Drug, Alcohol Abuse and Mental Health Experts
Get to know just a few of the experts who will help help you heal from drug, alcohol abuse and mental health at our treatment centers in Southern California.
Adam Swanson
Clinical Director
Adam obtained his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University of Long Beach, a program known for fostering creative, yet clinically sound approaches to mental health treatment. He has gained clinical experience in a variety of settings, starting first in the non-profit sector working primarily with children and their families, before transitioning into the field of addiction recovery for adults, as well as obtaining postgraduate training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Throughout his career, Adam has remained passionate about being a force for positive change both for his clients, as well as for the clinical teams he has led as a Program Coordinator and Clinical Director. He has played a primary role in the development of specialized treatment programs such as an outpatient program for first responders suffering from addiction; has worked closely with school psychologists in the Huntington Beach Unified School District in their efforts to provide early intervention for students at risk for addiction, and continues to provide clinical supervision to multiple teams of associate therapists who are gaining hours toward their licensure.
In his own practice, Adam is utilizing his experience in working with adolescents and their families, combined with insights gained from years in the addiction recovery field to create a unique approach to helping individuals navigate the difficult terrain of dysfunctional relationships. After years of treating the “problem” child or spouse in a relationship, it became clear to him that just as much attention, if not more attention needed to be given to the family member who found themselves entangled in the problems of someone they loved. While the term “codependency” is almost commonplace in the context of addiction, it can develop in just about any relationship in which two or more individuals become dependent upon one another to an unhealthy degree.
Adam has found that while upbringing and relationship history certainly play an important role in the development of codependent tendencies, it is often the introduction of a life stressor experienced by one individual in the family/couple that can lead to the development of such relationship patterns. Examples of such stressors are: an increase in drug use, job loss, diagnosis of illness (either physical or mental), domestic violence, unmet financial needs, poor academic performance, report of problem behavior at school, etc. Problematic relationship patterns often develop in a slow, subtle manner which is why it can be so difficult to identify until it feels almost too late to do anything about them.
Fortunately, Adam has found success in taking an individualized approach to solving relationship problems. This is not to discount couples or family therapy, as there is proven efficacy to these modalities. It is just to bring heightened focus to the individual who’s suffering often flies under the radar, and to help them gain the self awareness, self confidence and fortitude to make the positive changes they deserve to see in their lives.
Dr. Deyhimy graduated from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in 2001. The following year, he began his residency in anesthesiology at the University of California Davis Medical Center, becoming chief resident in 2004, followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiology in 2005-2006. During this period, he was the recipient of UC Davis Medical Center House Staff Professionalism Award 2005, California Society of Anesthesiology Resident Research Competition winner 2005 and Outstanding Resident Teaching Award in 2006.
Since 2007 he has practiced anesthesiology at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center and continues to do so today. His commitment to addiction medicine was a direct outgrowth of his work in anesthesiology where the complex interactions of disease, surgery and drugs are often the difference between life and death. He serves on several hospital-based committees and is actively involved in educating his medical colleagues and the general public about addiction treatment and MAT.
Drug addiction is not a moral failing, but rather a chronic and treatable disease of the brain. Unfortunately, stigma and misinformation are all too common in addiction treatment and actually discourage patients from seeking help, understanding their treatment options, and receiving proper evidence-based treatment. This type of misinformation and prejudice has no place in addiction treatment.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. David Deyhimy is an Orange County physician, who is board-certified in both addiction medicine and anesthesiology. He believes that addiction, like many other chronic diseases, is not only treatable, but often curable by combining proper medication with education, support and behavioral changes.
Helping patients and families navigate the complicated landscape of addiction and recovery is often challenging, but also tremendously rewarding. Addiction medicine is one of the few medical specialties that affords a physician the opportunity to literally save lives and improve patients’ quality of life every day.
Dr. Deyhimy started practicing addiction medicine in 2011 and then went on to found South County Addiction Treatment Services (SCATS) in 2013. Combining evidence-based medicine and principles of harm reduction, SCATS (now operating as Pulse Addiction) provides medically-assisted withdrawal (detox) for virtually all types of drugs and alcohol, treating patients in residential treatment programs and in outpatient settings (home, your doctor’s office, our local clinic, etc.).
In 2018, Deyhimy established MYMATCLINIC to offer individualized addiction treatment for patients and families in an office-based setting. MYMATCLINIC specializes in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), which has proven to be the single most effective means for treating addiction. MAT works by dramatically reducing cravings, improving treatment engagement and retention, helping prevent relapse and reducing the incidence of death from overdose.
Addiction treatment must be easy and flexible for both patients and their families. Removing barriers to treatment improves patient engagement, and engagement is one of the single greatest predictors of better outcomes for patients.
