Meet our Team
Gina McAuley, MA, CLC, LVN
Executive Director
Regina (Gina) McAuley brings three decades of healthcare expertise to our organization, with experience in mental health and eating disorders. She is known for her authenticity, empathy, humility, and leading by example. Gina firmly believes that every adolescent deserves dignity, self-worth, and love.
Gina holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is a certified life coach. She utilizes dialectical behavioral therapy and various health and psycho-educational techniques to offer life-changing support to young individuals. In addition to her executive mental health experience and education, Gina is also a licensed nurse and believes in taking a holistic, whole body and mind approach.
Gina is solution-focused, analytical, and self-motivated, thriving in multicultural environments. She has extensive experience in regulatory compliance, labor law, quality improvement, budgeting, and cost reporting. She excels in building cohesive, high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across departments, optimizing resources to align programs with organizational goals.
As the Executive Director, Gina McAuley leverages her excellent interpersonal skills, education and experience to form strong relationships with her team, clients, and their families to provide a solid foundation for a combined effort in the transformation for adolescents in need. Her upbeat personality and optimism provide a beacon of hope to those around her.
Mark Paladini
Director of Education
Mark Paladini brings 12 years of experience teaching at the university level where he was celebrated for his curriculum design and lesson planning for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to heading the undergraduate program that he co-created at Regent University, he also developed and ran a highly successful online master’s program for high school teachers. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Teaching Fellows Program. Mr. Paladini also served on the recruitment team during his time at the university which gives him a unique advantage to help students prepare for what is needed to get into college.
Prior to teaching at the university level, Mr. Paladini taught and developed courses for UCLA Extension, taught middle school English for LAUSD, and mentored students at a National Blue Ribbon Elementary School in Los Angeles. He also has extensive experience in the entertainment industry (Fun Fact: Mark Paladini is an award winning Casting Director!) and brings his theatre skills into the classroom to create an engaging atmosphere where students enjoy the process of learning.
Benita Grauman, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Benita Grauman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience. She began her training in South Africa with an undergraduate degree in Social Work. Benita continued her training in the United States, receiving her Master’s in Social Work at UCLA. Benita has a diverse professional background, having worked with various populations, including children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults. Her roles have spanned family and children’s services, psychiatric inpatient and outpatient care, school social work, geriatric social work, home health, and hospice care. Benita’s expertise covers all aspects of social work, including individual psychotherapy and case management, group work, and community organization. She has also clinically supervised interns. Additionally, Benita owned a private practice in Los Angeles, where she provided psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families.
Laura Wingard, LMFT
Primary Therapist
With over 25 years of experience working with adolescents, Laura Wingard, MA, MS, LMFT is a dedicated and compassionate therapist specializing in helping teens navigate the complexities of co-morbid diagnosis including anxiety, depression, trauma, self -harm, and all mood disorders. Holding a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to working with adolescents.
Laura is highly skilled in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a proven therapeutic approach that emphasizes mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. This focus allows Laura to empower teens to build healthy coping mechanisms, foster resilience, and cultivate positive relationships. Therapy with Laura will also focus on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for symptom relief and insight into how thoughts influence behaviors.
At Beachside Teen, Laura is committed to working with families to create a collaborative, supportive and healing environment where teens can thrive and achieve lasting emotional well-being.
LeHang Nguyen, CMA
Certified Medical Assistant
LeHang Nguyen is a dedicated Medical Assistant with over ten years of experience in fast-paced medical offices. She has developed a deep commitment to providing empathetic and efficient care to patients. Her background in both clinical and administrative tasks has equipped her with a versatile skill set, ensuring a smooth and comforting experience for patients from the moment they walk in the door.
LeHang takes pride in being a reliable support system for healthcare providers, contributing to a collaborative team environment. Her passion lies in supporting individuals, whether it be in physical or mental health, with a special dedication to those who struggle with mental health.
Rey Carungcong NSSIA-Cert
Clinical Staff
Rey Carungcong majored in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology at California State University Northridge, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Working as a Certified Music Therapist, as well as a Behavioral Therapist with individuals with special needs since 1995, Rey gained extensive experience in the Behavioral and Mental Health Fields. He also obtained certification as a NSSIA Master Level Surf Instructor.
Rey has been facilitating Adaptive Skills Surf & Social Skills groups since 1997, and officially opened Shaka Surf Club in 2006. As a co-founder, Rey brings his impeccable educational and clinical background in Psychology, ABA, and Music Therapy to the Club. Over the years, Rey developed a unique experiential therapy program in Surf Therapy that utilizes and blends the modalities and theories of Neurophysiology, Kinesiology, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Sensory Integration Theory, Cognitive Development Theory, and Social Development Theory.
