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Meet The Team

ORANGE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CENTER

D’Amore’s Clinical Team works together to provide comprehensive care to our patients, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, therapy, and medication management. They also collaborate with primary care physicians and families to provide a continuity of care.

Our Clinical Team is comprised of Doctors of Psychology, Psychiatrists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Nurses, Nutritionists, Certified Addictions Treatment Counselors (CATC), and Group Facilitators. Learn more about the D’Amore family and the people who make our program unique.

Our Clinical Team

Clinical

Gary Tucker - Chief Clinical Officer

Gary has a personal history of long-term recovery from addiction and has experienced struggles with mental health issues with close family members.  These experiences inspired him to become involved in helping others who face issues with addiction and mental health.  However, he felt that he could not abandon his career as a businessman. In 2009 an opportunity arose that allowed Gary to return to school, which led him to become a licensed psychotherapist.

He has now worked in the field for approximately 10 years. Gary finds his work to be incredibly fulfilling: “I can say without hesitation that the last 10 years have been the most emotionally rewarding of my life. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say being a part of someone’s journey dealing with mental health and addiction issues brings a sense of fulfillment that is hard to put in words.”

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Gary Tucker

Chief Clinical Officer - Licensed Psychotherapist

Joseph Cavins - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Joseph grew up in farm country in Illinois then migrated to Urbana where his father practiced medicine and taught at the University of Illinois.  Joseph moved to Utah in the early 1980’s and worked for Deer Valley Resort for ten years, then moved to California with his wife Patti who accepted a position at UC Irvine. Joseph drove a school bus in the early 1990’s in order to be able to be home and present for his daughter. Someone suggested that he could park the bus at Irvine Valley College during the long lunch break and take a class — he did that and eventually finished undergraduate work with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton.

Joseph followed his youthful dreams and went to work at the Glacial Garden Ice Arena in Anaheim where he worked as an Ice Hockey program administrator and scheduled ice time. (Joseph also drove the Zamboni a lot, a fact of which he is very proud.) After 8 years at the ice rink, Joseph was motivated by a friend to attend the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology where he completed a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. Joseph interned at Aspen community services, then remained on the team for 10 years, during which time he became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and gained certification from the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Association as a Mental Health Provider in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Joseph worked in private practice and contracted with the Santa Ana Unified School District Special Education Department until 2017 when he joined the Team at D’Amore Healthcare.

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Joseph Cavins

LMFT, Equine Therapy

Jamie Mantell - PsyD, LMFT

Jamie Mantel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a Psy.D. in psychology.  Jamie has worked for non-profits for over 20 years working with agencies, as well as her private practice in Huntington Beach, California. Bullying is a special area of interest to Jamie, as she has seen and worked with many young people who have been bullied, as well as those who have bullied, through the years. In working with teens and children, Jamie has helped several learn new skills to cope with bullies, and with the bullies to stop their negative behaviors, and their parents to help their children survive and protect them.  Jamie’s agencies have included foster care agencies, out-patient mental health, probation department, and group homes working with both teen boys and girls, and their families. 

Since recently working with adults in a psychiatric, partial-hospital setting, and doing research for her doctorate program. Jamie became interested, and wanted to help patients suffering from mental illness, such as chronic and persistent mental illness, such as schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder, and including substance abuse addiction, by focusing on how mental, emotional, and social factors affect a person's physical well-being. Jamie has had the opportunity to continue working with adults diagnosed with chronic and persistent mental illness in addition to substance use disorders at D’Amore Healthcare to assist patients in improving their insight, judgment, and symptom awareness to help prevent long-term hospitalization and transition them to a less structured environment. 

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Jamie Mantell

PsyD, LMFT

Emerson Groom - CADC II Clinical Outreach/UR Specialist

Emerson is a Qualified Mental Health Specialist and a CADC II through the CCAPP credentialing board. He has years of experience in all aspects of individualized treatment and is constantly evolving his skills to be more effective in the field. Emerson also brings a unique skill in Utilization and Review working diligently to get patients the care that they deserve.

