Leadership and Clinical Team

The Leadership and Clinical Team at Step One Behavioral & Residential in Phoenix

Before you trust a program with your recovery, you should know who is going to be in the room. These are the people who run it.

Why This Page Exists

A Name and a Credential Are the Start of Trust, Not the End of It

Treatment is personal work done by specific people. The men below are the ones setting clinical direction, overseeing medical care, running the program day to day, and answering the phone when you call. You are entitled to know their roles and their qualifications before you walk in.

Our Founder

John Gardner

John Gardner is our founder of Step One Behavioral & Residential. What began as a halfway house for men facing homelessness and addiction has grown, over more than twenty-three years, into a licensed behavioral health residential facility built to help men build recoveries that hold up long after they leave.

John founded Step One on a conviction that still defines it: cost should not decide who gets to recover. That belief drives the organization’s mission-first, nonprofit model and programs like the Recovery Access Sponsorship Program, which keeps treatment within reach for men who would otherwise be turned away. His focus has always been the same — meeting men who are done starting over with honesty, structure, and a real path forward.

A Growing Team to Better Support Recovery

Step One Behavioral has expanded its interdisciplinary care team to better support every stage of the recovery journey. In addition to our leadership and clinical staff, our team now includes professionals across Admissions, Case Management, Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs), and Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSSs), ensuring coordinated, compassionate care from admission through ongoing recovery.

Leadership

The People Accountable for the Program

Shelby Lee

President

Shelby Lee. During his tenure at Step One, has balanced professional growth with personal milestones, getting married and welcoming his son, Kholby.

James McCreary, LPC

Clinical Director (LPC)

James is an accomplished Mental Health Director and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s degree in clinical psychology.

Dr. Will Heise

Medical Director

Board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Medical Toxicology, Dr. Heise provides clinical leadership, quality assurance, and evidence-based care practices to support sustained recovery.

Mariah Harris

Admissions Specialist

Mariah has over 20 years of personal recovery and 17 years in mental-health work, Miriah brings empathy and insight to every admission

Nursing and Direct Care

The Staff You See Every Day

Behavioral health technicians, including Sean Kelly and Christopher Singleterry, support residents through the daily routine and are present around the clock.

These are the people who notice when something is off, who keep the structure running, and who are there at the hours when recovery is hardest.

Jodi Spinuzzi

Licensed Practical Nurse

With nearly three decades of experience in behavioral health, Jodi’s work centers on personally supporting individuals and families through recovery.

Maria Jimenez, RN

Registered Nurse

Maria is a Registered Nurse with experience in behavioral health, detoxification, emergency medicine, and substance use treatment. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care and helping individuals build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing.

Additional Team Members

Clinical Programs Team

Kristin Hale, MS-LPC

Therapist

Todd Orrahood

Programs Director

Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs)

Recovery is supported by a collaborative team that includes Admissions Specialists, Case Managers, Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs), and Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSSs). Together, they provide coordinated care, daily support, and guidance throughout each resident’s recovery journey.

Sean Kelly

BHTs

Christopher Singleterry

BHTs