Who We Are

 

Healing through connection.

The Recovery Connection is a female-founded and female-led restorative program of healing of substance use disorder, imbued with heart-centric care. What separates The Recovery Connection from others is simply the experience our clients have with us.

Founders

Julie Funkhouser
CSAC, Co-Founder and CEO

Driven by her own personal story of addiction and recovery, Julie empowers others through her passionate energy and visionary spirit. As the CEO of TRC, Julie focuses on cultivating and fostering a space for inspiration and connection amongst the team to not only promote healing for clients, but to support the growth and exploration of team members in aligning with their purpose, their passion, and their light. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, Julie finds deep fulfillment not only in development of the company to serve those in need, but also in building impactful relationships and supporting a mission-driven culture rooted in compassion and true authenticity. Julie is a Certified Relationship Coach, Certified Reiki Master, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Resident, and recovery advocate. When she's not working, you may find Julie with her two children having dance parties or on an adventure, spending time with family and friends, or practicing yoga. Wherever she is, she will be living life alive.

What Does TRC mean to me?

“TRC is everything real - every single person matters.”

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

"Go where you feel most alive, do what makes your soul shine." 

 
 

Meredith Speir
Co-Founder and COO

Meredith Speir is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Recovery Connection.  The title of COO is also known as the “Chief of The Other Stuff That No One Wants to Take Care Of” (insert laugh here). More importantly than her job title, Meredith is a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder. She is passionate about empowering the human spirit of those that are impacted by the disease of addiction. Meredith is a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist in the state of Virginia, the facilitator of TRC’s aftercare/alumni program, a published author of an Amazon best seller, and a REVIVE! Naloxone Trainer. She is also a co-facilitator of The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition’s support group, Families on the Road to Recovery.  Meredith believes in servant leadership and specializes in marketing, operations, and administration for The Recovery Connection.  Her hobbies are cheering for the North Carolina Tarheels, shopping, practicing yoga, and spending time with her daughter.  

What does TRC mean to me?

“TRC was built from the ground up and embodies a very special culture.  TRC was built on love, empathy, authenticity, integrity and connection.  We provide the clients that we serve a safe place to heal and thrive.  We provide our employees with a place to laugh, love, lean in, and truly be themselves.  I could not be more grateful to wake up each morning and head to work at such a special place.”

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” 

 

Leadership

Craig Lien
MA, EdS, LPC, CCTP, CTMH, Clinical Director

Craig serves the clients of TRC as the Clinical Director. He received his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Mercer University, and his Master's and Education Specialist degrees in clinical mental health counseling from James Madison University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia, has advanced certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional, in delivery of Telemental Health services, and as an advanced adoption-competent counselor. Craig has a passion for providing collaborative supporting and healing services for marginalized and vulnerable populations on their way to personal success and self-empowerment. He provides treatment with an integrative approach, drawing from person-centered, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal process, and solution-focused therapies. Craig feels he has found his work home in TRC as the mission, vision, and values are truly lived every day. This atmosphere has allowed him to thrive professionally, encouraging his strengths and interests in direct service to clients, supervision and development of counseling staff, finding solutions to improve organizational functioning, program development, and strategic planning. Outside of TRC, you'll find Craig spending time with his wife, two children, and their rescue pup Jazzy Belle. He also enjoys watching football, reading, gaming of all types, and pretty much anything Star Wars. 

What does TRC mean to me?

TRC is a safe place of genuine care where you can be yourself as you explore your path to health and freedom. It is the embodiment of hope and courage.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

"You are the Hero of your own story." - Joseph Campbell

 

Jean B. Devaney
DNP, PMHNP-BC, Medical Director

Jean Devaney serves as the medical director at The Recovery Connection. She received her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing from George Mason University. After working in mental health nursing for many years, she returned to earn her master's degree in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Shenandoah University. As a nurse practitioner, she is honored to travel alongside of people on their road to wellness and recovery. Treatment is truly a collaborative effort and Jean prides herself on working with individuals as partners in their healthcare. At The Recovery Connection, she found like minded people making a difference in others’ lives and immediately knew she had a home. 

Jean feels most at peace surrounded by her family, plants, animals, and nature. Her heart belongs to her children for whom she would move mountains. 

