Our Team

Real change starts with being seen, heard, and met where you are. Our environment is intentionally small, structured, and relational—designed to give each resident the attention, flexibility, and care they deserve. Whether someone is working through substance use, navigating mental health challenges, learning how to manage unique ASD features, or simply feeling lost in the transition into adulthood, Bodhi Casa creates a container where progress becomes possible—and sustainable.

“The key to life is wanting for others what you want for yourself and helping them achieve it.”

— Desmond Tutu

Stefan Kocev — Founder

This is a philosophy our founder Stefan Kocev has made a cornerstone of his life.

A California native, Stefan is a devoted husband, father, outdoor photographer, and martial arts teacher holding a rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Stefan has been helping families struggling with addiction and mental illness since 2003. He is recognized for his leadership skills, and for incorporating his passions of environmentalism, meditation, and activism into his practice.

He attended Western State in Colorado, where he focused on outdoor education and worked as a professional white water raft and wilderness guide. He integrates his extensive experience and strong belief in the therapeutic and mindful grounding effects of nature through Bodhi Casa’s many extensive outdoor trips.

Stefan is also very active in charity and humanitarian initiatives, working to support a range of non-profits including Every Mother Counts, Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation, The Baryshnikov Arts Foundation, Life Rolls On, Heal The Bay, Homeboy Industries, The Rickson Gracie Foundation and others.

With a focus on providing a culture of fulfillment for the residents and families of the Bodhi Casa community, he places his values in line with the 12-step program—always striving to be in service to everyone he comes in contact with, creating and cultivating a platform for others to find passion for life and the healing experience of helping one another.

Community Support

Mentors, alumni and staff

Jack Foley

Jack Foley earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles and is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Jack’s purpose is to assist in leading young adults and the families that love them toward healing and whole health in the face of crisis. Jack is an alumnus of Bodhi Casa and has been a part of the Bodhi Casa family since 2010.

Jack is eager to continue learning and is currently training at the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and in Gestalt Therapy under Dr. Allen Berger. Jack is passionate about yoga, ultra-light backpacking, exercise, nutrition and fishing. On the weekends you can find him walking the strand with his girlfriend Katie and French bulldog named Legend. Jack lives by the motto that everything in his life today is a direct result of accepting help and then helping others. His firsthand experience as a resident at Bodhi Casa and in-depth knowledge of recovery make him a valuable asset to his clients in early recovery.

Riley Stewart

Riley is a valued Bodhi Casa mentor and alumnus. He holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Notre Dame University. He is also currently pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology.

Riley is passionate about passing on the gift of sobriety and the fulfilling new lifestyle that has been so freely given to him in his own recovery journey. Riley truly believes that a life in recovery has unlimited potential for those who are willing to work for it. Riley lives an active lifestyle filled with surf trips, skateboarding, rock climbing adventures, and Jiu Jitsu training. He is happy to share these passions with the Bodhi Casa community and help foster a spirit of connection and service.

Eamonn Welliver

Eamonn joined the Bodhi Casa community in 2020. He studied electronic music at Bard College and is now enrolled at the Los Angeles Recording Academy in West Hollywood. Eamonn finds purpose and connection through sharing his love of music with Bodhi Casa residents, helping them to be inspired and cultivate their own individual passions.

Eamonn is a strong believer in the power of community and its effectiveness for individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. He is dedicated to guiding new residents in the right direction and showing them that sobriety is so much more than being substance free. Being involved in one’s community and being of service to others opens up new pathways beyond belief.

Ryan Carpenter

Ryan Carpenter is a Bodhi Casa alumnus of 2015. Ryan is a strong resource for all of the residents and has a solid mentorship role in the recovery community. Ryan spearheads the outdoor, experiential activities and works as a surf instructor. Ryan has found a great balance between recovery and engaging in growth-based, physical activities.

Aaron Vandersip

Aaron Vandersip is a Bodhi Casa alumnus since 2017. Aaron has a strong love for surfing and frequently takes residents on outings to enjoy our local beach community and share his connection to the ocean. Aaron is currently enrolled in an undergraduate program to obtain his degree. Aaron is a great mentor in the recovery community and is a strong resource for the residents.

Chris Georgalos

Chris Georgalos joined the Bodhi Casa community in 2020. Chris has found a passion for helping others at Bodhi Casa stay sober and find their passions in life. Chris enjoys fishing and riding mountain bikes and shares these activities with the residents. Chris has obtained his bachelor’s degree and is pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology.

Lisa Sutton

Lisa Sutton holds a Masters in Physical Sciences and has been working in therapeutic programs with teens and young adults since 1979. With her wealth of experience and her energetic affinity for connecting people she is truly an asset to the Bodhi Casa recovery community.