MYMATCLINIC treatment teams include physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and administrative assistants to better serve the needs of patients and their families. Treatment plans and medications are individualized to a patient’s needs and circumstances. MYMATCLINIC offers a range of additional services to better support patients through case management, psychiatric services and referrals, telemedicine, and concierge services (home based detox, MAT and addiction treatment).
Consistent with his philosophy of harm reduction, Dr. Deyhimy has served as the medical director of Solace Foundation of Orange County since 2015. Solace Foundation provides education and training in opioid overdose reversal as well as distributing Naloxone reversal kits throughout Orange County. As of December 2019, over 16,000 kits (32,000 doses) have been distributed with 2200 documented overdose reversals.
Dr. David Deyhimy
Medical Director
Stephanie Hakim
Executive Director
Alanna began at Destiny Recovery Center in the very beginning showing hard work, compassion, dedication and grit all combined with empathy and an ethical and moral compass like no other. In no time Alanna moved to a much deserved Lead Tech position while pursuing her Major in Nursing and being the best double trained staff member any treatment team could ask for. The more time Alanna spent working with the clients directly every morning, walking them through their emotions and being a guiding light and working side by side with the clinical team; it was through self-reflection and discovering her true passion, Alanna made the brave decision to change her major to Psychology.
Balancing her roles as a full-time student and full-time employee, Alanna thrives on the challenges and fulfillment that comes with caring for individuals striving to improve their lives. As she has grown in the field, she has also become the Program Manager at Destiny Recovery learning directly from the Executive Director on how to run an ethical program while providing quality and individualized care at the same time obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Alanna holds a certificate as a Registered Drug and Alcohol Technician. Since entering the field of behavioral health in 2019, she has been committed to empowering those in need to overcome their addictions.
Outside of her professional and academic life, Alanna enjoys meeting new people, exploring food spots, and enriching her life and the lives of those around her through her diverse experiences. Alanna also draws comfort and inspiration from reading books on spirituality, discipline, and philosophy, which have expanded her perspective on life and self-improvement.
Alanna McMurtrey
Program Manager
Glen Doty
MH Primary Outpatient Therapist
Glenn Doty is the current primary clinical therapist for Destiny Recovery Outpatient Clinics in Redlands, California. Glenn has worked for multiple well-known healing arts clinical programs within the Riverside-San Bernardino, Corona-Norco metropolis for the last 25 years. Glenn is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC#13442); has a Masters Registered Addiction Specialist certification (M-RAS #D0904231546), with Breining Institute; and is a Certified Addiction Clinical Supervising Counselor with the California Association of Treatment Programs (SUDCC-IV-CS #7138).
Glenn has unique and specialized psychology counseling training through California Baptist University, is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Theory interventions through Argosy University and received specific and unique training skills at the University of Berkley, Ca. for marriage and family counseling, affairs, PTSD, and other trauma related issues disorders. Glenn has specialized training with nationally known psychologist, John M. Gottman PhD. Glenn has received a variety of special service awards from local county and private agencies for his history in establishing treatment centers in Riverside County and his involvement in working with people that have complicated co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Glenn takes every client through the DSM5 personally, allowing them to see what criteria actually justifies a diagnosis they have been previously or newly diagnosed with; by educating and empowering clients that is where the true healing and work can begin!
Glenn’s major philosophy surrounds a basic belief in the power of individuals and the human spirit to transcend life’s complications and recreate identities with purpose and meaning.
Glenn is dedicated to the moral and ethical codes that govern the healing arts professions, skills, and tradesmanship. Glenn is an advocate for each and every client under his watch and supervision and seeks to conjointly work with his clients will and preferences to accomplish the becoming of a brand new self and person in their process.
Matthew is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan pursuing his Masters degree in Social Work where he will be graduating and obtaining this degree in May of 2025. Matthew obtained his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from the California State University of Channel Islands. In his pursuit to obtain this degree, Matthew has spent over 10 years in the medical field. Matthew started off working as an EMT in Los Angeles, helping those in emergency situations who were unable to help themselves, where he learned how to handle stressful situations in a calm, commanding, and healthy way. During this time, Matthew learned to understand the complexities of mental health and addiction struggles and the discrepancies in care provided. This planted a seed in Matthew’s brain where he knew he wanted to pursue this career.
In his personal life, Matthew has seen the detrimental effects of untreated mental health and addiction disorders. Matthew has seen both family and friends struggle with these complex issues, along with his own struggles in this realm. After receiving his own treatment for his own difficulties, Matthew decided to pursue an advanced education in this niche. Matthew has found comfort in helping other individuals in a group setting as a group facilitator and in helping individuals as a case manager and a therapist. Upon his completion of his MSW program, Matthew intends to further his career in the field of mental health and addiction disorders.
