Debbie is the Chief Executive Officer of the Walker Center and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Debbie became the CEO in July 2012. Prior to this, she served as Clinical Director since 2007. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 30 years in both mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, quality assurance, and Employee Assistance and has been a clinical supervisor for 25 years. Debbie earned her graduate degree M.Ed. in Community and Agency Counseling from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1989. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys teaching. Her belief about treatment is that it takes patience, understanding, and the entire family and community to work together with the treatment team to teach, coach, and mentor to find the strengths and talents in order to avoid the dangerous, life-altering negative consequences of addiction. Treatment is about providing Hope! With regard to running an organization, Debbie focuses on servant leadership and looks to increase the emotional intelligence and resiliency of her teams while reducing barriers to success. Debbie is committed to giving back and currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Idaho Region 5 Behavioral Health Board; and is a member of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council Advisory Board.

Doctor Lofgran is the Medical Director of the Walker Center. He is a board-certified family physician through the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). Dr. Lofgran is also a board-certified addictionologist (a physician who specializes in the medical treatment of addiction) through the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). He began working with addictions at the Walker Center in 2001 as a family physician. In 2008 Dr. Lofgran became Addiction Medicine certified through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and also accepted the position of Medical Director at the Walker Center. He believes in compassionate treatment for those who struggle with addictions. Due to the many advances in medicine, and the increasing knowledge of the biochemical process of addiction, Dr. Lofgran works under the belief that he can help those with addictions find a road to recovery. With currently available medications, it is possible to assist patients during the phases of drug withdrawal, cravings, and long-term sobriety while they are utilizing counseling and other tools which will help them learn about their addiction and learn how to overcome the effects of drug use while staying sober. Dr. Lofgran is actively involved in teaching about addiction prevention and treatment, as well as participating in community efforts to educate our youth about the dangers of addiction.

Chris Comstock, Chief Operation Officer and Director of the Challenge Course has worked at the Walker Center since 2014. Chris became the Chief Operating Officer in the spring of 2019. Chris spent 14 years in education as a Business Education Teacher and Administrator prior to coming to the Walker Center. His passion for watching teenagers grow up and transform their lives has morphed into watching clients transform their lives. He enjoys working in Gooding, Idaho, where he grew up and now is raising his own family. Chris enjoys crunching numbers and likes the challenge of balancing a budget for a non-profit organization.

Waylon is all about creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and—most importantly—enjoy coming to work. She joined The Walker Center in May 2024 and quickly found her passion for fostering a positive and engaging workplace culture. By August 2024, she stepped into the world of human resources, bringing her enthusiasm for teamwork, laughter, and professionalism to the role.

As the Director of Human Resources, Waylon is dedicated to making HR approachable, ensuring employees feel heard, and keeping the workplace both productive and fun. She believes that a great company culture isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Whether she’s problem-solving, planning team activities, or just sharing a good joke, Waylon is committed to making The Walker Center a great place to work.

Faryn joined The Walker Center in March 2025 as a Residential Counselor, bringing a wide range of experience in mental and behavioral health. She has worked across various levels of care, including substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, outpatient counseling, juvenile justice programs, and support for survivors of trauma and domestic violence. With a background in counseling and a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, she meets clients with compassion, structure, and a calming presence.

Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and trained in DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and crisis intervention, Faryn blends clinical skill with authenticity. She’s a firm believer in the healing power of humor and connection—and loves making others smile, even in life’s toughest moments.

Christine is the Director of Community Relations at the Walker Center and is a Licensed Social Worker. Prior to this, she worked for the Department of Health and Welfare for 31 years and was in the Child Protection field for over 23 years both as an adoption case manager and foster care licensing. She served as Child Welfare Supervisor from 2020. Christine earned her undergraduate degree, a B.A. in Psychology, from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington in 1992. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys building connections and strong transformative relationships. She is excited to pursue a new passion, foster trust and understanding, community-led solutions, and strive towards social change. Christine views herself as a person of hope and possibilities and brings a network of help, support, and human connection. Christine is committed to busting the stigma of addiction by engaging community organizations, families, churches, businesses, and individuals who need substance abuse treatment. Her individual lived experiences encourage people to know the facts and educate themselves and others to eliminate shame and fear in places of employment and the communities and families she is hoping to reach.

Tyler is a Licensed Master Social Worker and native of southern Idaho. She earned her undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho while working as a counselor at Wingate Wilderness Therapy. She went on to receive a Master’s in Social Work from Walden University. Before joining the Walker Center team in April 2024, she worked as a wilderness therapist, where she was able to embrace her love of the outdoors while helping struggling adolescents. Tyler is passionate about inspiring others to try new and challenging experiences and finds great satisfaction in watching them blossom in a healthy environment.

