Meet the Team Behind Your Recovery Journey

In Scott Huseby’s previous career, he led one of the most respected litigation support firms in the United States. Yet beyond his professional success, Scott discovered a deeper purpose after experiencing the healing power of recovery firsthand.

That calling led him to Costa Rica, where he became the owner of Costa Rica Recovery in San José – a holistic, participant-centered haven for individuals seeking freedom from addiction. Scott now uses his leadership and lived experience to walk alongside others on their recovery journey, offering the same hope and healing that changed his life.

Originally from Uruguay, Adriana brings a unique blend of experience in sociology, garden design, and hospitality. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she spent two formative years living in the Janajpacha community in Bolivia—a substance-free environment that, while not a formal rehabilitation center, fostered healing, mindfulness, and healthy living through community life.

In 2006, she relocated with her husband and daughter to Nosara, Costa Rica, where she began managing hotels and vacation rentals at Villa Tortuga in Playa Guiones. Since 2020, she has worked closely with Scott, overseeing his properties in Nosara, and in 2023, she joined the team at Costa Rica Recovery.

Highly dedicated and passionate about her work, she brings consistency, heart, and 100% commitment to everything she does—values that have guided her long-standing professional relationships and continue to enrich the CRR community.

Dr. Bryan Alfaro Molinares has more than seven years of experience in psychiatry, with a strong focus on the treatment of addiction and mental health disorders. He has worked in a variety of clinical and academic settings, including national hospitals, private practice, and international rehabilitation centers. Currently licensed as a psychiatrist in Costa Rica, he studied Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Costa Rica and holds a Master’s degree in Drug Dependency from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

He currently serves as Medical Director at Costa Rica Recovery and as a psychiatrist at Hospital CIMA, where he provides care for hospitalized patients and emergency psychiatric consultations. He also works in private practice. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Alfaro is a
faculty member at the University of Costa Rica’s postgraduate psychiatry program, where he teaches courses in Addiction Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology.

Formerly, he worked as a Staff Psychiatrist at the Costa Rica Treatment Center and Clínica Carlos Durán. Dr. Alfaro is fluent in Spanish and English and spent part of his childhood living in the United States.
Dedicated to continuous professional development, Dr. Alfaro brings a blend of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and compassionate care to his work. He is passionate about helping individuals recover from addiction and is committed to delivering evidence-based, personalized treatment that supports sustainable healing.

Rachel brings over 15 years of experience in clinical mental health, addiction, trauma counseling, and servant leadership. She has worked in a wide range of settings—from managing residential programs for vulnerable women and children, to providing substance-use counseling in pain clinics, and case management within Vancouver Island’s Public Health Authority.  She is currently certified at the Advanced Level of Somatic Experiencing, CPI Crisis Intervention, and is pursuing certification in Internal Family Systems. She completed formal academic studies at Concordia University and Vancouver Island University.

Rachel has previously served as program director for an non-profit organization supporting women and children fleeing violence, worked as a counselor in public health clinics, and also produced conferences focused on social change and social ventures. She speaks English and has lived in both Canada and Costa Rica.

A lifelong learner, Rachel is committed to deepening personal development and expanding her leadership abilities to create meaningful impact.  She brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to care, grounded in empathy, crisis intervention, and strong team leadership. Inspired by the resilience of her clients, she fosters a supportive and structured environment at Costa Rica Recovery—one rooted in kindness, integrity, and hope.

As a licensed psychologist, Sharon has over 10 years of experience in mental health and addiction therapy, working in clinical psychology, psychopedagogy, and trauma-informed care—including providing individual and group therapy in Gestalt, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Currently licensed in psychology and certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, she studied at Ulacit and Ucacis universities in Costa Rica. Sharon speaks Spanish and English. Constantly striving to advance her therapeutic skills, Sharon brings deep compassion, humanistic counseling, and expertise in emotional resilience to her clients. She is passionate about facilitating lasting emotional growth and provides compassionate, holistic support tailored to each client’s needs at Costa Rica Recovery.

