Unfortunately, in my loneliness and unhealthy need to be accepted, I started hanging out with friends in my neighborhood experimenting with drugs and alcohol. I also started working for a Health care center as Housekeeping and Environmental Services Supervisor (something I did for many years on and off in management roles). In the beginning stages of my use of chemicals I was having fun, or so I thought. Drugs wiped away the pain of living with me. After about six months I began to get trapped into the powerful and insidious grip of addiction. I was also trapped in my fears and feelings, and held “hostage,” to the phenomenon of craving and the obsession to use chemicals. Chemicals for a time wiped away the pain, something that was unbeknown to me, of living with myself. My continued fall into addiction forced me to drop out of college in my second semester.

The addiction to drugs took me on a journey through hell on earth. I tried desperately for over 20 years, to break free from the grip of addiction, by going in and out of treatment centers and churches, begging “God” for deliverance. My addiction to chemicals led me to many years of disruptions in employment, loss of finances, homelessness, and sleeping in abandoned buildings and “drug” houses. I was often hiding behind dumpster in the light of day because I was ashamed and homeless. Moreover, I went in and out of jails, was shot in the head at close range and stabbed multiple times (as a result being in the negative drug culture) and suffered many other tragic and near-death situations. 

Furthermore, my addiction to drugs caused so much hurt and pain in the lives of others, especially my family. Addiction robbed me of my self-esteem and self-worth, I became hopeless and suicidal. In the early 2000s, I had an enormously powerful spiritual experience that I know had to be an act of God that lifted my obsession to use drugs. This experience and many others are clearly described in my book “Fear to Freedom: From Dumpster to Doctor.” 

After the obsession with using chemicals was lifted from me, I made up my mind to take full responsibility and change my life. I decided to stop blaming others for my failures, my feelings, my fears, and my behaviors. With the help of a few friends in recovery and a mentor, I conducted a painstaking and introspective work on myself. I made amends and apologized to as many people and organizations as I could, (especially my children and family members). Moreover, I completely and unequivocally forgave all persons who hurt me, or I perceived hurt me, no matter how egregious, malicious, or unintentional their actions were, and I also forgave myself. During the early course of my recovery from addiction, I also realized that my past transgressions and addiction, led me to my true passion and purpose in life, which is to influence, inspire, encourage, teach, bring hope, and help others suffering from addiction and human developmental struggles. 

In my efforts to become more effective at helping others, I walked through my fears and went back to school in 2006 and subsequently earned a Substance Use Disorder Specialist Certificate from Glendale Community College and became a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor. In 2007 I attended Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena CA. and earned both my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in human development with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education. In the fall of 2011 was accepted to the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I subsequently earned my Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology in the summer of 2015. In 2023 I earned a certificate from the University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School- Aresty Institute of Executive Education in Corporate Governance. By God’s grace, and my hard work, I was able to maintain a perfect grade point average of 4.0 throughout my entire school process.

In April 2015, I established Dedicato Treatment Center Inc. and subsequently obtained a license and certification by the California Department of Health Care Services to provide residential and outpatient treatment services for people suffering from substance use disorders, including detoxification, and co-occurring mental health disorders. In addition, I am among a scant few African Americans in the country who own and operate a state licensed and certified drug and alcohol treatment center. Dedicato Treatment Center is also among only six percent of all drug and alcohol treatment centers in the country with the highest-level Joint Commission Accreditation, certifying that Dedicato Treatment Center is following “Best Practices” since 2017. 

Today I am currently accredited and or licensed by the Addictions Counselor Certification of California (ACCBC), the California Association of DUI-Treatment Programs (CADTP), and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) as an Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and as a Continuing Education Provider in the Drug and Alcohol Treatment profession. Some of my teaching curricula and specialties include but are not limited to Multi-Cultural Diversity and Sensitivity Training, Biopsychosocial Assessments, Treatment Planning, 12-Core Functions of Counseling, Communications, and many other relevant topics. Furthermore, I volunteer my time each week at the Salvation Army in Pasadena Ca. to teach, educate, inspire, and encourage over one hundred men and women to become pro-active and responsible for their lives. 

I have been sought-after for many years as a public speaker on many other human developmental topics related to mental, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual well-being and drug addiction. In addition, I have appeared on radio and television (KKLA Radio 99.5 FM Guest Host/Speaker- “Amazing Stories on Skid Row”-October 30th, and November 1, 2013, the Lifeline TNT network, The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (HSBN), and featured in the TNT magazine August 2023. 

Prior to my current position and during my time in school, I worked as the Clinical Director at Elijah’s House and Pax House Substance Abuse Treatment Center from 6/2013 to 8/2015. From June 2007 to 2012 I worked as a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor for various drug and alcohol treatment centers, including organizations that were set up to help the homeless and adolescents, who were disenfranchised, had lost hope, and needed social services, mental health, and addictions treatment. 

In addition to my experience in the substance use disorder and mental health profession, I worked as a private certified professional fitness trainer from 1998 to 2012 and as supervisor and manager in the environmental services and housekeeping field for various large commercial buildings and hospitals from 1981 to 1998. 

I am an intentional, multi-cultural proficient and sensitive, principle-driven, objective, pro-active, responsible, investigative, and well-informed decision maker. 

In June 2023 I was awarded the prestigious United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service, an honor that I do not take lightly or for granted.

My education research publications include my doctoral dissertation titled “Human Developmental Risk Factors Associated with Adolescent Substance Use Disorders” – (Pro-Quest Publishers, 2015) and my master’s thesis titled “Psychopathology and Low Self-Esteem and it’s Correlation with Adolescent Substance Use Disorders” (Pacific Oaks College,2011).

I am the Author of two books: Titled – “Fear to Freedom: From Dumpster to Doctor” (Dorrance Publishing) which is an autobiography about my life overcoming childhood sexual and physical abuse and addiction to drugs, and “Factors of Transformation: Be the Change You Want” (Dorrance Publishing) which is a book that describes intentional thinking and actions to transform, emerge, and become, the best version of your authentic self. (Dorrance Publishing)

My life and professional experiences, and my professional education, have given me a unique understanding of how to emphasize and integrate holistic health to the people I serve. My areas of specialty are administration, psychoeducation, group and individual psychotherapy, family therapy and education, motivational speaking, life skills education, substance abuse counseling, communications skill training, twelve step education, cultural competence training, health & fitness and nutrition education, and customer service skills.

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“Let fear be what it is…but do not let fear determine who you are.” Dr. Keith Marshall, Psy.D., MHD, LAADC, SUDCC-IV-CS,