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Our lives have eternal significance and no one, absolutely no one, is expendable.” – Martin Bell

 

Katie Thompson
MS, CSAC, CAADC, Program Director

Katie is originally from upstate New York but has been living in Virginia since 2008. She has a busy life and is married with four children, a black lab, and a cat. Katie has a Master’s degree in clinical-counseling psychology from Radford University and she maintains a CSAC and CAADC. Outside of TRC, Katie spends most of her time with her family. She enjoys hanging out at the lake, watching sporting events, and stand-up comedy. Katie is passionate about person-centered care, admiring Carl Rogers and practicing Rogerian Therapy. She is very optimistic, empathetic, compassionate, and outgoing. She brings these qualities into her work at TRC, striving to provide heart-centered care for all. She believes that each individual holds innate potential for growth and goodness, and she strives to create an environment of empathy, support, and unconditional positive regard. While Katie is familiar with and fluent in twelve step programs, she supports any and all paths to recovery, recognizing that healthy connection to others is vital for continued sobriety. Katie is deeply committed to The Recovery Connection, its vision, mission, and values. She recognizes the systemic barriers to care for so many struggling with substance use disorder and believes that

What does TRC mean to me?

TRC is a step forward in opening quality, loving care for all who want it. As a person in long-term recovery, Katie knows personally the courage it takes to seek help and believes that each individual deserves the highest quality care in a safe and loving place. 

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“See the light in others and treat them as if it’s all you see.” - Dr. Wayne Dyer 

Clinical Team

 

Clara Kight
Primary Clinician

Clara is a primary clinician at TRC. She studied psychology at Shenandoah University and was grateful to bring that passion to her position at TRC. She feels most passionately about making real connections with each client she encounters. Clara aims to help create a treatment environment that is loving and conducive to recovery and healing. For her, this means being a safe person for clients to come to when they need support and need to feel heard. This also means holding each client accountable and encouraging them to do their very best to fulfill the responsibilities and expectations of TRC. 

Outside of work, Clara most enjoys spending time with her partner – whether that be traveling or just hanging out at home with their two cats, Goose and Charles! She is passionate about self-care and mental health and incorporates many of the tools she shares with clients into her own life.

What TRC Means to Me?

"To me, the meaning of The Recovery Connection is in the name – "connection". So often, we hear that the opposite of addiction is connection, and in my time at TRC, I've come to find that to be so true. People are more likely to succeed in their goals, whatever they may be, when they have a support system they can rely on. At TRC, we provide exactly that. Not only can clients count on staff to show up for them, but we've worked hard to create a space where our clients can feel comfortable relying on each other as well."

My favorite inspirational quote:

"I said to the Sun, 'Tell me about the big bang.' The Sun said, 'It hurts to become.'" - Andrea Gibson, poet 

Emalea Marks
Primary Clinician

Emalea Marks is the primary clinician at The Recovery Connection. Emalea was born and raised in Winchester Virginia and attended Shenandoah University where she earned her bachelor's degrees in Psychology. Emalea believes in a holistic approach to healing and strives to create an environment where every client feels seen and heard. Emalea enjoys connecting and spending time with each client and seeing the transformation they go through while in treatment.

Emalea currently resides in Winchester and 3 cats whom she love so dearly. When not at TRC Emalea is most likely to be found at home spending time with her family and snuggling her kitties. When not at home Emalea enjoys spending her time outdoors biking, hiking, and just being active.

What does TRC mean to me?

TRC is my passion, and it has allowed me to truly find myself, and continue to grow every day. TRC means making meaningful connections with others and helping our clients re-discover themselves in their recovery. 

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for a instant” -Henry David Thoreau

Meghan Griffith
Senior Clinician and CSAC Supervisee

Meghan is Senior Clinician and a CSAC Supervisee.  She graduated from JMU Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology, lived abroad, then found her way to Winchester in 2014, where she found freedom from active addiction and opened her own business.  Now she is pursuing her CSAC credential to join others in their journey of recovery as well.  


Her clinical approach is client-centered and values-guided; you matter and she wants to know what matters most to you.  Her desire for clients is that they feel heard, validated, and encouraged, and ultimately that they would experience the freedom that is within reach, with support.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“So you’re saying there’s a chance…” - Dumb & Dumber.  

Administrative

Bibi Lechuga
Medical & Administrative Coordinator

Bibi is the Medical and Administrative Coordinator at The Recovery Connection. She assists both the Medical Director and managing the Main Westside Outpatient location. She’s always trying to make things easier for the clients and her fellow colleagues. She never hesitates to give a helping hand when and wherever she’s needed. 

Bibi is originally from Woodbridge Virginia but has been living in Winchester since 2006. She graduated from John Handley High School and went to Laurel Ridge Community College. One of her many skills is being bilingual. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, she even has her Qualified Bilingual Staff Level II Certification.    

When Bibi is not at TRC you can find her spending quality time with “The Boys” in her life. This consists of her Husband, their two nephews and her brother (Please send help!). She also enjoys crafting, designing, gaming, painting, and doing her makeup (even if it's just for pictures) and of course watching Anime. 

What does TRC mean to me?

“TRC is truly a heart-centered care for all. Meaning it doesn't matter where you came from, what’s your background story, here at TRC you are safe, you are heard, you are seen, and you are NOT ALONE in this.”

