About Me
My name is Mark Lees, and I was born in Detroit, Michigan. I now live in Oceanside, California, on the coast 35 miles north of San Diego. I have a son and am a Grand Pop.
I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor – Certified Addiction Specialist, CADC- CAS, with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and professionals, CCAPP.
I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Chapman University.
I consider myself a motivator, a life coach, a certified addictions specialist, a recovery coach, and a speaker/facilitator.
*Full disclosure, I am not a licensed therapist.
I have 20 years of experience working with diverse populations in need of substance abuse and addiction recovery: adolescents, young adults, LGBTQ individuals, Veterans, seniors, and families dealing with AOD (alcohol and other drugs) abuse or addiction.
For fun and well-being care, I like to hike, gym, get into the Eastern Sierra as much as I can, meditate, and see as many San Diego Padres baseball games as I can each season. I love the calming and healing powers of music and consider Jazz my go-to genre.
Hiking, Nature, and The Exercise Effect
I am a proponent of nature for self-soothing and well-being care. Hiking and nature have been a mainstay in my own recovery journey. So by passing on my two passions, hiking and sobriety, I hope to help others with their sobriety.
It has been said that to stay in recovery mode, you must replace your drug of choice or any habit you wish to alleviate with something else – Hiking, nature, and physical activity are a great place to start for your recovery.
Physical activity, such as hiking, provides the exercise effect, which research says is beneficial in managing the mind, body, and soul. (Please click on the above link to read the article by Kirsten Weir.)
When the five senses are engaged, we are present in the moment, better enabling us to seek clarity and change for what needs to be addressed and managed.
All of the above is why I utilize being in nature, hiking, walking, instead of the “4-walls of the office,” when working with my clients.
I can offer guidance and support with:
- Self-Esteem
- Support in Defining Objectives, Tackling Challenges, and Building Effective strategies for Personal Growth.
- Understanding how blame holds us back.
- Getting Your Needs Met: Learning to Set Boundaries with people, places, and things in your life.
- Understanding the Five C’s of Recovery: craving, compulsion, consequences, control, and coping.
- Are The 3 Pilars in Balance: Relationships, Work, Home
- Maintaining Recovery From Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Relapse Prevention Planning
- H.A.L.T (hunger, anger, loneliness, tired)
- Families in Recovery
The hikes I plan for us are done at a length and activity level comfortable with each client.
By changing the “office” we work in a new dynamic takes place, transforming the individual differently.
I also offer tele-health and park sessions ( of course, being considerate to privacy, confidentiality, and client location.)
Testimonials
I love the outdoors, and I love hiking. Hiking offers me a safe place to be myself. I feel comfortable enough to share my feelings and concerns without judgment. Mark is a great counselor, facilitator, and guide. – Wendy S
We just wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your guidance and support during a very, very difficult time in our lives. You have an amazing ability to address the core issues and provide us tools on how to deal with them. You showed us the good, the bad, and the ugly parts in both our relationship and ourselves that needed to be tended to and healed. – Jennifer and Rob M
“Hiking for recovery is such a great idea. As someone in recovery, I needed an outlet to fill the void of abstaining from narcotics. Hiking and nature answered this for me. Mark’s style and non-judgmental ways only added to the value for me. Mark’s knowledge of the world of addiction and recovery was huge for me. He knew when and where to call me out on my shit. And he did. Great experience and I’m sober and learning how to live, as Mark would say, with Service and Purpose. I recommend this service to anyone in need of recovery. “– David L
Besides being in nature, on a hike or a walk, my interventions include a motivational Interviewing approach, meeting clients where they are at. I do not know what is better for a client than they do. But I can help guide my client to build upon the positives and a promising future.
E @760-215-2112 SO THAT I CAN WORK WITH YOU TO GET YOUR GROUP OUT ON THE TR
My North County Top 5 Hikes
(click on hike for link)
Lake Calavera Preserve; Oceanside, CA
Double Peak Mountain; San Marcos, CA
Stanley Peak, Daly Ranch; Escondido, CA
Monserate Mountain; Fallbrook,CA
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, Carmel Valley. CA
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Mission Statement
To engage the 5-senses in nature, with a hike or walk, is a serene gift for the mind, body, and soul.
For more information, please call me at 760-215-2112
Mark Lees, MA., CADC_CAS