Madi Comstock joined The Walker Center in August of 2024 and is part of our HOPE Support Staff. She is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate challenging times with compassion and understanding. In her role with the HOPE Program, Madi supports clients through every stage of their recovery journey by coordinating check-ins, connecting them with resources, and offering steady, reliable guidance whenever it’s needed. Her calm presence and dedication help create a supportive environment where clients feel empowered to grow and heal.

Outside of work, Madi enjoys spending time with family and friends and finding moments of creativity and reflection. She brings the same warmth and sincerity to her personal life that she offers to those she supports every day.

Debra has been a valued member of The Walker Center since 2012, beginning as a Client Support Specialist before transitioning into her current role as an Associate Counselor in 2023. With a deep passion for helping others, her career has spanned various roles in the funeral industry and assisted living management, where she provided compassionate support to individuals and families. Debra is committed to guiding clients on their path to recovery. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and embracing new experiences. Having lived in Germany and explored many places, she brings a broad perspective to her work—along with a sharp sense of humor that keeps those around her smiling.

Aime joined The Walker Center in 2015 and brings both experience and compassion to her role as a residential counselor. She takes a client-centered approach to her work, creating a safe and nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore the underlying causes of addiction and begin the path to lasting recovery.

With a background in evidence-based practices and co-occurring mental health support, Aime helps clients navigate the complexities of substance use with empathy, insight, and respect. She is guided by the belief that everyone has the capacity for change and deserves respect, dignity, and the opportunity to heal.

Sydney Kulhanek is a native Idahoan who knew early on that she wanted to have the skills and abilities to help others move through the difficult times of their lives. Sydney received her Master of Social Work from Boise State University. Her initial social work experience began with children and adolescents, but it was during her internship with Walker Center Outpatient that she found a passion in recovery and trauma. As the HOPE Social Worker, Sydney is able to help clients reconnect with their communities, rebuild relationships and find new lives in sobriety over an extended period of time.

Anika Buchan is a Substance Use Disorder Associate (SUDA) dedicated to supporting individuals through compassionate, evidence-based care. She brings prior experience in wilderness therapy, where she facilitated outdoor-based interventions that promoted resilience, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Anika integrates her background in experiential work with her clinical training to help clients build insight, develop coping skills, and strengthen recovery foundations. She is committed to creating a safe, collaborative environment where clients feel empowered in their healing journey.

Stephanie serves as the Quality Assurance & Outcomes professional, where she plays a key role in ensuring data accuracy and tracking client outcomes over time. Since joining the team in May 2021, Stephanie has been instrumental in maintaining follow-up communications with clients for up to a year, helping measure long-term success and impact. She is highly skilled in data entry and analysis, regularly creating detailed graphs and charts to reflect outcomes and support continuous improvement.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys reading, camping, and spending time outdoors. Her love for nature fuels her creativity and brings balance to her professional life.

Jessica joined The Walker Center in May 2025 and quickly found her passion for helping clients navigate their recovery journeys with empathy and care. With experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, she brings a calm, grounded presence to her work and is always eager to learn, grow, and advocate for those she supports. Her dedication to continuous growth as a counselor reflects her belief that healing is both a professional and personal journey.

Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with her husband and three kids, often surrounded by paints, sketchbooks, and laughter. Whether she’s creating art or enjoying quiet family moments, she brings the same creativity and warmth to her personal life that she shares with clients every day.

Steve Swarner is the Walking Sober Facility Manager and a Certified Recovery Coach. Steve helps clients become productive in their recovery and society by assisting to remove barriers and obstacles for recovery, collaborates with individuals in developing natural supports to improve quality of life and build a support network for sobriety. As the Facility Manager, Steve’s duties include fostering a recovery-supportive environment while ensuring the safety and welfare of the residents and community. Steve supervises the Recovery Support Specialists and coordinates all activities at The Walking Sober House. Steve is currently pursuing certification as a Substance Use Disorder Associate Counselor. Steve is a role model to instill hope for recovery.

Our team includes licensed counselors, certified addiction specialists, medical doctors, and support staff with extensive experience in addiction treatment.

Our team members hold certifications such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and board-certified Addiction Medicine physicians.

Debbie Thomas, LPC, ICADC, MAC, has been the Chief Executive Officer since 2012. She has over 30 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment.

Dr. Reid W. Lofgran, DO, is our Medical Director and a board-certified addictionologist. He oversees the medical aspects of treatment, including medication-assisted therapy.

Our clinical team uses evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and 12-step facilitation.

Many of our Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) have personal experience with addiction and recovery, which allows them to provide compassionate and relatable care.

Our counselors facilitate family therapy and educational programs to help loved ones understand addiction and provide support for long-term recovery.

Our nursing staff provides medical care, monitors detoxification, and educates clients on health and wellness during their recovery journey.

You can reach out to our team by calling 800-227-4190 or filling out the contact form on our website for a confidential assessment.