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.

Rachel Finch Sulka is a licensed psychotherapist who has been working in the field since 2008. Rachel specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She has extensive experience helping those who suffer with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and compulsive exercise. She served as Program Director of La Ventana Treatment Programs Santa Barbara for 4 years where she developed and ran the outpatient and residential programs. She also served as Clinical Director of Recovery Road Eating Disorder Programs. Rachel has vast experience working at all levels of care from inpatient to residential to outpatient care. Rachel serves on the Board of the Central Coast Chapter for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, which has helped to keep her abreast of the most current research and effective treatment approaches. Drawing from evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy, Rachel aims to foster a safe and nurturing environment in which her clients can do the important growth work that they are pursuing.
Rachel completed her undergraduate work, a BS in kinesiology, from Westmont College and her graduate studies, a MS MFT, from Fuller Theological Seminary. Rachel has lived in Santa Barbara since 2002 and loves the ability it affords her to enjoy the beach, the mountains, and all of the fun and activities that they provide. Nature and outdoor exploration are her favorite pastime. She enjoys almost all active adventures outside. She also really values quality conversations with friends, reading, and a good laugh.

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.

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.

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.

Brandy is working towards her MFT and LPCC at Brandman University. Brandy has earned Bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Biology from California State University, Monterey Bay, where she also helped to create the TELOS peer mentoring program for incoming transfer students. Through this program, Brandy focused on helping them learn organizational skills, academic skills, and helped with academic advising. Her experience working as a teacher, tutor, mentor, and clinician makes her a benefit to both the adolescent program as a tutor as well as the adult program as a case manager. Brandy demonstrates excellent clinical skills in the realm of case management, group psychotherapy, with particular interest in how cognitive behavioral therapy can transform the trajectory of someone’s life.

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 CADAC II and is pursuing her BA in Sociology and her MA in Psychology.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.