Program Director

Danielle Newman, PhD

I have a wide range of clinical experiences that have led to specialization in the treatment of children, adolescences, and families. Prior to joining Center For Discovery, I have worked in various settings including outpatient clinics, school programs, dual diagnosis treatment centers, and HMO clinics. I strongly believe in the use of a strengths-based and collaborative approach when working with clients. I have experience working with a variety of issues including self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, grief and loss, developmental delays, anxiety, depression, stress, family problems, and parenting difficulties. My approach to therapy utilizes a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic psychology, and family systems to assist clients in reaching their goals and making the changes they want in their lives. I am passionate about supporting adolescents and families navigate life challenges.

Facility Manager, Therapist

Melanie Galan, MFTI

Melanie began her career working with children in the mental health field in the mid-nineties as a special education teacher in Illinois. She worked with children with emotional disturbances, behavior disorders, cognitive delays, learning disabilities and children on the autism spectrum for 17 years in the teaching role. Five years ago, she moved to California. Without certification to teach in this state, she decided to go back to school and obtain a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling. Since then she has completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University and currently sees clients along with maintaining her current role as a Facility Manager. Melanie has been working at Center for Discovery since February 2016. She started at the Whittier House as a counselor and shift leader. She has since been promoted to Facility Manager. She enjoys helping the adolescents she works with overcome their difficulties and become healthy, well rounded young adults.

Primary Therapist

Alexis Blankenship, MFTI

I have received my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University. I have over three years of experience helping a wide range of individuals. I specialize in the treatment of mental health disorders and issues related to depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, grief, and loss, developmental delays, anxiety, depression, stress, family problems, anxiety, family conflict, defiance, trauma and family systems.

Prior to joining Center For Discovery, I have worked in various settings including outpatient and school programs providing services creating a validating and supportive environment for my clients during their time of transition.

I started working with the Center for Discovery over a year and a half ago as a counselor at our 25-bed co-ed mental health facility in Whittier. Since then, I have transitioned into becoming an Intern therapist where I have taken on a caseload up to three. I have an integrative approach to meet each client they are at and support them in a way that is individual to them.

Dietitian

Kelly Melanson, RD

Born and raised in Northern California, Kelly Melanson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics with a minor in Biology at California State University Sacramento and later completed her Dietetic Internship at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. During her Internship, Kelly explored various areas of nutrition and was fortunate to shadow a private practice Dietitian specializing in eating disorders. From there Kelly knew she had found her true passion and calling in the field of eating disorders and mental health.

Following the completion of her internship, Kelly accepted a position as an on-call Dietitian at Center for Discovery in Sacramento and recently transferred to Southern California where she acts as the Registered Dietitian at the Eating Disorder Residential Program in Lakewood as well as the company’s Discovery Mood and Anxiety Mental Health Residential Program in Downey. Kelly has experience working with both adolescents and adults suffering from various eating disorders. She is passionate about providing personalized nutrition care and counseling to individuals and their families. She enjoys helping people reject the diet mentality and encourages them to adopt an All Foods Fit mentality.

Psychiatrist

Peter Hung, MD

Dr. Peter Hung received his medical training at the Chicago Medical School located in North Chicago, Illinois. After completing his residency training at the UCLA/San Fernando Valley training program, he received additional specialized training to work with children and adolescents at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, CA. He understands that mental health treatment, and in particular psychiatric medications can sometimes be confusing unless carefully explained. He believes strongly that open communication while your child is in our care is key to the recovery process.