Stephanie is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 9 years of experience in diverse therapeutic settings, including trauma-focused therapy, somatic integration, psychedelic integration, and group facilitation. She is certified in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, CBT (Beck Institute), and REBT (Albert Ellis Institute), and studied at the University of Costa Rica. Stephanie speaks Spanish, English, and German and continually refines her therapeutic skills, with a strong emphasis on compassion and trauma healing. Passionate about recovery and wellness due to her deep understanding of human resilience, Stephanie uniquely offers integrative therapeutic approaches, fostering deep personal healing and growth among clients at Costa Rica Recovery.

Mariana has several years of experience in occupational therapy and program management, working with vulnerable populations in clinical and operational roles—including supervising residential teams, enhancing strategic operations, and delivering occupational therapy to individuals in recovery. Currently licensed as an Occupational Therapist, she studied at Santa Paula University in Costa Rica and completed additional training at Ludus in Peru.

Mariana speaks Spanish and English. Dedicated to ongoing professional growth, Mariana brings strong organizational skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. She is passionate about recovery because she finds inspiration in witnessing clients regain hope and confidence, uniquely providing structured operational support and compassionate occupational therapy at Costa Rica Recovery.

James is a dynamic business development leader with over 30 years of experience in healthcare. His career was shaped by the discipline, mission, and culture of the United States Navy, where he proudly served as a Hospital Corpsman for four-years and is a decorated Operation Desert Storm war veteran (V). James has worked among healthcare leaders from Cedars Sinai Medical Hospital, Providence St. John’s Health Center, and Merck & Co.

Not only has James been involved in mergers and acquisitions, he is also a Registered Nurse (RN) which brings a unique combination of compassion and practicality to each of the clients and families he works with. James joined CRR because he believes everyone deserves a second chance to improve their life, make better decisions, and achieve their goals. When not working with the CRR team and clients, James spends his time volunteering with the California Street Medicine Collaborative out of the University of Southern California where doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals work together to bring health and healing to the homeless of Los Angeles.

Cris has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and human services, working in various capacities—including connecting thousands of people to addiction recovery services and mental health support. She studied and trained extensively in addiction care and cognitive impairment. Cristene previously held roles coordinating treatment admissions and providing direct client support. Cristene speaks English and is committed to growing her skills in empathetic client communication and family support. She is passionate about recovery because of her personal experiences with dual diagnoses within her family and uniquely offers genuine empathy and unwavering support to clients and families at Costa Rica Recovery.

With over 20 years of experience as a professional chef, Ernesto has spent much of his life exploring the deep connection between food, culture, and health. His culinary journey has evolved from fine dining, leadership, and entrepreneurship to a more holistic approach—centered on food as medicine, nourishment as healing, and the powerful impact of mindful, healthy eating on overall well-being.

Over the past seven years, following his own recovery journey, he has become deeply committed to the field of addiction treatment. Blending his culinary background with counseling and support work in residential settings, he has led group sessions, taught life skills, and integrated earth-to-table practices into therapeutic programming.

His mission is to support sustainable healing by helping individuals reconnect with their bodies, stories, and potential—through nutrition, structure, creativity, and compassion.

Morris has over 25 years of experience in human development, addiction prevention, and motivational speaking, working across diverse settings—including directing La Montaña Christian Camps, Latin America’s largest youth addiction prevention camp, and facilitating addiction prevention workshops throughout Costa Rica. Certified as a Human Development Specialist, Life Coach (John Maxwell), SMART Recovery Facilitator, and Executive Speaker (Harvard Extension), he studied at ESEPA Institute and HAGGAI Institute. Morris speaks Spanish and English and has extensive experience inspiring and motivating teams and individuals. Passionate about recovery due to his personal journey through Teen Challenge, he uniquely offers empathetic understanding, motivational leadership, and practical life guidance to clients at Costa Rica Recovery.

