About Us

Sam Dekin combines his years of experience in behavioral health with a mission to innovate treatment methods and processes for mental health and substance abuse. Sam not only brings to the table his successful career owning and managing successful treatment facilities around the country, but his dedication to creating an environment for healing. Sam obtained his Masters in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.

Melissa Flanigan, PsyD offers extensive experience as a clinician treating issues related to mental health. Dr. Flanigan received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California and her Master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. She later obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Flanigan is a member of the American Psychological Association and earned an academic membership in Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology.

Dr. Dustin Sanchez is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He specializes in the treatment of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Dr. Sanchez obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He went on to complete a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child & adolescent psychiatry at Stanford University. Dr. Sanchez has extensive training and experience in psychotherapy and complex psychopharmacology. He has served in clinical and leadership roles in both academic and community-based settings. He currently provides emergency and consult-liaison psychiatry services at Ventura County Medical Center, where he is actively involved in teaching residents and is a frequent speaker at academic conferences. He also has an outpatient practice in Santa Barbara, providing comprehensive services to adults, adolescents, children, and families. Dr. Sanchez specializes in a wide range of psychiatric problems including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma, psychosis, and personality disorders, utilizing a holistic approach to achieve optimal health and wellness for his patients.

Alessandra Fleming, Psy.D. has a background in supporting adolescents and families with mental health challenges. She is dedicated to working with the unique strengths and needs of each individual family and providing the support and tools needed to reach their potential. Dr. Fleming earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and her bachelor’s degree in both psychology and economics from the University of California, Berkeley. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, CA, providing therapeutic services to at-risk youth with severe mental illness. She is currently working under the supervision of our Clinical Director, Melissa Flanigan, Psy.D., accruing the necessary post-doctoral hours for licensure in California.

Amanda has a background in nursing and a degree in Healthcare Policy. She has worked in substance abuse treatment and mental health for many years. She has a passion for helping individuals receive the treatment they seek.

Stephanie manages the finances, billing, and marketing. She has a background in real estate and finance. She obtained her Bachelors from Washington University in St. Louis. Her own recovery inspired her decision to apply her skills to a cause that carries great purpose and hope.

Christina earned her MSW from University of Southern California and is an experienced Certified Addictions Disorder Counselor. Her background in nonprofit business services management, as well as her social work focus in community organization, planning, and administration contribute to her qualifications in managing all aspects of the adult program at Mission Harbor.

David provides individual, family, and group therapy. He has an extensive background in attachment, spirituality, and addictions. He obtained his Master's in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his doctorate from The Catholic University of America. His clients' courage and willingness to address their most difficult problems is a constant source of inspiration for him.

Crystal is a current PhD student in Depth Psychology specializing Integrative Health and Healing Practices. She holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Following her masters, she worked with high-level professionals suffering from mental health disorders in Silicon Valley. Next, she relocated to Vienna, Austria where she worked as a coach serving a venture capital firm and various start-up teams. Crystal studied and trained in the Enneagram directly with Dr. David Daniels of Stanford University and uses it with clients to catalyze breakthroughs in formerly stuck behaviors and relationship challenges. Crystal is also the founder of Authentic Freedom, a psychology-coaching hybrid.

Kathy received her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and her master's degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She is certified in EMDR, Gestalt and Embodied Imagination treatment therapies. Attending to the underlying trauma that fuels addictive behavior is central to her treatment philosophy. Kathy's academic research focused on the transformative quality of the creative impulse, while developing methods to inspire creativity in the individual lives of her clients.

Julian is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who received his MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. After graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Religious Studies, he returned to his hometown of Santa Barbara. He lives with his wife and two fur babies and enjoys hiking, playing basketball, and singing.

Mandi has over 15 years in the field of addiction treatment with extensive experience in detox support. Her history of owning and managing gender-specific sober living homes, along with working with the mentally ill and chronically homeless has amplified her love and passion for those who suffer from the disease of addiction. Mandi is a CADC II and is pursuing her BA in Sociology and her MA in Psychology.

Rick is a certified addiction counselor with 15 years’ experience in both outpatient and acute psychiatric settings. His personal recovery spans 35 years. His current passion is a program he is developing for groups which integrates mythology and storytelling with recovery principles.

Silla Siebert earned her BSc. of Psychology at Middlesex University in London, UK. She intended to complete her MA, after backpack-travels in Central America. Life happened, and she immigrated to California in 2001. She trained and worked in LA/Malibu, as a yoga & mindfulness teacher with adults, and children through local schools as a mentor. In 2017 she earned an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara in June 2017. She has experience in supporting clients with substance misuse, opioid replacement therapy, social anxiety, phobias, OCD, severe mental illness and medication, crisis management, adjustment disorders, and generalized anxiety disorders, parenting coaching, and anger management. Silla brings a broad and multi-cultural perspective, and an existential/gestalt foundation, to her therapeutic work with a wide variety of clients.

Lauren is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, she recently graduated from California Lutheran University with a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is dedicated to providing clients with hope and the knowledge that everything they need to succeed is already within them. Lauren strives to create a safe place for clients to be heard and empowered.

