The 449 Recovery Team
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Vito graduated from ITT Technical College in 1993 with BA and AA in Electronics Engineering. He worked as an A+ PC repair instructor and was voted BEST instructor 1999. Since graduating, he has worked in Technical Sales. He has been considered a top performer at every company he has worked for. He has been working in customer service for over 25 years.
“I would say that my strongest characteristic is my compassion with potential clients that call. I LOVE what I do, and have dedicated my life to trying to help the people that call us, to follow thru and get help.” He believes sobriety is a commitment to oneself. “Once you can commit to yourself, then you commit yourself to the people in your life.” Vito has been very committed to the people in his own life. He has 2 kids, one dog and a “beautiful, compassionate, considerate, and understanding wife.
Cynthia has been a key member of the 449 Team since its inception. As a founding partner and person who has been personally touched by addiction, she has passion for her work which, continues to fuel her desire to help every client have the best experience possible at 449 Recovery.
It is this passion that drives and motivates her as our Compliance Officer. Working closely with CARF International since 449 was accredited in 2015, she works tirelessly to ensure that 449 provides the best possible client centered care that CARF requires. Through her efforts, 449 has changed and implemented countless policies and procedures that directly impact every client that arrives and stays at 449 Recovery, while holding the entire organization to rigorous standards in order to comply and exceed every regulation required.
Dr. Sharif is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who joined 449 Recovery in 2020 and oversees clinical operations as the Chief Clinical Officer. He earned his B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University and completed his Doctor of Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. Since 2011, Dr. Sharif has been dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal from co-occurring disorders, including mental health, relational, and substance use challenges. He has led workshops on family dynamics, attachment injuries, spirituality in sobriety, and the impact of trauma on relationships.
As an Assistant and Adjunct Professor, Dr. Sharif has taught courses in Law and Ethics, MFT Theories, and Practicum. He is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and California board-approved supervisor, utilizing a Developmental Narrative Model in his supervision work.
At the core of Dr. Sharif’s clinical and educational philosophy is the belief that relationships are central to a person’s search for meaning and purpose. His passion lies in supporting others through authentic connection. A quote by Carl Rogers reflects his approach: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
With over 10 years of experience in the treatment industry, Sedona brings a deep, working knowledge of both mental health and substance use care. Her career has spanned various roles across the continuum of treatment, equipping her with a broad operational understanding and a nuanced perspective on client needs. Now serving as Director of Admissions, Sedona blends her clinical insight with compassionate leadership to guide individuals and families through what is often one of the most vulnerable and pivotal moments of their recovery journey.
Sedona is known for her calm, steady presence and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She believes that the admissions process sets the tone for the healing experience and is committed to creating a space that feels safe, respectful, and hopeful. Her dedication to accessible, high-quality care reflects her passion for breaking down barriers to treatment and supporting clients as they take their first courageous steps toward lasting change.
Whether working directly with clients or collaborating with teams behind the scenes, Sedona’s focus remains rooted in empathy, ethics, and a genuine belief in every individual’s capacity for recovery.
Dr. Jiseung Yoon was born in South Korea and raised in the vibrant heart of Canada (Winnipeg, aka Winterpeg). His journey in medicine began at Loma Linda University, where he embraced the ethos of whole-person care. Dr. yoon has had the privilege of serving patients battling substance use disorders, guiding them compassionately at every step of their recovery. As the medical director for 449 Recovery, he has dedicated his expertise to creating environments where healing can flourish.
Dr. Yoon maintains the belief in meeting patients exactly where they are in their journey. Recovery is deeply personal, and so should be the care they are offered. His approach centers around partnering with patients, understanding their unique stories, and crafting treatment plans that align with their individual goals.
Jacquelyn earned her B.A. in Communication Journalism from the University of Hartford and her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy with a concentration in Substance Abuse Treatment from Alliant International University. With over a decade of experience in the addiction and mental health field, she has served in roles including support staff, case manager, group facilitator, and alumni coordinator, and now serves as Clinical Director at 449 Recovery.
In her leadership role, Jacquelyn oversees the clinical team and ensures client-centered, high-quality care. She is committed to fostering a supportive environment for staff and clients while developing innovative programming to improve treatment outcomes.
Her clinical specialties include eating disorder education using an intuitive eating and HAES (Health at Every Size) approach, trauma-informed care, and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy. She integrates experiential therapy, solution-focused therapy, and DBT, with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate challenges related to mental health, relationships, and personal growth.
Outside of work, Jacquelyn enjoys dancing, building Lego sets, musical theater, starting rock bands, creating improv comedy shows, watching and playing sports, visiting Disneyland, and sharing life’s simple joys with her dog, Albus.
Ashley is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, joining 449 Recovery as a primary therapist for clients. Ashley received her Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. She has experience working with vulnerable populations, including pediatric patients and their families struggling with medical diagnoses of varying severity and their associated trauma and mental health struggles. Ashley’s client-centered therapeutic approach is grounded in Rogerian humanistic principles and informed by a strengths-based lens. She strives to exercise cultural humility and curiosity in her work while working collaboratively with clients to find techniques that suit them best for their personal journeys of healing and growth.
Ashley draws on a variety of techniques, largely from Narrative Therapy, Bowen Family Systems, Attachment Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while simultaneously integrating arts-based interventions. Her creative expression through art transcends the boundaries of language to elicit expression of thoughts and feelings when words are difficult to find.
Ashley spends her free time reading, crafting and art-making in a variety of mediums, attending musical theater productions, and listening to music and stand-up comedy. Ashley is ecstatic to be a part of the 449 Recovery team and looks forward to contributing to its vision of helping clients heal, grow, and thrive.
Sashlyn is a dedicated Case Manager with over five years of experience specializing in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Health treatment. She is passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery by providing client-centered care, coordinating services, developing personalized treatment plans, and advocating for those facing complex behavioral health challenges. Her mission is to empower clients with the tools, resources, and support they need to achieve for lasting stability, greater independence, and an improved quality of life.
Outside of her professional life, Sashlyn is an artist who uses music as a powerful form of self-expression. Creating music helps her stay grounded and connected, and values the role that creativity can play in healing and personal growth.
Cierra is a group facilitator for 449 Recovery’s evening IOP program, and brings over a decade of experience in hospitality, client advocacy, and leadership to her role at 449 Recovery. Her professional background includes serving as a hospitality manager, where she oversaw operations for private events, as well as holding leadership roles in corporate settings, including as a process assistant at Amazon. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to helping others—whether by supporting clients in accessing treatment resources, coordinating services, or facilitating empowering recovery groups.
Originally from the South, Cierra recently relocated to California with her husband and their two dogs to begin a new chapter surrounded by nature and purpose. She is currently furthering her education with plans to complete a degree in psychology and pursue a master’s degree to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Cierra is deeply passionate about mental health and substance abuse recovery. She considers it a privilege to support individuals on their healing journeys and is honored to be part of the 449 Recovery team, where she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
