Detox Staff

Ben Carrettin

Ben Carrettin has been working in the mental health and addiction field for over twenty years. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and attended Texas Southern University under a full scholarship for his Masters in Clinical Psychology. Ben is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and is Nationally Board Certified by the NBCC. Additionally, he has intensive professional training and experience in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISM) and completed an advanced Lay Chaplaincy training with a specialized focus on addressing traumatic grief and over 72 hours of direct training in Positive Recovery (a specialized program blending best practice contemporary addiction recovery models with neurologically-supported principles of Positive Psychology).

Ben has served as an active member of the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology (TxSCO), the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as well as the Texas Society of Addiction Medicine (TSAM) and has served on several other local community boards, service groups and task forces within Harris County, Ft. Bend County and the greater Houston area. Ben has also worked in behavioral health managed care as a Federal Network Manager as well as the State Network Manager for Texas. One of his chief duties included investigating concerns regarding service, clinical and ethical practice issues of contracted hospitals, treatment centers, and physician practices.

Ben is an enthusiastic reader of world philosophies, world religious traditions and cultural traditions. He frequently blends ancient Eastern philosophy with contemporary Western concepts and modalities to bring something bright and new into the recovery process for his clients. Ben is a big believer in the three primary rules of health service; safety, dignity and compassion. In his private practice, Ben works with adults struggling with addiction and their partners, those facing cancer and other serious medical conditions, survivors of traumatic events and first responders.

Lynn B Taylor

Lynn B. Taylor has been working in business and the addiction treatment industry for the past decade. In his career, he has been a pivotal force in the recovery community; having launched and developed 20 sober houses and addiction programs in the state. Lynn is well known throughout the Texas addiction treatment community having coordinated client care and services across the state and the country. He is a strong believer in recovery and a frequent supporter at National conferences for mental health and addiction including Breakers, TAAP, Innovations, Spectrum and CORE.

Lynn has been a pillar of support and success here at our Houston campus since our first day. Having been in recovery for the past 12 years, an active sponsor, a strong business ethic and a gift for organizational management, Lynn brings an arsenal of talent and drive into our Houston site. Lynn keeps his finger on the pulse of the facility and across every aspect of operations. And yet somehow, amidst it all, it’s not uncommon to find him sharing some wisdom from his own recovery journey with clients, or coming in early to bake something special for them before the day begins.

Kristin “KP” Peterson

Kristin Peterson, aka, KP, was born and raised in the great state of Texas, and serves as Director of Nursing at Serenity House Detox, Houston. She graduated from the University of Texas – Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and shortly after decided to travel the next eight years living in eight different states around the United States. After having some complications with births of both her boys, she was inspired to go back to school to pursue nursing. With two boys to raise, she managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude and was awarded Most Outstanding Student in the School of Nursing from the University of Houston. Her extensive nursing background includes expertise in areas of Neurology, Cardiology, Gastrointestinal, Medical-Surgical ICU, and served as a supervisor at a top rated hospital in the Texas Medical Center. She has a strong passion to help others and desire to understand human behavior.

She knew Serenity House Detox was where she was meant to be when she drove up to interview and discovered the high school she attended, the hospital she was born in, and the church where she was baptized, were all within a few blocks distance. She’s been with the Houston location since day one and has never been happier with the people and co-workers she is surrounded by. From the Clinical Director, Director of Operations, Therapists, Nurses, Behavioral Techs, to Chefs, she feels so very grateful to work with such a special team of people. KP leads a strong team of compassionate hard working nurses whom will ensure each and every client is individually cared for. She truly enjoys being able to see and participate in the progress and transformation of each and every client, and when you’re ready for the next step in your recovery, she will be right there to cheer you on. On her downtime, you’ll find her seeking out adventures with her two boys and fiance, binge watching Netflix, or drowning her food with the spiciest hot sauce around. She also enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, and you’ll often hear her promoting Bikram hot yoga for the mental clarity, ability to be present, and positive outlook on life that it has given her.