faculty at the University of Southern California, School of Social Work.

Kenzi has been a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) since 2018. Kenzi graduated from the University of Kansas with her bachelor’s in Music Therapy where she found her passion for working with individuals in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Having worked in various corrections settings (county jail, federal prison, and state prison), Kenzi currently works for Sonic Divinity Music Therapy Services LLC where she treats individuals in various treatment centers in the Orange County area. Kenzi’s passions include traveling, music, yoga, being in nature, family time, being with her kitty (MoMo), and football – GO CHIEFS!

Liana Cho serves as the Registered Dietitian at New Method Wellness. Liana earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Point Loma Nazarene University and her Master of Science in Clinical Dietetics from Grand Valley State University, completing both programs with Honors. Her role at New Method includes providing group and individual nutrition education, as well as tailored nutrition therapy based on each client’s needs. Liana also has extensive experience working in eating disorder treatment with both adults and adolescents, which has helped shape her nutrition philosophy and provide a greater depth of support when working with clients overcoming addiction. Her goal is to make nutrition concepts relatable and realistic to her clients and to encourage and challenge them through their wellness journey.

Jimmy Olivieri serves as the Medical Operations Director for New Method Wellness. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Arizona State University, Jimmy’s administrative functions include medical appointment scheduling, pharmacy fill-order management and logistical care coordination between members of the clinical, medical, and operational departments. As an Alumnus of the New Method Wellness program (2014), Jimmy understands first-hand the importance of maintaining a safe, comfortable and caring environment. An avid dog-lover and practitioner of Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Jimmy utilizes humility and compassion to inspire others towards change.

Kris Kereluik serves as the Director of Operations at New Method Wellness. Sober since 2013, Kris helps our clients cultivate a sense of pride in their recovery. Having joined the New Method Wellness team in 2015, Kris has had the opportunity to serve the needs of hundreds of clients. Attentive and kind, Kris is yet another trusted confidant for our clients to look to during their treatment process. Kris enjoys his family and friends, and anything to do with the great outdoors.

Richard is our Licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist at New Method Wellness and has over 14 years of clinical experience. He uses the following treatment methods in the clinic: Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture, Cupping, and the Balance Method. He also treats the following: detoxification, addiction, the pain of any kind (physical or emotional), weak digestion, stress, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, and mind-body disconnection. In addition, Richard is a Mentor and Trainer at a well-known Day Spa in California. He holds a BA and a Master of Science Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from South Baylo University in Los Angeles, California.

Kendra has lived and worked in Orange County for over 20 years. A mother, wife, friend, and an intuitive healer. Her journey began with her own awakening, educating herself on a physical, nutritional, and healthy lifestyle.

Quickly, she realized others, like herself, need to be educated on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. She created a blueprint for a better and healthier way, which we all strive for but never know how to get there! She has a passion for healing others, and her calling came through the touch of massage with an emphasis on energy healing. When she lays her hands on someone, there is a pure and genuine intent to help heal the difficulties or pains each client is going through.

She is committed to personal growth and continuing education as a massage therapist and yoga instructor. All the while working alongside each client, promoting their education to participate in this powerful self-healing process.

Mabel is New Method Wellness’ intake support specialist. When you arrive, do not let her tell you that she ate her breakfast and deserves a treat. She is available for hugs and pets.