Emerson is in long-term recovery from addiction and has worked extensively in mental health and dual diagnosis settings in all levels of care. He helps to bring an understanding of the treatment journey to both patients and their families. He believes in meeting people where they are at and empowering them to take charge in their recovery.

Emerson is married and a father of two young boys, Wesley and Waylon. In his free time, he loves attending church, going on adventures with his family, and surfing.

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Emerson Groom

CADC II Clinical Outreach/UR Specialist

Valerie Matweeff - ACSW

Valerie has always had a passion for working with people struggling with mental health issues stemming from family and friends who have struggled with both addiction and mental health. Valerie has worked in the medical field for over 8 years and the past 4 years has worked in mental health as a school counselor at an elementary school, therapist at a nonprofit for women and children and a therapist at nonprofit working with homeless adults who suffer from Schizophrenia and Bipolar. Valerie received her MSW at USC and is currently working towards her LCSW.

When patients come into our program most are at rock bottom and feel hopelessness and helplessness with the unmanageability that their MI has caused in their life. Valerie feels honored to work with patients by helping them regain a passion for life and watching them realize they are more than just a person who has a MI. “I am a human and you are a human, we are working through this challenging time in your life together.”

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Valerie Matweeff

ACSW

Shanene Romero - AMFT

Shanene grew up in Riverside County and spent 9 years working in a residential treatment facility for abused children as a Childcare worker. She spent the next 15 years working as a Special Educational Teacher’s Assistant working with moderate to severe children until she enrolled at California Baptist University where she obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Shanene graduated in 2019 with a 3.9 GPA.

“Having grown up in an unstable home environment, as well as having been subject to abuse at a young age, this has led me to a field where my heart’s desire is to help others not only to know that they can heal, but also for them to truly find their value and worth. I truly believe that no matter what a person has endured, there’s healing and restoration.”

Shanene believes one key to healing is by involving all aspects of a person’s being, emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual. “When a person involves all aspects of their being, they truly become more accepting of themselves, and healing and growth happens.”

Shanene is a proud mom of three grown children, 7 grandchildren and currently working on her hours to become a licensed therapist which she is hoping to obtain in 2022.

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Shanene Romero

AMFT

Paul Capone - Case Manager

Paul brings lived experience and continuing education to D’Amore after working the last several years in child and adolescent behavioral and mental health. After completing his addiction studies and bachelor’s degree, he is currently working toward the completion of his master’s degree in clinical psychology at Vanguard University. Paul combines personal insights from his own experience and past challenges in the recovery process, with skills he has learned from working with some of the county’s highest need populations. This combination provides him with a unique ability to connect on a meaningful level with others looking for hope in their current struggle.

Paul has dedicated himself to helping others with commitment to affect change for those who feel change is impossible, and provide hope for those who feel hopeless. Believing that “every experience I’ve ever had, has led me right here to this very moment, to do everything I was meant to do in this life of mine”, he continues to work toward being a better version of himself everyday while he helps others become a better version of themselves.

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Paul Capone

Case Manager

Jayme Gee

Bio Coming Soon

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Jayme Gee

Case Manager

Sarah Nguyen

Sarah Nguyen is a dedicated professional who has spent five years passionately serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Behavior Therapist. Her academic journey began with a focus on Psychology and Health Science at California State University, Fullerton, providing her with a solid foundation in understanding human behavior and well-being. She furthered her expertise by earning a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Sarah's mission is to guide individuals toward becoming the best versions of themselves through the transformative power of psychotherapy. With her guidance, you can navigate through your mental health challenges, alleviate symptoms, and embark on a journey of self-improvement. Her empathetic and skilled approach to therapy offers a supportive space for growth and healing, empowering you to achieve a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Sarah Nguyen

