ABOUT US
We are a team of therapists, doctors, peers and technicians who provide counseling, medical, dental, and life skills support to equip the people we serve with tools to create their own paths toward mental wellness.
We were the first in the Puget Sound region to achieve a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation from the federal government.
OUR MISSION
Comprehensive Life Resources provides whole health services that help Pierce County adults and youth recover from mental distress. We are an incubator for practice innovation and advocate for policies and health care reforms that improve the behavioral health system for the community and individuals we serve. We invest in and partner with youth and adults (our clients) on their path to health and well-being.
From Our CEO Kim Zacher
Creating a Shared Vision for Behavioral Health
After nearly 30 years working in community behavioral health care, I have come to believe creating a shared vision is the most complex part of the entire health system. A behavioral health crisis can put enormous strain on family relationships, involve law enforcement and the courts and disrupt ones housing, school or work. Because of this, there are many stakeholders in the creation of a strong behavioral health system including clients and families, schools, social safety net providers, hospital systems, insurers, courts, police, and government. Each of these stakeholders has a point of view about the system of care - what treatments are offered, if people should be compelled to participate, and who should pay for it.
At CLR, we often find ourselves trying to negotiate between the needs of these system stakeholders, the desires of the clients we serve, and what we know is the best treatment. We have to be strong advocates to ensure our clients are centered in treatment decisions and that the state uses their limited resources wisely.
You have probably heard about significant changes coming to the Medicaid program and cuts to many federally funded safety net programs, like housing and food assistance. At the same time, Washington is facing our own budget crunch requiring our governor and our elected officials at every level to make very difficult choices, including which behavioral health programs to fund.
Nearly all of us have some experience with a behavioral health crisis. It can be a very scary and stressful experience. For the loved ones, friends and even concerned neighbors of someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, the instinct to push for inpatient hospitalization is natural.
Behavioral health crises can include safety risks, and it can be challenging to care for someone whose thoughts, emotions and behaviors are impacted by their illness. It is often a very scary and stressful experience. Leaning on our experience with physical health issues, where the most intensive care is provided in a hospital, it is natural that loved ones, friends and even concerned neighbors of someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis feel the instinct to push for inpatient hospitalization.We want to challenge that assumption by thinking about what happens AFTER the crisis.
Most serious behavioral health conditions will be with someone throughout their life. Much like diabetes or asthma treatment, we focus on recovery and symptom management, not “cure.” Through that framework, it makes sense that outpatient care is where the most meaningful treatment and long-term recovery happen. Two state-wide Medicaid programs offered at CLR, PACT for adults and WISe for our kids and families, are perfect examples of programs that marry cost effectiveness with great outcomes for clients.
PACT (which stands for Program for Assertive Community Treatment) is a 24/7 model that provides therapy, peer support, psychiatric nursing, case management and other support to people in their homes. CLR’s team averages more than 25 visits to each client every month! Not only is PACT proven by researchers at University of Washington to be very effective in treating serious mental illness, but the model costs about 10% of a hospital stay. Our PACT psychiatric nurse practitioner, who worked in inpatient treatment for 13 years, shared with me that PACT is by far the most impactful client treatment she has ever been a part of.
For youth and families, WISe (Wraparound Intensive Services) team provides a similar 24/7 care model. Cross-discipline teams of therapists, care coordinators, family advocates, youth peers and psychiatric providers work with children, youth (up to age 21) and families to ensure that kids with serious behavioral health issues get the treatment they need while still being able to be a kid. The team provides, on average, 50 services per month to each youth/family and costs less than 20% of the cost of an inpatient bed.
We will always need inpatient care, yet oftentimes people can get better and learn to live with their mental health challenges in the community – trying out new coping skills in their daily environment rather than in a closed, protected space. As we face many funding challenges over the next few years, CLR is urging our state to double down on community-based programs because they are more cost effective and have proven therapeutic outcomes.
Read Kim's article: Behavioral health is still underfunded but we are making progress from January 2025
Board of Directors
Timm Dowling
President
Scott Handler
Vice President/Secretary
Rebecca Pumpian
Treasurer
Christie Steele
Board Member
Corey Darlington
Board Member
Jeffery Bryant
Board Member
Jessie Wells
Board Member
Jim Wolch
Board Member
Josie Johnston
Board Member
Kari Moore
Board Member
Keith Mars
Board Member
Kelsey Van Horn
Board Member
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Kim Zacher
Chief Executive Officer & President
Kim has been CLR's top leader since 2016.
“Early in my career, the residential counselors taught me so much - how to laugh and find joy in this work, how to get back up when bad things happen to the clients we care about and why donuts in the staff office are mandatory!”
Kymm Dozal
Vice President
Behavioral Health Operations
Kymm oversees Pearl Youth Residence, the PACT and MCIRT teams, and is a lead for major initiatives at CLR.
"One of my college professors told me about a degree called social work and that I did not need to take anatomy. I was sold. I realized how this path was exactly what I was looking for."
