scroll to top

Meet the San Diego Treatment Team

Chris Yadron

Christopher Yadron, PhD, LCPC, CADC

Vice President of the West Region and Administrator of the Betty Ford Center


Christopher Yadron, PhD, LCPC, CADC, oversees the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage and its outpatient sites in West Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as the Oregon Beaverton facility and our Springbrook campus in Newberg, Oregon. Dr. Yadron received his PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He completed his bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Trinity Christian College and his master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Loyola University in Chicago. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Chris is also a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), and often speaks at conferences and workshops on addiction and the family, counselor training and development, and organizational leadership. Learn more

Chris Yadron
Brian Couey, Director of Outpatient Services

Brian Couey, PsyD, LAADC, CATC-IV, CAMF

Director of Outpatient Services, San Diego


Brian Couey, PsyD, LAADC, CATC-IV, CAMF, has held several leadership roles in the addiction treatment field, including program manager at Valley Women's Center from 2009 to 2015, clinical coordinator at the Inter-Agency Drug Abuse Recovery Programs and manager at Center for Living and Learning, Inc. He earned a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University. A Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Certified Treatment Counselor Level IV, and a Certified Anger Management Facilitator, Brian holds a Domestic Violence Counselor Certification and is certified in Seeking Safety and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Learn more

Brian Couey, Director of Outpatient Services
Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, Medical Director, Rancho Mirage

Stanton Segal, MD, FCCP

Medical Director, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage, San Diego, West Los Angeles


Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, is the Medical Director of the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Formerly, Dr. Segal was the CMO, ICU Director and Medical Director of Aria Health System (now Aria Jefferson), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine and is ASAM Certified in Addiction Medicine.

Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, Medical Director, Rancho Mirage
Nancy Knott, Mental Health Professional

Nancy Knott, MA, LMFT, LAADC

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Professional, San Diego


Nancy Knott, MA, LMFT, LAADC, began working in the field of addiction recovery after completing her certification in addiction studies. She completed her graduate degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Nancy has extensive knowledge and practice providing mental health services to adults and adolescents suffering from addiction and related issues. She has worked extensively with family members who were affected by a loved one's addiction issues. Nancy has also worked extensively with veterans suffering from co-occurring disorders (PTSD/trauma issues) in the field of addiction. She has completed training in EMDR I and II and is working toward full EMDR certification.

Nancy Knott, Mental Health Professional
Season Hewitt, Addiction Counselor 1

Season Hewitt, CADC II

Addiction Counselor I, San Diego


Season Hewitt, CADC II, has over 16 years of experience in addiction treatment services and the holistic health and wellness field. She started her career at Mental Health System's Female Peri-Natal Program as a residential coordinator in 1999. She has worked since 2000 at La Jolla's Scripps Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, specializing in adolescent intensive outpatient and family education and adult inpatient services. In 2007, Season created a substance abuse counseling, prevention and education program for Fusion Academy and Learning Center in Solana Beach and has been supporting students at Fusion with education around substance abuse and addiction. Season also has experience in the wellness field as a Holistic Counselor using a variety of scientific-based approaches to healing that focus on the power of the mind-body connection. Motivated by her passion for wellness, she co-created and co-facilitated a wellness program for Fusion Academy that is now being replicated in over 30 schools across the nation. Her interests include travel, exploring different cultures, volunteer work, and spirituality.

Season Hewitt, Addiction Counselor 1
Kevin Hooker, Addiction Counselor 1

Kevin Hooker, CADC-CA

Addiction Counselor I, San Diego


Kevin Hooker, CADC-CA, completed his addiction studies education at the University of California, San Diego and has worked in the addiction treatment field for over 15 years. He is the former owner of Life Line Intervention San Diego. Kevin began working in the addiction treatment field in 2000 with the Scripps Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, where he held several positions, including Aftercare Coordinator, Family Educator, and Group Counselor.

Kevin Hooker, Addiction Counselor 1
Michael Potter, Addiction Counselor, Betty Ford Center in San Diego, California

Michael Potter, LADC, MLS

Addiction Counselor IV, San Diego


Michael Potter, LADC, MLS, has worked in the substance use disorder/addiction recovery field since March of 1986. He worked as a drug unit assistant and chemical dependency counselor for adolescents at Fairview Recovery Services of Minneapolis Minnesota from 1986 to 1999. He also worked as a clinical case manager, wellness specialist, and chemical dependency counselor at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's campus in Center City, Minnesota from 1999 until 2013. In addition, Michael worked as an addictions counselor, patient placement counselor, and participated in the insurance readiness project at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's campus in Rancho Mirage, California from 2013 until October of 2017. He completed Chemical Dependency Specialist Certification training at Minneapolis Community College in 1987 and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota in 1994. He completed graduate work with honors (Phi Kappa Phi) and received a Master's in Liberal Studies (MLS) in Maximizing Human Potential at the University of Minnesota in June of 1999.

Michael Potter, Addiction Counselor, Betty Ford Center in San Diego, California
Jeffrey Seltzer, CATS, CAADE, Clinical Case Manager, San Diego

Jeffrey Seltzer, CATS, CAADE

Clinical Case Manager, San Diego


Jeffrey Seltzer, CATS, CAADE, has been working in the field of addiction treatment for 18 years, the first three with adolescents for the County of San Diego. Jeffrey then transitioned to Scripps Hospital as a therapeutic partner to patients and their families. Jeffrey holds dual degrees in Biology and Behavioral Science, with a special emphasis on alcohol and other drug studies.

Jeffrey Seltzer, CATS, CAADE, Clinical Case Manager, San Diego
Dawn Gessner, Managed Care Specialist

Dawn Gessner, RN, CARN

Managed Care Specialist, San Diego


Dawn Gessner, RN, CARN, has been practicing as a registered nurse since 1978, specializing in psychiatric and holistic nursing. She worked in Texas and South Carolina before settling in San Diego. She has worked as a case manager for Scripps Health since 1992, first on the Chronic Pain unit, and for the last 16 years has specialized in chemical dependency. She is a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse and has assisted patients with managing their treatment and facilitating their journey with recovery.

Dawn Gessner, Managed Care Specialist
Mary Arnold, Clinic Coordinator

Mary Arnold

Clinic Coordinator, San Diego


Mary began working in the addiction treatment field in 2002 as a research data specialist at Scripps McDonald Center. She eventually moved into the Admissions Department, where she became the coordinator of admissions. Mary's passion is seeing people "get it," and helping in their transformation as they work to lead a better life by being clean and sober.

Mary Arnold, Clinic Coordinator