About MDCR Addiction Treatment
Our Story
MDCR Addiction Treatment began with one clinician's refusal to accept the status quo. After years working in hospital settings, our founder witnessed too many patients cycle through revolving-door detox programs that treated symptoms but never addressed the person behind them. The breaking point came when a veteran — someone who had served three combat tours — was discharged after a five-day detox with nothing more than a pamphlet and a phone number.
That moment sparked a decision: leave the hospital system and build something different in Simi Valley. Something that treated each individual as a whole person, not a diagnosis code. In 2007, MDCR opened its doors with just 12 beds and a small team of clinicians who shared a common belief — that recovery demands both scientific rigor and genuine human connection.
Over 19 years, we have grown to a 34-bed facility with 73 staff members and have served more than 5,200 patients. But the founding principle has never changed: every person who walks through our doors deserves treatment as individualized as the life they have lived.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance the science of addiction treatment while honoring the dignity of every person we serve. We believe that lasting recovery is built on evidence — not guesswork — and that clinical innovation must be paired with compassion to produce real outcomes.
At MDCR, we continuously integrate emerging research into our treatment protocols. From somatic experiencing techniques that address stored trauma to DBT skills that build emotional resilience, every modality we employ has been vetted through rigorous clinical evidence. We measure what matters: sustained sobriety, restored relationships, and the ability to live a purposeful life after treatment.
We hold ourselves accountable not just to our patients, but to the families and communities that depend on them. For the veterans, first responders, and everyday heroes of Simi Valley and beyond, our commitment is unwavering: the best available care, delivered with respect.
Treatment Philosophy
Our treatment philosophy rests on three interconnected pillars that guide every clinical decision we make:
Mind-Body Connection
Addiction lives in the body as much as the mind. Through somatic experiencing, daily breathwork, outdoor yoga, and meditation, we help patients reconnect with physical sensations they have long numbed. When the body heals, the mind follows — and vice versa. Our mindfulness-centered daily schedule ensures that this integration is not an afterthought but the foundation of every day in treatment.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Recovery without purpose is fragile. We work with each patient to rebuild professional identity, develop new skills, and create a realistic plan for returning to meaningful work. For veterans and first responders transitioning careers, this pillar is especially vital — it bridges the gap between who you were and who you are becoming.
Family Systems Theory
Addiction reshapes entire family dynamics. Our family therapy program draws on systems theory to identify patterns of codependency, enabling, and unspoken grief. We bring families into the recovery process not as spectators but as active participants, because lasting sobriety depends on a healthy support network.
Our Team
Dr. Catherine Morales, MD
Medical Director
Board-certified in addiction medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Morales has spent 16 years treating substance use disorders with a specialization in veteran and first responder populations. She oversees all medical detox protocols and dual diagnosis programming at MDCR, ensuring every patient receives care grounded in the latest clinical research.
David Chen, LMFT
Clinical Director
A licensed marriage and family therapist with 12 years of experience, David leads MDCR's therapeutic programming. His background in family systems theory shapes our approach to involving loved ones in the recovery process. He holds additional certifications in somatic experiencing and trauma-focused CBT.
Angela Torres, LCSW
Lead Therapist, Veterans Program
Angela served as a military social worker for eight years before joining MDCR. Her firsthand understanding of service-related trauma allows her to connect with veteran patients in ways that build immediate trust. She facilitates our psychodrama and SMART Recovery groups.
Robert Nguyen, CADC II
Substance Abuse Counselor
In recovery himself for over 14 years, Robert brings both professional training and personal insight to his counseling work. He specializes in working with young adults navigating early recovery and leads MDCR's vocational rehabilitation planning sessions.
Dr. Lisa Harmon, PsyD
Director of Mindfulness & Wellness
Dr. Harmon holds a doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus on mindfulness-based interventions for addiction. She designed MDCR's mindfulness-centered daily schedule, integrating extended meditation, breathwork, and body-scan practices into the treatment structure. Her research on mindfulness and relapse prevention has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals.
Testimonials
"I spent 15 years as a firefighter watching my drinking get worse after every bad call. I tried white-knuckling it, tried AA on my own, but nothing stuck until MDCR. The therapists here actually understood the weight I was carrying. They didn't just tell me to stop drinking — they helped me figure out why I started."
- Tom W., First Responder in Recovery
"When I got to MDCR, I had no idea I was dealing with bipolar disorder on top of my addiction. The dual diagnosis team identified it within my first week and adjusted my treatment plan completely. For the first time in my adult life, I feel stable. That word used to mean nothing to me. Now it means everything."
- Priya N., Dual Diagnosis Graduate
"I entered treatment at 21 thinking my life was over. The team at MDCR helped me see it was just beginning. The vocational rehab program gave me direction, and the mindfulness practice gave me peace. I'm back in college now and maintaining my recovery one day at a time."
- Brandon L., Young Adult in Recovery