Christian Small, MD is board certified in addiction psychiatry, general psychiatry and family medicine. He is one of a handful of doctors in the US who have the experience and training to treat full spectrum medical and psychiatric illness. Dr. Small has become a leader in delivering evidence based addiction practices, medical and psychiatric care to addiction treatment programs. He is the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, an innovative company bringing the highest level of patient care to substance treatment and mental health programs. Dr. Small was previously employed by the Veterans Administration in La Jolla as an addiction psychiatrist and at the University of California San Diego. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine and completed a residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.

Brandi was born and raised in Fresno, California. She is married and has two children. Brandi and her family recently moved to Southern California in 2021. Brandi earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Fresno, earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, and earned her Ph.D. in general psychology from Grand Canyon University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC), and is certified in animal-assisted therapy (CAATP). She currently sits on the board of directors for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Brandi has a passion for working with those struggling with mental health and addiction-related disorders as she has seen both affect those closest to her since a young age. Brandi has experience working in a variety of mental health and substance use disorder settings both in public and private communities. She has worked in battered women’s and children’s shelters, children’s youth services, the Salvation Army, and provided co-occurring services within the educational system. Brandi worked in the private treatment industry both as a therapist and as a clinical director overseeing all levels of care in the SUD field. Brandi was deputized as a conservator working with serious mental illness within the County of Fresno and was a utilization review specialist for the County of Fresno, conducting audits for all substance use programs under Medi-Cal. Brandi was the liaison for the Fresno County Jail ensuring those on conservatorship and incarcerated were able to get needed mental health and SUD treatment. Brandi also had a private practice where she practiced her specialty in animal-assisted therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy. Her dog Rocket is currently in training to be her new therapy dog. Brandi now is the Chief Operating Officer for Pinnacle Health Group. She oversees all operational and clinical staff and ensures the treatment is of the utmost quality, from the client’s arrival to discharge. Brandi tries to see beauty and hope everywhere she goes and believes everything happens for a reason. Brandi’s passion is advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves and helping people start a new life and journey in recovery.

Dr. Jenny Morey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, graduated in 2010 from Alliant International University. She has a background working with those diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Dr. Morey has a background working in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, private practice, and has been doing clinical work primarily in the substance used field most recently. She believes in the connectedness of all systems and treating the whole person utilizing adjunctive therapies such as yoga, meditation, and animal therapies in addition to traditional intervention modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. In her off time, Dr. Morey enjoys spending time with her family at Disneyland.

Dr. Arlene Ghahremani, otherwise known as “Dr G,” started her journey by getting her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, and then went on to receive her Master’s of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana, Monroe. Ultimately, earning her Doctor of Philosophy in System Studies and Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr G. has had numerous years of experience working in dual-diagnosis treatment programs, treating mental health and substance use disorders. Dr G. has conducted and been a part of research studies that look at the dynamics of relationships and people suffering from PTSD.

Darrin Thibault serves as the Program Director at Invigorate Behavioral Health. With over five years of experience in the substance use treatment field, Darrin plays a vital role in welcoming new clients and guiding them through the initial stages of their recovery journey. Often the first point of contact on the facility side, he is committed to providing structure, accountability, and compassion to those beginning their path toward healing. Darrin’s dedication to this work is deeply personal. After spending 20 years battling addiction and living in darkness, he found recovery—and with it, a renewed sense of purpose. His mission now is to help others discover the light that changed his life. Once considered to be a “hopeless case”, Darrin recognizes the value of the second chance he was given and uses that perspective to inspire hope in others who may feel lost or broken. For anyone considering recovery, Darrin offers a steady and understanding presence, ready to support you as you take your first steps. “You are a child of God with infinite value,” he believes. “We will help you realize your true potential.”

Arin grew up in Los Angeles and is a graduate of UCLA. She entered the treatment industry in 2018. Arin is honored to be on a team dedicated to creating an environment where individuals have the opportunity to heal and transform their lives. Miracles abound.

Shanika is a licensed vocational nurse currently in school for her RN, BSN. She has been working in treatment for seven years and has also previously worked in memory care at a senior living facility. Her dream is to be a nurse practitioner and continue to work in treatment, serving clients with both substance use and mental health disorders. Shanika strives to bring laughter and joy wherever she goes.

Hello, my name is Dennis! Thanks for taking the time to read this. This field of work is something that truly offers me a sense of reward, something that I failed to find in my life for a very long time. It speaks to my heart as I have always struggled with not being able to be my true self. I constantly needed to make myself feel different to feel “happy” or “content”. I began my career as a professional musician at a young age. I lived and breathed for nothing more than music, until, of course, I found a new obsession. Little did I know at the time that chasing that feeling would lead me down the darkest of roads, through a tunnel that has no light at its end. Although there was nothing to look forward to in the life that I was living, it turned out that there was a different way to live. I was shown a new path, for which I am eternally grateful. Today, I get to show that gratitude by sharing that path with others. My job is to ensure that you receive the highest quality of care in the best possible environment, and I thoroughly enjoy my job.

Connie has over 16 years of experience in the behavioral health field, with the past 13 years dedicated to business development. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology with a minor in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine, and started working in treatment shortly after graduating. She began her career in compliance and admissions roles, laying a strong foundation before transitioning into business development, where she discovered her true calling. Connie has worked extensively with co-occurring disorders, gender-specific treatment, aftercare, and transitional care. Her experience working in aftercare has reinforced her belief in the value of long-term support and the importance of staying connected with alumni to promote lasting recovery. Connie is recognized for her integrity, reliability, and genuine dedication to her work. She’s passionate about helping others and takes pride in building strong, supportive relationships with clients, families, and colleagues alike.

