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Meet

your

team

We have a team of experts across the country who we uniquely select to form your supportive recovery team.

We value your voice in your journey and are here to work side by side with you to define what recovery looks and feels like for you, your lifestyle and your family. 
We show up everyday without judgement or agenda so you can have the space to explore what journey feels best for you.

Shirley Wantland

SHIRLEY WANTLAND

founder and ceo

Shirley Wantland is the Founder & CEO of Recovery Consultants, Inc., which provides a bespoke recovery services to individuals & families struggling with substance use disorder, mental and behavioral health issues.

She has been described by friends as “a scientist and a truck driver, trapped inside the body of a princess.” As someone who doesn’t fit in any one box, she is dedicated to serving and advocating for those who feel shamed and stigmatized by addiction or mental health issues. She believes in compassionate, non-judgmental care and helps illuminate a path for people to reach their true potential. She helps people create their own box (or parallelogram, oval or squiggle!) through unique and individualized treatment recommendations.
She is skilled in coaching people through their perceived limitations.

As Shirley navigates her way through life’s infinite labyrinth, she has enjoyed her relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area from Oklahoma and Texas. She resides in Mill Valley with her husband, 2 daughters and dog, Mochi. She enjoys cooking, entertaining, hiking, traveling, all things fashion and beauty-related, spending time with friends and family, and making the most of her time in the labyrinth.

SARAH PRAY

companion manager

Sarah is a highly skilled and compassionate substance abuse counselor with over 10 years of experience in the recovery field.

Throughout her career, she has worked in both inpatient and
outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) facilities, providing critical support to Individuals navigating the challenges of addiction recovery. Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in Community and Human Services with a concentration in Chemical Dependency Counseling
from SUNY Empire State College.

Her personal experience with the impact of addiction, having
lost her mother and several close family members to the disease, has deeply influenced her professional path. Motivated by these early life experiences, she is dedicated to helping others overcome similar struggles and achieve lasting recovery. 

In addition to her professional work, Sarah is Married with two teenage sons. Outside of her career, she enjoys spending quality time with her four dogs—Meatball, Ethel, Rufus, and Cannoli.

Joanna Arenstein

JOANNA ARENSTEIN​

case manager

Joanna has worked in the drug & alcohol recovery industry for over 20 years, working in crisis intervention & outreach, harm reduction, and community advocacy. She bridges the practical and the humanistic to guide individuals navigating personal challenges by teaching emotional intelligence and utilizing confident communication.
 
Over the past 15 years, Joanna has explored numerous healing and wellness methods on her path. She draws upon her experience and the processes she has created when working with clients. She works collaboratively to develop meaningful recovery plans, with a tailored approach that resonates with the client, their lifestyle, family, and specific goals. This approach empowers the client not only to make a positive change in their life but also to sustain it. 
 
Joanna is a lifelong activist who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, surrounded by a family who believed in civic engagement and taking an active role in service to the larger community. She has been involved in many grassroots community organizations and national political campaigns. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of KFS School in San Francisco, which takes a progressive and holistic approach to education for twice-exceptional students who have struggled in traditional school settings. 
 
She lives in Oakland, California, but loves getting out of town and exploring any city, state, or country she’s never been to before. She has travel aspirations of visiting all 50 states, all seven continents, and scuba diving each of the Seven Seas, except the Arctic. 

AMY GIFFIN

case manager

Amy believes recovery is as unique as the individual. Her passion lies in providing personalized support that embraces the beauty of individual differences. No two recovery journeys are the same, which is why she takes a holistic approach—tailoring services to meet each person’s needs, strengths, and goals.

 

With a background in working closely with individuals and families both in the home and in schools, Amy has extensive experience in behavior modification and impulse control strategies. These tools are designed to help clients develop skills that lead to a more engaged, fulfilling life.

 

What truly drives her is the opportunity to help others thrive. She is committed to walking alongside clients on their journey to recovery—providing compassion, guidance, and the tools clients need to rediscover purpose and joy. At Recovery Consultants, we’re here to help you not just recover but truly live.

GARRETT SCHWAB​

case manager

Garret is a passionate and dedicated Substance Abuse Counselor with over 13 years of lived experience in addiction recovery. Drawing strength and insight from his personal journey, Garret helps others recognize and overcome self-limiting beliefs that hold them back from growth and healing.
 
