Panelists

Dr. Julie Hayden, Psy.D.
Clinical Director, Genesis Recovery
 
Dr. Julie Hayden is a licensed Psychologist, the Executive Director of Rhombus and the Clinical Director at Genesis Recovery. She is also the Co-Chair of the San Diego MFT Consortium and the Co-Chair of the Treatment and Intervention Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council. Dr. Hayden has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Masters of Religious Studies, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate of Psychology.
 
Dr. Hayden has fifteen years of clinical experience working with chronic mental illness, substance and sexual addictions, adolescents, families, PTSD, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, and more. She was previously the Dean of a University, currently runs a continuing education company, and is passionate about training effective counselors and exploring innovative treatment methods.
Christine Pappas, MA, Psy.D., CEDS
Director of Outpatient Services at Foundations San Francisco
 
California native Christine Pappas joined the Foundations Recovery Network staff with almost 20 years of experience in the mental health field, having served individuals and families recovering from addiction, eating disorders, trauma and mood disorders in both private practice and in a variety of treatment programs throughout the state. Her degrees include both a master's in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology and a doctorate in that same field of study from Argosy University. Pappas has also served as an adjunct professor at Argosy University, teaching a variety of courses to master's level students and fostering their clinical expertise. 
 
A Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professional Foundation, she serves on its board as well. Pappas is also an active member of the Women's Association for Addiction Treatment (WAAT) and a member in good standing of the American Psychological Association (APA).
 
After six months working with the Foundation Recovery Network in a different role, Pappas assumed the Director of Outpatient Services duties in January 2017, excited to lead a team of innovators to create a safe, trusting environment for individuals and families to begin the process of recovery. 
 
When not busy serving clients, Christine enjoys cooking, hiking, weekend road trips and spending time with her friends and family.
Russ Nordmeyer
Primary Therapist, Foundations San Francisco
 
Russ Nordmeyer joined the team at Foundations San Francisco as intake coordinator in August 2014. In 2015, he was promoted to Primary Therapist at Foundations, where he treats clients with co-occurring addiction and mental health issues. He did his undergraduate work at University of Minnesota and then completed a master’s in counseling psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2012.
 
During his course of study, he trained as a counselor at the Marin AIDS Project. Following graduation from CIIS, he interned at California Pacific Medical Center’s Institute for Health and Healing, where he was trained in expressive arts and guided imagery. Nordmeyer also led a cardiac rehabilitation support group and worked as an integral part of the Palliative Care team. Following his training at CPMC, Russ completed his internship hours working as an intern therapist at The Liberation Institute. Prior to entering the behavioral health field, Nordmeyer worked as a hairstylist. He loved the connection with people but didn’t really care about the art of hairstyling. He often heard, “I feel like you’re my therapist,” so he took that as a sign and made a career change. In his downtime, Nordmeyer likes to produce dance, house and club music.
David E. Smith, MD, DFASAM, FAACT, FISAM
Founder, Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic
 
Dr. David E. Smith is recognized as a national leader in the treatment of addictive disease, the psychopharmacology of drugs, new research strategies in the management of drug abuse problems, and appropriate prescribing practices for physicians. He teaches that addiction is a primary medical illness which is best treated in a multidisciplinary fashion, utilizing the group process and the 12-Step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. Dr. Smith lectures on the management of psychoactive drug dependence, including cocaine, alcohol and prescription drugs. He also speaks on the subjects of impaired and recovering clinicians, substance abuse in the workplace, dual diagnosis disorders, and substance abuse and the criminal justice system, among many other topics. He provides medical review of DOT and private industry drug testing and prescription drug plans, and legal consultation. Dr. Smith founded the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinics in 1967, inaugurating the principle of “Health Care is a Right, not a Privilege.” He has served on federal, state and local bodies addressing substance use, abuse and treatment, and has received numerous awards. He lectures extensively and is the author/co-author of over 360 professional articles and books, including Unchain Your Brain: 10 Steps to Breaking the Addictions that Steal Your Life, with Dr. Daniel Amen.