Spectrum’s internationally recognized Advisory Board of subject matter experts provides training and technical assistance to Spectrum on an ongoing basis.

Roger H. Peters, Ph.D. serves as Spectrum’s Senior Research Advisor. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida, where he has been a faculty member since 1986. Dr. Peters has also served as Principal Investigator and Director for numerous grant projects, including a NIDA P30 Research Core Center award to establish the USF Center on Co-Occurring Disorders, Justice, and Multidisciplinary Research (CJM Center). In addition, he was the chair and co-editor of the SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) #44 on “Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System” and lead author of the monograph, “Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System” (3rd edition) which was published by SAMHSA in 2016.

Lisa Najavits, Ph.D. is a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and a clinical associate at McLean Hospital. She is also the past-president of the American Psychological Association Division on Addictions and a fellow of the American Psychological Association. Most notably, she is the author of Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse and A Woman’s Addiction Workbook. Spectrum has utilized the Seeking Safety curriculum throughout many of its programs for several years. Dr. Najavits has also delivered a variety of trainings to Spectrum’s clinical staff on the link between substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder.

Kevin Knight, Ph.D. is the Associate Director for Criminal Justice Studies at the Institute for Behavioral Research at Texas Christian University. Dr. Knight is currently Principal Investigator for the CJ-DATS Project, a NIDA-funded cooperative agreement involving nine national research centers. He serves as co-editor of Offender Substance Abuse Report and participates in advisory activities for a variety of organizations that address substance abuse and related policy issues. His primary research interests include assessment strategies, cognitive-behavioral applications and treatment in criminal justice settings. Dr. Knight has provided consulting to Spectrum in the areas of clinical assessment, motivational enhancement techniques and treatment mapping.

Kenneth Minkoff, M.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on integrated treatment of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance disorders. Dr. Minkoff participated in a national task force, chaired by David Mee-Lee, M.D., to create American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria (PPC) 2R (1999), introducing the concepts of Dual Diagnosis Capability (DDC) and Dual Diagnosis Enhanced (DDE) as program standards to be utilized to design a system of care for individuals with co-occurring disorders.

Igor Koutsenok, MD, MS, is the Director of the Center for Criminality and Addiction Research, Training and Application (CCARTA) at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Koutsenok serves as a trainer for the National Drug Court Institute, providing training and education for judges and members of the judicial system nationwide. He and Dr. David Deitch designed an innovative approach to reduce recidivism in parolees, which in 2006 was authorized by the California legislature as Senate Bill 618—Offender Re-Entry Program. He also directs the Cal-METRO training project, a large-scale Motivational Interviewing training project. Dr. Koutsenok has authored over 30 scientific publications and book chapters, and has presented at numerous conferences and professional gatherings worldwide.

“The organization has a well-defined set of values, including compassion, service excellence, integrity, optimal care, creativity, positive workplace and fiscal responsibility, that is reiterated throughout all levels of programming.”

CARF Survey Report

“The organization’s data regarding recidivism show an impressive outcome for those individuals who have received residential substance abuse treatment.”

CARF Survey Report

“The organization’s leadership, staff members, and other stakeholders believe in the mission of the organization and its ability to improve the lives of those served.”

CARF Survey Report

“The staff members of Spectrum Health Systems are enthusiastic and energetic in their interactions with the persons served and are credited by the persons served for fostering hope in their future.”

CARF Survey Report

“I entered Spectrum’s detox at the lowest point in my life. While I was there, I took a tour of the residential program. I decided to try it because I did not want to go back to my old way of life. Now I’m in recovery, working and making plans for my future – something I never dreamed possible.”

“The Correctional Recovery Academy model provides a holistic approach to treating addictions and associated behaviors. All aspects of living without substances are addressed, practiced and modeled.”

CARF Survey Report