With two years of experience working in the treatment field, Garret has supported clients in relapse prevention, building healthy interpersonal relationships, and setting meaningful, achievable goals. His approach is compassionate and individualized, tailored to each client’s unique circumstances and needs.
 
Garret also has experience working with dual diagnosis clients and deeply understands the challenges that come with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. He views recovery as a lifelong journey of self-discovery and fulfillment—and finds purpose in guiding others toward a life of clarity, connection, and meaning.

SIOBHAN NEILLAND

case manager

Siobhan Neilland is a Recovery Consultant, Case Manager, and Certified Professional Coach (CPCC) who blends lived experience with clinical-informed frameworks to support individuals navigating addiction, trauma, and complex mental health challenges.

With a recovery journey that began in her teenage years, she brings both credibility and compassion to her work, supporting clients across substance use, codependency, ACOA patterns, and behavioral addictions. Her approach integrates recovery coaching, case management, and mindfulness-based practices to help clients stabilize, rebuild, and create sustainable, empowered lives.

In addition to her recovery work, Siobhan is the founder of OneMama.org International Health Center, where, since 2008, she has led efforts to provide healthcare and mental health services to underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This global perspective informs her holistic, whole-person approach—partnering with clients, families, and care teams to build structured, accountable recovery plans rooted in resilience, connection, and purpose.

She believes recovery is not just about abstinence, but about building a life where individuals feel valued, supported, and able to thrive—empowering others to truly fight for their joy. Based in San Francisco, Siobhan finds renewal in nature, ocean swims, and weekly dance. Her commitment to self-care and resilience reflects the same principles she brings to those she supports.

BRIANNA ARELLANO​​

family coach

Bri believes that healing happens in connection and that healthy relationships are where individuals and families truly thrive. She is passionate about helping people build resilience by identifying patterns within family systems that may contribute to maladaptive behaviors. By raising awareness of unhelpful dynamics, Bri empowers individuals to change their paths and strengthen their relationships.

Bri began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working with individuals and their families to set meaningful goals and develop healthy, sustainable support strategies. For the past six years, she has worked closely with families navigating mental health challenges, trauma, and addiction within the child welfare system and residential treatment settings.

Bri strives to create a compassionate, supportive space while offering clear and honest feedback to help families explore new ways of interacting. She recognizes that every family system is unique and believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach. As a family coach, Bri leads with curiosity and adaptability, tailoring her work to meet each family’s specific needs.

Family is a core value for Bri both personally and professionally. She feels deeply honored to walk alongside individuals and their loved ones on a journey toward greater understanding, connection, and healing.

GABRIELA HARRINGTON​

companion coordinator

Gabriela has spent the last decade supporting individuals across a range of higher education settings. From working closely with students navigating unique life circumstances to managing programs at top universities, she has developed a strong foundation in guiding and coaching people from diverse backgrounds.

Having lived in several cities across the United States, Gabriela has gained a broader perspective on the disparities and inequities that can shape access to opportunity. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to meeting people where they are and supporting them in building meaningful, sustainable paths forward.

While her professional background is rooted in higher education, the driving force behind her work remains the same: a genuine passion for helping others. She brings empathy, adaptability, and a people-centered approach to every interaction, creating a supportive and empowering environment for those she serves.

Outside of her professional life, Gabriela enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants, and spending time at the beach with her husband and their three dogs in the Charleston area.

Recovery Consultants

MARISSA FARHAT

recruiting coordinator

TO BE ADDED

 

Linda Mbagwu

ADAKU MBAGWU​

partner & strategic advisor

Adaku is a highly regarded coach whose PINNACLE program and tools have transformed the lives of individuals around the world. Her approach to coaching is both frank and fearless, yet rooted in love and compassion. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve emotional freedom and personal and professional success.

Linda’s coaching draws on her own personal and professional experiences including her journey from homelessness, depression and failed suicide attempts to building a multi-million-pound executive recruitment business and transforming herself and her relationships. Her clients appreciate her ability to relate to their struggles and understand their pain.

As a strategic Advisor for Recovery Consultants, Linda brings her expertise in supporting clients to transition from addiction to empowerment. For her it’s not just about overcoming addiction, but about helping individuals meet their full potential and power so that they can live a life fulfilled.

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