World Class Therapists & Clinicians

About 

Joe brings to Newport Healthcare a wealth of insight and knowledge gleaned over more than 30 years in the medical and treatment field. His successful history of executive leadership includes 16 years with Acadia Healthcare Company (NASDAQ: ACHC) and CRC Health Group. Prior to that, Joe served in management positions with Susquehanna Health and Geisinger Health System. In his role as CEO, Joe is expanding Newport’s services into new markets, to reach more communities and ultimately help more families in need. His fresh ideas and initiatives support our mission to provide the highest-quality care to teens, young adults, and families across the country.

About

Jameson has created, led, and served on trusted and high-performing teams in some of the most challenging and dynamic environments in the world. Prior to joining Newport, he served as CEO of Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, where he led behavioral health services for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, and school-based mental health programs administered by the company. During his time there, he achieved unprecedented growth in outpatient, inpatient, emergency psychiatry, telehealth, and integrated behavioral health services across the company. Before that, Jameson was CEO of Acadia Healthcare’s North Tampa Behavioral Health facility, where he oversaw a large inpatient expansion and launched three new services, including a military program commended for its innovative approach to empowering post-traumatic growth and recovery.

About 

Jamison is the Founder of Newport Healthcare and its family of programs, including Newport Academy for teens and Newport Institute for young adults. He is a prominent voice in the field of teen and young adult mental health, and an active participant in the movement to reduce the stigma around mental health and substance abuse challenges. A passionate advocate for integrated and compassionate care for young people, Jamison is a writer, spokesperson, Kundalini Yoga instructor, and meditation teacher. Prior to founding Newport Healthcare, he worked in multiple mental health and co-occurring disorder treatment facilities—starting his career as an overnight coordinator and working his way up to Executive Director. Today, he is a credited expert and thought leader in the field, and has appeared on CNN, FOX, ABC, and other major networks.

About

Jay Campbell has more than 20 years of professional experience in business development, marketing, management, and operations for the behavioral health, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries. Before joining the Newport Healthcare team, Jay was the Vice President of Business Relations for Acadia Healthcare, and prior to that, the National Director of Business Development for CRC Health Group. Throughout his career, Jay has advocated for people with healthcare needs by working with providers in frontline positions and building teams of multidisciplinary professionals dedicated to offering clients the highest-quality care. Jay’s skill, experience, and passion inspire him to deliver results and develop future leaders.

About

Kristin is passionate about the delivery of integrated care in the treatment milieu to address the myriad of stressors that today’s teens and young adults face. She believes that higher levels of emotional resilience allow young people to more easily adapt to stressful situations or crises, with fewer negative effects. Kristin has been working in the treatment field since 1997, in a variety of mental healthcare settings, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient levels of care; and with numerous types of addictions, including chemical dependence, process addictions, and eating disorders.

Clinical Expertise 

Kristin holds a master’s degree in Psychology and Creative Arts Therapies and presents workshops nationally on using the creative arts to foster authentic connections with teens. Her dedication to an integrated model of care is further demonstrated by her certification as a yoga teacher. Kristin is a licensed clinician who formerly served as a clinical supervisor, executive director, trainer, interventionist, and clinical outreach representative. She previously held the title of Senior Regional Director of Marketing for a major behavioral health network, after spending seven years running an outpatient behavioral health department in Pennsylvania.

About

A healthcare executive and consultant for more than 16 years, Ed Speedling has spent his career participating in, establishing, and leading successful, diverse teams to make a meaningful impact on public health issues. He consistently seeks to help build communities where all people can succeed and achieve their full potential, especially children, families, and those facing health disparities and social injustice. As president of ES Healthcare Consulting, LLC, Ed specializes in working with corporations and organizations to integrate behavioral healthcare services and find innovative solutions that improve outcomes, quality of care, and access to care. Before joining the Newport team, Ed served in leadership roles for BlueSprig Pediatrics, Inc., Corporation of America’s Capital Division, ProMedica Health System, and Arrowhead Behavioral Health, among others. In addition, Ed has worked in the not-for-profit Nemours pediatric health system as a forensic child abuse specialist, trauma and emergency department social worker, and State of Delaware medical subcommittee chair.

About

Blake Kinsey brings to Newport Healthcare extensive experience in finance and admissions. In addition, he has strong skills in communication, interpersonal relationships, and creative conflict resolution. He works closely with incoming clients and families and serves as a liaison with insurance companies to guarantee coverage for clients’ treatment needs. Blake’s past experience includes managing companies’ insurance contracts, benefits, policies, and managed care. He worked with employer groups and state, local, and academic entities to fund treatment costs. In addition, he developed strategies for holding insurance companies accountable for providing coverage to their members.

