OUR STAFF
Vanessa Vergnetti, ND, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa Vergnetti is the CEO of Sagebrush, and she takes a personal interest in the progress of each client. She is passionately committed to assisting those suffering from addictions, in identifying blockages to health and the joyful experience of life. Creating sacred space where transformation can occur is at the core of her life’s work. Addictions can only be adequately relieved by identifying and addressing the root causes of illness. Restoration of a sense of purpose in one’s life, a deep knowing to who and what they belong, and the knowledge of what their life is about is the central focus of healing.
Dr. Vergnetti holds a Masters Degree in Natural Health and a Doctor of Naturopathy Degree. While she has 20 years of experience in alternative treatments to addictions and other chronic and degenerative disease, she remains a perpetual student of life, healing, spirituality and truth.
Ashkan Jafarbay, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Ashkan Jafarbay is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from George Mason University and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Dr. Jafarbay is committed to leveraging his experience and energy toward prevention. His primary goal at Sagebrush is to provide close, personal care that impacts patients’ lifelong health. This approach to avoiding health conditions instead of battling them allows his patients to enjoy healthier, more active lives for much longer.
With more than seven years of experience admitting, performing rounds and consulting on hospitalized patients, Dr. Jafarbay has attended to the full spectrum of medical emergencies—including complicated multi-system failure and ICU-level care. Those complex cases are satisfying challenges that appeal to his talent at solving problems.
He attended high school in Vienna, VA, and grew up in northern Virginia, so Dr. Jafarbay feels at home here. He considers patients a part of his family, and he's proud to extend that level of care to his friends and neighbors here in Great Falls. Dr. Jafarbay is fluent in Farsi.
Rahel G. Yirga, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Rahel Yirga is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She received both her undergraduate and medical degrees from University of Maryland and completed her residency in the Department of Medicine at York Hospital in Pennsylvania.
By spending more time and attention on each individual patient at Sagebrush, Dr. Yirga’s aim is to minimize complication of diseases and poor outcomes by treating the whole patient instead of simply addressing isolated symptoms. She focuses on educating and encouraging a larger population of patients to practice preventive medicine.
In addition to her role as the Medical Director at Sagebrush, Dr. Rahel Yirga serves as the Medical Director for a long-term treatment and short-term rehabilitation center in Berryville, Virginia, where she is primahrily responsible for treating geriatric patients in the long-term unit. She also helps post-operative patients reach their goals with intense physical and occupational therapy during their short-term rehabilitation. Dr. Yirga also has over 10 years experience consulting on hospitalized patients.
For nine years, Dr. Yirga worked as a hospitalist in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Virginia, an experience that widened her knowledge and experience with the medical challenges rural America faces.
Niku Singh, MD
Psychiatrist
After concluding his research in secretory carrier proteins and neurobiology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Singh matriculated at George Washington University School of Medicine and was awarded his MD degree in 2002. Niku Singh did his residency training at GWU and served as the Chief Psychiatric Resident at Fairfax Hospital. He then joined the practice at INOVA Fairfax where he is the Administrative Physician of the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Dr. Singh also served as the Assistant Clerkship Director for VCU medical students rotating under his supervision.
He is a consummate and seasoned psychiatrist in all aspects of mental wellness via his training at the upper echelons at the finest institutions of learning in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Combining his understanding of neurobiology and chemistry to philosophical and psychological theories of the mind, Dr. Singh specializes in Depression, Bipolar disorder (Manic-Depressive), psychotherapy, marital counseling, and couples therapy. His practice is limited to patients 13 years old and over, and he serves the community of Northern Virginia, Tyson’s Corner, Alexandria, Washington, DC, Annandale, Vienna, McLean, and Great Falls.
In 2006, he received the Top Resident Teacher Award in Psychiatry from the Virginia Commonwealth University medical students. He has also received the Patient's Choice Award in 2008. He is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association and formerly on the Board of Directors of the Washington Psychiatric Society. He gives back to his community via many philanthropic efforts and has given his time pro bono for asylum seekers and multi-cultural integration efforts.
Linda Bruhn-Cherry, PsyD
Resident in Counseling
Linda is native to the Northern Virginia area and earned her Bachelor's degree in Health Education at George Mason University. She earned her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Linda served in the United States Air Force and was the Chief of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse services at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C. After serving in the military, Linda was the Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health at Inova Health Systems, Inc., where she provided oversight for all adult outpatient and partial hospital services. Most recently she was on contract with the City of Alexandria Community Services Board Detox Facility. She is also currently an Adjunct Professor teaching General Psychology at Everest College in Arlington, Virginia.
Linda specializes in Cognitive Behavioral and Family Systems therapies with particular interest in health psychology. She believes in total wellness as part of addiction recovery and utilizes the bio-psycho-social model when conceptualizing client care.