Aaron Forster
Chief Technology Officer
Aaron oversees the Health Information and technology support teams.
"I like applying my abilities and the use of technology to support programs that help the community. A lot of companies – especially in technology – don’t get see the direct benefit, and I appreciate that opportunity at CLR."
Dan Gehl
Chief Operating/Finance Officer
Dan oversees the organization's finance, IT and facilities departments.
"It is important to me to give back to the community we live in. I am proud of our work and know that our providers are delivering critical care to those in need throughout the county. It is great working with mission-driven and caring people. There is the opportunity to make a difference every day."
Christine Gleason
Chief Communications & Community Affairs Officer
Chris leads the communications, development and community relations work for the agency.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to shine light on an organization that contributes so significantly to our community's well-being, and am constantly in awe of the CLR team's deep commitment to the mission.”
Paula Henricksen
Chief Human Resources Officer
Paula leads the team of human resources professionals.
“I joined the CLR team because I wanted to work for a place that wasn't just about making money. I wanted to be part of an organization that would make a difference in people’s lives.”
James Pogue
Vice President, Community Services
James' division includes the ROW and FHARPS housing programs, specialty behavioral health care for forensic and unhoused clients, outreach and the Park Place residential facility.
"Like so many who enter this field, I had personal experience as a child of the impacts of being raised in a home with parents who struggled with behavioral health needs. This led me to want to understand why the system wasn't able to address my parents’ needs and struggles."
Beth Stone
Vice President, Clinical Services
Beth oversees oversees outpatient services, CLR's medical providers, integrated health services, WISe and customer services, which are all part of the Outpatient Division.
“Once at CLR, it was really the work and the people here that instilled and grew my value and passion to continue to work for and serve those who are in most need in my community.”
Brianna Warner
Executive Assistant & Community Affairs Strategist
Brianna provides administrative support to the CEO, board of directors, and the executive team. She also provides communication and marketing support.
“I am grateful every day to be part of an organization that does so much for the most vulnerable in our community. It doesn’t feel like 'work' to lend support to a such a worthy mission.”
Kathy Hagen
Director of Strategic Initiatives
For years, Kathy managed CLR's outpatient, Mobile Community Intervention and Response Team, First Episode Psychosis, Child Welfare, Program of Assertive Community Treatment, and Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs.
"I am passionate about system advocacy and reform. I hate how our society treats those with mental illness and I am committed to reducing stigma."
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Traci Krieg
Senior Director
Adult Behavioral Health
Traci manages the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT).
“I have a passion for all populations, which has been hard in some ways because I want to work with all of them all the time. I believe in nonprofit and helping our most vulnerable populations. CLR’s philosophy of care has particularly aligned with my own.”
Jodie White
Senior Director
Adult Residential Services
Jodie leads the adult intensive residential treatment program - Park Place.
“I believe in recovery, and that people are capable of returning to a place in their lives where they can experience success and joy by regaining control over things they have once lost.”
Julie Bradley
Employee Support & Development Coordinator
Julie leads employee trainings and provides mentorship to interns and peers.
“From early teenage on, I have had personal experiences with both very good and very bad mental healthcare providers. This likely was the germ of an inner vision of possibility - maybe my life could be spent somehow trying to help others have their best life, or at least minimize suffering.”
Mandy Bjork
Administrative Services Director
Mandy manages contracts, risk management and compliance.
“I love working at CLR because of the creativity, positivity, compassion, empathy, and service leadership. Much of the experiences and knowledge I have acquired over my years comes from my coworkers, and that makes me want to stay, knowing together we are making a difference for others.”
Reneishiah Davis
Human Resources Director
Reneishiah provides HR consultation and mediation for managers and employees.
“I have always felt a desire to help people and be that source where at the end of the day, someone can leave from my presence saying that I genuinely was there for them in a time of need.”
Janet Diehl
Health Information Director
HIPAA Privacy Officer
Janet ensures agency compliance with applicable laws in the privacy, maintenance, use and access of patient information.
“We have an abundance of compassion in what we do for our patients and our staff.”
Whitney Faulkner
Pearl Youth Residence
Program Director
Whitney leads the team at CLR's youth residential facility, Pearl Youth Residence.
Ashley Harris
Outpatient Services Director
Ashley leads CLR's WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services) team.
"The stories keep me here. Watching families succeed, working with my staff, and witnessing their care and dedication to mission is just amazing.”
Peter Harrison
Facilities Director
Peter oversees the maintenance of CLR's four buildings and properties.
Sonja Nikiema
Forensic Services Director
Sonja leads the team that supports people exiting the criminal justice system.
Shane Verhoef
Medical Director
Shane leads CLR's psychiatric medical team.
“CLR’s heart is in the right place. With most people here, there isn’t the same level of being skeptical or snarky, or jaded like you might see in other places. People here seem to find value and purpose in their job.”
Tim Rasor
Controller