When he is not working, Matthew loves to travel the US, and hopefully the world, with his new wife, Haley. Along with travel, Matthew loves to visit the California beaches that he has grown up experiencing, reading both fictional thriller novels along with non-fiction growth book; and spending time in the beautiful California nature.
Matthew Giehl
Clinical Social Worker Intern
Sweneleya Carolina
Inpatient Primary Therapist
When people experience trauma or a severe life stressor, life may at times become unmanageable. My immense aspiration is to bring healing to those who have been through a stressful or traumatic experience.
I help my clients find healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their relationships so they can know themselves as peaceful, fulfilled, whole, and secure. It has been my experience that clients know themselves better than anyone, they are their own, (and my), best resource when it comes to treatment. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, where our knowledge, and skills unite to create solutions.
A good therapeutic relationship includes trust, authenticity, freedom, and positive outcomes. My educational background includes a MA in Counseling Psychology, BA in Psychology, and an AA in Human Resources.
Katie is a certified Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with four years of experience in mental health and addiction. Her career and education in this field were fueled by her personal experiences with mental health and recovery. Katie understands from personal experience the transformative power of comprehensive mental health treatment and trauma-informed care, enabling individuals to turn their stories of loss and suffering into those of triumph and service.
Katie’s three years of work in the non-profit sector with mental health and addiction clients have given her unique insight and experience, enabling her to educate, guide, and connect with clients in both mental health and substance use recovery. She believes that genuine connection and care are the cornerstones of effective treatment and takes pride in maintaining an open-door policy for all clients. Katie is convinced that her experiences with addiction and mental health have given her the lived experience necessary to understand and better serve her clients on their recovery journeys.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys traveling to play recovery softball and living life to the fullest with activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, weight lifting, and hiking.
Katie Rinkeviz
MH Outpatient Program Manager Case Manager
Kristy Woodward
Case Manager
Kristy Woodward, a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, has been working in the field of addiction for over 5 years. Throughout her life, she has become all too familiar with the severe consequences of addiction. As a recovering addict, she found a solution, a sense of purpose, and a desire to support those in their recovery journey.
Working with others has given her a great sense of purpose and hope that has made her genuinely grateful in life. She loves witnessing her clients grow and recover at Destiny Recovery and being able to provide them with care, compassion, and support they so often need, loving them until they love themselves and helping them to identify those behaviors that need to change while gaining the supports, coping skills and boundaries that are critical to continued sobriety. K
risty not only walks clients through the deeps and darkest areas of their addictions to the other side, she walks the family members through their new found journey, connecting them with CODA and Al Anon, teaching them how to properly love their loved ones safely while providing updates every step of the way. “I believe that the hope of recovery is the greatest to be shared with another”. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family, and traveling around the United States Playing softball with other recovery addicts.
Jennifer’s journey in the healthcare field started about 5 years ago in a retirement home where she transitioned into working as a home health aid. As time went on Jennifer decided to pursue other options in the healthcare field as she knew there were so many things she wanted to continue to do!
Jennifer always wanted to help others while working within the medical field as she gained her EMT Certification. Shortly after, she ended up losing a family member to addiction; the loss made her want to try to help others who struggle with alcoholism/addiction which placed her on the path to who and where she is today. Jennifer has big dreams and is working on continuing her education and becoming a Register Nurse.
Jennifer’s journey at Destiny Recovery Center began when she started as a medical staff close to two and half years ago and she found her home! She never would have imagined how many lives she would touch with her medical experience coupled with her desire to help those suffering with addiction and mental health. She has been an amazing asset and continues to grow and exceed expectations now taking the role of Nursing Supervisor. Each and everyday she gets to love our clients in their weakest moments and love them back to life and that is the ultimate gift. During Jennifers free time she enjoys cooking, crocheting, baking and watching movies.
Jennifer Torralva
Nursing Supervisor
Chris Kramer
Director of Operations
Originally from Vermont, Emma moved to California in 2012. Since entering the Behavioral Health field in 2016, Emma’s professional expertise in Human Resources, Operations and Compliance has been utilized to achieve and implement successful policies and procedures to enhance both day to day operations and attain licensure and accreditations for both the state of California and national licensing and accrediting boards including the Department of Health Care Services, The Joint Commission, and Department of Social Services.
Emma holds a certification in California HR Laws from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Outside of work, you can find Emma spending time with her young son, snowboarding, and being of service in any way she can.
Emma Phillips
Human Resources Director
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