Sarah Nguyen

Case Manager

Catherine McCarthy - Behavioral Health Technician

Bio Coming Soon

Catherine Mccarthy

Catherine McCarthy

Behavioral Health Technician

Jaida Hammond - Behavioral Health Technician

Bio Coming Soon

Jaida Hammond

Jaida Hammond

Behavioral Health Technician

Kristina Zepeda - Behavioral Health Technician

Bio Coming Soon

Kristina Zepeda

Kristina Zepeda

Behavioral Health Technician

Megan Hou - Behavioral Health Technician

Bio Coming Soon

Megan Hou

Megan Hou

Behavioral Health Technician

Sergio Gomez - Behavioral Health Technician

Bio Coming Soon

Sergio Gomez

Sergio Gomez

Behavioral Health Technician

Medical

Dr. Mohamed El Gabalwy, MD - Psychiatrist & Addictionist

Dr. Mohamed El-Gabalawy, MD is an addiction psychiatry specialist and has been practicing for over 30 years. He graduated from the University Of Cairo, Faculty Of Medicine in 1978 and specializes in Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. El-Gabalawy did his Psychiatric Residency at Winnebago Mental Health Institute and Loyola University Medical Center, and his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in their Substance Abuse Treatment and Research Center. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry, and through American Society of Addiction Medicine in Addiction Medicine. With fluency in English, Arabic and Spanish, Dr. El has substantial affiliations with Hospitals and societies that fight addiction and help individuals face mental illness.

Dr. El-Gabalawy has four children, 2 of which are following his footsteps and pursuing careers in medicine. His favorite books are An Unquiet Mind and Feeling Good, movies Beautiful Mind and Sound of Music, favorite foods are seafood and French pastries.

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Dr. Mohamed El-Gabalwy, MD

Psychiatrist

Dr. Paul Chung, MD

Dr. Chung graduated from UCLA San Fernando Valley psychiatry residency and then completed a one-year fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry. He is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry, through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
 
Dr. Chung was commissioned in the US Navy, and received his medical degree from Uniformed Services University, in Bethesda, MD. He then completed his transitional internship at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He served as a flight surgeon for 7 years, separating from the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.
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Dr. Paul Chung, MD

Psychiatrist

Karissa Chisum - PMHNP-BC

Karissa was born and raised in Southern California. She has worked in the medical field for 7+ years. Her career began as a Registered Nurse, working in various hospitals and specialties throughout Los Angeles. During the pandemic, she decided to follow her passion for helping individuals with various mental health needs and obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. She is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Outside of work, you can find Karissa spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exercising, and riding her bike at the beach.

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Karissa Chisum

Nurse Practitioner

Wendy Gardner - Licensed Vocational Nurse

Wendy Gardner was born and raised in Orange County, California. She began her nursing career in 2008. Growing up with parents and family in addiction, she has always had a passion for helping others. It is a great honor to advocate help and hope.

She feels that she has found her true calling and it is a privilege to be a part of the D’Amore team. Outside of work, Wendy enjoys going to the beach, attending church and spending time with family. Her favorite quote is, “You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.”

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Wendy Gardner

Licensed Vocational Nurse

Daniel Escamailia - LVN

Daniel is a Southern California native, born and raised in Orange County. He started his medical career as a medical assistant for various clinics throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County.
 
Daniel joined the D’Amore team in 2017, starting off as a behavioral health technician and transitioning into his current role on the medical team as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. On his time off, you can find Daniel at the gym, working on his classic cars or riding down PCH on his motorcycle.
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Daniel Escamailia

Licensed Vocational Nurse

Jonathan Santa Maria - Medical Administrative Specialist

Jonathan Santa Maria is the Medical Administrative Specialist, as well as a Fitness Facilitator for D’Amore Healthcare. Jonathan aspires to help individuals in need through his personal experiences in life. For over the last 15 years, Jonathan has worked in the medical field helping others. He began his career in the 911 emergency division as an EMT, then followed as a first responder set medic. Jonathan also owns his own Jiu-Jitsu Academy, where he teaches self-defense and awareness to ages ranging from three to 55 years old. In addition, Jonathan competes at a professional level in Bellator Mixed Martial Arts. “It is never too late to be the best you”.  

