Aftercare Planning & Long-Term Recovery in Ventura County, CA

Program Director

Lindsay Jostmeyer

My name is Lindsay Jostmeyer, and I have lived through the depths of addiction and fought my way out through continued work, accountability, and dedication to my personal recovery. My journey was not easy, but it shaped who I am today and gave my life purpose beyond survival.

Recovery allowed me to rebuild what addiction once took from me — my family, my sense of self, and my future. Through sobriety, I was able to pursue my education, build a meaningful career, and experience true freedom from active addiction. These things did not happen overnight; they came from daily commitment, humility, and the willingness to ask for help.

Today, I use my lived experience to help others find the same hope and stability that recovery gave me. I am deeply passionate about walking alongside individuals who feel trapped, broken, or hopeless and showing them that change is possible. My goal is to help others reclaim their lives, rebuild relationships, and create a future grounded in purpose, connection, and freedom.

Case Manager

Tori Dodson

My name is Tori, and I am the Case Manager at Altitude Recovery. My life’s goal is to support individuals struggling with addiction by treating them with the love, compassion, and respect they deserve as they work toward long-term sobriety. I understand how critical this journey is because I am in recovery myself and have firsthand experience battling this disease. I strive to meet clients where they are, walk alongside them through the darkness, and help them rediscover hope and find the light.

Executive Assistant

Kimberly Neuhalfen

Kimberly Neuhalfen brings nearly thirty years of office management and executive assistance experience to her role at Altitude Recovery Community. Though new to the addiction treatment field, Kimberly has quickly become an invaluable part of the Altitude team since the company’s inception.

With training in Excel, Word, Quickbooks, and various payroll services, Kimberly expertly handles a wide range of administrative and organizational tasks. She has greatly enjoyed getting to know both her coworkers and clients at Altitude. Kimberly’s warm and professional approach helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. 

Primary Therapist

Joseph, LCS

Joseph is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker trained at New Mexico State University’s Graduate School of Social Work. He utilizes a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. After having worked for over a decade in the culinary field, he began his clinical work as a residential mental health and substance abuse counselor with Catholic Charities in New York, while pursuing his first Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling at Fordham University in the Bronx. After that, he worked at an inpatient mental health and substance use facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, supporting predominantly unhoused and underserved individuals facing addiction and acute mental health challenges before moving to a similar outpatient facility in Scottsdale, Arizona as an IOP therapist. Joseph then spent three years working in a county correctional facility in Arizona, working with diverse populations and helping clients navigate addiction, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement and trauma, as well as developing life skills throughout the rehabilitation process. 

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Joseph spent his late adolescent and early adult years in the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys and has devoted his time working in the fields of mental health and substance use toward the empowerment of clients and helping them to understand their self-worth and to develop a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Outside of his clinical work, Joseph enjoys spending time with his wife and family, playing ice hockey, watching baseball and cooking. 

Behavioral Health Technician

Emily

My name is Emily, and for the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as the overnight Behavioral Health Technician at Altitude Recovery. This role has become so much more than just a job to me—it is something I carry in my heart.

Addiction and mental health have touched my life in many ways, as they are struggles that many of the people closest to me have faced throughout my life. Because of that, I have a deep sense of compassion and understanding for the people who walk through our doors seeking a chance at something different.

I take great pride in our facility and in creating an environment that feels safe, peaceful, clean, and serene. While most of the world is asleep, I am working to make sure that when the morning comes, the transition into a new day is just a little easier for both our clients and our staff. I believe that the little things matter—the clean home, the quiet environment, the organized spaces, and simply knowing that someone was there caring for the facility while everyone else rested.

One of the greatest privileges of working overnight is being there for clients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Sometimes that means sitting with someone who can’t sleep, listening when they need someone to talk to, offering reassurance when the night feels long, or simply being a calm and supportive presence.

Medication technician

Ariel

Ariel has been working in the addiction treatment field for over two years and serves as the Medication Technician at Altitude Recovery. As someone who is in recovery herself, she understands firsthand the challenges individuals face when entering treatment. Her personal and professional experience allows her to provide compassionate support, helping clients feel comfortable, supported, and confident throughout the recovery process. Ariel is dedicated to making each client’s transition into treatment as smooth and stress-free as possible while offering encouragement and hope every step of the way

Behavioral Health Technician

Jana

Hi my name is Jana , and I have over a year of experience working in substance use treatment as a Behavioral Health Technician. I am passionate about supporting individuals on their recovery journey by providing compassionate care, encouragement, and a safe, supportive environment. My goal is to help clients feel heard, respected, and empowered as they work toward lasting change and personal growth

Behavioral Health Technician

Hal

Hal has been working in the behavioral health field for over a year and brings a positive, compassionate presence to the Altitude Recovery team. Known for his easygoing personality and sense of humor, Hal helps create a welcoming and supportive environment for clients. He understands the importance of connection in recovery and enjoys bringing moments of laughter and encouragement to the treatment experience while supporting clients on their journey toward lasting change

Behavioral Health Technician

Connie

I am a Behavioral Health Technician at Altitude Recovery, where I have spent nearly two years supporting clients through residential detox for drugs and alcohol. Although this is my first role in a recovery setting, I bring a strong healthcare background as a Medical Assistant, Surgical Technologist, and Clinical Lab Technician. Those experiences taught me precision, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure—skills I rely on every day. At Altitude Recovery, I provide compassionate and consistent care by monitoring clients’ well-being, collaborating closely with nurses and clinicians, and helping create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment during a vulnerable stage of recovery. While I am not in recovery myself, I am deeply passionate about serving others and meeting people where they are. My goal is to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and supported as they begin their journey toward healing.

Chef

Kristi

My name is Kristi, and I have been working in the addiction recovery field since August 2025. I am passionate about supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and long-term recovery. One area that I believe is especially important during treatment is food and nutrition. Proper nutrition helps restore physical health, improve mood, increase energy levels, and support brain function, all of which can be affected by substance use. By focusing on healthy eating habits, individuals in recovery can strengthen their overall well-being and build a solid foundation for lasting sobriety.

Medical Director

Dr. Chagouri

Dr. Eric Chaghouri is a 2007 graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his B. A. in Biology with Summa Cum Laude honors. While at UCLA, he helped the men’s varsity volleyball team earn a National Championship in 2006. He was named the UCLA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007. He earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine in 2011. He completed his internship training in 2008 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the remaining three years of residency in general adult psychiatry at the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center. He served as the Chief Resident in psychiatric emergency services during his fourth year of residency. He also served as Resident Clinical Instructor and Volunteer Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine.

After completing residency, Dr. Chaghouri accepted a fellowship position in forensic psychiatry at the prestigious USC Institute of Psychiatry and Law. His scholarly activities included publishing in Legal Digest and presenting research findings at the Keck School of Medicine annual conference. Since completing his forensic psychiatry fellowship, he has established a successful and thriving practice in Southern California, focusing on treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders. He has developed a strong clinical team of practitioners who share similar goals and philosophies regarding psychiatric treatment, including providing cutting-edge interventional treatments for psychiatric conditions. He works in an array of capacities with attorneys, courts, and other parties in actual or potential litigation. He also has extensive experience consulting and providing opinions on psychiatric issues for major television networks. Dr. Chaghouri’s interests include addiction medicine, substance use disorders, forensic psychiatry, medical ethics, psychological autopsy, gender wellness, and evidence-based treatment of psychiatric conditions.