The leader of a nonprofit substance abuse treatment clinic is Oklahoma City University’s latest distinguished alumnus.
Edie Nayfa, CEO of Catalyst Behavioral Services, will receive OCU’s Petree College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni award during a ceremony May 3.
Catalyst opened in 1973 and has now grown to become one of the largest behavioral health agencies in Oklahoma. Nayfa, who earned two degrees from OCU — a Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1995 and a Master of Arts in counseling psychology in 1998 — has led the agency for 24 years.
“Edie is a well-respected mental health professional and has been a longtime advocate for reducing the stigma attached to receiving services,” said Amy Cataldi, dean of the Petree College of Arts & Sciences. “She and her staff work to provide numerous and easily accessible options for those seeking assistance across the state. As her classmate 26 years ago in the counseling program, I knew that Edie had the heart and the disposition to support others and work with them to make meaningful changes in their lives. She is a true mental health ally and community servant.”
Catalyst, with programs in Oklahoma City and Enid, is part of a statewide treatment system offering a variety of mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery options. It offers outpatient and residential treatment for chemical dependency and mental illness, medication assisted treatment, batterer’s intervention and drug court services.