Erik Soderbergh

Erik Soderbergh is a black belt under the tutelage of the legendary Rickson Gracie, and son Kron Gracie. Erik is the owner and head instructor of Gracie Originals Jiu Jitsu Academy in Santa Monica, California where many Bodhi Casa residents come to learn the “Gentle Art”.

Partnered Clinical Services

At Bodhi Casa, we collaborate closely with a trusted network of licensed clinicians who provide individualized therapy, psychiatry, and family support for our residents and their families. While Bodhi Casa is not a licensed treatment center, our partnerships with Beyond Therapy Group and Dr. Alexander Sones allow us to integrate high-level clinical care into our environment. These providers operate independently, but work in coordination with our team to ensure that every resident receives the support, insight, and consistency they need.

Our clinical partners offer:

Individual therapy (typically 2–3x/week)
Group and family therapy
Parent coaching and family systems work
Medication management and psychiatric oversight
Psychological testing and advanced diagnostic support

We communicate regularly with our partnered clinicians through weekly check-ins and collaborative case management. This ensures cohesion between clinical care and the daily structure of life at Bodhi Casa—so growth happens both in session and in real time.

Beyond Therapy Group

A team of warm, experienced, and relational therapists offering deep, individualized care through a range of modalities. Each clinician brings both clinical skill and heart to their work—supporting young men and families as they navigate trauma, addiction, emotional regulation, and identity development. Beyond Therapy clinicians also facilitate parent coaching and parent groups, and many have experience across residential, outpatient, and private practice settings.

Reid Hanlon, PsyD

Reid brings over a decade of experience in addiction, coaching, and men’s emotional health. His compassionate, direct style blends CBT and deep relational work to help clients feel safe while being challenged. He is also a parent, athlete, and advocate for practical transformation.

Rodman Walsh, LMFT

Co-Founder & Clinical Director

Rodman is known for his dynamic, psychodynamic approach to therapy, blending trauma-informed work, EMDR, and relational insight. He specializes in PTSD, self-worth, grief, addiction, and family systems healing. Rodman brings an engaging, collaborative presence into every session.

Julia May, LMFT

Julia blends psychodynamic therapy, DBT, mindfulness, and art therapy to help clients navigate anxiety, trauma, codependency, and emotional dysregulation. Her grounded, empathetic presence supports long-term growth and nervous system regulation.

Ben Peck, LMFT

Ben draws from narrative therapy, mindfulness, relapse prevention, and his personal recovery journey to help clients build self-awareness and internal strength. His sessions feel safe, honest, and deeply compassionate—meeting young men exactly where they are.

Sam Polansky, LMFT

Sam specializes in trauma, EMDR, attachment work, IFS, and CBT. She works with individuals, couples, and families to build insight, communication, and emotional resilience. Sam brings warmth, creativity, and structure into her process with every client.

Dr. Alexander Sones, MD

Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Sones is a double board-certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist with expertise in mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, psychosis, and complex diagnostic cases. He provides psychiatric oversight, medication management, psychological testing, and integrated concierge care to Bodhi Casa residents in need of ongoing psychiatric support. Dr. Sones trained at UCLA and also serves as a Clinical Instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine.

His approach blends psychotherapy, genetic testing, and lifestyle interventions with a focus on long-term stability, clarity, and individualized treatment. He has also worked extensively in street psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and with individuals facing housing instability—bringing deep compassion and rigor to each relationship. Dr. Sones coordinates with our internal team and therapists to ensure psychiatric support aligns with daily structure and broader recovery goals.

“Our primary purpose in this life is to help others.”

— Desmond Tutu

Letter from the Founder

Dear Families, Residents, and Referring Professionals,

Everything good in my life has come from two things: letting myself be helped, and helping other people. That’s the essence of Bodhi Casa. This is a place where young men link arms in both directions—reaching for guidance while also learning to offer it.

Bodhi means awakening. And while we’re not a religious place, I believe deeply in personal growth, mindfulness, and the kind of awakening that happens when someone begins to truly see themselves—and their place in the world—differently. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s not the world that changes. It’s our relationship to it. And when that shift happens, everything opens up.

I started Bodhi Casa to create the kind of environment that saved me: a community where people show up honestly, challenge each other, support each other, and grow together. It’s why I believe so deeply in martial arts, in recovery communities like Twelve Step, and in showing up every day with humility, discipline, and compassion.

This process—of healing, of maturing, of becoming—isn’t about perfection. It’s about action. It’s about responsibility. It’s about walking a spiritual path that’s grounded in reality and anchored in service. We are remembered not by what we accumulate, but by who we affect—positively or negatively.

At Bodhi Casa, we walk that path together. Whether someone comes to us struggling with mental health, disconnection, or recovery from substance use, we meet them where they are and walk with them as they rebuild. With structure, with rhythm, with community, and with heart.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We hope Bodhi Casa can be a part of your family’s journey forward.

Warmly,
Stefan Kocev
Founder, Bodhi Casa

Bodhi Casa

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