303-268-2144
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Our Team

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The Mile High Recovery Center team is a group of passionate people committed to helping you find and maintain your recovery. Our highly qualified addiction treatment team specializes in relapse prevention, trauma, brain-based learning, family involvement, and much more.

Brice Hancock

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Zubrin MA MFT, LAC, DBT

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. James Shuler, DO, MS, FACOEP, FAWM, FASAM

Medical Director

Mark Bowman

Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Gelman

Operations Manager

Dale Gibson, MACP, ADDC, LPCC

Lead Therapist Residential Program

Hannah Gross M.Ed., LPC

Lead Therapist Outpatient Program

Sara Gillett, BA, CAS

Primary Therapist

Erica Rusack, MA, CAS 

Primary Therapist

Madison Hernandez, BA

Clinical Case Manager Lead

Richard Provencial, CAS

Group Therapist

Madison McGonnigal, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Emma Van Dyken, BSW

Bachelor’s in Social Work

Cate Hill, BS

Intake Specialist

Jill Johanningmeier

Director of Admissions

Matt Neptune

Director of Community Outreach

Lauren Davis

Alumni & Outreach Coordinator

Clare
Walsh

 

John Rogers

Patient Advocate, Early Recovery Engagement Specialist

Hope Manning

Psychiatric Provider, PA-C

Holly E. Vause, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Debbie Ferreira

LPN Nurse

Jesse Manderson

Holistic Nutritionist

Shay Buffamoyer

Facility and Safety Manager

Anthony Bonnaci

Head Chef 

Jeremy Abeyta

Facility Maintenance

Derrick Deidel

Recovery Coach, Lead Behavioral Health Technician

Anthony
LaMantia

Lead Behavioral Health Technician 

Amyaliera
Minney BA

Lead Behavioral Health Technician

Ashley Medina

Behavioral Health Technician 

Abigail
Norton

Behavioral Health Technician

Kaitlyn
Olson

Behavioral Health Technician 

Hannah
Sexson

Behavioral Health Technician 

Reach Out to Mile High Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado

Mile High Recovery Center understands addiction, but we also understand what it takes to recover from addiction. We know that addiction is different for everyone and that a long-term, personalized treatment plan is the best chance of successful recovery.

If you or someone you know, perhaps a friend in the LGBTQ community, is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction in the Denver, CO area, please reach out to us at 303-268-2144.

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Substance Abuse Treatment

Addiction Therapies

Brice Hancock

Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO and Founder of Mile High Recovery Center, Brice is dedicated to helping individuals struggling with addiction to overcome their challenges and reclaim their lives. Brice’s passion for recovery comes from his own lifelong struggle with substance abuse. With years of experience in the field of addiction treatment and sober living, he has developed a deep understanding of the complex nature of addiction and the importance of providing individualized care to each and every client.

Brice started Mile High with one sober house in the Congress Park neighborhood of Denver, CO.  The mission at the time was simply to give back to others what had been freely given to him.  Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to build a team of compassionate and skilled professionals who share his commitment to providing the highest quality care to their clients. Together, they have developed a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment that combines evidence-based practices with a focus on holistic healing and personalized support.

At Mile High Recovery Center, we believe that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction, but about rebuilding a fulfilling and meaningful life. That’s why we offer a wide range of services to support our clients in every aspect of their journey, from detoxification and residential treatment to outpatient care and aftercare support.

As CEO, Brice believes his mission is to ensure that Mile High Recovery Center remains at the forefront of addiction treatment, always striving to improve and innovate services to meet the evolving needs of it’s clients. Brice is proud to lead a team of dedicated professionals who share his passion for helping individuals achieve lasting recovery, and he is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those he serves.

In a previous life, he was a career musician, booking agent, and he owned a live music bar. Brice is a father, a realtor, and podcaster. He enjoys scuba diving, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, the gym, playing guitar, and painting.

Sarah Zubrin MA MFT, LAC, DBT

Chief Operating Officer

Sarah is a Licensed Addictions Counselor, with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, she is also an active member of the Dames of Denver, and a proud member of NALGAP. She is the Chief Clinical Officer for our Colorado Addiction Treatment Team here at Mile High.

As a Colorado native you can find her outside of work rock climbing, hiking, skiing, camping, and walking her dog. Sarah has been working in the mental health field for over a decade and has extensive experience in the co-occurring field. Her passion for recovery is both a personal and professional journey that drives her work with newly recovering individuals.

She has many years of experience working with at-risk adolescents, young adults, adults, and their families in both outpatient and residential settings. Sarah is passionate about not only training clinicians in the industry, she is passionate about recovery both mental health and substance abuse.

