Herald, California Drug Rehab Facilities

Harvard trained Drs Ronnie Frankel Blakeney and Charles Blakeney, brought Harvard’s developmental model to the identification and treatment of people trapped in mental illness and addiction. They founded, and for 20 years co-directed, Berkeley Academy for Youth Development/The Institute for Clinical-Developmental Psychology. Together they have been among the foremost leaders in the field for the past 35 years, and most recently at the Department of Education and Educational Psychology, Univ. of Fribourg, Switzerland for 10 years refining the Developmental Integrity Approach to addiction and recovery; an addiction treatment manual (One Grain of Sand); two recovery and prevention-related program evaluations; and founding and implementing the Developmental Integrity Profile that assess developmental needs and strengths and guides tailored treatment in a range of recovery programs. Drs Blakeney consulting on human development includes two years at the White House Office of Domestic Policy, two years at the California Legislature, and two years as research scientists for the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” - Leonardo da Vinci Growing up I had a lot of “growing pains.” Assimilating with the American culture back in the early 90’s was difficult especially immigrating from another country. I understood my role in life but I just couldn’t understand “me.” This led to many difficult challenges I had to over come but I knew one day I would see the light at the end of tunnel. Addiction had brought me to my knees begging for salvation. Finally I surrendered everything I use to know about life so I re create a new way of life in recovery. Today I live a clean and sober life, with two successful careers, and a golden education. I have devoted my life to giving back to the community today because action is what completes my journey.

“The stigma surrounding help-seeking for mental health problems hinders people from getting support. This stigma is even greater for those struggling with addiction….Providing quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental care is key to revolutionizing the recovery experience for those who need treatment.” Marlon Rollins is a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, including operational management across clinical and non-clinical departments. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, as well as an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, and is a licensed mental health counselor and national certified counselor. Prior to joining Laguna Treatment Hospital, Rollins served as interim CEO and COO at a 148-bed hospital in the Bay Area and at a 171-bed facility in Sacramento, California, providing leadership and overseeing operations of the two largest free-standing psychiatric facilities in the state of California. Before his work in California, Rollins held a leadership role at a large integrated healthcare system in the state of Indiana where he testified before legislators on expanding crisis and addiction services. Rollins is passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness and addiction and shares his knowledge and personal experience—including the loss of his sister, a registered nurse, to suicide—on various media platforms. Rollins is a member of the Steering Committee for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) and the California Hospital Association and a winner of the Center of Leadership Development’s Human Achievement Award. When he’s not working, Rollins enjoys photography, traveling, playing percussion, and drawing.