About

A visionary leader with 30 years of experience in the mental healthcare field, Shelley Dodd excels in building highly engaged, creative teams, and optimizing operations using a patient-first, results-oriented approach. A Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Addictions Counselor, and Certified Level II EMDR Therapist, she has worked with adolescent, adult, and inmate populations. Before joining Newport Academy in 2020, Shelley served as a consultant for behavioral health and healthcare organizations. Her prior positions include CEO for the Pavilion, UHS’s 106-bed psychiatric hospital in Amarillo, Texas; Director of Behavioral Health for the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Missouri; and Program Director for Horizon Health’s Lutheran Medical Center.

About

Dr. Nosal is the founding Chief Clinical Officer of Newport Healthcare and oversees the clinical and family programs for all of Newport’s residential and outpatient treatment locations. Dr. Nosal has worked with adolescents and families in the field of mental health, depression, and addiction treatment for more than 30 years. She believes that family involvement is critical to successful outcomes during and post-treatment. Dr. Nosal’s work focuses on deepening family relationships and improving communication through healing early childhood attachment ruptures and relational trauma. As a result, family members build respect, trust, and accountability, and feel safe to be vulnerable and authentic with one another.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Nosal has a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, among other clinical credentials. She specializes in relational and family therapy, with training in Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Family Systems, Post-Induction Therapy, and various other therapeutic modalities. Dr. Nosal has held managerial positions in inpatient and outpatient treatment programs throughout California and nationally.

About

Dr. Mennesson thrives on finding new and creative solutions by drawing from a variety of therapeutic approaches. A longtime practitioner of yoga and meditation, he is a strong proponent for integrating mindfulness principles into clinical treatment. Dr. Mennesson is dedicated to providing the highest-quality evidence-based care in a safe, secure environment. He firmly believes in the power of a strong social support network, and he uses Attachment-Based Family Therapy to restore and reinforce healthy relational dynamics for young people and their families. 

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Michel is board-certified in general psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with an added qualification in Addiction Psychiatry. Originally from France, he trained as a pediatrician and internist before entering the field of psychiatry. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Yale University Department of Psychiatry. At Newport Healthcare, Dr. Mennesson specializes in treating young people struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, grief and loss, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

About 

Dr. Dragonette is dedicated to helping teams come together to support clients in creating more authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. She was the founding Executive Director of Newport’s Northern California location and now serves in a clinical training and supervisory capacity. As a specialist in her field, Dr. Dragonette understands the importance of whole-person treatment—encompassing physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health as well as psychological. She believes that true healing begins when a young person shifts from an external locus of control to an internal locus of control, and she carries this philosophy into her treatment practices.   

Clinical Expertise

Prior to joining our team, Dr. Dragonette was the Director of Behavioral Health for Petaluma Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Petaluma, California. In that position, she oversaw the Behavioral Health department and coordinated all aspects of operations. In 2017, she developed curriculum for a program to support parents and children in the aftermath of wildfires that ravaged the Petaluma community. She also served in both clinical and leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa’s Chemical Dependency Services.

About

Kristen Riha, MA, LMFT, brings a background in direct management and supervision of residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. Prior to joining Newport in 2019, she was clinical director for Beachside Behavioral Health in Fountain Valley, California. Kristen’s role at Newport focuses on ensuring the quality and continuing evolution of our industry-leading clinical model. “The quality of care that Newport provides is unmatched and unlike any place that I have worked,” she says. “I am thankful to be part of a team that is deeply dedicated to helping individuals and families heal.”

Clinical Expertise

Kristen holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. And is trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy for healing parent-child relationship ruptures. She is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Bowen Family Systems Therapy, proven to effectively address depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Kristen is also a Supervisor with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, supervising pre-licensed therapists.

About

Matthew Nonoshita brings to Newport extensive experience and proficiency in program development, management, leadership, team building, and promoting positive culture. He has worked alongside leading professionals to cultivate his expertise, while also providing direct support to clients. Matthew has played an integral role in the accreditation of multiple facilities according to Joint Commission standards of care. He has built and supervised clinical, utilization, and administrative teams, while increasing profit margin and decreasing operations costs. Matthew’s experience in crafting young adult programs, his personal recovery journey, and the diversity of his service give him a broad and multifaceted understanding of the treatment field.

