meet the team

Sifu Mathew Carver

CEO

Studied and trained in external and internal martial/healing arts as well as Qigong, Tai Chi, Ba Qua, Chinese Medicine and Taoist Philosophy for over 30 years with several prestigious Grandmasters, most notably Hing-Wo “Richard” Tsim of the Lau Kune Do system.  Mathew has trained under Grandmaster Sifu Tsim, as both his mentor and close friend, for over 20 years.

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, at many highly respected Mental Health and Substance Abuse facilities: Oasis Treatment Center, Southcoast Recovery, Anamika, Hoag Hospital, Sober Living by the Sea, Ocean Recovery, Laguna Hospital, Hope by the Sea, Brookside Institute and many more.

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 and administration. Instructed students in meditation techniques and how to manage stressful situations.

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 and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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 recovery addicts and seekers of change.  This facility was accredited by The Joint Commission, the highest accreditation in the industry.

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.