Petitioner Emmanuel Garcia tells Board of Behavioral Sciences he has sustained recovery; board takes matter under submission

Emmanuel Garcia asked the Board of Behavioral Sciences on Nov. 20 to terminate the remaining portion of a five‑year probation, telling the panel he has maintained sobriety, completed required education and testing, and is ready to resume greater professional responsibilities.

The hearing, conducted by Administrative Law Judge Christopher Dietrich, began with Deputy Attorney General Andrew Steinheimer summarizing Garcia’s disciplinary history and the terms of probation. Steinheimer said an accusation alleged a conviction for driving under the influence in August 2022 with a blood alcohol level of 0.20 and recounted an earlier California DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.08; the board placed Garcia on a stipulated five‑year probation effective July 27, 2023, with obligations that included psychotherapy, an 18‑month DUI education program, dependency support, frequent biological fluid testing (about 36 times per year), and cost recovery.

Garcia described his recovery work and current practice in a prepared statement. "I do believe that I am no longer someone who poses a threat to the public," he told the board. He said he began sobriety on Feb. 1, 2022, completed the required substance‑abuse education (reported as completed in or about March 2025), participates in psychotherapy (reduced to monthly in August 2024), attends mutual‑aid meetings, and remains engaged in dependency support. He said he has paid $961 toward a $1,761 cost recovery obligation as of Sept. 16, 2025, and otherwise has complied with the board’s conditions.

Garcia also described professional impacts from the open probation: he said an active probationary status has hindered credentialing and certification efforts, including a delay with National Board for Certified Counselors acceptance and limits on supervising associates. He told members he runs a solo private practice (Radiate Hope Therapy), works with Pacific Blue Psychological Services providing services in assisted‑living facilities, and currently has 11 clients.

Board members questioned Garcia about the depth of his engagement in Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery supports, family and cultural factors that contributed to his alcohol use, and how he manages stress and relapse risk. Chair Wendy Strack asked Garcia to explain his coping skills; John Sobek and other members probed whether Garcia had worked the 12‑step program and the practical steps he takes to avoid relapse. Garcia said he attends AA meetings, maintains therapy, and uses a broader social network and wellness activities to support sobriety.

After admitting the parties’ exhibits without objection and hearing final remarks, Judge Dietrich asked whether either side had further testimony. With no further witnesses or documents offered, the petition was submitted to the board and the record closed. The board moved into closed session to deliberate and will issue a written decision by mail.

The hearing record shows the board admitted multiple evidentiary exhibits (including the petition, case summary, psychotherapy information, criminal records and letters of support) and that Garcia acknowledged the obligations he met and the time remaining on probation (about two and a half years). No formal vote on the petition was taken in open session; deliberation and any decision will occur in closed session.