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Jonathan Santa Maria

Medical Administrative Specialist

Operations Team

Michael Yamashiro - Operations Director

Mike graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2005 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and started working with D'Amore Healthcare in 2018.  Mike oversees our operations team making sure things run smoothly on a daily basis while demonstrating gracious redundancy towards both our patients and staff.  Mike is passionate about helping others believe that recovery is a lifelong journey.  During his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his son, fishing, and has a passion for travel!
Michael Yamashiro

Michael Yamashiro

Operations Director

Elissa Venegas - Operations Manager

Elissa was born and raised in Southern California. In 2020 she graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California. 
 
Elissa has nearly three years experience in Applied Behavioral Analysis, working with children on the autism spectrum. Following this, Elissa transitioned over to working primarily in mental health with adult populations. Elissa started at D'amore as a BHT eventually moving into her current role as supervisor. 
 
Elissa plans to continue expanding upon her professional career in the field, in hopes of changing the stigma in mental health.  
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Elissa Venegas

Operations Manager

Group Facilitators

Alysia "AJ" Jewett - M.A., Program Manager

Alysia "AJ" grew up in the Los Angeles and Orange County area of California. AJ received an education from Cypress College, California State Dominguez Hills, and Arizona State University. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Masters in Special Education, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis.  
 
AJ has prior experience working in behavioral health, serving low-income communities and at-risk youth for Americorps as well as worked with those on the autism spectrum. AJ is passionate about topics such as holistic health, environmental influences, and the power of human connection.
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Alysia "AJ"Jewett

Program Manager

Patrick Leborio - Group Facilitator

Patrick Leborio joined the D’Amore Healthcare team in 2021.  Over his 20-year career in the field of mental health and addiction treatment, he has held positions as a Counselor, Case Manager, Group Facilitator, and Behavioral Health Technician.  Patrick takes great pride in a creative and engaging approach to group facilitation.
 
Patrick is also a professional comedian of 30 years, performing on every continent on Earth, and is the Founder of LAFFBiG, an organization bringing laughter to those in recovery. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Bethany College. Patrick resides in Costa Mesa and enjoys hiking, working out, bodyboarding, and writing poetry.
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Patrick Leborio

Group Facilitator

Sidhartha Sticco - Group Facilitator

Sidhartha was born in Inglewood, raised in Nepal, and relocated back to California in 2011. Sidhartha has a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior and is finishing his Master's in Mental Health Counseling. Since graduating in 2016, he has held positions such as DUI Counselor, ABA Technician, Case Facilitator, and Life Coach. Sid has also spent a considerable amount of his working career in customer service (Retail/Banquet Server for a fine dining cruise company).

 

Outside of work, Sid has been producing and performing music since 2011 and enjoys painting and watching/practicing mixed martial arts.

Sidartha

Sidhartha Sticco

Group Facilitator

Lily Chang - Group Facilitator

Lily has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently in a Master of Arts Counseling Psychology program working towards Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling licensure.

Lily’s specialized interests in psychotherapy and clinical counseling include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder, cognitive development, and the psychology of pain. Lily approaches mental wellness through an Integrative model founded upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, incorporating Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, humanism and Positive Psychology. She focuses on Whole Person Health by utilizing comprehensive modalities like mindfulness, meditation, and expressive arts.

Lily has volunteered with Hoag Hospital and Habitat for Humanity. She resides in California and enjoys the beach, reading, gardening, and cooking.

Lily

Lily Chang

Group Facilitator

Sydney Egan

Sydney has a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton and is currently working on a Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology, working towards Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling licensure. Sydney has a background in trauma and addiction, previously working as a Behavioral Technician and therapeutic assistant for women struggling with addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sydney is interested in expanding her knowledge in the clinical field and helping others along their journeys. She employs evidence-based therapeutic techniques focusing on interpersonal relationships, neurobiology, and life skills and is passionate about facilitating personal growth and emotional healing.

Outside of facilitating groups, you can find Sydney camping, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Sydney also has two cats and enjoys getting to lounge around the house with them.

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Sydney Egan

Group Facilitator II

Michelle Garcia

Michelle (Mich) Garcia currently has a B.A in Psychology and plans on applying to a masters program soon. She has a background primarily in Applied Behavior Analysis and has previously worked as a Behavioral Technician. She has worked with both children and adults with varied behavioral disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. 
 
