Meet the Founder
LYNNE PEDERSEN
CADC-II, ICADC, CEO/Founder
Lynne Pedersen is known for her unbridled passion and fierce commitment to any individual or company in need of assistance. She has over 35 years of progressive experience in the mental health field. Lynne possesses an innate ability to create spaces where healing and integrity are paramount. Her expertise in program development and systems has her sought after by established as well as emerging programs worldwide.
Background
Lynne entered the behavioral healthcare landscape in 1984. She walked the floor of a 32-bed adolescent unit as a technician and was soon promoted to a counselor then to an aftercare, program and ultimately executive directorship. The progressive nature of her experience, operating from a space of excellence no matter the task, is the key to her level of unparalleled expertise. Her skill set ranges from admissions to aftercare. There is no space she is unfamiliar with in the treatment landscape.
Lynne has spent the past two decades developing businesses and programs.
Lynne worked and trained with the pioneers in the field of recovery from the masters of UCLA's Chemical Dependency Studies & Counseling to John Bradshaw, Dr. Dave Lewis, Kip Flock, and
Vernon Johnson, the founder or the Johnson Model of Intervention.
She directed an adult program in Hollywood before leaving the field to raise her sons and develop an arts-based business. Her clients included The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, Royal Caribbean, Ralph Lauren and the retail giants Home Depot and Starbucks. It was upon her return from a commission in Dubai that Lynne received a plea from a colleague to return to the field of mental health. The request was to assist a program that was struggling to get their admissions department in order. Intrigued by the challenge, Lynne accepted the directorship with the caveat that part of her contract allow her to establish free community support meetings.
The center not only had their department developed but admissions were raised 73% in the first 6 months and that community group became one of the companies largest referral sources. It is never been about numbers for Lynne, it was and is about serving families who need assistance - not red tape and resistance. In a critical expansion meeting with investors, the question was raised as to what caused such a dramatic increase in admissions…an officer looked down the table at Lynne and said, “she happened…”
Lynne left that program in the fifth year to lend her skills to the founder of a small boutique adolescent program on the west coast that was poised to expand nationwide. The founder required Lynne's level of expertise to establish his admissions and utilization review departments as well as assist him in taking the program to the next level. Next level it went.
The two centers referenced above are now two of the largest adolescent programs in the nation. Lynne’s gift in building programs of quality and care is undeniable.
Acknowledgments & Training
She received her certifications from UCLA in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Studies & Program Management. She holds a CADC-II, ICADC and received her Intervention Training from the Johnson Institute.
Lynne has been recognized by a multitude of organizations including; The NBA, National Basketball Association for her role in their intervention training; the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for her work with Paramount Studios on the D.A.R.E. program; MTV’s for the Rock Against Drugs commercial campaign; and her volunteer work with incarcerated youth at Camp Kilpatrick. The Newport Mesa Unified School District Honorary Service Award. The A&A Foundation,Candy Finnigan Award.
The Keys to Recovery Contribution to Recovery Award.
