Virtual treatment available: DMA outpatient programs can also be accessed via online telehealth services.
Our Whittier location is a 25-bed facility that focuses on stabilization and recovery in both step-down and step-up treatment situations. There are 12 bedrooms to accommodate 24 patients, with one individual room for patients who need more support. Our team here helps patients integrate back into home life with healthier, more balanced skills. We treat those struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as high-functioning autistic and complex trauma patients. Goals include setting healthy boundaries, modeling effective and healthy communication, and restarting healthy habits, all of which promote long-term success.
Therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), traumatic grief, eye movement desensitization & reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing and experiential therapy. Extensive family involvement is also a large component of our program. Patients participate in therapeutic beach walks and equine therapy off-site. We also utilize music therapy, sound bath and body movement therapy, art therapy, expressive writing and fitness therapy, along with many other group therapy activities. The program includes weekly medication evaluation by our in-house psychiatrist and weekly meetings, if needed, with our dietitian who addresses healthy relationships between mood and food.
The School Support Program is offered to young patients, where an education liaison supervises and supports them through their schoolwork. The education liaison also collaborates with the patient’s therapist to ensure they have the right environment in place for learning, which will in turn help them reintegrate into their school after treatment.
Insurances we accept at this location include but are not limited to Kaiser, Humana, Cigna and Unicare. Please remember that the insurances we accept change frequently. Our insurance team will verify your coverage.
DISCOVERY MOOD & ANXIETY
11911 Washington Boulevard
Whittier, CA 90606
PH 714.828.0808
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Trauma
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Self-Harm
Bipolar Disorder
Reactive Attachment Disorder
MEET THE TEAM
Kelly Gonderman- PsyD
Program Director
Sam Edman
FACILITY MANAGER
Robert Sperring-MA, LMFT 53926
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Colleen Cunniff- MS, AAMFT 94409
Assistant Program Director
Vickie McCracken- RN, BSN
NURSING SUPERVISOR
Trevor Hurley, AAMFT
PROGRAM THERAPIST
Viviana Cruz
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Jaclyn Zordani- MA, ACSW
Primary Therapist
Celeste Hayes
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Michael Walker, APCC
Primary TherapistHere’s What Patients Say After Completing Treatment*
- 97% feel hopeful about their future*
- 95% believe they can handle life after treatment*
- 99% know what helps them get better*
“I have had such a wonderful experience here. All the staff here have been so welcoming and caring.” – K.M., former patient at DMA Whittier
“I came out of this program much stronger and more stable, with tools to help me in case I ever feel unstable again. I received more than adequate care here. I was given coping tools, the staff was very attentive and the groups were very helpful.” – B.W., former patient at DMA
“My daughter has made strides in this program and learned some invaluable coping skills. I highly recommend this program to other people who are suffering from mental health issues.” – T.W., parent of DMA alumni
*Percentage includes adult and adolescent patients who admitted to the Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program in 2021 (between 1/1/21 and 12/31/21) and completed the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) (N = 2,278). Average length of stay is 34.2 days for those who completed treatment (did not discharge to a higher level of care, due to insurance, against treatment advice, transfer or administratively).
Support Group
Discovery Mood & Anxiety provides free support groups for individuals, loved ones, and professionals. Find out more about how to join our free support groups.