Mich is interested in expanding her knowledge into clinical disorders and is interested in pursuing a career in clinical therapy.  Mich is an extremely proud cat mom and will take any opportunity to talk about her. 
michelle garcia

Michelle Garcia

Group Facilitator II

Sheryl Jakofsky-Menes - Registered Dietician

Sheryl is a graduate of California State, San Diego, and earned her Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science at California State, Long Beach. Over the last 20 years, Sheryl has worked in several out-patient clinics in addition to working with Southern Cal Gas executives, the L.A. Fire Department and L.A. Police Department personnel. She provides all her patients with nutrition guidelines and behavior modification.  Her passion for healthy, delicious dining has even inspired the Palms luxury weight loss camp to publish a book on Recipe Adaptation, using her well-honed knowledge and expertise.

When implementing a new habit or lifestyle change, Sheryl believes she must address the physical, psychological, and visceral aspects of a person’s life before any implementation can take place. Her ability to be approachable, empathetic and genuinely interested in each and every patient that she meets, makes a lifelong impact on the patients here at D’Amore Healthcare. “Good nutrition is forever…”

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Sheryl Jakofsky-Menes

Registered Dietician

Jeff Arimond - Sound Bath / Yoga Group Facilitator

Jeff was first introduced to yoga in 1974 in Costa Mesa, California when he, his wife, and a group of his friends decided to try this “yoga thing” out. He has been involved with yoga and Eastern Philosophy ever since. In 2020 Jeff completed a 200 hour yoga certification with Shanti Walling. 

Jeff also received training in healing through sound and has acquired Tibetan Singing Bowls that are between 100 and 400 years old through an importer in Los Angeles. Through the bowls and various other instruments with pranayama (breathworks), his students experience states of deep calmness and healing. This is Jeff’s passion, to be able to guide people into a meditative state where they meet their true self.  Jeff also teaches Restorative as well as Beginning and Gentle yoga. He knows that yoga meets the individual on a personal level. 

Jeff’s commitment to yoga and personal growth intensified when his beloved wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and who passed away in 2014. Having been involved with a 12 Step program for many years, and with the passing of his wife, Jeff is well aware of the compassion and love that needs to be shown to every individual regardless of past or present circumstance. 

Jeff has many years of experience surfing and a background of rock and ice climbing along with backpacking in the Sierras.

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Jeff Arimond

Sound Bath / Yoga Group Facilitator 

Kimberly Lou - Integrative Life Mentor & Health Coach

Kimberly Lou is a world class lifestyle coach specializing in integrative emotional and physical well-being. Her Accelerated Performance Coaching ™ helps her clients reach their highest level of performance and elevates them to compete at the maximum level of their ability. Her program is perfect for people looking for more than just standard life-coaching, as it also focuses on accountability, mindset, nutritional and physical fitness. Her coaching also draws upon her expertise as a motivational speaker to provide the tools to help people excel in all areas of their lives.

Her success stems from her own personal journey toward wellness from when she weighed 200 lbs on a 5’ 3” frame. She was determined to change the cycles of her life — and through dedication and hard work, she did. As a result of her success, and with diverse qualifications and certifications, she has appeared as an Expert Fitness and Wellness Specialist on E! Entertainment, MTV, HBO, ESPN, MSNBC, ShowTime, just to name a few. 

Kimberly Lou’s biggest passion in life is acting silly with her daughter, Summer. Summer teaches her mom to play and treat life like a new adventure… one fun game at a time.

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Kimberly Lou

Integrative Life Mentor & Health Coach

Cherie' M. Cassara, MA, LMFT - Equine Therapist

Cherie' Cassara is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and works with individuals, couples, families and groups. Cherie' is trained in both Gottman and Emotionally Focused therapies.
Cherie' is also a trauma specialist certified in EMDR. Cherie' offers a safe, peaceful and non-judgmental environment with the goal being to inspire growth to discover a new way to cope from within to be able to live a more resilient life and specializes in all relationship difficulties.

