COVID-19 Update: Online telehealth is offered for intensive outpatient treatment as an option to patients living in California, Florida, Oregon and Texas.
In-person intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization is also offered at this location. Residential treatment continues to be offered at our residential facilities for individuals in need of a higher level of care. Learn about all that we are doing to protect the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff.
This facility offers 2 separate programs for adolescents with mental health issues. The first is a partial hospitalization treatment program (PHP) that runs 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 2pm. The second is an intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP) that is offered 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 3:30pm-6:30pm. We serve adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19. Our program utilizes skill-based groups which incorporate dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which involves breaking down skills into pillars of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The program also incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into the various skills groups to help clients identify and challenge cognitive distortions and reframe faulty thinking patterns. Other skills groups focus on identity exploration, improving self-esteem, anger management, and both identifying positive coping mechanisms and strengthening clients’ ability to engage in them while experiencing emotional distress.
Our team works individually with clients and with their families to identify and support unique treatment planning based on personal needs and goals. We stress balance and authenticity, and consider ourselves an educational center for learning emotional intelligence. The program includes management of support medication (PHP only), coordination with schools, collaboration with outpatient providers, and reorganization of family dynamics to strengthen connections. The clinical team is experienced, dedicated, and each team member brings a unique therapeutic style to meet the needs of our clients.
The Los Alamitos program is conveniently located near the 605 freeway on the corner of Katella Ave. and Noel St. We are situated in a complex of professional office buildings with parking and entrance available in both the front and the back of the building complex.
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.
PROGRAM FEATURES
Intensive Outpatient
Partial Hospitalization
All Genders 11-19
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Trauma
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Self-Harm
Bipolar Disorder
Reactive Attachment Disorder
MEET THE TEAM
Bethany Meichsner, LMFT
PROGRAM DIRECTORBethany is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist registered through California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences. She earned her Master of Science degree from California State University, Pomona and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from there as well. Bethany has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families struggling with mental health issues in a variety of therapeutic settings and levels of care, ranging from outpatient to residential treatment, since 2012. Bethany is passionate about helping her clients improve their emotional and mental health through the medium of psychotherapy. Since working more consistently with adolescents over the past 4 years, she has been amazed by the inner strength and Discovery Mood and Anxiety her clients can discover and strengthen throughout their treatment journey. Bethany values a strengths-based approach and believes that individuals often have an untapped ability to heal and take steps to improve the way they navigate through and handle life’s difficult situations. She strives towards being client-centered and feedback-oriented, as well as integrating multiple therapeutic approaches to provide services that fit each client’s and family’s needs. She highly values the therapeutic alliance and constantly seeks to partner with clients to help them move in a direction that is positive and beneficial for them. As a Program Director at Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program, Bethany enjoys overseeing all aspects of the partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs in order to ensure that clients receive the highest quality of care and support while in treatment. In her free time Bethany enjoys playing soccer, going hiking, spending time with loved ones and relaxing at home while reading or watching a movie.
Caroline Chow
PRIMARY THERAPISTCaroline Chow is a Primary Therapist for Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program. She began working for Discovery in 2015 as a counselor in one of the residential treatment programs. Before joining the Discovery team, Caroline worked with incarcerated adolescents addressing gang involvement and substance abuse as well as young children conducting applied behavioral analysis therapy. Her therapeutic approach focuses on tailoring treatment to each client’s individual needs and fostering a stable therapeutic connection where clients feel safe to be themselves and explore their areas of growth. Working with adolescents is a passion of Caroline’s as she enjoys taking a more laid back and playful approach to therapy when possible while also modeling healthy boundaries in order to challenge the stigma some adolescents may have about therapy and the treatment experience in general.
Cynthia Pimentel
Counselor & Education LiaisonCynthia Pimentel is a Counselor & Education Liaison for Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program. Her role is to facilitate the running of the program schedule and also support clients academically during their treatment. Cynthia received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine making her the first in her family to obtain a degree from a four year university. Before coming to work for Discovery, Cynthia worked for 4 years on different school campuses in low-income communities as an instructional assistant in full inclusion classrooms supporting Special Education students and helping them achieve their academic goals. While enjoying her work in Special Education, her true pursuit is clinical work in the mental health field. She enjoys working with this population because mental health is a multifaceted issue, determined by complex developmental, cultural, social and environmental contexts which she seeks to understand in order to effectively support each of our clients to the best of her ability. In her free time, Cynthia cares for her numerous plants, paints with watercolors and enjoys quality time with her loved ones.
Crystal Espinoza
PROGRAM THERAPISTCrystal is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist that enjoys working with adolescents and their families. She has a passion for helping adolescents maneuver through a crucial, and many times difficult, stage in their development. She strives to provide a safe and warm environment for her clients and joins alongside them on their treatment journey. Her therapeutic approach focuses on building healthy boundaries, self esteem, communication skills and positive coping skills. She uses DBT, CBT and other various theoretical approaches to help clients achieve their goals. She has several years of experience working with teenagers, children, and families in a therapeutic environment. Previous to working at Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program, Crystal worked at various non-profit organizations providing therapeutic services to low income families. In her free time she enjoys finding new coffee shops and exploring her natural surroundings.
Rasheed Prescott
Senior Facility Coordinator & CPI InstructorRasheed has been employed with Discovery since 2011. His career started as a part-time counselor at our dual diagnosis facility. While there, he was able to develop a knowledge of the twelve step program as well as a strong and positive milieu presence. After transitioning from part time to full time, he was eager to take on more responsibilities with the clients and their treatment. After a short stint as a full-time counselor, he transitioned to school liaison and eventually became the facility coordinator at our residential mental health facility in Whittier in 2013. In 2014 he became a certified Pro-Act and CPR instructor. Rasheed then transferred to the Los Alamitos Outpatient program where he continues to support the day program while also facilitating CPI trainings at other programs throughout the country. Collectively, Rasheed has eight years of experience working with adolescents that have various mental health diagnoses and takes pride in building a strong rapport with clients which allows him to be honest and direct as well as empathic and nurturing.
Teri Diette-Nelson, AMFT
THERAPISTTeri is an associate marriage & family therapist who obtained her Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California. Since graduating, she has been passionate about helping youth and adolescents with their emotional and mental health. During clinical training, Teri worked with organizations which provided support to at-risk youth and their families, children in foster care and their families, as well as county mental health. As a therapist, Teri utilizes a patient-centered and emotionally focused approach to help patients on their path towards mental health well-being. She believes by focusing on unconditional positive regard and creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, patients find space to begin the healing process. In her free time, Teri enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and photography.
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.
COVID-19 Update: COVID-19 Update: In-person residential treatment is still offered at this location. Learn about all that we are doing to protect the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff.