About our Team
Robert Anderson
Navajo
CADC-II Lead Substance Use Disorder Counselor and Spiritual Advisor.
Rob has been on the spiritual red road path of recovery for 26 years. Rob is originally from the Navajo Nation and has made his home here in San Diego, land of the Kumeyaay. Rob is currently employed as a full-time Lead Counselor at Inner-Tribal Treatment. His passion is helping others to achieve a higher quality of life. Rob is known to his community as a spiritual advisor. In 2003 Rob began serving with San Diego American Indian Health Center for over twenty years as a talking circle and Wellbriety group facilitator. Rob’s cultural trainings include GONA elder/facilitator, Wellbriety 12-Step facilitator and Traditional Tobacco educator. He is known for his consistent support to the community as a person in recovery. Rob enjoys spending time with his family, attending cultural gatherings, ceremonies and traveling. Volunteer work includes service work for youth in recovery.
Paul Dooley, LMFT
Clinical Director
Paul Dooley, LMFT has over a decade of clinical experience providing direct service, management, and program oversight. Throughout his career, Paul has navigated various roles within large mental health organizations across San Diego County, demonstrating versatility and leadership as a Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Clinical Director. Paul has made significant contributions to diverse mental health settings, including inpatient hospitals, schools, STRTPs and outpatient clinics. He has demonstrated his commitment to providing care to diverse populations navigating various challenges within those settings through his ability to learn, adapt and collaborate. Paul is honored to continue to demonstrate that same commitment to providing compassionate and professional care to individuals facing mental health challenges and substance use disorders (SUDs) with Inner-Tribal Treatment Program.
Buddy Velarde
Certified drug and alcohol counselor SUDCC2
My name is Buddy Velarde and I am from San Luis Rey Luiseño band of Mission indians & the Gabrielino Tongva Indian tribe of Corona.
Having lived a past dysfunctional lifestyle I am able to understand the importance of what addiction looks like and the benefits of having culture integrated with recovery.
Today I can proudly say that I am a certified drug and alcohol counselor SUDCC2 and as the creator would have it, I am honored to work for Inner-tribal treatment which happens to be on ancestral Luiseño land.
Being of service to the native community and to the community as a whole is exactly what’s needed for Indian country. I am honored to be part of this great vision and journey with such amazing people. Special thanks to Rob Val and the Inner-Tribal treatment family.
Valerie Aguilar
Chief Operating Officer | COO
Valerie is from San Pasqual where she has lived all her life. She is a Mother, Auntie and Wife. Valerie has over 20 years of experience working in her native community. Currently Valerie is the Chief Operating Officer at Inner-Tribal Treatment (ITT). Valerie's role at ITT is to support the vision and execute the mission of ITT. Valerie is an advocate for those struggling with the addiction, her passion for creating recovery resources stems from many years of witnessing the barriers and devastation families face when seeking SUD treatment. Valerie is honored to be working alongside her husband and with her Inner-Tribal Treatment family.
Robert Aguilar
Founder/CEO
Robert Aguilar is from the Pauma Band of Mission Indians through his father Richard, and through his grandmother Anita, who are the Pachito people. His father’s father was a member of the Mesa Grande Reservation. Robert’s mother Katherine is a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians through her father Howard Kolb, and Katherine’s mother Ruth was from the La Jolla Reservation. Robert is Payomkawichum (the people from the west).
Growing up on the Reservation Robert knew his people were hit by Alcoholism through the 50’s and 60’s and Methamphetamine in the 80’s through the 2000’s. Robert himself and his tribal community were hammered by the Prescription Opioid epidemic in 2010 and it wasn’t until 2017 when Robert was court ordered to Alcohol & Drug Rehab, where he began the journey building his spiritual foundation through the Sweat Lodge Ceremony and the 12-steps recovery program. While going through treatment himself he realized the lack of culturally sensitive treatment which created his vision for Inner- Tribal Treatment.