About Us

Our Mission and Vision
Mission: To be a leading provider of comprehensive and compassionate substance use disorder and mental health treatment services in our community.
Vision: To empower individuals and families to achieve mental, emotional and physical well-being through safe, high-quality, accessible, and integrated counseling services.
Our history
Crooked River Counseling (CRC) was founded in 2005 at 28 Winter Street in Norway, Maine, with a mission to provide compassionate outpatient, group, and family treatment for individuals facing substance use disorders. From its beginnings, CRC steadily expanded its services and geographic reach across western Maine. CRC introduced an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to offer a more structured level of care. It later partnered with Dr. Craig and Jen Smith of North Bridgton Family Practice to pioneer an integrated treatment model—embedding substance use disorder services within a primary care setting.
This innovative approach also facilitated referrals for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, laying the groundwork for a new standard of care in Maine.
CRC continued to grow through collaborations with Dr. Peter Leighton of Bridgton Internal Medicine and Dr. Eric Slayton of Fryeburg Family Medicine, integrating MAT services into regional primary care practices.
The organization relocated to a facility on
the Bridgton Hospital campus, expanding its offerings to include co-occurring disorder treatment.
At the request of hospital leadership, CRC opened a new office on the Rumford Hospital campus, establishing partnerships with Swift River Medical Practice and Rumford Hospital. These expansions extended CRC’s integrated care model to a broader community.
Today, CRC remains committed to improving access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders throughout western Maine. Our multidisciplinary team includes licensed professionals in both substance use and mental health care, ensuring comprehensive, person-centered support.
Our Team

Catherine Clough-Bell - LADC, CCS
Founder/CEO
Catherine Clough-Bell is the founder and CEO of Crooked River Counseling and the Lakes Region Recovery Center. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), she has more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in substance use disorder treatment, clinical supervision, program development, and integrated care.
Catherine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Springfield College, graduating Cum Laude in 2003. She served on Maine’s Alcohol and Drug Counselors Licensing Board from 2005–2011, including two years as Vice Chair. In 2009, she was instrumental in developing one of Western Maine’s first integrated office-based medication-assisted treatment programs and was recognized with the Innovative Practice Award from the Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME). Her work has been featured by Maine Quality Counts, MPBN, and NPR. In partnership with the late Dr. Peter Leighton, MD, she worked to promote standardized approaches to substance use disorder treatment throughout the Central Maine Medical Center system.
In 2020, she assisted in developing a substance use disorder treatment program for Central Maine Medical Center’s Family Residency Program.
A recognized community leader, Catherine served as Chair of the Bridgton Hospital Lakes Region Community Health Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors for Tucker’s House. She continues to advocate for individuals affected by substance use disorders and works to improve access to treatment, housing, employment, and recovery support services throughout Maine.
Originally from Malden, Massachusetts, Catherine relocated to Maine in 1992 with her two young children and quickly came to think of it as home. She married Gary Bell in 1995, and together they founded Crooked River Counseling in 2005. Outside of her professional life, Catherine enjoys spending time with her family, including her 10 grandchildren, who bring her immense joy.
A self-described adventurer, Catherine enjoys zip-lining, trying new experiences, practicing yoga, painting mandalas, collecting crystals, gardening with her husband, and spending time with her furbabies.
Contact: ccloughbell@crookedrivermaine.org

Craig M Smith - D.O.
Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment and Addiction Medicine Board Certified
At Crooked River Counseling my practice is helping patients with substance use disorders. I provide a variety of therapies including integrated medication assisted treatment (IMAT). My goal is to always offer compassionate care, ultimately helping patients recover so they can live self-directed lives. I am drawn to the sense of community I see in rural health care settings, and I appreciate the interaction between doctors and the people that live and work here. Dr. Craig Smith is dually Board Certified in Addiction and Family Medicine in both Maine and New Hampshire and provides Family Medicine care at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, NH.

Debra Thomas - ADCA, Office Manager
Debra Thomas is the Office Manager at Crooked River Counseling, where she has been a dedicated team member for the past five years. In her role, Debra wears many hats, but her primary focus is helping individuals access the support and resources they need to lead happier, safer, and more fulfilling lives. She is often the first point of contact for clients, offering a compassionate ear and personalized guidance to help them begin their journey toward recovery.
A longtime resident of Maine, Debra has called the Lakes Region home for over 30 years. Her deep roots in the community are reflected in her extensive background in community service and her commitment to making a positive impact. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her grandchildren, and planning her next travel adventure with her husband.