Sarah has a deep level of compassion and passion for the recovery community and believes that recovery is possible for every client that walks through the doors. With a truly integrated approach to treatment co-occurring disorders are addressed simultaneously. She also believes fully that working with families to help change the family culture is an essential part of the process. She works both individually and in groups to help every client develop sustainable long-term recovery skills

Dr. James Schuler, DO, MS, FACOEP, FAWM, FASAM

Medical Director

Dr. Shuler has lived in Colorado since age 6, growing up in the Fort Collins area. He attended Colorado Timberline Academy in Durango for high school and after that became an MP in the United States Army. After that, he returned to Fort Collins where he was self-employed in a couple different ventures before attending College at Colorado State University where he did a double major in Botany and Zoology. After graduating, he attended medical school at Des Moines University where he also received a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. He then attended internship residency in emergency medicine at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. He then returned to Colorado and practiced emergency medicine in a wide variety of emergency departments including locum tenens work in multiple states and started an urgent care business with other partners.

Dr. Shuler’s passion for addiction medicine arose from his own recovery from alcoholism over a decade ago. He began his training at Harmony Foundation and worked under and with several addiction medicine specialists in a variety of practices over the past 6 years. He is currently dual board-certified in addiction and emergency medicine with a subspecialty fellowship in wilderness medicine. He currently lives with his wife in Lafayette, Colorado and has two girls, ages 20 and 23, and two stepchildren ages 20 and 26. He is currently the Medical Director for inpatient addiction treatment at the Foundry in Steamboat, Colorado, and Choice House/Lookout in Boulder, Colorado. Additionally, he is a regional medical director for Front Range Clinics, devoted to outpatient addiction treatment and works with the Denver Recovery Group, another outpatient addiction treatment facility.

His hobbies include gourmet cooking, as much travel as possible, and a variety of outdoor activities in Colorado.

Mark Bowman

Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Gelman

Operations Manager

Melissa Gelman is a dedicated Operations Manager with a profound commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Youth and Diverse Communities at Risk, Melissa has spent the past decade tirelessly working with high-risk populations, demonstrating her unwavering passion for social welfare and empowerment.

Currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, Melissa exemplifies her relentless pursuit of knowledge and professional growth. Her academic endeavors reflect her aspiration to leverage her expertise and skills in operational management to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare sector, where she aims to enact positive change and improve accessibility to quality healthcare services.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Melissa finds solace and joy in her role as a mother, cherishing every moment spent with her daughter. She finds rejuvenation in nature, often indulging in outdoor activities and adventures. Additionally, Melissa is a devoted dog owner, finding companionship and happiness in the playful antics of her furry friend.

Melissa’s commitment to personal growth and well-being extends to her active participation in a 12-step program, where she has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. With a clean date of 9/11/19, Melissa serves as an inspiration to others, showcasing the transformative power of perseverance and self-improvement.

Driven by her values of compassion, integrity, and resilience, Melissa Gelman continues to forge ahead, making a meaningful difference in both her professional endeavors and personal journey.

Dale Gibson, MACP, ADDC, LPCC

Lead Therapist Residential Program

Hannah Gross M. Ed., LPC

Lead Therapist Outpatient Program

Hannah Gross is a therapist at MHRC who grew up on the east end of Long Island, New York. After graduating with her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, she packed her bags, said goodbye to the ocean, and moved to Denver to feed her love of skiing and climbing big rocks. In her professional career, she has worked with age groups ranging from seven years old to sixty years old, in environments spanning from schools to inpatient facilities.

Growing up with a father who was addicted to opioids, Hannah spent most of her childhood bouncing back and forth between al-anon meetings and visiting her father in various recovery centers. She noticed through observation that there were some pieces of addiction treatment that were beneficial, and some that were less than helpful. She realized that in order to make a systematic change, she must engross herself in the system. She is thrilled to be a part of Mile High for this reason, to implement change and give every ounce of guidance and support she possesses to help people beat the battle of addiction.

Hannah utilizes CBT, DBT, ACT, holistic, and family systems models within the therapy space. She is a firm believer that therapy is not a one-size-fits all model. Every individual is unique, and each treatment approach should be equally as distinctive.

When she’s not working, Hannah frequents record stores, non-chain coffee shops, boulder problems, and her couch, where she is accompanied by her trusty companion, her cat Archie.

 

Sara Gillett, BA, CAS

Primary Therapist

Sara received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Counseling, with a concentration in Addictions Counseling, and is currently working toward obtaining her Master’s degree in counseling.

Sara completed her addiction counselor certification, and is excited to work closely with the newly recovering community.

Sara has various family and friends who have struggled with addiction, and because of this, she has a passion for helping those who are also struggling with addiction. She believes that everyone has the capability for recovery and her goal is to assist clients in this treatment process.
Sara works individually and in groups to aid clients in achieving their goals, and utilizes motivational interviewing throughout this process.