In her personal time, she is an avid long distance runner and runs for USA Track & Field in the long distance Master's division. Her favorite distance is 5K, with a personal best time of 17:11.
Viva Goettinger, MA, MA
Resident in Counseling
Viva Goettinger has a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Pacifica is a unique institution that trains psychotherapists in the tradition of depth psychology, proclaiming its mission to be "tending the soul of the world". This approach to counseling is strongly influenced by the work of Carl Jung, which emphasized the importance of the unconscious realm of the psyche. One aspect of Viva's work is facilitating clients' contact with their unconscious, which communicates with the conscious mind through imagination, dreams, and metaphor. The goal of this work is to help the client bring new elements into consciousness in order to become more integrated and whole. Viva also takes a body-centered approach to therapy, helping clients to connect with their inner world by becoming more in tune with their physical being.
Michael McCormick, MA
Resident in Counseling
Mike was formally introduced to Jung and the unconscious dynamics while working in Switzerland during the early 1990s. Intrigued but not consciously ready to commit to a life of psychology, he studied international finance with an emphasis on the Italian stock markets and Swiss banking. He followed synchronistic events that led him to study transformational leadership under Carol Pearson at Georgetown University. During his studies there, he learned how to apply Jungian concepts to individuals and organizations.
Mike then went on to earn his Masters degree in counseling psychology from George Washington University. He has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings with dually-diagnosed populations, both short-term crisis care and long-term care.
Mike brings his passion for spiritual awakenings from the 12 steps and other means, to this holistic setting. Mike has meditated daily for over 16 years and he appreciates the sacred space at Sagebrush that allows individuals to actively participate in their healing journeys. While Mike is empathetic towards the clients, he routinely pushes them one step beyond their comfort zone, all for the greatest good!
Eileen McKee, MA
Art Therapist
Eileen is an artist and art therapist originally from northern California. She completed a bachelor's degree in psychology and Spanish at the University of Richmond and a master's degree in art therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus on addictions and dually diagnosed populations. Eileen has additional therapeutic training in behavior management, dialectical behavior therapy, and harm reduction models of psychotherapy. She maintains a strong artistic practice working with collage, painting, and drawing.
As an active member of the American Art Therapy Association, Eileen is especially interested in artistic identity and how art therapy integrates itself with other mental health professions. At Sagebrush, she practices from an arts-based psychotherapy approach, allowing clients to develop as artists and experiment with materials as part of the recovery process. Clients are provided with an opportunity to explore themselves through metaphor, relate to others creatively and non-verbally, and find new ways of communication and expression. In addition to her work at Sagebrush, Eileen volunteers her time as an art therapist with individuals battling eating disorders.
Stacy A. McMahon, CCH, HTA, CCP
Alternative and Integrative Medicine Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, Energy Therapy Practitioner, Life and Executive Coach Practitioner
Stacy McMahon has been assisting individuals on their paths to wellness through alternative and integrative healing modalities for the past twenty years. Relentless in her pursuit of whole health for her clients, she assists individuals to find, maintain, and flourish in their own states of peace and tranquility.
Her warmth, gentle approach, humor, and emotional strength create for clients a welcoming atmosphere. Within this safe and nurturing space, clients find she will meet them at their level of comfort, while she assists them in understanding where their belief systems lie. Once this is established, she works with clients encouraging them to set positive goals that will allow them to make the shifts necessary to reach for and obtain the reality of their future healthy selves. Through this work of altering behaviors and thought patterns, her clients find truer purpose to their lives and develop self-reliance in pursuing their greatest potential.
Beth D. Terrence, LMT, CHP
Holistic Health Practitioner
Beth has been practicing healing arts and meditation for over 25 years. At age 11, she found a book on Reflexology in her grandparent’s bookcase. This random event sparked her understanding that we are all energetic beings with an innate ability to heal ourselves. In 1996, after spending many years on her own spiritual and healing journey, she began to work in the field of holistic healing.
Beth’s personal experience working through childhood trauma, loss and fibromyalgia has given her great confidence in the human potential to heal and transform. She brings that knowledge to her work, supporting others as they manage both major and minor life shifts. She believes that every life transition provides an opportunity to increase awareness, uncover new truths and learn to overcome blocks to wholeness.
Working with Beth, clients discover ways to move through their lives with increased grace and consciousness as well as to uncover the big picture of their own journey. As a healer trained in multiple modalities, she offers her clients insights and tools to help them listen more deeply to what is present on all levels - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Her training and certification in holistic modalities includes Shamanic Healing, Bach Flower Remedies, Bodywork & Massage Therapy, Meditation & Mindfulness and Energy Healing. In addition, she holds a B.A. in Psychology/Anthropology and a Certificate in Addictions Counseling.
