About CAST
Our Staff
Mike Bayer
Founder, Owner, CEO
Mike Bayer is a personal development coach who has changed the lives of numerous families, executives, and artists by empowering them to break free of destructive patterns and cycles. With the belief that “we all have the answers and power to change within ourselves,” Mike guides his clients with a blend of exploration and problem-solving strategies, thereby challenging and encouraging them to live the lives they desire.
Mike Bayer’s career began over ten years ago as a mental health and addiction counselor. He received his B.S. degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. He was a California Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC II) as well as a Board Registered Interventionist (BRI II). After a residency at The Hazelden Foundation, Mike spent five years in the field and became one of the leading interventionists in the country. He did crisis consulting for several of the country’s top treatment programs, including the Hazelden Foundation. Seven years ago, he founded CAST Recovery, which provides a network of professional support – including doctors, psychologists, counselors, and instructors – to help clients heal and improve their mental and emotional health.
Mike currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Zappala Family Scholarship for students enrolled in UCLA’s Extension Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate. His outreach work also includes sharing leadership with Demi Lovato as Co-Chair for the Lovato Scholarship at CAST Recovery, which provides financial assistance for transitional living and clinical services for mental health and/or addiction issues.
Noah Manne, MA, LMFT
Clinical Director
Noah Manne, MA, LMFT brings to CAST his experience in trauma recovery, chemical dependency, gender identity and sexual orientation, and sexual compulsivity. His practice is based in psychodynamic and intersubjective psychotherapy, and Buddhist/mindfulness practice. Noah’s psychotherapy work has often been directed toward social advocacy, and he has worked with clients of all ages and diverse ethnicities in under-served populations. Raised as a musician, Noah has had an extensive education in the Arts & Humanities, including a graduate degree in that field from Northwestern University, as well as a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. He is also a writer who has been published on subjects ranging from classical music, civil and human rights, marriage equality, Constitutional interpretation, Jewish history, gender identity, psychology and the treatment of animals. With a blend of Western psychology, Eastern philosophy, and the perspective that we exist only in relation to someone or something else, Noah affirms and encourages acceptance of all that a person is as material for developing a fully authentic self.
Sabrena Bryce, MA RADT-1
Manager of Lifestyle Services
Sabrena Bryce, CAST’s Manager of Lifestyle Services, has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, is registered with CCAPP as a RADT-1, and is currently completing her certification in Addiction Studies. She is also a certified yoga instructor, incorporating psychosomatic tools and techniques, Jungian therapy, and mindfulness to facilitate the mind-body connection.
Sabrena comes to CAST with experience both as a group facilitator and individual counselor, as well as a passion to help clients achieve their desired standard of mental health and wholeness through physical well-being. She believes that love, laughter, authentic connection, and rigorous honesty are the framework of lasting recovery. Sabrena is thrilled to be part of the CAST team, where she can utilize her education, instinct, and personal history to empower and inspire each client’s individual journey.
Clare Chrisholm
Neurofeedback Practitioner
Clare Chisholm has 18 years of experience as a biofeedback/neurofeedback practitioner. She specializes in sleep and anxiety disorders, including the treatment of PTSD. She also has extensive experience in treating ADHD, chronic pain, and migraine symptoms. Clare actively combined biofeedback/neurofeedback modalities with counseling in her private practice as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Washington and Montana, and she now works in concert with clinical teams. In addition to her work with CAST, she volunteers with veterans struggling with PTSD. She is very excited about advances in the field of neurofeedback and enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise with those who can benefit from it.
Cheryl Grant, MFT, CSAT, SEP
Therapist
Cheryl Grant is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in addictions and trauma. She is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist who works with Sex and Love Addicts and also their partners. She is also a Somatic Experiencing practitioner trained in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing and is a Level II EMDR clinician. Both approaches are highly effective when working with the symptoms of trauma. Additionally, she uses the Pia Mellody model of Childhood Trauma to treat Co-Dependence.