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

"People's lives don't end when they die. It ends when they lose faith."- Itachi Uchiha, 'Naruto'.

Victoria “Vic” Roman-Vega
Administrative & Compliance Assistant

Victoria’s top skills are being a good listener, ability to  think quickly, goes with the flow and pivots when needed.  Victoria may be found in our residential treatment program connecting with our clients. She has a bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish. Vic thoroughly enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. Each day is never the same which makes it a surprise every day! In other words, TRC is my passion. 

What does TRC mean to me?

It means home whether it’s your second home or first, it’s home.

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

If you were born with the weakness to fall, you were born with the strength to rise - Rupi Kaur

 
 
 

Direct Care Staff

Megan Waters
Lead Direct Care

Megan is originally from NOVA, but found her way to Winchester in 2017. Through the amazing recovery community in Winchester, she started building her foundation for her own personal recovery journey. Recovery has given her a beautiful life, and allowed her to marry her best friend in 2022 and raise her daughter and two sons. Her recovery journey has also allowed her to find her passion in photography. She loves meeting new people and capturing beautiful candid moments. When she is not working at TRC or taking pictures, she's at home reading and snuggling with her favorite humans and fur-babes in her beautiful log cabin in the woods.

What does TRC mean to me?

TRC is many beautiful things to Megan. It’s a safe space where your journey to heal begins and never has to stop. It’s a beautiful starting point or a place to continue on your path to healing. TRC is love & hope. 

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own“

-Michelle Obama

 
 

Tanya Coontz
Direct Care

 Tanya shares that recovery has been the single greatest accomplishment of her life. In dealing with her own mental health challenges, she has overcome many obstacles that require strength, consistency, humility, and open-mindedness. In her work at TRC as a Direct Care Specialist, she provides others the tools that she has been given. These tools require accountability and determination as clients feel uncomfortable building new habits. While working for TRC, Tanya has also run peer groups at another facility and she maintains a very healthy support group in and outside of work. These supports continue to encourage her to be her best self. Her goal is to continue to provide love and light to TRC's clients with hopes of God's love shining through her.

What does TRC mean to me?

TRC means to collect support and love for the ones that need it the most so they can start loving themselves. Self-love is one of the most important steps in recovery to achieve because the lack of self-love is oftentimes one of the root causes of addiction.

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

"Growth is uncomfortable because you've never been here before - you've never been this version of you. So give yourself a little grace and breathe through it."

 

Strategic Partners

Christopher Bennett
Strategic Partner

A serial entrepreneur in the behavioral healthcare industry, Christopher humbly discovered his true passion for care over a decade into his career when he experienced the healing occurring at The Recovery Connection. Christopher is a mission driven and vision aligned Partner who is in his true gifts when creating opportunities, envisioning growth, and ultimately how it all connects down to each individual and the collective heartbeat of TRC. When he's not actively working on a variety of impact driven business opportunities, he's devoting his presence to his girlfriend over a fantastic meal, a run somewhere along the beach, or he's entrenched in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. As a dedicated meditation teacher and practitioner coming from the Tantric Hatha Yoga Lineage of the Himalayan Masters, Christopher's passion for healing through breath work, yoga and meditation connects him directly into the soul of TRC. TRC is the most heart driven and soul inspiring treatment program he's ever experienced in his extensive career. 

What does TRC mean to me?

“TRC is the most heart driven and soul inspiring treatment program he's ever experienced in his extensive career.”

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

"Be a yogi, don't look like a yogi." 

 
 

Robert Ryberg
Strategic Partner

 Rob is Managing Partner at The Recovery Connection with a focus on financial health, sustainability, and growth opportunities. Rob has a diverse background in healthcare services, having led the development of a large multi state behavioral health platform. Rob began his career as a management consultant and is known for his acumen in financial systems, modeling, budgeting, and diligence. Rob is also a person in long-term recovery and passionate about developing leaders and offering opportunities.

In addition to a BS in Legal Studies from Utah Valley University, Rob holds an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management from The University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. He is co-founder of The Opportunity Collective, a social impact equity fund and an active member of the Desert Angels, an angel-investing group based in Tucson, AZ. He has also been a member of the C4 Recovery Foundation board of directors since 2011.

Professionally, Rob is focused on developing systems of care in underserved areas and creating opportunities that allow recovering populations to thrive. He is passionate about the development of ecosystems, including but not limited to supportive housing, employment opportunities, entrepreneurial training, and education.

Personally, Rob is an avid traveler and adventure enthusiast. He splits his time between the Chicagoland suburbs and Tucson, AZ.

What does TRC mean to me?

“To me, TRC means community and love. It’s an expression of what I would have wanted when I made the decision to get clean and sober. From the care team to the physical environment, every aspect of care is delivered with warmth in an experience curated to build live a life worth living.”

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

“Service is love in work clothes” – Dr Bob Smith