``If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive`` - Brene Brown

Johni earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Johni’s passion in the field is working with young adults, children, and families to help them overcome obstacles in their path towards successes. Johni’s clinical background includes working with at-risk youth and foster youth, along with individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Crystal Quater is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. Crystal completed her traineeship at USC’s Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity, working with undergraduate students struggling with learning differences and comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression. After graduating from her master’s program, Crystal worked as a counselor at La Ventana providing individual, group, and family therapy. In addition to providing group therapy at Mission Harbor, Crystal also works with clients who have been diagnosed with OCD and related disorders.

Shaina McPhetridge, MA, LMFT specializes in an integrative approach to psychotherapy combining relational, EMDR and mindfulness-based therapies. She brings a unique blend of compassion, intuition, and humor to the sometimes challenging journey of self-work, providing a fresh perspective to the experience of therapy. Working from a holistic perspective, she strives to understand and help to heal the whole person rather than just symptoms. She has many years of experience working in private practice and a variety of agency settings around Los Angeles, where she mentored under renowned trauma therapists and experts in the cutting-edge modalities of EMDR and Somatic therapy.

Matt has been working in the substance abuse and mental health treatment field for several years. Bringing experience in both substance abuse support and behavior modification, he enhances the client experience by engaging them in outdoor activities and other useful additions to their treatment.

Rob helps coordinate intake and care for incoming clients. He has a background in addiction disorders counseling. He obtained his Certified Addiction Treatment Certificate in 2019. His passion for helping others overcome their adversities is what drives him to work in the field of mental health.

Feli provides person-centered support with clients navigating their physical and mental health needs. She is currently working on obtaining her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. She has a background in behavioral therapy working with families and people with all developmental abilities and disabilities. Her background in behavioral therapy, along with her desire to facilitate healing with compassion and kindness to all abilities has inspired her to follow the path of becoming a clinician to support people with finding comfort in the discomfort of going into the depths of self.

``The ego says, 'I shouldn't have to suffer,' and that thought makes you suffer so much more. It is a distortion of the truth, which is always paradoxical. The truth is that you need to say yes to suffering before you can transcend it.``
Eckhart Tolle

Kealakahi Spain (Kay) is a technician at Mission Harbor Behavior Health. At the age of 19 Kay began his journey of recovery. On discovering a new way of life, he became inspired to share it with others. Kay works extensively with people who suffer from alcoholism and addiction in his personal life, and is currently an active member of multiple non profit service committees that help those suffering from alcoholism.

Brian Tibbetts is the daytime technician at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health. His journey through recovery has been deeply inspired by 12-step groups as well as meditation and he hosts a Buddhist-based Refuge Recovery meeting weekly at Mission Harbor. Since getting sober Brian has decided to redirect his career as to be of service and is attaining his Masters in Somatic Psychotherapy at Antioch University here in Santa Barbara.

Paige has been a Certified Nursing Assistant since 2015 and has cared for elders with mental health issues and hemodialysis. She has a strong passion for helping others and does everything she can to guide those in need in the right direction.

Gary conducts the “Interpersonal Neurobiology” group meetings along with individual counseling. Sometimes referred to as the “Spiritual Scientist”, Gary’s groups are packed with experiential/educational activities which are designed to impart knowledge and tools necessary for improved mental health and recovery. Gary is working towards his AA in Addictive Disorders Counseling and has both a BS (with honors) and MS from California State University at Northridge. “Helping people is my passion and being of service my fulfillment of this passion”.

Amyris is the Author of Breath of Oneness, a transformational style of breath work that supports people to release stress, old emotions, quiet the mind, and find their inner peace, and self love. She is also the author of the Self Mastery Series, tools for personal transformation and a certified Reiki Master. She has been teaching personal transformation since 2005 and has an international private practice working with both individual clients and facilitating workshops. Her unique blend of self empowerment tools and techniques support her clients to free themselves from the past and live a more joyful, conscious and loving life.

Tina Brandt is a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and herbal medicine and a certified instructor of therapeutic yoga and meditation. Tina received her Master’s Degree in Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine in 2000 and since has had a private practice in Santa Barbara, California. She has trained in yoga and meditation disciplines since 1990, and has been an instructor for over 20 years. Tina offers her clients an integrated model of health, offering a variety of therapeutic modalities, which encourage the body, mind and spirit to flourish. At Changes Tina offers wellness consultations, acupuncture and acupressure treatments, herbal medicine support, nutritional rcommendations, yoga instruction, and meditation instruction. As a whole, her services are designed to compliment, fine tune, or completely transform a person’s approach to health.

Jean has been a part of the recovery community for forty-four years and recently graduated from Santa Barbara City College completing a three-year program to become an addiction counselor.
She has been a resident of Santa Barbara since 1960 and raised her five children here. Along with her involvement in recovery over the years, she has also been a business woman. Even though her former professions served her well, she is most happy being part of the miracle in the recovery process witnessed every day at Mission Harbor.