Daniel Durant
Media Expressive Group Facilitator
Daniel Durant is an artist and producer who specializes in audio and visual media. He has created music, films, and podcasts for himself and various other artists and agencies throughout Southern California. His goal is to create honest and creative pieces of media that capture the essence of the individuals who participate.
Lala Minassian, AMFT
Art Therapy Facilitator
Lala is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialization in Art Therapy. She earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy with a focus on Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University.
With experience working with both adolescents and adults, Lala addresses a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. Her multicultural background enhances her practice of cultural competency, allowing her to connect with clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Lala integrates art therapy with various approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, and Narrative Therapy, to help clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their challenges.
By utilizing the creative process of art, she encourages individuals to explore their inner thoughts and feelings, often revealing aspects of the unconscious mind. Lala employs a broad range of art materials to meet individual needs in self-exploration and strives to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can connect with their authentic selves and promote healing.
Kyle Craft
Executive Chef
Chef Kyle Craft has always loved food and the culinary arts, a talent he inherited from his family, who already succeeded in the restaurant business. He graduated from Orange Coast Culinary and has over a decade of professional experience managing restaurants and his own kitchen. He specializes in Italian American cuisine and is always excited to serve you food with a smile. He spends his off time baking, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Dominique Baker
Program Director
Dominique is a motivated individual with nine years of experience in the mental health and addiction field. Her work history includes working with adults and adolescent individuals across the spectrum in inpatient and outpatient settings. She is dedicated and experienced in operating and directing facilities and is able to motivate people to perform at their best in providing excellence in individuals.
Dominique is close to completing her CADAC II, and her long-term goal is to become a therapist and open her own detox center. She enjoys dancing, meditation, and spending time with friends and family. Client care is of the utmost importance to her, and she thrives off of healing with laughter.
Janasha Austin
Facility Manager
Janasha “Jay” is a dedicated professional with 20 years of leadership and management experience. She demonstrates excellent communication and coaching skills to create a motivating environment where clients and employees can excel. Day to day, Jay handles a wide range of administrative, technical, and executive support tasks with a goal-oriented mind and is dedicated to high levels of client satisfaction. Not only is Jay honest and hard-working, but she also specializes in problem-solving, adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Jay’s goal within the next five years is to advance in Mental Health and make a difference in the lives of those who are in need of assistance.
Jasmine Vargas
Assistant Facility Manager
Jasmine, with 6 years of hands-on experience in the mental health field, is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of clients. Passionate about her work, she finds joy in witnessing the transformative journey of individuals during their treatment. Jasmine’s ultimate goal is to advance her career in the mental health sector and establish a group home for children whose parents are battling drug addiction and mental health challenges. In her leisure time, she finds joy in attending concerts, cherishing the company of friends and family, and creating lasting memories with her beloved dogs.
Tonda Williams
Director of Admissions
As a Director of Admissions, Tonda brings over twenty years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse industry. Her passion has always been to be a guiding light for those on their path of healing. Tonda’s experience provides compassion and reassurance for the client and their loved ones during this difficult time. Tonda has unique and extensive skills for developing and managing admissions teams by bringing a valued perspective to always reflect best in class. Over the years, Tonda has established herself as a trusted and respected leader in the behavioral health community.
Throughout her extensive tenure, Tonda has honed a unique blend of compassion, insight, and strategic acumen, offering invaluable support and reassurance to clients and their families navigating the challenging terrain of behavioral health. Her exceptional ability to cultivate and lead admissions teams reflects a deep-seated understanding of the nuances inherent in admissions processes, consistently striving for excellence and setting unparalleled standards in the field.
Driven by the belief that “reassuring hope is the most treasured gift you can ever give to someone,” Tonda remains steadfast in her mission to empower individuals on their journey towards recovery, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touches and embodying the essence of compassionate leadership in every endeavor she undertakes.
When not fulfilling her passion, Tonda finds solace and joy in the company of her family. She enjoys nature through skiing, fishing, and hiking in Mammoth Lakes, California. Additionally, she cherishes moments with sunset walks along the beach, rejuvenating her spirit.
Christine Tonoli
MBA, BSHCA, AS, CDA
Vice President of Community Partnerships
Christine Tonoli is the newly appointed Vice President of Community Partnerships. Previously serving as Executive Director of the Adolescent Division, she brings over three decades of experience in business development and leadership to the role. With an MBA and a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration, Christine possesses a deep understanding of the healthcare industry.
Passionate about advancing mental health initiatives, she is a staunch advocate for mental well-being and its integral role in individual and societal success. Christine is committed to fostering a culture of wellness within communities and driving positive change through strategic partnerships.
Christine brings a strategic vision and collaborative leadership style to the role, aiming to cultivate an environment where mental health is prioritized and celebrated.
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