Cheryl received her BA in Sociology from UCLA and graduated with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. She has years of experience working with addicts in recovery and with a variety of psychological and mood disordered clients in both residential and outpatient settings. Cheryl is committed to reducing suffering and to teach clients tools for improved self-regulation and well-being.
Stacie Yeldell, MA, MT-BC
Therapist
Stacie Yeldell, MA, MT-BC is a Board Certified Music Therapist and received her degree in Music Therapy from New York University. After an intense internship at the Bronx Psychiatric Center, she accepted the opportunity to work with a team of psychiatrists to create and implement a Cognitive- Behavioral Music Therapy model for patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Stacie held the position of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Therapist at North General Hospital in New York City. She provided music therapy services in the inpatient Psychiatry Unit, the MICA (mentally ill chemically addicted) Unit, the Detox unit, and the hospital’s outpatient Addiction Treatment Center. Stacie pioneered the first music therapy program at Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York for at-risk teens and foster children, a program that continues today. At the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Stacie facilitated creative arts therapy groups with youth and adolescents within the New York School system. She also facilitated a music improvisation group for a homeless HIV positive population. At Goodwill Industries in Astoria, New York, music therapy services were provided for the psychiatric outpatient population. Stacie has also facilitated workshops for female adolescents suffering from the trauma of sexual abuse, and has contributed to outreach programs in Costa Rica and Brazil and is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese.
Stacie also received a certification in Sound and Music Healing from the Open Center in 2010 and is a Board Certified Music Therapist. In January 2015, Stacie completed a Vocal Psychotherapy Post-graduate training, which emphasizes the use of the voice as a healing modality. In 2014, Stacie’s transformative work at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles was featured on ABC News. Currently, Stacie facilitates music psychotherapy in groups and with individuals in drug and alcohol treatment centers throughout the Los Angeles area. Stacie is grateful to have the opportunity to provide music therapy services at CAST and is a staunch advocate for music as a healing modality. She is passionate and dedicated to developing and facilitating music therapy programs in drug/alcohol rehab centers and organizations across the globe.
Patrick O’Neil, MFA
Group Facilitator
Patrick O’Neil holds a BFA in Film and an MFA in Creative Writing (nonfiction). He is an author, teacher, filmmaker, and musician. His memoir, Gun Needle Spoon, chronicles his descent into addiction and the ensuing journey to regain his life. His two documentary films explore the often unexplored worlds of women in music and skateboarding. Patrick teaches English and Creative Writing at two Los Angeles Universities and instructs private writing workshops. His most sought after writing courses encourage students to examine and reveal the effects of eating disorders and trauma.
Patrick was a tour manager for numerous successful punk rock bands and has played bass and recorded with several of his own projects. Patrick previously worked in treatment as a primary residential drug and alcohol counselor in San Francisco. It was during this time that he realized that nurturing and cultivating one’s passion is an integral and essential part of recovery. Patrick encourages clients to discover and embrace their creativity and to pursue their passion in whatever medium, occupation, or career it may present itself. Patrick believes that through writing, art, theater, music, and dialogue, we can address self-defeating inner issues and bring about positive change.
Taylor Marciano
Director of Residences
Taylor Marciano comes to CAST with years of experience working in addiction treatment and recovery. She is dedicated to helping others in their personal journeys towards living happy and fulfilling lives. As an alumna of the CAST program, Taylor also has a personal interest in the field. She is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community and work with the same team that helped change her life.
In her role as CAST’s Director of Residences, Taylor supports the wellness and recovery efforts of residents at CAST’s Transitional Living Apartments by overseeing the property, staff, and resident care. She works closely with CAST’s outpatient staff to ensure that residents receive the best and most appropriate care for their individual needs. Drawing upon her personal and professional expertise, she ensures that residents have a safe and healthy home base where they can recover, reconnect to their strengths, and build their lives for the better.