Sara is a Colorado native and enjoys hiking and camping in her free time. She also enjoys exploring and visiting new places, and so far she’s visited over 15 countries through her travel

Madison Hernandez, BA

Clinical Case Manager Lead

Richard Provencial, CAS

Group Therapist

Hello, my name is Richard Provencial CAC III. You know, working as a substance abuse counselor requires patience, dedication, and a desire to help people in crisis. I have been doing just this for over 25 years. My job entails providing confidential counseling and supports to addicts and their families.

Counseling may be in group settings or individual settings with the goal of encouraging a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle for each client. As a substance abuse counselor, I am also expected to work with community services and resources to find ongoing support, safe places to live, jobs, and other support for clients.

Cate Hill, BS

Intake Specialist

Cate is our case manager here at Mile High Recovery Center. Cate received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently working on her master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Health with a focus in Addiction Counseling. 

While Cate is not in recovery, she has numerous family members and friends who have struggled with substance use disorders and other mental health diagnoses. In high school Cate had her own struggles with mental health and fortunately had a support system of family, friends, and therapists who helped her learn the appropriate coping skills to feel herself again.

All of these experiences combined have inspired her to get into this profession to help others battling addiction and other mental illness. 

Cate was born and raised in Alabama but has called Colorado home for nearly six years. In her free time, you can find her hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and spending time with her puppy!

Jill Johanningmeier

Director of Admissions

Jill is a Denver native and a single mother to an amazing daughter. Survivor of alcoholism and drug addiction by way of 12 step recovery, it is her passion and purpose to help others to recover from the disease of addiction.

She is active in the Denver recovery community, involved in twelve-step recreation leagues, on the committee for hospitals and institutions for cocaine anonymous and a CCAR trained recovery coach.

Jill enjoys playing Volleyball, managing the Mile High Softball team, traveling and being the president of her daughter’s fan club.

She joined Mile High Sober Living as a House manager in 2018 and is now the Program Director for Mile High Sober Living. Jill has worked for Mile High Recovery Center since it opened and is the Director of Admissions.

“I love being a part of someone’s recovery journey, seeing lives transform and helping others to thrive, not just survive, is such a beautiful thing!” – Jill

Matt Neptune

Director of Community Outreach

Matt Neptune has worked in a variety of capacities in the treatment field over the last 7 years including residential director, director of operations, and sober living owner. Over time, Matt felt he had the experience and knowledge that could help relate to individuals and families struggling with some of the same things he once did, and began his career at Mile High Recovery Center. Matt often speaks to his community partners about his choice to work for MHRC because of the mission, culture and core values the company embodies.

Matt has a proven reputation of working with each client and family to offer unwaivering support in finding placement for individuals in need of care. Please reach out to Matt today with any questions or to set up an appointment to learn more about MHRC.

Lauren Davis

Alumni & Outreach Coordinator

Lauren Davis moved from Louisiana to Colorado in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Here she studied at The University of Colorado where she graduated with her bachelors in international affairs and TEFL Certificate (teaching English as a foreign language). She utilized her education to travel abroad and teach English in Argentina and Costa Rica before returning back to Colorado. For the next 10 years she developed her professional career as an account executive and sales client trainer.

In 2021, Lauren found sobriety through the Harmony Foundation and created a fulfilling life in Denver with Mile High Recovery Center’s sober living community. Today you can find Lauren playing on 12-step sporting leagues (soccer, volleyball and softball), traveling every chance she gets (51 countries and counting), leading AA meetings in the Denver Women’s Prison, or lounging with her partner and their German Shepherd, Buddy.

In 2023, Lauren decided to merge her career skills with her own sober experience to help others recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Thus she was the ideal person to continue to build the alumni community at Mile High Recovery Center. She loves working with other recovering alcoholics and addicts throughout their journeys; helping them from their first day here to finding work, volunteer opportunities, a positive community to engage with, and fun activities to participate in while living sober.  

John Rogers

Patient Advocate, Early Recovery Engagement Specialist

Hope Manning

Psychiatric Provider, PA-C

Holly E. Vause, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Holly graduated from Middlebury College and completed a master’s degree in nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Colorado, College of Nursing. Currently, she works with children, teens, and adults in outpatient mental health services. For those in recovery, she has experience using medication-assisted treatment. In general, Holly has a deep appreciation for holistic care, including conservative use of medication, beneficial nutrition, daily routines, and physical movement to support mental health wellness and recovery. She has co-authored several published articles for The American Journal of Psychiatry and The Nurse Practitioner.

Debbie Ferreira

LPN Nurse

Jesse Manderson

Holistic Nutritionist

Shay Buffamoyer

Facility and Safety Manager

Anthony Bonnaci

Head Chef

Jeremy Abeyta

Facility Maintenance

Derrick Deidel

Recovery Coach, Lead Behavioral Health Technician

Ashley Medina

Behavioral Health Technician