Clinical Expertise

Matthew has held leadership positions at a number of companies, including CEO of Premier Health Group in Newport Beach, California; Executive Program Director for Beachside Behavioral Health in Fountain Valley, California; and Program Director at Balboa Horizons in Costa Mesa, California, among others. During his early career, he served as a substance abuse counselor at Oasis Treatment Center in Anaheim. Matthew holds numerous executive and clinical certifications, and also developed a surf therapy program used at multiple youth treatment centers.

About

A key member of the Newport team since 2004, Adam Furtado provides comprehensive support around case conceptualization, treatment planning, and implementation of treatment interventions. He has worked in the mental healthcare field for more than two decades, primarily in clinical supervisory roles. Adam finds it incredibly rewarding to support young people during this critical stage of life when they are defining their identity, building connection with peers and community, and stepping into their emerging adulthood. He specializes in ensuring that clients receive culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care that honors their individual beliefs, life circumstances, and family history.

Clinical Expertise

Along with his certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adam is highly experienced in conjoint family therapy and trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. He also has extensive training in serving diverse and minority populations, including LGBTQ, first-generation immigrant, and Hispanic/Latino communities. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, Adam is an adjunct faculty member for Chapman University’s graduate marriage and family therapy program.

About

Caydin joined the Newport Healthcare team in 2014, and established Newport’s Alumni Program as Director of Alumni Services, before becoming our National Director of Experience. Today, her contributions positively impact young people, families, and our team on a national level. Caydin continues to oversee Newport Healthcare’s Alumni Network while working to ensure that every aspect of Newport’s programming exceeds clients’ expectations. She has a degree in sociology, with an emphasis on social work, from California State University. Caydin is also a community volunteer for Mercy Without Limits, a nonprofit providing humanitarian relief around the world.

About

Kim brings to Newport a brilliant track record of performance across a 22-year career in healthcare. She has held field and leadership roles in pharmaceutical sales, referral-based account management, and clinical sales team management. Kim brings multidimensional experience, a tireless work ethic, and an ability to create strategic partnerships, lead change initiatives, and develop high-performing professionals. She joined Newport in 2021 and served as our Northeastern Senior Director of Clinical Outreach before ascending to her current role managing the activity and development of Newport’s National Clinical Outreach team.

About

Cassie joined the Newport Healthcare team in 2013. She works closely with our Executive and Clinical Directors to ensure appropriate placement for clients and a seamless admissions process for both clients and the internal team. Cassie’s previous work experience includes event planning and management for the M&M Group in Huntington, California, planning, producing, and managing billing for more than 10 events each month. She also managed marketing, crafted advertising strategies, and oversaw content dissemination for NJ Law, APC, in Newport, California. Cassie holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

About

Ryan brings over a decade of academic leadership and classroom experience to her role at Newport Healthcare. As an educator, she is passionate about working with high-risk adolescents and is trained in restorative practices. Ryan works with the Marin County (California) Youth Court and is a member of various community organizations working to combat youth substance abuse. She develops educational and intervention programs to prevent teen and young adult mental health struggles and drug use.

Clinical Expertise

Prior to joining Newport Academy in 2014, Ryan was a student activities director, leadership teacher, and mathematics teacher at Tamalpais Union High School District in Mill Valley, California. She holds a master’s degree in Education Administration, and has also served as secondary summer school principal, mathematics teacher, and student activities director for the Novato (California) Unified School District. Ryan works alongside clinicians to create interventions to assist students dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. She also collaborates with special education teams to create protocols for managing classroom challenges for students dealing with auditory processing and executive functioning deficits.

About

Jeffrey Zurofsky leads Newport Academy’s innovative culinary program, based on the belief that learning how we grow and make our food can have a powerful healing effect and create a lasting positive impact on our lives. Combining nutritional knowledge with culinary expertise, Jeffrey ensures that Newport Academy offers the finest, freshest, most wholesome meals, as well as the shared experience of enjoying them as a community. He is the founder and CEO of No Small Plans, LLC, and the co-founder and former president and CEO of ’wichcraft, Riverpark, and Riverpark Farm. In 2009, Jeffrey was involved in the opening of the innovative Riverpark Farm, New York’s most urban farm.

