Sarah Leitz, LMFT is the Clinical Manager and Therapist at CAST Treatment Centers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies at the University of Arizona, and received her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. Sarah has worked in the mental health field since 2016, providing comprehensive therapeutic services to individuals and families. Sarah has a strengths based approach focused on concrete solutions, personal growth and resiliency.

Patrick O’Neil, CADC-I, CAST’s Manager of Next Step Program and Group Facilitator. He has worked in the recovery field in various capacities since 2003. He is a published author of two memoirs and a co-contributor for instructional manuals on creative writing. Through embracing his own creative process he has recognized that nurturing and cultivating one’s passion is an integral and essential part of recovery.

Dr. William D. Stanley received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. He did his residency training at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. He did 1 year of a Master’s program in Anatomy at the University of Maryland Baltimore City campus prior to matriculating to medical school that next year.

He has worked in Internal Medicine for the majority of his professional life both inpatient and outpatient. He started Parkside Medical Assoc, PA in Trenton, NJ, employing 4 physicians. He noticed he had an interest in substance abuse and started involvement with ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) in 1998. He completed his Boards in ASAM in 2000 and, later, by ABAM (American Board of Addiction Medicine) in 2010. Since 2013 he has concentrated his time exclusively to the treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders. Prior to his joining Dr. Benya and her team in California, he was Medical Director of both an inpatient detox unit and 2 outpatient treatment programs, all located in New Jersey. He has an active license to practice medicine in both New Jersey and California.

Dr. Craig V. Smith, M.D. is a former organ transplant surgeon, who now dedicates his practice to addiction medicine. He received his M.D. degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Smith then completed his general surgical residency at Harbor-UCLA medical center and his multi-organ transplant surgical fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh medical center. He returned to UCLA medical center to start his career in academic transplant surgery, performing transplants, teaching students and residents while also conducting research on transplantation for the treatment of diabetes. During his academic career as an associate professor of surgery, Dr. Smith performed more than 500 organ transplants at UCLA, UC Irvine and the City of Hope National Medical Center. Since alcohol and drug use are leading causes of organ damage leading to the need for a transplant, Dr. Smith learned about addiction by listening to his patients. More importantly, since a requirement to receive an organ transplant is abstinence from using alcohol and drugs, Dr. Smith learned about recovery from listening to his patients. After listening over the years, pursuing self-study and continuing medical education in the field of addiction, in 2009 Dr. Smith decided to dedicate his career to addiction medicine. Dr. Smith is board certified in Addiction Medicine by both the American Board of Preventive Medicine and the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Jeffrey is driven by a deep sense of compassion, and is dedicated to increase access to care and empower individuals on their journey to recovery. With over 35 years of engagement with the recovery community, he is committed to raising awareness about mental health and addiction issues and connecting those struggling with the resources they require. Jeffrey strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by mental health and addiction challenges in the community.

Kate Weaver, LMFT, is a Therapist at CAST Treatment Centers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California. Kate has worked in the mental health field in a variety of capacities, including community mental health, mental health/dual-diagnosis treatment programs, school-based therapy, and private practice settings. Kate uses an integrative clinical approach, drawing from relational, somatic, and strength-based psychotherapy. She is also a certified Brainspotting Practitioner.

Ashley Nahai is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her BA in Psychology from UCLA in 2010 and her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2012. During graduate school, Ashley completed her practicum training at the residential level of care, where she received training in psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step oriented treatment. Following her practicum, Ashley served as a Counseling Director at a residential substance abuse facility, for over 5 years. In this position, she created and oversaw daily programming for over 100 residents, as well as supervised substance abuse counselors and program technicians. Additionally, she provided individual and group psychotherapy and substance abuse counseling, as well as facilitated family therapy groups and sessions. Following her tenure, Ashley served as the Director of Mentoring and Family Programming at the outpatient level of care. In this position, Ashley directed and supervised case management services for over 60 clients and families, led clinical trainings and supervision for all case managers, and facilitated family therapy workshops for clients and their families. Additionally, Ashley runs a private practice in Los Angeles where she provides therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families. Ashley believes in the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship and in the ability of every person to heal and recover.

Matthew is the Admissions Coordinator at Cast Centers, bringing valuable experience from the addiction treatment industry since 2021. As a member of the recovery community since 2018, he’s dedicated to connecting clients, staff, and partners to foster a supportive environment. Matthew’s passion for helping others shines through in his work.