Andrea has over 5 years of experience in social work and therapeutic group facilitation, working with diverse vulnerable populations—including facilitating socio-educational groups, individual and family sessions, and creating tailored treatment plans. Currently licensed as a social worker, she studied at the University of Costa Rica and is certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator. Andrea speaks Spanish and English and is dedicated to ongoing personal and professional growth. Passionate about social work and recovery due to the transformative changes she witnesses, Andrea uniquely offers adaptability, empathy, and structured social support to individuals and families at Costa Rica Recovery.

Pilar serves as a recovery counselor here at CRR, where she combines personal insight with professional care to support individuals navigating addiction. With long-term experience in her own recovery journey, Pilar brings deep empathy, lived wisdom, and a strong commitment to meeting clients where they are. She advocates especially for women in recovery, offering a safe, nonjudgmental space rooted in honesty and compassion. With academic studies in psychology and a continual interest in emotional wellness, she is always growing—both personally and professionally—to better serve the recovery community. Fluent in Spanish and English, Pilar is dedicated to helping others heal through connection, empowerment, and practical emotional support.

Richard LeBow (Rich) has over 14 years of experience in addiction counseling. Certified as an Addiction Counselor in 2019 and a Recovery Specialist in 2022, he has been working at Costa Rica Recovery since 2011.

Rich is an Attitudinal Healing Instructor, SMART Recovery Facilitator, and Recovery Focusing Facilitator. He speaks English, Spanish, and German. Constantly dedicated to helping others find a new way to live, Rich brings expertise in recovery and relapse prevention. He is passionate about helping hundreds of patients and is an active member of the 12-Step community in San Jose.

Silvia has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and nursing, working in various roles including physical therapy, nursing management, and direct patient care. Currently licensed as a nurse and physical therapist, she studied at Universidad Americana and Universidad Latina in Costa Rica. Silvia previously served as a nurse and physical therapist for Homewatch Caregivers Latin America and as a customer service and sales executive at ICE. She speaks Spanish and English and is continually dedicated to developing compassionate care and crisis intervention skills. Passionate about client recovery and wellness, Silvia uniquely offers empathetic support, crisis management, and extensive healthcare expertise to clients at Costa Rica Recovery.

Luz has extensive culinary and institutional dining management experience, working in various leadership roles as head chef, and at several prestigious international schools. She studied Gastronomy at ARCAM Gourmet School and Barista training at ICAFE, Costa Rica. Luz speaks Spanish and is committed to continually enhancing her culinary expertise. Passionate about serving nutritious meals that contribute positively to client recovery, Luz uniquely provides balanced, high-quality food accompanied by exceptional service and genuine warmth to clients at Costa Rica Recovery.

Cesar has over 4 years of experience in nursing and intensive care, working in clinical and critical care environments—including managing withdrawal syndrome, substance-use education, and comprehensive health assessments. Currently licensed as a nurse, he studied nursing at Universidad Santa Lucia and holds certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Cesar speaks Spanish and English, continually striving to enhance his skills in medical care and emotional support. Passionate about aiding recovery through compassionate care, Cesar uniquely provides attentive medical support, ensuring clients feel safe and supported during their rehabilitation at Costa Rica Recovery.

Indira has several years of nursing experience and is a Licensed Nurse (Santa Lucía University) and Physical Therapist (Latin University of Costa Rica) with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. Her background includes occupational medicine, cosmetic surgery assistance, elderly care, and managing patients with psychological disorders. At Costa Rica Recovery, as Nurse Residential Coordinator, she manages nursing services, coordinates patient care, and works with families, ensuring the well-being of patients during their recovery process. Her passion is to support patients in their recovery and be part of their transformation towards a better future.

Cecilia has substantial experience and education in sociology, public administration, and psychological first aid, having worked extensively with vulnerable populations—focusing on monitoring client adherence to treatment plans, conflict resolution, and supporting therapeutic goals. Currently certified in Psychological First Aid (University of Barcelona) and holding degrees from the University of Costa Rica, Cecilia speaks Spanish and English. Dedicated to continuous learning and growth, she brings strong organizational, reasoning, and adaptability skills to her work. Passionate about recovery because of the profound learning and inspiration she gains from client journeys, Cecilia uniquely provides structured and empathetic support, helping clients successfully navigate their recovery process at Costa Rica Recovery.

