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Meet the Oak Forest Recovery Team

At Oak Forest Recovery, our strength lies in the people who lead and serve our clients every day. We combine personal experience with professional training to create a program that is clinically sound and deeply human. 

Our Leaders

Nick Howley

Chief Operating Officer
Nick Howley came to Oak Forest Recovery after a twelve‑year struggle with drugs and alcohol. He entered treatment as a young adult and, after completing his program, chose to stay and give back. Nick first managed a sober living home, then ran the men’s house, and eventually launched Oak Forest’s mentorship program. This program pairs new clients with peers who are further along in recovery and has become a cornerstone of the community.
Today Nick serves as Chief Operating Officer. He manages day‑to‑day operations, oversees residential facilities, and supports staff development. Nick’s personal experience gives him deep empathy for clients and families. He believes in accountability, structure and community, and his leadership helps ensure that Oak Forest runs smoothly and that clients receive the care they need.

Dr. Patrick Lockwood

Psychologist

Dr. Robert Rymowicz

Consulting Psychiatrist (Optional)

Amy Van Daele, LMFT

Psychologist

RJ Elizarraz

Owner

How We Work

Our leadership team is built on both lived experience and clinical expertise. Nick serves as Chief Executive Officer and offers a rare perspective as a graduate of the program who has grown within the organization from entry-level staff to executive leadership. Having experienced the recovery process firsthand, he understands the client journey from every angle and leads with accountability, structure and purpose. Amy Van Daele, our Clinical Director, oversees all therapeutic programming and ensures care is consistent, ethical and clinically sound. Robert Rymowicz, our consulting psychiatrist, provides specialized support for clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, strengthening our dual diagnosis services.
The entire clinical program operates under the supervision of Dr. Patrick Lockwood, who provides oversight and guidance to maintain the integrity of our treatment model. As Founder and Owner, RJ Elizarraz brings the perspective of long-term recovery to his ownership role and works closely with leadership to ensure the program remains mission-driven and grounded in compassion. Together, this collaborative approach balances professional excellence with genuine care, offering clients both structure and hope as they move toward lasting recovery.

Our Team

Elina Cooper, AMFT

Primary Therapist

Elina Cooper, AMFT

Primary Therapist

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Wilson Johnson, AMFT

Primary Therapist

Wilson Johnson, AMFT

Primary Therapist

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Debra Thomas, LMFT

Primary Therapist

Debra Thomas, LMFT

Primary Therapist

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Jerry Spates

Family Support & Spiritual Counselor

Jerry Spates

Family Support & Spiritual Counselor

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Lindsey Scott

Case Manager

Lindsey Scott

Case Manager

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Peter Lara

Case Manager

Peter Lara

Case Manager

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Emma Moseley

Case Manager

Emma Moseley

Case Manager

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Ginger Pollard

Lead Technician

Ginger Pollard

Lead Technician

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Christopher Hanna

Operations Manager

Christopher Hanna

Operations Manager

Before joining Oak Forest, Wilson worked in both community-based and residential treatment settings, gaining diverse clinical experience. His work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, identity development, and substance use, all approached through a trauma-informed and relational lens. Drawing from CBT, DBT, family systems, and motivational interviewing, Wilson creates a collaborative, compassionate environment that fosters healing and growth. He is dedicated to helping clients deepen emotional insight, build resilience, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.
Our Commitment

We know that choosing a dual-diagnosis treatment program is a significant decision.You want to trust the people who will be working with your loved one. You want to know that they are qualified, compassionate and committed.

We hope that meeting our team gives you that confidence. If you would like to learn more about our program or about our treatment philosophy, we encourage you to explore our treatment approach or contact us directly.