Jennifer was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in history from California State University Dominguez Hills and earned her master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Brandman University. Jennifer is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has worked with various populations, including transitional-aged youth (16-25yo), folks struggling with severe and persistent mental illness, individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, individuals struggling with mental illness, homelessness, and substance use. Jennifer has worked in community mental health programs, served for 7 years at the Orange County Health Care Agency, helping individuals and families in the community, and has also worked in private company inpatient settings. Jennifer is passionate about her work in helping others, as she believes that if there is breath, there is hope. She believes in the work she does, having seen the profound changes that can occur in somebody’s life in just 30 days of treatment. Jennifer loves to travel the world, enjoys photography and videography, and believes that the more we learn about the world, the more we learn about ourselves.

Jason is a compassionate and dedicated Program Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, and a specialty in Addiction Therapy. Jason provides individual and group therapy at IBH. Jason is certified in trauma-focused CBT and employs an integrative approach in his work with clients, including modalities such as Narrative Therapy, ACT, and Psychodynamic Therapy, and provides clients with psychoeducation, 12-Step facilitation, Mindfulness relapse prevention techniques, and development of healthy coping skills to facilitate change and promote client progress and long-term recovery.

Hi, I’m Luz Marquez, an Associate Mental Health Therapist with five years of experience in the mental health and substance use field. I specialize in helping individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction through a compassionate, evidence-based approach. I’m deeply passionate about this work and the people I serve. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes. Using tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing.

My name is Garret Carreira, and I’m the Lead Case Manager at Invigorate Behavioral Health. I firmly believe that recovery is a community effort—it truly takes a village to help someone achieve and maintain sobriety. From the moment you arrive, our dedicated team will be here to welcome you and support you every step of the way. Our Case Management team is dedicated to meeting your external needs, allowing you to focus entirely on healing and self-discovery during your time with us. I believe the core of substance abuse treatment is about finding a new way to live. As someone in recovery myself, I understand this on a deeply personal level. My own journey required me to redefine how I lived completely, and in doing so, I was given the gift of a new life. Today, I am passionate about sharing my experience, strength, and hope with anyone seeking change. Recovery begins with surrender. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up; it means you no longer have to fight alone.

Hello, my name is Marcus Davis. I work at Invigorate Behavioral Health as a Counselor/Case Manager. I struggled with addiction for 15 years. Beginning in my early teens, I began using drugs and alcohol recreationally, and it escalated very quickly to daily use. During my addiction, I have lost jobs, ruined relationships, and lost my sense of self. After multiple lengthy hospitalizations as a result of my addiction, I finally got to the point where I realized that I couldn’t manage my addiction on my own and needed help. That was the turning point. I was tired, broken, and afraid when I reached out for help and decided to go to treatment. I entered treatment not knowing what to expect and not thinking it would work. I stayed in treatment for 9 months, and thanks to the staff at that treatment center and the community of people from 12-step meetings, I have been able to slowly rebuild my life. Today, I live clean and sober, which is something that never seemed possible for me. I love what I do today and have a passion for helping others navigate the path of sobriety. The past and mistakes I made in my addiction don’t define me, but it does help fuel my passion to guide others toward healing and freedom.

Katherine, otherwise known as Kat, graduated from USC with a Master of Social Work degree after her first career as an executive in television production. During her graduate studies, she was awarded a government stipend to research substance use disorders and served as a board member of the Mind/Body Caucus. Kat has worked as a clinician at a homeless shelter on Skid Row, a dual diagnosis residential treatment center, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. She is certified in Seeking Safety, an evidence-based intervention for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and chemical dependency. Kat’s therapeutic style is strengths-based, diversity-affirming, and insight-oriented, with the goal of supporting clients as they undertake the challenging work of transforming painful experiences into purpose and progress. Daily, she awakens delighted to share knowledge and skills she has learned throughout her own recovery, aiming to empower others as they courageously embark upon their treatment journeys. Kat is supremely grateful to feel called to a life of service and is constantly inspired by the evolution, love, and healing that human connection offers.

Lorne was born and raised in Hollywood, California. His journey to becoming a therapist has been shaped by a lifetime of introspection, spiritual exploration, and a deep commitment to understanding the human experience. Before entering the mental health field, he spent over a decade as a Buddhist monastic, walking across Europe on foot and living without the use of money. These formative experiences cultivated a profound sense of presence, compassion, and authenticity that now guide his clinical work. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Lorne brings a mindful, relational, and existential approach to treatment. He specializes in helping individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, identity development, and life transitions. His style is warm, grounded, and honest, meeting clients with both deep empathy and a willingness to gently challenge what no longer serves them. He has worked in residential treatment, private practice, and group therapy settings, and is currently receiving advanced training in EMDR and Gottman Method couples therapy. His clinical work is rooted in the belief that healing happens in relationship—when a person feels truly seen, heard, and accepted as they are. Lorne is passionate about supporting clients in reclaiming their sense of worth, moving through shame, and living from a place of authenticity, integrity, and connection. He believes no one is beyond healing, and no one should have to walk that path alone.