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.

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.

The biography of Dr. Rodney Collins, MD reads like a fairy tale - from the tough streets of South Central Los Angeles, to Stanford University and beyond. Dr. Collins became the valedictorian of his class at Dorsey High School and later received his Bachelor's degree in Human Biology at Stanford, and then matriculated Howard University's College of Medicine in Washington D.C. He finished his medical training at UCLA/Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, CA in 1999.
Dr. Rodney Collins has a Board-Certified Addiction Medicine/ Psychiatrist in Beverly Hills for the past 15 years. Prior to, Dr. Collins practiced psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente, Bellflower and Exodus Medical Groups, and Brotman Hospital in Culver City, California. At the start of his medical career, Dr. Collins served four years as a primary care physician in the US Army as a Captain in the 1980's.
As an addiction specialist, Dr. Collins also evaluates nurses and other professionals currently monitored by the California Nursing Board and other state licensing agencies. With such an extensive background, it was only destined that Dr. Rodney Collins would eventually create his own medical practice.

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.

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.

Jeff Mailes has been licensed as a marriage and family therapist since 2003. He has a background in trauma exposure, PTSD, addictions, and adolescent and family work. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, he obtained a BA in Communications from UC Santa Barbara and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Loyola Marymount University in Los
Angeles.
In addition to his therapeutic background, Jeff had a successful career at CBS News in Los Angeles, both in the field covering news stories and in management.
Jeff is passionate about working with clients and assisting them through life transitions and recovery. “Working with people who are experiencing roadblocks to happiness and productivity, for whatever reason, is very rewarding for me. Everything is possible.”

Charley has committed himself to healing work, mindfulness, and the fostering of human potential. He received his Masters of Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He teaches mindfulness to both adults and children in group settings such as schools, corporate workplaces, and medical treatment facilities. Charley has received extensive training in mindfulness practice and its application in psychotherapy, and he uses these collaboratively with clients to increase resilience, self worth and a felt sense of security. He also has a background working with clients recovering from addiction, trauma, anxiety and shame based thinking. Charley's approach is mindful and body-centered as he assists clients in increasing awareness of feelings, needs and individual values in order to move towards well-being and whole hearted living.

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.

Grant grew up in Los Angeles and feels at peace when he’s by the beach. He has worked in various mental health settings for over 9 years, with a specialty focus on substance abuse in the early part of his career. Grant feels the increase of mainstream exposure to mental wellness and substance abuse issues have helped improve the stigma surrounding treatment and hopes his work will contribute to that momentum. As a proponent of Cognitive Behavior Therapy with elements of Narrative Therapy, Grant structures his treatment with these principles in mind. He believes that everyone is capable of changing the plot in their “story” at any given time.

David Rosenholz, CADC-CAS (or Rosie) is thrilled to be a part of the Mission Harbor team as a Program Director! Bringing over 15 years of experience working in 100+ bed nonprofit residential facilities to the posh treatment centers of Malibu, he always looks forward to learning more. He's new to Santa Barbara, so when he's not working you can find him hiking in the many trails this place has to offer.

Matt Baker earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Matt Baker is currently a fourth-year student in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. His clinical experience and training include working with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds in both outpatient community health and detox and residential treatment programs with personality disorders, anxiety, mood, complex trauma, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. I aim to encourage others and provide the best opportunity for them to make life-changing decisions in the face of adversity through creating a comfortable space for them to explore their difficulties and aspirations

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

Christina Cortez is a postdoctoral clinician and graduate of Antioch University Clinical Psychology Doctoral program in Santa Barbara. She completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Santa Barbara in 2016, and B.A. in Psychology from Chapman University in 2014. Being multiculturally informed and bilingual (Spanish), she has been dedicated to serving Hispanic and immigrant populations, specifically adolescents. Her clinical training includes Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Christina received an award and grant for her social justice research foci, which was a phenomenological investigation of the lived experiences and perceptions of immigrant parents who have special needs children to identify themes with the aim of supporting this population. Christina completed her predoctoral training at the Santa Barbara School Psychology Internship Consortium (SB-PIC) in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Unified School District and Family Service Agency (FSA).

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.

Gina has been active in the recovery community for over ten years which has given her deep insight and a tremendous amount of empathy for those afflicted with addiction and mental illness. Having previously attended UCSB, she is currently completing her certification to become a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor through the Addictive Disorders Counseling program at Santa Barbara City College. Gina leads process groups and provides case management for those working on addiction, anxiety and other mental health challenges at Mission Harbor. Born in Santa Barbara and raised in Los Angeles, Gina is glad to be back among friends and raising a family in this beautiful city.

Corina graduated from The University of California, Sacramento with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Administration. She assists with admissions and provides helpful insight to new clients. With a background in youth development and a strong passion for her community, Corina continues to serve her community through providing a meaningful experience for clients and families at Mission Harbor.

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.

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.

Traci is a client support technician and admissions support at Mission Harbor. She obtained her certification for addiction treatment in 2018. She has a background in working with women in residential treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse. Traci has a passion for working with people in recovery and is inspired by each individual journey. She has a love for education and is continuing her own to obtain her graduate degree. Traci has a desire to eventually teach in order to create new counselors in the field of addiction counseling.

Ashley graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has a background mentoring school-aged children in the field of mental health. At Mission Harbor, Ashley assists the admissions team with intaking and orienting new clients to our program and guiding the adolescents during their independent study hall period. She has a passion for helping people and believes in the potential of others to find their road to wellness. Ashley plans to continue her education in gaining her professional degree.

Nicole Marie Ramirez is a certified breathwork practitioner, certified Reiki (Master/Teacher level) practitioner, sound healer and mindfulness teacher. She has been utilizing mindfulness techniques for healing for over a decade and considers her training her life’s work. She now teaches mindfulness in both private and clinical settings in Santa Barbara as well as participating in research and study at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Nicole also works in cooperation with Transformation Medicine, a global collective of healers, doctors, and educators dedicated to re-envisioning healthcare and shifting wellness paradigms from a wholeness learning perspective. Utilizing mindfulness as a framework and practice, Nicole’s mission is to empower individuals to remember the self as healer.

Dr. Rachel Alioto is a Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) who specializes in Gastrointestinal and Skin Health, Pediatrics, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Adjunctive Oncology and Hormone Imbalances. She earned her 4-year doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine at National University of Health Sciences in Illinois, one of seven accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America. Her philosophy in healing is to address the root cause of symptoms and illness and heal that naturally using mainly diet, lifestyle changes and nutritional supplements. Her goal is to heal, teach and inspire each person to be an advocate for his or her own health. Outside of her passion for naturopathic medicine, Dr. Alioto loves staying active outside and in the gym practicing what she preaches.

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.

Grace Kaiser is an Intern Therapist Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, graduating from California State University Northridge in May 2021 with her Master of Social work degree. Grace’s clinical experience includes working with adults and families from diverse populations experiencing homelessness to assist them in finding stable housing, as well as addressing mental health and substance abuse concerns. She also worked at her university’s counseling center, focusing on support groups, CBT-based workshops, and individual supportive therapy. Grace has a passion for working with those on their journey to overall mental wellness and recovery, as well as working with those within the LGBTQ+ community.