D'Amore is now in-Network with United Health Group
We are proud to announce the opening of our fourth Residential Facility: Cheyenne House
D'Amore is now in Network with MHN Health Net Insurance
We are proud to announce the opening of our fourth Residential Facility: Cheyenne House
D'Amore is now in Network with MHN Health Net Insurance
D'Amore is now in Network with MHN Health Net Insurance
(714) 375-1110
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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

Steven East - LCSW, Therapist II

Bio Coming Soon

Steve East

Steven East

LCSW, Therapist II

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

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

Veronica Valentincic, Nurse Practitioner

From volunteer to registered nurse to nurse practitioner, Veronica has exhibited her dedication to helping and serving others, as well as a long-term commitment to a career in healthcare. 
 
As a registered nurse, she worked full-time on a cardiac floor, specializing in care for patients after open-heart surgery.  While this experience helped her with nursing knowledge and skills, her true fulfillment was found in connecting with patients.  Her belief that mental health is just as important as physical health motivated her to establish a more active role in the mental health field as a provider. 
 
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she has been generously provided an opportunity to learn from and work alongside Dr.El-Gabalawy.  She is thrilled to join her mentor and the team at D’Amore as the Nurse Practitioner.  
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Veronica Valentincic

Nurse Practitioner

Magdalena Austin - Nurse Practitioner

Magda Austin is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her MSN degree from West Coast University and her FNP certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Magda has been working as a Registered Nurse for over 7 years. She started as a Psychiatric Nurse and then moved to the Critical Care department, where she was responsible for managing and providing direct care of critically ill patients with multi-system organ failure.

As an Advance Practice Nurse, Magda continues to practice in both specialties: urgent care and behavioral health medicine, which allows her to fulfill her passion to empower and heal body and mind as a whole. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

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Magdalena Austin

Nurse Practitioner

Troy Matthews - Physician's Assistant

Troy Matthews was born in Boston, MA and moved to the NY tristate area as a young child. He enlisted in the US Army in 1983 from Newark, NJ. He has had multiple stateside and foreign assignments in the military. He was eventually transferred to Southern California in 2014. He has over 28 years of military service.

He is a board certified Physicians Assistant with 19 years of experience. He graduated in 1999 from the University of Washington Medex NW PA program in Seattle Wa, and he has a Masters in Health Science from Touro University. He specializes in Internal Medicine working as a Hospitalist in underserved communities. He also has a correctional medicine background, where he treats numerous substance abuse and mental health patients.

He has been married for 30 years has three adult children. He enjoys physical fitness, reading non fiction books and is a music enthusiast.

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Troy Matthews

Physician's Assistant

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 Manager

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 Manager

Ailana Donato - Program Manager/Group Facilitator

Originally from Alaska, Ailana grew up and studied in the Philippines for 13 years. At the age of 21, Ailana graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Beda University, Philippines, with Latin honors as Magna Cum Laude. After graduation in 2016, she flew back to California to start working and supporting her family – especially her little sister who stayed back home in the Philippines. Ailana started at D’Amore Healthcare as an overnight BHT and transitioned to a Group Facilitator role. Currently, she is in her master's program to become a Marriage and Family Therapist one day. She is strongly passionate about helping other people and guiding them through their mental health journeys.

During her free time, Ailana enjoys going to the gym, trying new food, journaling, singing karaoke, and baking sweet treats.

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Ailana Donato

Program Manager/Group Facilitator

Elissa Venegas - Supervisor

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

Supervisor

Group Facilitators

Alysia "AJ" Jewett - M.A, Group Facilitator

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

M.A, Group Facilitator

Jeffrey Hagle - Group Facilitator

Jeffrey joined the D'Amore Healthcare team in 2022 as a motivated professional with comprehensive knowledge of interventions, techniques and theories to elevate the mind and body. Jeffrey received his Master's of Social Work from Denver University and has worked with the Sickle Cell community as a Community Health Leader and at emergency domestic violence shelters as a Trauma Therapist. Jeffrey is currently pursuing his LCSW and is passionate about developing and facilitating programs to support communities and individuals in need. Jeffrey uses a collaborative and analytical approach to mental healthcare with a proven ability to build strategic relationships, advocate for clients, and advance change for communities in need.

In his free time, Jeffrey also enjoys hiking with his puppy, surfing, and snowboarding.

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Jeffrey Hagle

Group Facilitator II

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.

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Sidhartha Sticco

Group Facilitator

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

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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

Gregory S. Sedia - Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnologist and Group Facilitator

Greg’s life has been one of continuous service, to his country as well as his community. Greg has a combined total of over 35 years as a United States Marine and government contractor in support of Marine operations and training where he lectured on risk assessment, communication techniques, kinesics, and leadership.
 
Gregs’ past occupations have included intake evaluator for an award-winning military substance abuse treatment center in Southern California, as well as operating their drug testing facility. An accomplished public speaker, Greg has also lectured on substance abuse issues to both the military and the local communities, parents’ groups, and high school DARE programs. He has been recognized by state and local representatives for his volunteer and civic activities.
 
Though not in recovery himself, Greg has witnessed the damage of substance abuse and untreated mental health issues, particularly PTSD, within his family and among his friends. “I like to think that I bring a different perspective to the recovery community. I want to deliver two messages, first, that there is hope and acceptance beyond addiction-that society is willing to support those in recovery with open arms and compassion. Second, I want to help the families of those in recovery understand the recovering addicts’ journey.”
 
Greg is a certified Orange County Health Association Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP) facilitator, a RADT, and a certified advanced clinical hypnologist. In his free time, Greg enjoys studying history and human behavior, working on home improvement projects, operating his own small business, and spending time with his ever-expanding family.
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Gregory S. Sedia

Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnologist 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

Justine Edwards, RADT, Group Facilitator

Justine is an IPEC-certified life coach who empowers clients to feel, heal, transform anxiety, overcome negative thought patterns, and embrace self-confidence! She knows what it feels like to live many years dealing with crippling anxiety and panic attacks. She has worked with numerous people who want to move from feeling disconnected, anxious, and self-loathing to empowered, present, and confident in themselves.

In her free time, Justine enjoys the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and hanging with family and friends.

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Justine Edwards

RADT, Group Facilitator

Nicolas McKellips, RADT, Group Facilitator

Nico is our RADT certified practitioner with a huge heart for people. He believes that connection is the opposite of addiction, profoundly desires to connect with those struggling and help them achieve the same freedom he’s found in sobriety. His past of battling various addictions and overcoming trauma creates an understanding, relatable perspective to meet people where they are at and take them to the next level. Nico knows the power of the mind and strives to help others recognize the truth of who they really are. Bringing brightness to every room he enters, he hopes to help others step into their true selves and create the mindset of infinite possibilities. Nico enjoys adventure outdoors, hiking, surfing, and hanging with family and friends in his spare time.
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Nicolas McKellips

RADT, 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, RADT T, MFT Trainee, 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

RADT T, MFT Trainee, 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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