Mary J. Morreale, MM, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Board-certified Music Therapist Mary J. Morreale designs original experiences using music, imagery, mandalas and movement to therapeutically assist healing and well-being. Ms. Morreale is certified in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music Therapy. She offers spiritual direction, is a Mandala Assessment Practitioner and has years of experience in Music Ministry. She has a private music therapy practice in Northern VA and has created and produced several piano improvisations and guided meditation CDs.
When not making music, you can find her exploring a new trail in nature, the library or enjoying friends and family.
Christina Comerford
Program Assistant
Christy was born and raised in Loudoun County, Virginia. She has always had a passion for helping people. Through her own recovery journey she realized that her passion could be utilized by helping people overcome the same struggles she experienced through addiction. One of the gifts sobriety has given Christy is the desire to further her education. She has completed her Associate’s Degree in Psychology, and is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree at George Mason University.
When Christy has free time she enjoys live music, hiking, bowling, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Through her sobriety her interests continue to expand. She wants to learn Spanish and take up adventure racing and rock climbing.
Jessica Croat
Program Assistant
Jessica was raised in Kimball, Minnesota. She recently moved into the Northern Virginia area to work toward a degree and a career. Jessica works as support to both staff and clients in areas that she is needed. She came to Sagebrush in hopes of learning about addictions and wanting to see change and growth in the success of the clients. Jessica’s bright attitude towards life has brought joy to all the people she is surrounded by at Sagebrush. She is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College to receive her Associate’s Degree. In her free time, Jessica loves horseback riding, being in the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Heather Reed, A.A.S.
Executive Assistant
An advocate of patient care and customer service, Heather is the glue that holds it all together. As the Executive Assistant, Heather helps to support both clients and staff by keeping a positive attitude and maintaining a charismatic demeanor. She exudes both knowledge and adaptability toward her workmanship and skills. Heather has a significant interest in the treatment of addictions and is ambitious to contribute her skills to the organization. Her understanding and compassion of clients’ and their families is evident in her interactions and conversations. She maintains a spiritual lifestyle and is an advocate of helping others.
She graduated with an A.A.S. from Stratford University in Northern Virginia. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her loved ones, cooking, watching and playing sports (especially football), and is a huge enthusiast of the show "Law and Order."
Mary Beth Bowden
Executive Chef
Mary Beth attended the prestigious New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont, earning an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts. She cooked from an early age, having been inspired by exposure to different cuisines during her childhood spent abroad. Mary Beth has worked at the Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Arizona, and Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Mary Beth also has extensive experience as a private cook and has worked catering many events, both intimate and large-scale. Most recently, she worked in fine dining in a government executive dining room. Mary Beth is very interested in the local food movement and loves teaching others about food and cooking.
Dawn Curtis, E-RYT 200 & REIKI Practitioner- Level II
Yoga Instructor
Dawn first explored Kundalini Yoga in 1989, studying with Darshan Yoga Studio, wherein she had the extraordinary pleasure of meeting Yogi Bhajan, the Master of Kundalini Yoga. After obtaining her Kundalini yoga training in 2004, Dawn continued the path of being a student of Hatha Yoga by studying with Doug Keller and Susan VanNuys of Health Advantage Yoga Center, obtaining a second 200 hour RYT in 2006. Dawn is continuing to pursue her 700 hour certification in yoga therapy.
Dawn assists individuals though the practice of yogic techniques to create and maintain a safe and compassionate container so that in an atmosphere of acceptance and love, the individual can learn the tools to clear their own inner space of whatever is preventing them from realizing and sustaining their positive mental health, especially when dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma. The yoga practice is adapted to each individual so that student can move into a more balanced and positive emotional, mental, and physical state of equanimity and self-awareness, clearing away the obstructions so that we know that the energy awake within us and the energy that surrounds us are one and the same.
Dawn brings a compassionate and nurturing feel to her classes, and creates and holds a safe space for her students to experience deep and profound awakenings. Yoga allows you to switch on the luminous, intuitive and creative part of yourself. By connecting to the luminous parts of ourselves, we discover and experience the truth that everything we need to know is within. Dawn's passion for health and spirituality continues to lead her down the yogic path. Her intention is to become a catalyst for transformation and growth, and to help students find their individual paths towards a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Dametrice Jorden
Overnight Staff
Dametrice (DeDe) was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. She has experience with caring for individuals battling addiction on a personal level. Her experience ranges from being a primary caregiver for patients battling this disease to witnessing addiction in her immediate family. DeDe is a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in nursing with a minor in psychology at Howard University in Washington, DC. In her free time, DeDe enjoys watching movies, and is a big fan of most sports. She enjoys learning new things about the human body. DeDe is also learning sign language during her free time. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.