Cherie' received her Bachelors of Arts Degree from Vanguard University of Southern California in Clinical Psychology and went on to earn a Masters of Arts Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy.

Learn more at:

Simplyhorsesense.com

cherie-cassara

Cherie' M. Cassara

MA, LMFT, Equine Therapist

Johnnie Peeples - CATC-I

Johnnie is a CATC-I CAADE Certified Addictions Counselor and has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Business Management and is currently working on an MBA in Leadership at Grand Canyon University. He is a member of Crosspoint Church in Huntington Beach and loves helping people change from the inside out through listening first and then implementing multiple sources of counseling to encourage them to seek a spiritual solution to combat their individual hurts, habits, hang-ups, afflictions, and destructive behaviors.

Johnnie is from Ft. Pierce, Fl. and is a Marine Corps Veteran. He is a certified ISSA Personal Trainer and the owner of Peeples Coaching. He is the current Defensive Back Coach and Sports and Conditioning Coordinator at Santa Ana College. Johnnie is married to his love Carla and has two beautiful children, Jonathan and Brooklyn, along with two dogs named Luckie and Bubba.

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Johnnie Peeples

CATC-I, Group Facilitator

Brandon Baker - Music Mindfulness Facilitator

Brandon Baker is a multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He started on the flute when he was 10 years old. He picked up playing the guitar and saxophone when he was 13. At the age of 16, he got the opportunity to travel to Australia to perform at the Sydney Opera House as principal flutist of the Musique Sur La Mer Youth Symphony Orchestra. Ever since that inspirational experience, he knew his life’s calling was to become a professional musician.

He graduated from Long Beach City College in June 2018 with an Associate of Arts degree in music after studying saxophone and jazz voice. He recently graduated in May 2021 from Cal State Long Beach with his Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies. He is now pursuing a career as a music teacher/freelancer/studio musician post-graduation. 

In addition to teaching his own private students, he mentors aspiring musicians for a non-profit organization called Jazz Angels dedicated to creating environments for playing and preserving jazz while empowering young musicians to develop self-confidence and leadership skills. 

In his free time, he enjoys serving on the worship team at his church on bass and piano. He also volunteers annually as a stage manager/sound engineer for the Jazz Education Network.

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Brandon Baker

Music Mindfulness Facilitator

Ismael Miranda-Rumo - Pilates Instructor

Ismael is a Pilates Instructor based out of Long Beach. He graduated from CSU Long Beach with a BA in Dance Science, studying both dance and kinesiology. Having done Pilates as part of his undergrad, he sought out a certification for BASI Pilates in Summer 2016.

Ismael has worked as an instructor for Equinox and Club Pilates, as well as several private clients. He also worked as an instructor and tech for Physical Therapy Care. His years of experience have taught him how to be an engaging and safe instructor who can work with different types of bodies in many formats.

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Ismael Miranda-Rumo

Pilates Instructor

Cecily Renteria – Registered AMFT

Cecily Renteria is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #113224) under the supervision of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Erin Lae (LMFT #52711) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Amy Field (LMFT #50105). She brings nearly 20 years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds in various community non-profit agencies. 

Cecily has been supporting adolescents, teens, and adults as a therapist since 2017. She holds the therapeutic relationship and views her healing work with clients as sacred. Her experience includes working with a wide range of presenting issues, including anger management, anxiety and depression, LGBTQIA+, recovery, substance use disorders, and trauma and PTSD.

In 2019, Cecily graduated with her Masters in Counseling Psychology, emphasizing Marriage and Family Therapy, Profession Clinical Counseling, and Depth Psychology. She approaches her work with clients with empathy and compassion. She uses various modalities through a depth-oriented lens, which includes using metaphor, myth, symbols/archetypes, and dreams and images to inform her work with clients.

