Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.
She maintains active status at Cedar Point Recovery, Akua Mind & Body, Valley Recovery, Woodland Hospital, Sierra Vista, and Psynergy Programs. Get to know more about Vicky here.
Steve Sugden, MD, MPH, earned his medical degree at University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT. He completed a Psychiatry Residency program at University of California, Davis in Sacramento, CA. More recently, he completed an MPH at University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Sugden is a Laughlin Fellow from the American College of Psychiatry and is board certified in Psychiatry by the ABPN and Addiction Medicine by the ABAM. His interests include addiction medicine, military and veteran medicine, and education. He worked in residential, inpatient, private practice settings, and Veteran Affairs in Texas, North Carolina and Sacramento.
Sofia has had over 10 years’ experience working as an office manager. She has also been recognized for providing great customer service and has always been a team player. Sofia has been with Diamond House Detox since the day they opened in January 2017. Sofia started out as drug and alcohol counselor and is now Diamond House Detox’s Office Manager and Admissions Coordinator. Sofia is one of the first point of contact that families or clients talk to when wanting to come into treatment. Sofia has had her own personal experience of losing a loved one to substance use, and that experience is why she has decided to work for Diamond House and continue to help families and clients in need of treatment.
Liza received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. She then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, specialization in Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. Liza is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Texas. She is moved to Sacramento, California two years ago and is currently in the process of completing her requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in California. Presently, she is registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC).
Liza has over 10 years of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults in various setting such as residential treatment centers, schools, hospitals, community mental health, and criminal justice system and ranges of concerns. Having worked with individuals with mental and behavioral health issues, trauma, and addictions, Liza is familiar with the potential setbacks such disorders can cause. Liza is committed to and passionate about empowering individuals to live a meaningful and purposeful life by instilling hope and encouraging individuals to use their strengths as a resource in overcoming adversities in their personal lives.
Erica’s motto in life is, “when life gives lemons, make lemonade…”. Erica was introduced to addiction early in her adolescent years. From drugs to alcoholism, she learned how it was to be an adult at a very young age. Addiction not only affected her but also her family. This walk has been personal to her family and her heart. In order to overcome her addiction she has had to live by the words “be the change you wish to see in the world.”
As a young mother Erica’s passion for her family grew, along with her passion for helping others. As a mother of four and a daughter of a mother who has also experienced addiction, it was important for her to figure out how to best support her family through this disease. She researched spent time studying ways to support her own family. She desired to be more involved and discovered a passion for helping people and decided to become a Medical Assistant and eventually a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Her journey with recovery started at a local methadone clinic. Sparking more interest she took a position at a residential home as a support counselor which lead her current path.
“Diamonds are created under pressure; then they sparkle and shine…”
Erica started at Diamond House from the ground floor and became part of the Diamond House family early on. Erica’s flexibility and willingness to help has had her working in various roles from night shift, nursing roles, counselor roles and even administration. Diamond House has become the place that allows Erica to shine brighter and grow into the strong woman she is today. “Shine bright like a Diamond,” that is what Erica has learned to do at Diamond House Detox….and hopes many of our clients learn as well leaving treatment.
As a Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Amanda Licon joined Diamond House team in 2018 and began her journey as an intern. It was quickly determined that her energy and her passion for recovery made her a good fit for Diamond House and she was hired after her internship ended. Her personal journey through recovery is a driving force for why she works as a counselor. Her passion is to encourage clients in their journey in sobriety and advocate for them in sharing the pure freedom and joy of being in recovery. Amanda continues to bring guidance and wisdom to her clients through the curriculum at Diamond House. Amanda holds an RADT I certification and specializes in relapse prevention, she is working on certification to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor. She uses these to introduce coping skills that will aid in a client’s recovery. Amanda champions the client in seeking help and strives to bring joy and delight to the program, as well as educate and positively influence them in their sobriety. Her ultimate goal is to continue her education and obtain a Master’s degree in counseling.
Sarena Singh grew up in Elk Grove, California. She attended Elk Grove High School, finishing up with high honors. Following up with an Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology. After working with children with learning disabilities, Sarena wanted to pursue her academic career in helping populations that are underserved. Sarena achieved her Master’s of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2021. Diamond House Detox signed on Sarena as an official APCC, Clinical therapist, after beginning her internship in 2020. From here, Sarena began accumulating her experience at the Diamond House Detox program, residential facilities, and outpatient services. Sarena has been training in EMDR therapy to better serve client’s in overcoming their trauma. Sarena’s calling is to continue accumulating experience in the field of helping those that are underserved and misunderstood by the majority of the population.
Fen has been a licensed psychiatric technician since 2014 and has been with Diamond House since 2019. Fen knew she wanted to be in the medical field at a young age, always caring for others. She took special interested in the psychiatric field wanting to help those who are often over looked or marginalized due to stigma. Working in a psychiatric hospital prior to Diamond House, Fen saw how mental illness and addiction often go hand in hand. That’s what drew her to Diamond House. Diamond house take a holistic approach to addiction, treating the mental health issues that often lead to substance use. Fen hopes to further her education and continue to help clients at a high standard.
Clare Brown has been in the behavioral health community for over 12 years. She was a Treatment Placement Specialist for over 11 years placing adolescents and adults for eating disorders, mental health, and substance abuse disorders., chair for Sacramento and East Bay WAAT for over 10 years, one of the founders of Spotlight Sacramento bringing resources to the community from all over California.
Currently at Diamond House Detox as Director of Marketing & Business Development where she is committed to bringing awareness to the disease of addiction and helping individuals and families navigate treatment options. Clare brings a patient-focused approach to her role, providing hope and strength to those who are ready for change. Clare has over 25 years in her own recovery and helping others get sober.
Karen brings over 15 years experience in the healthcare field, and has been with Diamond House as a Licensed Vocational Nurse since 2019. With experience working with seniors, adults, children, and developmentally disabled individuals, Karen takes pride in her ability to communicate with and care for a multitude of populations. Within the recovery community, her goal is to fully support the client in their journey for sobriety and ensure that their needs are met. She considers it an opportunity and privilege to impact change in peoples lives at Diamond House.
William is a CADC-II who has been in the field of substance use disorders for over six years. William strives to make improvements in others lives as well as continuing his own personal growth in recovery. William believes that each person should have a chance to choose life again after having been in survival mode in the throes of their addiction. Diamond House has helped shape Williams’ skills, techniques and knowledge with dealing with Substance Use Disorders and other Mental Health disorders. William finds that each person is as unique as a snowflake and takes pride in helping each individual work through the challenges that are presented to them.
Maria has been with Diamond House since the beginning of 2020. Maria has always been compassionate on helping others in need. Having personally dealt with depression and anxiety, Maria understands how vulnerable someone may be when seeking help for mental health. When not at work Maria enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