Laura Elizondo brings over a decade of experience in the psychology field, having worked in diverse settings including private practice, recovery environments, and workshops tailored for women and teens. Currently licensed as a psychologist, Laura is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, with a rich multicultural background from living in Canada and Italy. Constantly seeking to grow and advance in her craft, Laura brings empathy, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based expertise to her work. She is passionate about supporting individuals in drug and alcohol recovery, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of healing and self-discovery. Laura provides a unique blend of somatic awareness, creative expression, and spiritual depth, offering clients a compassionate space to reclaim their strength and rewrite their stories.

Graciela Monge is a licensed nurse with over eight years of experience, known for her empathetic, professional, and skilled approach to care. A graduate of Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and a member of the Costa Rican Board of Nursing since 2017, she spent six years at Hospital CIMA, one of the region’s top hospitals, gaining broad experience across departments including Emergency, Psychiatry, and Post-Surgical Hospitalization.

Graciela also provided care in the hospital’s COVID-19 unit, strengthening her ability to work under pressure and within multidisciplinary teams. She currently offers home nursing services and is fluent in both Spanish and English. Dedicated to serving individuals in vulnerable moments, she finds deep purpose in supporting others through their recovery journey.

Kevin Rosales Jiménez has over nine years of experience as a licensed nurse, working in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, elder care, and home visits. He currently holds a nursing license (License No. 16731) and studied at Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and Universidad de las Ciencias y el Arte.

Previously, he worked as a nurse for the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social and the Hospital del Trauma (INS).

Kevin is fluent in Spanish and English. Constantly striving to grow and advance in his profession, he brings reliability, respect, safety, kindness, professionalism, and dedication to his work. He is passionate about helping people who want to improve their lives and leave behind unhealthy environments for themselves and their loved ones. Always willing to listen, he aims to be more than just a nurse—someone his patients can trust to support them on their journey to better health.

Ariana Sesin, MBA, RYT200, is a Costa Rican psychologist who has expanded her studies to embrace integrative therapeutic tools, empowering her clients to take ownership of their healing journey. Through alternative practices that harmonize body, mind, and spirit, she guides others toward holistic well-being.

Her certifications include therapeutic sound healing, yoga, and nature-inspired shamanic practices — all woven together to support others with compassion on their path to healing and inner balance.

John La Touche brings decades of valuable experience in the practice and teaching of traditional Chinese martial arts, including Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, and Qigong. His journey in these disciplines began at a young age, dedicating his life to the mastery and transmission of these ancient arts. As the founder of Centro Marcial, Sifu La Touche has had the privilege of guiding numerous students in cultivating physical strength, mental discipline, and inner balance.

His deep understanding of Tai Chi and Qigong emphasizes conscious movement, breath control, and energy circulation; practices widely recognized for their benefits in stress reduction, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

John is passionate about sharing these ancestral techniques to support individuals on their path towards personal improvement and overall health and well-being. His approach fosters perseverance, concentration, and a strong connection between mind and body, offering invaluable tools for facing challenges and building a solid foundation for lasting personal growth

Laura Sibaja Rodriguez has more than 5 years of experience as a Sound and Vibrational Healing Therapist. Certified from Institucion Espanola de Sonoterapia in 2020 and The Elephant Bowl in Sound Healing and Vibrational Therapies in 2017, she currently serves as a Sound Healing Therapist at Costa Rica Recovery. Laura speaks Spanish and English. Constantly seeking to grow and advance in her craft, Laura brings expertise in sound and vibrational therapies to her work. She is passionate about creating a family atmosphere at CRR and providing holistic well-being to clients.

Marianella Zuñiga Loria (Nela) has more than 8 years of experience in customer service, culinary work, and caregiving. A high school graduate with training as an Accounting Assistant and in food handling, she currently works in Cleaning and Hospitality at Costa Rica Recovery. Nela speaks Spanish. She brings skills in maintaining facilities, preparing rooms, and managing laundry. Nela is passionate about helping others in their restoration process and finds satisfaction in her role.their restoration process and finds satisfaction in her role.