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Meet our Team

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Christine Tonoli

MBA, BSHCA, AS, CDA

Executive Director

Christine Tonoli brings a wealth of expertise and a profound dedication to the organization’s values, which include empathy, empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity. She believes every adolescent deserves the opportunity to thrive, and her professional accomplishments within leadership reflect this commitment.

Combining strong academic rigor, MBA, BSHCA, AS, and CDA, with a deep understanding of real-world challenges, Christine ensures that the program continues to excel and provide life-changing support to young individuals.

In addition to her professional achievements, Christine maintains a personal passion for emotional wellness. These interests, whether meditation or outside recreation, are directly tied into her work by promoting holistic mindfulness and presence for adolescents and reinforcing the importance of self-care and creative expression in mental health.

As the Executive Director, Christine Tonoli remains at the forefront of adolescent mental health advocacy and continues to push boundaries, ensuring that the division remains a beacon of hope and transformation for adolescents in need.

Dr. Debra Kalan M.D.

Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D.

Medical Director, Adolescent Division

Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist with 25 years of experience and expertise treating adolescents and adults struggling with mental health issues in various settings, including acute care, residential programs, and partial hospitalization programs. She has extensive knowledge in adolescent and adult brain health. She has a longstanding commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate psychiatric care to improve the well-being of others.

Dr Kalan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychobiology and her medical degree from the University of Southern California. Dr. Kalan completed her residency in Psychiatry and Neurology as well as her fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center. Following her training, she worked in the private and non-profit sectors to provide individualized, evidenced-based care to children, adolescents and transitional age youth. Dr. Kalan returned to USC in 2019 to work as a clinical professor at the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Clinic in the Engemann Student Health Center providing long-term mental health services, including specialized treatment for eating disorders and gender-affirming care for students

Dr. Kalan joins the Adolescent Division as Medical Director to continue providing comprehensive, empathetic, and engaged care to teens with the goal of improving long-term functioning, and more importantly, well-being for happier and more productive lives. She enjoys spending her free time engaging in outdoor activities, especially walking and running along the beach, riding her bike, and paddle boarding.

 

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Katie Gregory

Vice President of Business Development

Katie Gregory is a proven leader in business development and driving growth. She brings over 30 years of experience in the mental health and chemical dependency field, having held executive management roles in both national and international companies, including Executive Director, Bridges to Recovery; Co-Owner, Insight Adolescent Treatment Programs; Owner, Psychiatric Supportive Living; creating and building, Solara Mental Health, San Diego.

Her track record includes successful management and revenue generation, notably contributing to the acquisition of Bridges to Recovery by Constellation Behavioral Health and their global expansion as Senior International Strategic Advisor. Katie is thrilled to lead business development and leverage her network to expand Centered Health’s reach and further its goal of delivering transformative care to those in need.

In her free time, Katie can be found in Topanga, California working on her passion project creating and designing living spaces and making art through pottery and photography influenced by Mexican cultures. She also enjoys hiking with her movie-worthy Mexican street dog, Mango.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Dhobi

Lala Dhobi

Art Therapy Instructor

Lala Dhobi is the Art Therapy Instructor at Beachside Teen. With a passion for using creative expression as a therapeutic tool, Lala helps individuals explore their emotions and develop coping strategies through art. Through collaboration with the clinical team, she leads personalized art therapy group sessions that foster healing and personal growth, creating a safe and supportive environment for our clients.

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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888-254-0916