Our Team: The Heartbeat of New Found Life
The stories and successes that grace New Found Life emanate from the dedicated hearts and hands of our team. Our team is more than just a collection of professionals; we are a family – and every individual who walks through our doors becomes an integral part of our community.
Ed and Mary Spatola
Co-founders
Co-founders Ed and Mary Ann Spatola established New Found Life with a heartfelt mission: to help individuals and their families recover from the devastation of alcoholism and addiction. Rooted in love, truth, and unwavering compassion, New Found Life has grown over the past 32 years into far more than a treatment center — it’s a family. From the moment someone walks through the door, they are welcomed not just as a client, but as a valued member of a close-knit, supportive community.
The Spatolas have always believed that recovery is not just about sobriety — it’s about rebuilding lives, restoring relationships, and fostering a sense of belonging. This philosophy permeates every aspect of New Found Life, from the daily programming to the lifelong connection with alumni. Residents support one another like brothers and sisters, creating a powerful bond that continues long after they leave. Staff members don’t just show up to work — they show up for people, offering guidance, consistency, and care that feels like home.
Beyond the walls of the center, New Found Life has forged a deep and enduring connection with the greater Long Beach community. Service is not just encouraged — it’s lived. Residents and staff alike regularly volunteer their time and talents with local organizations, reflecting Ed and Mary Ann’s belief that helping others is both a duty and a gift. “Go help someone,” they often say — a phrase that has become both a mantra and a way of life at New Found Life.
Their commitment to community service and healing was recognized in 2013 when then-Mayor of Long Beach, Robert Foster, honored Ed and Mary Ann as outstanding providers of treatment and service. The Spatolas have always credited this recognition to their exceptional team — a group of dedicated clinicians, compassionate managers, and loyal employees who have helped shape a program that is as effective as it is heartfelt.
New Found Life seamlessly integrates clinical excellence with the life-changing principles of the twelve steps. Ed often reminds residents, “If you want self-esteem, do esteemable acts — and do them daily.” This simple but powerful idea has helped thousands of men and women rediscover their purpose, reconnect with their families, and take their place in a wider community that needs them.
In every way, New Found Life is a reflection of the values it was built on: love, service, connection, and hope. Whether you are a resident, alumni, staff member, or loved one — once you become part of New Found Life, you are family.
Nathan Lavid, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Nathan Lavid is a clinical and forensic psychiatrist in private practice in Southern California. Dr. Lavid works with our clients in the areas of addiction, mood disorders and eating disorders. He received his bachelor of arts in microbiology and subsequently his medical degree from the University of Kansas. He completed his internship and psychiatric residency at the University of California, Irvine. He is a former faculty member at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, where he completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship at the Institute of Psychiatry and Law. Dr. Lavid serves children, adolescents, and adults in the Long Beach area and also testifies as an expert witness psychiatrist. For more information visit Dr. Lavid’s website at www.nathanlavidmd.com.
Michael Kurtz, DO
Medical Consultant
Dr. Michael Z. Kurtz, Medical Director of Valley View Wellness Medical Center, is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has been in private practice for over 30 years. He graduated from University Of Osteopathic Medicine and The Health Sciences in 1979 and specializes in osteopathic manipulative therapy and family medicine. He is dedicated to discovering the cause of illness, not just treating the symptoms in his patients. Dr. Kurtz prides himself on his unique ability to develop personal relationships with the patients he cares for. In fact, Dr. Kurtz has treated many patients and their families for generations. Dr. Michael Z Kurtz affiliates with many hospitals including Los Alamitos Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and cooperates with other doctors and specialists without joining any medical groups. Dr. Kurtz has been consulting and treating clients at New Found Life for more than 24 years.
Steven Severance, MD
Medical Consultant
Dr. Stephen Severance received both a B.A. in English and his Medical Degree from Cornell University in New York State. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, followed by a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the combined University of California, Irvine-Long Beach V.A. Hospital program. He entered private practice in Long Beach in 1977, and formed Long Beach Gastroenterology Associates in 1983. Early in his career Dr. Severance had sufficient time to author a handful of journal articles and three chapters in medical books. His focus in later years has been on practicing, studying and teaching his specialty, which in recent years focuses increasingly on liver disease (Hepatology). Dating back to the November 2006 issue of Los Angeles Magazine, his name has appeared frequently on the various internet or print directories for “Best MDs” including “Best Doctors“, “Top Doctors” and “Super Doctors“. His greatest satisfaction continues to be teaching, and he remains Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of California, Irvine. Dr. Severance has been helping individuals with substance abuse disorders for more than 40 years and treating clients of New Found Life for more than 10 years. He consults and speaks at our education seminars.
Linda Pena, LMFT
Clinical Director
Linda Peña is a marriage and family therapist. Additionally, she works as a health educator/counselor at California State University-Long Beach (CSULB). At both New Found Life and the University, Linda serves adolescents and adults struggling with chemical dependency, trauma, childhood abuse, interpersonal relationships, and grief. With the medical division (Student Health Services) at CSULB, she has a primary focus on alcohol and other drug issues and specializes in sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence. With the support of the University, she developed the Sexual Assault Facts and Empowerment (SAFE) counseling program for students.
Leo Booth, MTh
Spiritual Consultant
Leo Booth is an internationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and trainer on all aspects of spirituality and recovery from depression, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and low self-esteem. He is a Unity minister, holds a master’s degree in theology from King’s College and is a certified addictions counselor and spiritual consultant to several treatment centers. Leo’s passion to help other recovering alcoholics and drug addicts compelled him to write his first book, Say Yes to Life, a book that has helped thousands of people over the years.
Ed Storti
Educational Consultant
Ed Storti, lecturer, author, and international Intervention Specialist developed and refined his special method of addictive disease intervention 30 years ago. He has performed over 3,000 family interventions throughout the United States and abroad. He has been included in Town & Country, Woman’s World, L.A. Steps, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and various other magazine and newspaper articles
Joanna Rogers, LMFT
Women’s Program Administrator
Joanna Rogers is the Womens Program Administrator at New Found Life, and works with both men and women for individual psychotherapy. Joanna received a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. Shortly after earning her Masters Degree she completed an Integrative Medicine Education program, with specialization in Guided Imagery and Expressive Arts Therapy, at the Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco. She also has earned a Bachelors Degree in both Cultural Anthropology and Art History from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Joanna began her career in the acute care setting at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where she worked with both individuals and families. She is also currently on staff at Jewish Community Center in Long Beach, where she works with couples and children in Family and Children Services.
Jacqueline Provencher, AMFT
Therapist
Jacqueline Provencher received her Master’s in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix, as well as her undergraduate in Business Administration and Labor Relations. Jacqueline is a licensed MFT Intern, certified by the Board of Behavioral Science. Jacqueline has worked with the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Santa Fe Springs, California.
Josh Alexander, CATCI
Case Manager
Josh Alexander is a Drug and Counselor in the Men’s Program and also serves as a Case Manager. He has been with New Found Life since 2015. Before that, Josh was a sober living manager in Long Beach, CA where he managed all day to day tasks. He earned his certification as an addiction specialist at Long Beach City College.
Brooke Hiers
Admissions & Patient Coordinator
Erin Fujii, MBA
Admissions & Patient Coordinator