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Cecily Renteria

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Kris Reindel – RADT, PsyD Intern, Group Facilitator

Kristen is a RADT facilitator whose focus in life is to promote and protect the mental health of all those in her care as well as ensure the positive well-being of their future. Kristen also provides support and care to foster youths to help these kids overcome their mental/physical obstacles to be able to enjoy the life they deserve to have. Kristen has overcome her own mental health struggles and wants to be able to help individuals find their own purpose in life. Kristen enjoys being outside, reading, and remaining active in her free time.

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Kris Reindel

RADT, PsyD Intern and Group Facilitator

Bryan Aleman - Breathworks Therapy

As a fitness professional, Bryan Aleman believes that physical fitness and mental health go hand in hand. Trained and well versed in the Pranayama breathing technique (Breathworks), Bryan aspires to help individuals in need through his personal experiences in life and group facilitating skills. Bryan is passionate about his practice and its benefits because he has the opportunity to support clients through hard times in their recovery and guide them to a new way of living. As an artist, Bryan believes it is never too late to make your life a masterpiece.
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Bryan Aleman

Breathworks Therapy

Liz Saucier-Johnson - RADT, Group Facilitator

Bio Coming Soon

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Liz Saucier-Johnson

RADT, Group Facilitator, BA Interdisciplinary Arts and Science

Cheryl Williams – RADT, CDAC Intern, Group Facilitator

Cheryl Williams has her RADT certification. She is currently working as a case manager to complete the hours needed to finish her CADT. Before her enlightened career change, she was an experienced professional in accounting and business management for over 30 years.

After years of struggling with addiction silently, in 2020, she decided to make a change and go to treatment and discover her true love. She realized she wanted to help others like herself, especially with the various barriers they encounter when seeking treatment, whether it be emotional, cultural, or personal.

Cheryl believes everyone deserves to be healthy and happy and learn to love themselves despite past decisions. She believes we are all strong survivors and can get through anything with support.

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Cheryl Williams

RADT, CDAC Intern, Group Facilitator

Andrea Barrero – Group Facilitator

Andrea Barrero is a RADT-certified practitioner and an experienced professional in customer service and operations. She has worked in the customer service industry for the past 7 years. Delivering on quality satisfaction, retention, and experience. She has two Associates Degrees in Business and Architecture. She has a passion for inspiring others and providing quality service.  

Andrea has enormous compassion for people going through life’s challenges and transitions and feels privileged to work with those who are seeking support by helping them with art. She has trained in using the creative process to explore the conscious and unconscious, discovering feelings and experiences where there are no words. With the focus being on the process and materials, art therapy does not require art skill or experience. She creates the space to safely process, without judgment and nurtures the courage to be imperfect. 

To practice her own self-care, Andrea enjoys spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her furry baby (Koa). She enjoys yoga, spending time at the beach, reading, and traveling the world.  

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Andrea Barrero

Group Facilitator

Ronald Ochoa - AMFT, Group Facilitator

Ronald has an extreme passion for Life. He states, “Figuring out our purpose in life is one of the most difficult challenges.” Although he has many aspirations, there is one thing for sure. Helping people with mental health challenges and addictions is exactly what he wants to do.
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Ronald Ochoa

AMFT, Group Facilitator

Community Outreach

Gregory Pierce - Certified Professional Life Coach, Master Certified Professional Coach, Community Mental Health Coordinator

We are so glad to have Gregory join D’Amore Healthcare, where he will serve as our Life Coach beginning in October 2022. With over 20 years of experience in the field of recovery, Gregory has been a part of many 12-Step programs around the Orange County area. Most recently, he helped to launch the Community Mental Health Night discussion group at CrossPoint Church in Huntington Beach, where he serves as the Recovery Care Pastor.

His passionate commitment to every person being known and valued for who they are is the reason why he is a perfect fit here at D’Amore. He believes that there is so much more that can be done to help treat mental illness and substance abuse.  He always says that "we must be for ONE what we wish we could be FOR ALL.”

Gregory will guide patients to make solid, informed life decisions as well as give spiritual guidance, if requested, to help put them on a path for success during their time at D'Amore and in the future after they leave our program.

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Gregory Pierce

Certified Professional Life Coach, Master Certified Professional Coach, Community Mental Health Coordinator

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