Denver Recovery Center Staff

Laura Nuss

Co-Founder and Director of Administration
Denver Recovery Center

Laura brings several years of experience in the drug and alcohol treatment industry to the organization. Laura has a passion for empowering others and ensuring that all levels of operations run as smooth as possible.

Laura began her career in 2011 at a residential treatment program. As a member of their management team, she oversaw the financials, helped with state licensure, maintained vendor accounts, and helped with HR and billing functions. In 2014 Laura helped found a reputable Scottsdale, Arizona based treatment center. Because of her experience Laura has a strong working knowledge of the unique components that it takes to have a successful treatment center including, Joint Commission, policies and procedures and Insurance billing. Laura studied psychology and business management at Northern Arizona University. Originally from Connecticut, Laura relocated to Arizona to pursue her own journey of recovery which is where her passion for helping others comes from.

Jason Bordonaro

Co-Founder and Outreach
Denver Recovery Center

Jason knows recovery from addiction entails much more than abstaining from substances and alcohol. Recovery is a process of self-discovery, embracing a new way of life, and joining the thriving community of people devoted to sobriety and healthy living.

After 8 years of service in the treatment field and 15 years of personal recovery, Jason and partners Laura Nuss and Tyler Tisdale founded Denver Recovery Center, eager to share their experiences and continue helping others experience the joy of sobriety.

As an active member of the 12-Step community, Jason’s commitment to emotional and spiritual growth is an inspiration for all those around him. He believes healing both body and mind are paramount to lasting recovery and carries these ideals into his own life. He is passionate about living life to the fullest and enjoys camping, hiking, yoga, traveling, listening to live music, and spending time with his loving family and his dog, Charlie.

Dr. Michael Doody, EdD., LPC, LAC

Clinical Director
Denver Recovery Center

Michael Doody has extensive history working with different settings and different services ranging from direct client care, to providing mental health therapy and offering substance abuse treatment.  In his role as the clinical director, he provides group therapy, intake assessments, support for the therapists and case managers, as well as staying updated on most current treatment services in the field of substance recovery and mental health. 

Michael utilizes daring leadership skills to foster a positive and supportive environment for his clinical team, with an emphasis on personal development.  Michael works to improve the relationship and growth of his team and welcomes their individual interests and hobbies.  Being an avid Star Wars fan himself, his office embodies how to share the things that bring you joy, with those around you.  As soon as you step into his office, you are immediately surrounded by the world of “Geekdom”.  

Michael has a doctorate of education (EdD) in Counseling Psychology, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the state of Colorado.  Michael earned his EdD as well as his Master’s in Community Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University. 

Hunter Kennedy, Psy.D., LPC-S

Executive Director
Denver Recovery Center

Hunter has a Doctorate in Psychology and is an LPC-Supervisor licensed in Texas and Colorado. He has a broad background of experience in mental health and chemical dependency; working in a variety of environments to include hospitals, residential and outpatient settings.  Hunter’s primary focus is in attempting to facilitate transformational experiences for clients by helping them to break old paradigms, allowing for a new path to take root.  He has spent the past decade researching elements of conscious awareness and how it interacts in the holistic treatment of the individual within the overlapping components of body, mind, and spirit via the internal aspects of choice, experience and perception.  Hunter credits life as being his greatest teacher. “There is no substitute for experience, for all of our experience shapes each of our choices and perceptions.” 

Jeska Albuisson, MD

Medical Director/Physician
Denver Recovery Center

Jeska Albuisson is the Medical Director and physician on staff at DRC. She coordinates care with the clinical team and therapists and meets with each patient individually shortly after their arrival to create and manage their care and medical needs. Patients will meet with Jeska a minimum of every other week while in PHP and she will manage the majority of their medical needs while in treatment. 

Jeska completed her medical training at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), Denver, and is board certified in Internal Medicine, she completed one year of psychiatry training during her residency at UCH. She is currently a full time hospitalist and medical director of hospital medicine at BCH in addition to her work at DRC and has been working in Internal Medicine for over 12 years. Over the course of her hospital work, Jeska has had the opportunity to work with many patients hospitalized with severe withdrawal or complications related to substance use, and through that work has developed a passion for advocating for and working with patients struggling with SUD. She continues to be inspired by witnessing her patients taking on the challenge of sobriety, and having the privilege to both understand and to be a part of their story of recovery.  Jeska has worked outside of the hospital in the addiction recovery field for over 5 years and is in the process of completing her addiction medicine board certification.  

Outside of work, Jeska enjoys spending time with her family in the mountain home she shares with her husband, 3 sons, 3 dogs and 2 cats—being a mother is the greatest joy of her life. Jeska also loves biking and frequently will be seen biking to and from work. She is originally from New York but has spent the last 20 years in Colorado and has come to love the mountains and sunshine. 

Alexa Hudmon

Director of Operations
Denver Recovery Center

Having found recovery from substance use disorder herself. Alexa found her passion in helping others. Alexa began working in the field of addiction treatment five years ago. Alexa is constantly driven to learn more about herself and others, and has transitioned through many phases of the treatment industry including housing, case management, admissions, marketing, and operations work. She is now starting her social work program, so she can finally move on to clinical work and helping others overcome addiction and substance abuse.

When Alexa is off work, you can find her with her two dogs Pep and Jerry, skiing through beautiful Colorado, or on the ranch with the horses.

Rachael Messaros

Director of Admissions
Denver Recovery Center

Having found recovery from substance use disorder in 2012, Rachael believes the solution to maintaining sobriety and living a fulfilling life is helping others. She has been working in the field of addiction treatment for over five years and works a rigorous 12-step program in her personal life.  Rachael loves working in admissions and being the first contact people have when they call for help so she can provide empathy, solutions, and hope. 

Rachael lives with her wonderful fiance, Nick, and sweet dog, Doobie, in Boulder. She enjoys dancing, skiing, and socializing with everyone. Her passion is helping others and she is full of gratitude to work in a career that allows her to live out her passion every day.

Kathleen McCarthy, LPCC

Primary Therapist
Denver Recovery Center

Kathleen McCarthy brings years of eclectic professional practice to her role as an IOP therapist at Denver Recovery Center. Drawing from her own life and work experiences, she understands how overwhelming it can be to move away from addiction and towards recovery, and that this is a journey that must be taken with others.

Kathleen believes in a holistic approach to working with recovering human beings. We must look at our behaviors from all angles, both internal and external, to get honest about what needs to change. No stone can go unturned when it comes to developing awareness of our patterns and building up the foundation to support our new sober path. It is probably the single most important restoration project we will ever embark on. 

Recovery is hard and it can also be fun, refreshing, and inspiring, so it is important to practice enjoying life and leaning into what works for you too. Kathleen brings this perspective into her work with clients and helps them to remember that life is not ending now that you are sober, it is actually just beginning. 

Kathleen graduated with a BA in Sociology from Skidmore College, and an MA in Transpersonal Psychology Counseling from Naropa University. When she is not at work, you can find her practicing on her yoga mat, hiking/biking/camping in the mountains, experiencing live music through dance, and finding creative ways to engage with fun self-care. 

Shannon Dunn, LPCC

Primary Therapist
Denver Recovery Center

Shannon Dunn has prior experience working with adults with mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. She has received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to support clients. Shannon has also worked with youth with a history of trauma and neglect currently experiencing homelessness. She considers this to be her most impactful past clinical experience and what led her to work in addiction recovery.

Shannon is passionate about helping clients heal from trauma and discover new ways to cope with the hardest parts of life. She considers the therapeutic relationship to be of the utmost importance and sees herself as a partner in growth and change. She also values group therapy highly and loves facilitating groups, encouraging clients to challenge and learn from one another. She is particularly passionate about helping older adolescents and emerging adults navigate tough transitions and to find a sense of self and belonging. 

Shannon received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Regis University and is a registered Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate. She is currently working towards her Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certificate.

In her spare time, Shannon enjoys painting, traveling, and live music. She recharges through her time spent connecting with nature, specifically while hiking and camping.

Sandi Ewing CAC III

Primary Therapist
Denver Recovery Center

Sandi joined the field of addiction recovery 26 years ago after being inspired by the transformative nature of her own recovery. She started bringing Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to several Denver jails and continued volunteering at the Department of Corrections for 13 years assisting with the drug and alcohol programs there. Sandi eventually became a Certified Addiction Counselor Level III and worked in gender specific residential treatment for females for four years. Following that, she worked with medication assisted treatment for opiate use disorder. Sandi finally landed here at Denver Recovery Center, where she practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused and Motivational Interviewing approaches to treating clients. Sandi believes that addiction is not a moral failing but a brain disease that can be treated and managed. When she is not at Denver Recovery Center, you can find her out riding her Harley-Davidson or fishing and hiking in Colorado’s beautiful wilderness.

Jaroed Sarmiento

Behavioral Health Tech
Denver Recovery Center

Jaroed works at DRC as a Behavioral Health Tech and is also an alumni of Denver Recovery Center.

Working as a BHT at Denver Recovery Center, Jaroed introduces and encourages the 12 step program to clients by coordinating attendance of 12 step meetings and sharing his own experience. Jaroed organizes the day to day operations for clients when they are under his care, and supports the men in the beginning of their recovery journey.  

“My main goal when the men come in is to show them that there is a way out, and they can live a happy and fulfilling life sober. I try to inspire hope, because I know what it feels like to come in and feel hopeless. There is another way to live life.”

Jaroed spends his free time with his daughter, dogs and cats.  He enjoys disc golf, and constantly explores new interests.  He makes it a priority to stay active in the recovery community by sponsoring men, and being of service.

Derrick C. McElroy

Business Development
Denver Recovery Center

Derrick has 16 years of professional experience in helping people. His experience spans many different industries including industrial automation, tech, real estate, restaurant, event planning, non-profit, and mental health. His bachelor’s in Strategic Communication and minor in psychology has added to his natural ability to relate to people, so that he can help people get to where they need to be. Derrick enjoys exercise, adventuring, and hanging with his friends and family. His true purpose in life is to help people reach and maintain mental wellness.

Lindsey Pike

Case Manager
Denver Recovery Center

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Human Sciences from Texas Tech University. During her undergraduate career Lindsay’s studies concentrated on addictive disorders & recovery sciences, human development & family studies, and Community, family, & addiction studies. Lindsay aims to continue her education and bring valuable resources, innovative ideas, and all-around support to those impacted by addictive disorders.

In her work at Denver Recovery Center, Lindsay provides clients with resources and information to help them get the most out of sobriety while in treatment and upon their discharge from treatment. Lindsay helps clients plan for their newfound life in recovery and ensures that when each client is discharged, they hold valuable resources and information to help them stay on the path of recovery.

When not at work Lindsay dedicates her time to her academics, family, dogs, and the outdoors.