Jonathon Theall - CADC
Jonathon Theall is a dedicated Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the state of Maine, bringing a unique blend of professional training and personal recovery experience to his role. Currently serving as the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) facilitator at Crooked River Counseling, he supports clients through structured, compassionate, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, Jon earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Studies in 2020. His academic foundation is deeply rooted in understanding the complex psychological, emotional, and social dimensions of substance use and recovery.
Before entering the counseling profession, Jon served in the United States Navy as a Master-at-Arms where he developed a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and crisis intervention skills; qualities that now inform his counseling style and therapeutic presence. His transition from military service to addiction counseling was driven by a passion for helping others and a personal commitment to recovery.
As a fellow recoveree, Jon brings authenticity, empathy, and firsthand understanding to his clients. His lived experience allows him to connect with individuals on a meaningful level, fostering a safe environment where clients feel seen, heard, and supported in their journey toward recovery.

Tracey C. Martin - Recovery Coach
Tracey Martin is the Recovery Coach for Crooked River Counseling’s Opioid Health Home (OHH) Program and serves as Executive Director of the Lakes Region Recovery Center, a peer-led recovery hub in Bridgton, Maine.
A passionate advocate and seasoned professional, Tracey brings years of
experience in peer-based recovery support, leadership, and workforce development. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maine system and Andover College, and completed training at the Maine State Criminal Justice Academy.
Her credentials include Recovery Coach Academy, CCAR Ethics, Coacher Vision, and Recovery Coaching in the Emergency Department. She is also a certified trainer for CCAR programs and a Maine Can Work Facilitator. Nationally, Tracey serves as a Recovery Ambassador with Faces & Voices of Recovery. Tracey contributes to statewide efforts through her role on the Substance Use Disorders Services Commission and has held board positions with SAPARS and Tucker’s House.
She is a proud wife of over 25 years, mother of two, stepmother of four, and “Gigi” to nine grandchildren. Her life and work reflect a deep commitment to recovery, resilience, and community connection.

Peter Leighton - M.D.
In Memory of Dr. Peter Leighton, MD, FASAM
Dr. Peter Leighton was a board-certified Addiction Medicine specialist and Internal Medicine physician whose impact on the Lakes Region of Maine was profound and enduring. As Medical Director for Crooked River Counseling, he provided compassionate, evidence-based care to over 200 individuals living with substance use disorders, including prescribing buprenorphine (Suboxone) to support recovery from opioid use disorder.
Peter began his medical journey with a bachelor’s degree in biology, magna cum laude, from the University of Southern Maine. He earned his medical degree from The University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2003, where he was honored with the Dr. Lamb Award for his deep concern for the whole patient. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Maine Medical Center in 2006 and practiced primary care at Central Maine Healthcare until 2018. In 2017, he received the Larry Hopperstead Award for excellence in patient care. Beyond clinical practice, Peter was a tireless advocate for community-based addiction treatment. He co-founded the Lakes Region Substance Awareness Coalition alongside Bridgton Police Chief Richard Stillman and Catherine Clough-Bell, and served on the boards of the Lake Region Recovery Center and the Central Maine Healthcare Community Health Corporation, closely aligned with Healthy Androscoggin. Peter’s passion for elevating care for individuals with substance use disorders extended to local, state, and national efforts. His leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication helped shape a more compassionate and effective response to addiction in Maine.
In February 2021, Peter experienced a recurrence of brain cancer and sadly passed away on June 29, 2021. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the systems he helped build, and the community he so deeply loved. He is greatly missed.

ANTHONY KOZMA, D.O. Medical Director
Dr. Anthony Kozma serves as Medical Director for Crooked River Counseling in Bridgton, Maine. For more than 20 years, Dr. Kozma has cared for patients navigating chronic pain, addiction, and the often complicated overlap between the two. His approach is rooted in clear communication, thoughtful treatment, and care that respects the whole person. Dr. Anthony Kozma is the physician behind SISU Health, a private practice located in Portland Maine.
Dr. Kozma grew up in the Detroit area and studied biology and theater at Albion College in Michigan before earning his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. He completed his internship through Michigan State University and the Henry Ford Health System, then came to Maine for his family practice residency at the University of New England. His focus on pain and addiction medicine began during residency, when he worked with Dr. Stanley Evans. Since then, his career has included work at Mercy Recovery Center, Medical Director for Crooked River Counseling, and 13 years in outpatient practice with Dr. Evans. He is board certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine and has also served as an educational presenter on addiction-related topics.
Patients often appreciate Dr. Kozma’s direct, respectful style and his ability to explain complex situations in a way that feels clear and manageable. At SISU Health Maine, his goal is to provide experienced, steady care that helps patients better understand their options and move toward a safer, more stable path forward.
Outside of work, Dr. Kozma enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of life in Maine. He especially enjoys camping up north, relaxing on his boat, and taking time to recharge in nature. That connection to the outdoors reflects the same grounded, steady presence he brings to his work with patients.

