Director and Meditator in Chief of Satori Recovery Center

​Born in Houston, Texas 2/18/1951 and graduated from Bellaire HS in 1969.

Attended University of Texas at Austin, studying Philosophy and Pre-med.

Graduated with Honors in Philosophy with special interest in Eastern Studies and Buddhism.

Attended the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio and completed MD degree in 1980.

Internship and Residency at UCIMC in Family Medicine completed in 1983.

Family Medicine Board certified in 1983.

Private practice of Family Medicine from 1983 to 2017 in Dana Point.

Chief of Staff Mission Hospital Laguna 2000-2002.

Addiction Medicine Board certified in 2010.

Meditator in Chief of Satori Recovery Center.

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I am married to Linda and have 2 children, Kate Ellen and Clayton Thomas Snyder. I moved to California in 1980 for post graduate training in Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. I have been an active surfer and meditator for over 50 years. I love traveling and have spent all my free time on the road, with my wife and children.

I have a lifelong interest in meditation and mindfulness techniques especially as they apply to the treatment of the disease of addiction. I teach mindfulness meditation to clients at Satori Recovery Center in Laguna Beach, Ca. I strongly believe that meditation is the foundation for a recovered life and brings psychic, emotional, mental and spiritual balance when practiced regularly. My ongoing life pursuit is to bring this practice to as many people as possible especially those people attempting the transformation out of addiction.

A native of Massachusetts, Jennifer received her Master of Science in Counseling and Psychological Services degree from Salem State University in Salem, MA and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Clark University in Worcester, MA.  She completed training in EMDR therapy at the Institute for Creative Mindfulness in Los Angeles, CA.  Her areas of specialty include crisis intervention, alcohol/chemical dependency, and trauma resolution. Jennifer has experience working with a diverse array of populations in a variety of counseling settings.

Kelly is a Certified Life Coach, Group Facilitator and Program Director.  After walking alongside two of her adult children on the path of addiction and then recovery, Kelly was able to combine her love of people and her natural ​coaching skills with her desire to empower her clients to overcome the pain of addiction while taking ownership of their lives. She has a powerful gift of counseling and coaching people in​ self discovering their true ​potential. Together with her compassion and her training as a Life Coach, it is her desire to help her clients uncover their hidden potential. Her mission is to guide those suffering with addiction in finding​ the answers hidden inside them​.

Erica Garton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and a Master degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. Prior to joining Satori Recovery Center, she worked in a variety of treatment settings from outpatient and inpatient residential treatment, to working for the County as a school-based counselor. She has worked with a variety of clients, including children, adolescents, families and adults. She has extensive experience treating addictions, as well as a wide range of mental health issues.

Denise is our Director of Admissions at Satori. Upon completion of her Master in Social work from the University of Tennessee, she has over 25 years of experience in the field of Behavior Health. She is a hands-on staff member, interacting with clients from their first contact, throughout treatment and follow-up once in recovery.  Denise is passionate and committed to helping others facing the day to day struggles in the area of addiction.

Keith is a certified Life Coach and brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience to the role of Business Development. What initially brought him to Satori was our mission of incorporating Mindfulness and Meditation into the treatment process. His introduction to Mindfulness 5 years ago changed his life and helped him to overcome years of anxiety and depression. Keith brings the strengths of empathy, communication and strategic thinking to his daily interactions; and believes that each person deserves the right to be understood from this day forward and not on the past behaviors that have brought them here.

Tara Zelmer, CYT, CINHC, is a positive, compassionate, and inspiring Yoga and Healthy Living Coach. It is her life’s mission to “Restore health in the mind, body and spirit and to help her clients find balance in their life.” Whether her clients need diet and nutritional guidance, more physical activity, struggling with change and relationship challenges, Tara is committed to being your healthy living advocate and empowering her clients to take charge of their own health. Today, Tara Zelmer Yoga’s team of dedicated fitness and wellness professionals primarily serve the Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Centers in Orange County, CA, coaching individuals, groups and their entire families in recovery from the effects of co-occurring disorders to reclaim their health, access their courage and evolve to joy again.