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Addiction Treatment Specialists

We employ a large staff of committed medical and clinical addiction specialists at our California drug rehab. We have found that having a robust rehabilitation staff helps prevent therapist burnout and compassion fatigue. Our impressive staff-to-client ratio helps us provide individualized and progressive addiction treatment.

CLINICIANS

Megan Bay

Clinical Director

Mika Heinonen

AMFT

Breanna Curiel

AMFT

COUNSELORS

James Tomas

Counselor CADC I

Vicki Harr

Counselor CADC II

Raychel Tyre

Counselor CADC II

Andre Avant

Counselor CADC II

Andrew Osuna

RADT_I

Santenna Wilson

RADT_I

Vera Martinez

UR CADC_CAS

Timi Higginbotham

CADC I

Christina Young

UR Manager CADC II

Nichole Jeffries

RADT_I

CLIENT CARE

Lise Peterson

Client Care Coordinator

Morinda Early

Client Care Coordinator

Rachel Jennings

Client Care Coordinator RADT_I

MEDICAL TEAM

Dr. Thankachen

Medical Director, MD

Dr. Turner

Psychiatrist, DO

Betty Van Horn

Family Nurse Practitioner

Jordyn Campbell

Medical Assistant

OPERATIONS TEAM

Kerryn Zimmerman

Director of Operations

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Scott Brown

CEO

Erich Portigal

Vice President

Aaron Earnest

Director of Operations

Josh Hathaway

Director of Placement Specialists

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Rise Above Treatment

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Megan Bay

Clinical Director, LMFT

About Megan Bay

I began working with Solution Based Treatment in 2019 and continued until 2021 and I am happy to be back on board.
 
As the Clinical Director, the day is filled with supervising the Counselors and Therapists in providing the best level of care to the clients. 

I came to the field of Addiction and Recovery with a family member approach. 
 
When I am not at work, my Partner and I are busy with our 2 toddlers. We love to travel and experience new things as a family. 

Mika Heinonen

AMFT

What year did you begin with Solution Based Treatment?

December, 2022

About Mika

Mika is a former corporate executive whose passion for therapy was ignited by witnessing the profound impact it had on his close friends and extended family. Now holding two masters degrees, he also has extensive experience treating a variety of mental illnesses and working with diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. He has much experience in working within families and couples to aid in the therapeutic process. To create a secure and supportive environment, he uses diverse approaches like CBT, solution-focused, narrative, and EMDR. He tailors his approach to each unique individual he works with, and his dynamic approach includes directness, compassion, and empowerment.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds joy in outdoor activities alongside his family, accompanied by their beloved golden retriever.

Breanna Curiel

AMFT

AMFT

What year did you begin with Rise Above Treatment?

December, 2022

What does your average day look like as a member of the team?

My average day involves providing psychotherapeutic techniques and family system theories to individuals and families for the purpose of treating mental disorders. In addition, I also maintain case files and progress notes. I develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing addiction, relapse prevention planning, destructive patterns of behavior, mental health, and personal issues. I collect information on clients using interviewing, discussion, observation, and assessment tools. Furthermore, I facilitate group therapy and encourage clients share their struggles and concerns for the opportunity to receive multiple perspectives, encouragement, support, and feedback from other individuals in a confidential and safe environment.

Why are you passionate about addiction treatment and recovery?

People who struggle with addiction face discrimination and barriers to getting help. Addiction removes the individual from him/herself. I enjoy reconnecting the individual with him/herself.

Working to help individuals who suffer with mental illness, trauma, or other dynamics and knowing that I made a profound difference in their live and seeing them grow into their potential, is the most rewarding aspect of being an AMFT.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family; playing video games with my son, camping, going to the beach, swimming, going to amusement parks, dancing, listening to music, doing makeup, going to music festivals and concerts, and hanging out with my friends

Dr. Thankachen

Medical Director, MD

About Dr. Thankachen

Dr. Sanjai Thankachen, a graduate from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000, completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York. During his residency, he spent fifty percent of his rotations at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Following his residency, he practiced at Ventura County Medical Centers, focusing on adult outpatient care. Currently residing in Orange County, California, Dr. Thankachen is actively engaged with Progeny Psychiatric Clinic, where he provides outpatient care and also serves across various inpatient psychiatric and medical units, delivering cutting-edge treatments in psychiatry.

His clinical expertise extends to addressing a range of disorders, including depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety, and dementia-related issues. Dr. Thankachen is also a member in good standing with several professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, Indian Medical Association, and the Karnataka Medical Association.

 

Dr. Turner

Psychiatrist, DO

About Dr. Turner

Dr. Randall Turner earned his medical degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Psychiatry Residency training at Loma Linda University. He holds board certifications in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine from the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

As a founding member of the Progeny Psychiatric Group, Dr. Turner specializes in general adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and addiction medicine. His daily mission involves delving deeply into the realms of human psychology and psychopathology, aiming to alleviate suffering and nurture the personal growth of his patients.

Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Turner showcases his musical talents, proficiently playing the guitar, piano, and drums. He also finds joy in reading, bird watching, and exploring new destinations. Currently, he resides in Southern California alongside his wife and four children.

Betty Van Horn

Family Nurse Practitioner

What year did you begin with Rise Above Treatment?

2023

What does your average day look like as a member of the team?

House visits in the AM, Seeing PHP clients in the afternoon, and House visits in the late afternoon/evening. In these visits, I offer medical services, mental health services, and medication-assisted treatments for addiction.

 

Why are you passionate about addiction treatment and recovery?

Working on the street with people experiencing homelessness, it was obvious that our social services were inadequate at treating substance abuse and mental health. The county services only wanted to help those who wanted to help themselves. They did not consider that people without housing did not have the capacity or resources to be able to go to outpatient services or mental health appointments. So, I got my buprenorphine waiver and started training in psychiatry so that I could help people where they were.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. The hobbies I enjoy with my kids include decorating cupcakes, cookies, caramel apples, and cake pops. My favorite place is San Diego, with SeaWorld being my most frequently visited location.

Jordyn Campbell

Medical assistant certification

Medical Assistant

What year did you begin with Rise Above Treatment?

2022

What does your average day look like as a member of the team?

Looking after our client’s medical health by vitals, medications, assessments, and advocating for anything else they may need while in our care.

Why are you passionate about addiction treatment and recovery?

Being a child of an addict, this job gave e healing as well as a better understanding of the disease. Watching the progress made here is very rewarding/exciting.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

Enjoying time with friends, family and my two dogs, Jet-skiing in the summer, binge watching new shows, drawing and finding new music to listen to.