Emma Koffroth
Lead Resident Advisor
Emma Koffroth, Lead Resident Advisor, has a tenacious dedication to helping others on their way to wellness. She has been involved in a number of spiritual and recovery oriented programs for the past seven years and feels honored to help others on their own unique paths to sustainable, healthy living. She strongly believes in taking action and supporting people in finding their passions in life. Having worked through her own struggles, she holds space for those who are suffering while maintaining the stance that recovery is possible for anyone. Emma is an active musician, artist and poet who uses creative mediums as healthy and empowering outlets. She brings these artistic qualities to work with her as a collaborative team player and innovative staff member at CAST.
Erick Netterblad
Lead Resident Advisor
Erick Netterblad, Lead Resident Advisor, is very passionate about working at CAST’s Apartments. He is committed to bringing compassionate energy to CAST and CAST clients. Erick has been working in treatment for several years, guided by his sincere dedication to recovery and helping others in their own recovery processes. He draws from both his personal and profession experiences in providing a source of safety and support to those who are within his care. As a leader at the CAST Apartments, Erick works with an equally strong and dedicated staff to provide a safe and supportive home base from which residents can develop the skills to live their fullest lives possible.
Mike Cahill, JD
Director of Operations
Mike Cahill, CAST’s Director of Operations, is an attorney licensed to practice law in California State and Federal courts. He has been active in early-stage growth, financing, and management in business operations roles. Mike has also represented financial institutions, hospitals, and businesses across Southern California in a wide range of litigation and corporate transactions. Mike is a Board member of Carbon Roots International, a non-profit that uses technology to prevent deforestation in the developing world. During law school, Mike clerked for the Justice Department in the U.S. Embassy in London, England, and the Constitutional Court of Uganda in Kampala. Mike has a BA in Politics from Occidental College, and a JD from the Pepperdine University School of Law.
Jessica Tektas
Manager of Operations
Jessica Tektas, Manager of Operations, is very excited to be working in the wellness and recovery field. She is committed to supporting clients in their personal growth by creating a safe environment in which they can thrive. She has lived and worked with children soldiers, refugees, and vulnerable immigrant populations in developing countries around the world. This experience laid the foundation for her interest in cross-cultural interactions and inter-religious dialogue, as well as her passion for social justice and human rights. Aside from her work with CAST, she volunteers with homeless students. Jessica is committed to bringing that compassion to CAST and its clients in order to best support them as they develop the skills with their clinicians to create meaningful and fulfilled lives.
Dr. Damon Raskin, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Damon Raskin, MD has been doing what he loves for the past 16 years. As a board certified internist, he has dedicated his career to helping his patients through both minor and major medical interventions. For 10 years, Dr. Raskin has specialized in working in addiction detoxification. His interest in addiction medicine was fueled by helping people change their lives for the better and seeing their success. His greatest satisfaction as a doctor is seeing his patients make it through the hard times and transition into sobriety.
Dr. Raskin grew up in Los Angeles before moving up north to attend Stanford University for his undergraduate degree. After graduating with honors, he went to medical school at George Washington University, where again, he graduated with “distinction.” He then moved back to Los Angeles to finish his internship and residency at UCLA. Dr. Raskin first became involved with addiction medicine when he was hired as a consultant at a rehab center in Southern California before moving on to a major Malibu treatment center as one of their medical specialists. There, he works closely with patients who are going through detoxification. Dr. Raskin believes that the detox process can be very dangerous, and he stresses that the addict not stop using suddenly, as it can be as harmful as their actual addiction. Dr. Raskin recognizes that it is beneficial for the addicted patient to slowly and calmly re-train their bodies to function without drugs for optimal treatment
There is a fine line between treating underlying legitimate cognitive issues with medicine and actual substance abuse, and that is where Dr. Raskin is most skilled. After the initial detox period, Dr. Raskin understands that sobriety is an on-going process and he feels gratified that he can help so many people achieve this goal. He strategizes with his patients on how to stay sober and if needed with the use of medication, as many times there are mental or psychological issues that need pharmaceutical assistance. Dr. Raskin knows that addiction and sobriety is an on-going process and he feels gratified that he can help so many people achieve this goal.
Dr. Raskin is married and has two young children and two dogs. And, while he is too busy to have a major hobby, the family – dogs included – enjoy long beach days in Malibu or hiking on the Pacific Palisades trails.
