meet the team
LOVE LIFE AGAIN
Finding new ways to connect and grow with our participants is our joy. Helping people to love life again is our passion.
A Community That Cares
Our multidisciplinary team specializes in major depressive disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, ADHD, ADD, dissociative disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. We are advocating for people suffering from these mental illnesses so that they can receive the same quality and length of care currently only reserved for substance abuse disorders. Healing from mental illness takes time but when it is done correctly with a caring staff of professionals the positive effects reverberate and spread throughout the community. It seems the world is suffering from mental illness. It’s time we came together as a community to heal our wounded and make a better tomorrow for ourselves and our future.
Connect and Grow
As the first and only licensed community care facility in California, we are pioneers. We have realized a vision of long term, intensive care for mental illness and co-occurring disorders like substance dependency. Our staff is multidisciplinary and multi-focused. This means that we are not a “one size fits all” recovery program. Instead, we work closely with each person to build a treatment plan that is unique and speaks to each individual’s needs and goals. Our staff is trained in everything from psychotherapy, EMDR, CBT, DBT, Jungian Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Morita Therapy to tai chi, qigong, yoga, ba qua, kung fu, music therapy, reiki, art therapy, dance and so much more. Finding new ways to connect and grow with our participants is our joy. Helping people to love life again is our passion.
We pride ourselves on being the finest providers of community-based care and in working closely and transparently with insurance companies so that we can provide the highest level of care and best practices.
Many of our participants qualify for supported housing through their insurance coverage if their current housing situation is unsafe, violent or not conducive to recovery.

Sifu Mathew Carver
CEO
Studied and trained in external and internal martial/healing arts as well as Qigong, Tai Chi, Ba Qua, Chinese Medicine
In 2003, Sifu Carver opened a Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Temple which he ran for 8 years working with students (over 4000) from all walks of life. Sifu Carver was a positive presence in the community of Lake Forest where he worked and trained students in cultivating healthy life paths. It was at this time that Sifu Carver began teaching and working in various Substance Abuse Facilities across Orange County. Sifu Carver pioneered holistic health programs, which incorporated Chinese martial arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine,
From 2005 – 2007, Sifu Carver was an instructor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at The Academy of Natural Healing in San Clemente, CA. Classes focused on traditional martial healing liniments and basic herbal identification, preparation
During his time teaching at these various facilities, Sifu Carver devised a system for his own recovery program called Phoenix Healing Arts, which opened in 2008. This outpatient treatment center incorporated many of the eastern arts that Sifu Carver had been teaching and practicing in local recovery centers. During the next 2 years, Sifu Carver wrote two books The Five Chinese Elements and the Lost Art of Change and Zen Recovery Path Workbook which composed the backbone for the program model. Sifu Carver is also a Certified Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and Master Herbalist and Formula Architect for Human Roots Herbal Supplements and Zen Blend Herbs. These herbal supplements grew from Sifu Carver’s desire to offer patients a better alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
In 2011, Sifu Carver founded the Zen Recovery Path at Sure Haven. This complementary and alternative addiction treatment system exposed recovering addicts and alcoholics to the myriad balancing and life shifting techniques explored by ancient Eastern healing traditions for centuries. Zen Recovery Path functioned as an alternative recovery track and included addiction therapy, case management, martial arts training/discipline, meditative arts
In 2012, Sifu Carver opened Zen Recovery Path in Costa Mesa, California. This facility was the flagship facility in a Substance Abuse Treatment revolution. Sifu Carver and Keith Coronado built the facility from scratch using found art and Keith’s artistic vision and elbow grease. This facility began treating clients in May of 2012 through June of 2018. This facility is internationally known and has successfully treated hundreds of
In 2018, Sifu Carver and his fiancée Alyssa Panis opened Barn Life Recovery at the same location where Zen Recovery Path once stood. This facility is the first fully licensed facility sanctioned to treat Mental Illness and Co-Occurring Disorders in the State of California. This facility is the first of its kind and its goal is to stop the stigma of mental illness and offer a long term, effective solution to recovery.
Dr. Ryan Wright
MD
Dr. Wright is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and a Board Certified Addiction Medicine Specialist currently practicing in Newport Beach, CA. He provides general psychiatric services for adult Barn Life Recovery patients who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or thought disorders. For every new patient, Dr. Wright provides a comprehensive initial psychiatric assessment, and offers subsequent mental health treatment including medication management and individualized psychotherapy.
Kathy Remeika
LMFT
With over 15 years of experience, Kathy has been with us from the beginning. Starting as a trauma therapist for our population, Kathy eventually rose to the role of Vice President of Clinical Operations. Kathy is such an integral part of how we were built and how we function. Kathy has worked with us to build our clinical schedule from scratch and also created our weekly themed approach to treatment. Kathy ensures daily operations, oversees treatment planning, reviews clinical notes and facilitates weekly clinical meetings with staff. Her calm and approachable demeanor has been a blessing for our clients. Kathy is a vital presence. She goes above and beyond everything that is asked of her.
Kelsey Nunziata
LMFT
Kelsey is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (License Number: 98566). She is a graduate of The Chicago School of Psychology with a Masters in Clinical Psychology, MFT specialization. It must be pointed out that Kelsey graduated with 4.0. She always gives 100% and rises to any and all occasions. Kelsey joined our team when she was an intern working toward her license. She grew within the organization and eventually took on a full client schedule. After less than a year, she pioneered our night program and also trained and managed our team of case managers. Kelsey is family. She has been a part of our team from very early on and she has never wavered in her support for her clients. Kelsey is a champion for her clients and powerful bastion of strength and hope. Kelsey regularly teaches groups at Barn Life Recovery and works directly with clients on an individual basis.
CONTACT BARN LIFE RECOVERY
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT · DUAL DIAGNOSIS · TAILORED TREATMENT PLANS
Complete the Form or Call Us for Help Today!