Bevan Gottlieb, LISAC - Program Director

Bevan received her degree from Prescott College in Human Development with an emphasis in Art Therapy. She has worked in the field of recovery for over 10 years, including 2 1/2 years at The Meadows and over 7 years as a Primary Therapist at Pia’s Place. She has specialized in sexual abuse, sexual anorexia/addiction and family of origin trauma issues. She enjoys utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to healing including art therapy, Gestalt experiential work and psychodrama. She is currently working on her M.Ed.

Melissa Thornburg - Director of Business Development

Melissa has her B.S. in Electronic Media from Northern Arizona University. Melissa brings 9 years of marketing and community relations skills to Pia's along with a passion and steady commitment to her own recovery, which began in 1998. Her professional experience has included marketing, sales, community relations and management for Fortune 100 companies such as NBC Television and Liberty Mutual, as well as Troon Golf and Scan Health Plan of Southern California. Melissa has mentored women in their own recovery from addiction, both individually and in small groups, since 2000. Melissa holds certifications as Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer with the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America, is a Certified Yoga Alliance Instructor (200 RYT), as well as a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader.

Barbara Fruchter - Records Manager / Privacy Officer

Barbara graduated from New York University School of Education with a B.S. degree in Speech Therapy. She worked with physically and mentally challenged children and adults and also has many years experience in administrative positions in both medical and business offices.

Gail Roberts - Client Financial Manager

Gail has worked at Pia's Place since 1993 bringing over 25 years of office management experience and 20+ years of personal recovery. She has filled positions of Business Manager, & Resident Manager. Gail created the Recovery Life Skills Group and co-created the Mother's Workshop. Having completed the required substance abuse education and training, she facilitates lecture groups and covers administrative positions as needed.

Bonnie Manko - Business Manager

Bonnie brings 38 plus years of office management skills to Pia's as well as her personal involvement with Palmer Drug Abuse Program in the Los Angeles area and other 12-Step programs.

Michelle Lawhorn, B.A., M.A. - Primary Therapist

Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Portland State University. She continued her education at the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology where she specialized in Expressive Arts therapy, earning her Master’s degree. Michelle utilizes an eclectic approach in her therapeutic practice including family systems, art therapy, Gestalt, Jungian, cognitive/behavioral, psychodrama, PIT and expressive movement techniques. Michelle has focused her time working with women and adolescent girls and has a special interest in disordered eating patterns. She helped develop the Eating Wellness Program at Pia’s Place.

Jenna Israel, B.A. - Behavioral Health Technician

For the past 10 years Jenna has worked in the field of body-centered therapies. She uses several modalities including intrinsic breathwork, movement, art, yoga, gestalt and body image techniques to assist others with their healing. Jenna designed the Body Image Program at Rosewood Ranch. At Pia’s Place she facilitates a variety of groups and workshops including Nourishing the Body, Fun & Recovery, Spirituality and Body Image.

Leota has her B.A. in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College and Addiction Counselors certificate from the Alaska Native Training Institute in Anchorage, Alaska. She received extensive training by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and held the position of Group Facilitator and Alaskan Coordinator for the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation. While in Alaska, Leota worked in an intensive outpatient treatment center for the addicted. Other areas of experience include workshops presenter on Death & Dying.

Darja Cocca - Behavioral Health Technician

Darja received her BS from the University of Maryland in Humanities with an emphasis on Behavorial and Social Science. She has 25 years experience in facilitating women’s workshops and assisted with the John Gray relationships seminars for 10 years. Her career includes body centered therapies such as hatha yoga, massage therapy, wholistic health and nutrition. She has trained with Bernard Jensen and Deepak Chopra.

Patty Riggs - Residential Manager

Patty brings her enthusiasm and strong commitment to 12-step recovery. Her experience in the human service field includes work as a child advocate, and most recently as a direct care provider for developmentally disabled adults. Patty moved from the Minneapolis area to Prescott in 2001, and began her own recovery in 1998.

Tracy Christensen - Therapist

Tracy Christensen BS, MA, LCSW, CADCIII& CCSII/WI
Tracy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology/Psychology from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. She continued her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Education/Counseling from Augustans College. Since 1982, Tracy has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse, treating adolescents, adults and families in a group and individual therapeutic modality. Tracy received specialized training in co-occurring disorders and personality issues resulting from trauma. Her holistic approach is to treat the mind, body and spirit to encompass the healing process. 

Fred S. Markham, M.D. - Medical Director

Dr. Markham graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in 1980. He completed his internship at the Long Beach VA/University of California and his residency at the University of Southern California. Dr. Markham has practiced medicine in Prescott since 1984 and has been involved with drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs since 1989. He has served as Pia’s Place’s medical director since 1993.

Michael Weinberg, Ph.D., CPC - Clinical Supervisor

Dr. Weinberg graduated from Kansas State University in 1987. He practiced at the Meadows in Wickenburg, AZ until 2002. He has been a presenter at regional, national and international conferences on various topics including depression, dual diagnosis, anxiety, suicide and trauma. He has received many Honors from Professional Organizations and now supervises Pia's Place Clinical Staff.

Jeffrey F. Penney, M.D. - Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Penney received his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and completed his residency training, specializing in Psychiatry at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Penney is Board Certified in Psychiatry. He specializes in psychopharmacology with interests in anxiety disorders, mood disorders and thought disorders. Dr. Penney has served as Staff Psychiatrist, and Medical Director for West Yavapai Guidance Clinic and is currently in private practice in Prescott.