About

Olivia Lynch brings more than 15 years of experience in the treatment field to her role with Newport, as well as a deep dedication to supporting young people and their families. A Licensed Professional Counselor, Olivia trains clinicians at both Newport Institute and Newport Academy, our teen treatment program, in using EMDR therapy to address acute, chronic, and relational trauma, as well as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, low self-esteem, and other mental health challenges. Before moving into her current role, Olivia was an Individual Therapist at Newport. She has also served as an adjunct family member at the Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

Clinical Expertise

Olivia is an EMDR Certified Therapist, an EMDR Facilitator trained through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, and an EMDR Consultant approved by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She holds a Master’s in Community Counseling from Western Connecticut State University and is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Processing, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy. Prior to joining Newport, Olivia spent eight years as a clinician with Family and Children’s Aid in Connecticut, providing in-home and outpatient therapy to children and families.

About

Tearney Sanders oversees the team of nurses at our Newport Institute campuses in Southern California, and at our Newport Academy teen treatment locations in the region. She strives to consistently improve the work environment and enhance efficiency, supporting the nurses she supervises to provide the highest-quality care for our clients. With 10 years in the healthcare field, Tearney is dedicated to continually learning and growing as a nurse, a manager, and a person. Her work experience includes positions as staff nurse at High Desert Medical Group in Lancaster, California; ER nurse at Chino Valley Medical Center; and Nurse Manager at Corona Outpatient Surgicenter.

About

As a Lead Nurse for both Newport Institute and Newport Academy, our teen treatment program, Sarah Marie Arnone is a valued member of our team in Southern California. She specializes in dual diagnosis treatment, supporting clients with mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Before joining the Newport team in June 2020, Sarah was a clinical nurse at Symmetry Infusions in Huntington Beach, California. Prior to that, she was a Healthcare Services Manager at South Coast Behavioral Health in Costa Mesa. She has also served as a nursing manager and as a detox nurse.

About

Ilieana Alaniz works with young adults at Newport Institute and with adolescents at Newport Academy, our teen treatment program. With a background in both patient care and customer service, she has honed the skills of active listening, problem solving, and building rapport with clients. While giving birth as a teenage mother, Ilieana was deeply impacted by the support of the nurses and doctors in the delivery room. Today, she finds similar inspiration in the commitment of her Newport colleagues to the young people they serve. Ilieana’s previous experience includes positions at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, California, and at Glidewell Dental Lab in Newport Beach, California.

About

Carly Harris is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in guiding young adults to address anxiety, depression, relational issues, family conflict, and identity and autonomy development. Before joining the Newport team in early 2020, Carly served as an integrated behavioral health provider at UC San Diego Health, collaborating with primary care physicians to provide integrated treatment. She was also an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Safe Haven Relationship Counseling Center in Carlsbad, California, facilitating evidence-based therapy for children, teens, and couples in a private practice setting. Carly served as a Counselor with Newport before moving into her current role in December 2020.

Clinical Expertise

Carly has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as EFT, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and a variety of family therapy approaches. She holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education. Carly volunteered for four years with EQUIP Equine Therapy, helping children with autism spectrum disorders learn social skills and emotion regulation through the therapeutic process of bonding with a horse.

About

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Carrie Sciametta has been with Newport Institute since early 2020. Her experience of trauma recovery in early childhood was the spark that eventually inspired her to enter the mental healthcare field. Well versed in a variety of therapeutic modalities, Carrie excels in treating clients with severe symptomatology. Before joining the Newport team, Carrie worked in a partial hospitalization program for clients with severe mental illness, starting as a group therapist and advancing to clinical director, responsible for a client caseload as well as managing the other clinicians in the department and training new therapists.

Clinical Expertise

Carrie has extensive training in Attachment-Based Family Therapy, which gives her a lens through which to conceptualize the family dynamic and establish concrete goals for her clients and their families. She is also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and EMDR, which she uses in both individual and group sessions. Carrie holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California; and a Bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Life Education from California State University, Long Beach.

About

Suzy Roberts joined the Newport Institute team in Southern California in May 2020. With eight years of experience in the field, she is passionate about working with individuals and families and helping them connect on a deeper and more meaningful level. Suzy knew from a young age that she wanted to work with others in a helping capacity. She recognizes the importance of honoring each client’s story, and finds motivation in witnessing the healing journeys of her young adult patients. “My clients and their families inspire me every day with their courage and willingness to face their struggles and transform their lives,” she says.

Clinical Expertise

Suzy has worked extensively with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, grief and loss, substance dependence, and eating disorders. She is trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and has taken numerous workshops on the treatment of eating disorders. Suzy has worked with college students; children and teens in a private practice setting; an elderly population in a partial hospitalization program; and high school students as a mental health counselor. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University.

About

Jill Murray is dedicated to creating a safe space where young adults can be their authentic selves, feel accepted and supported, and gain new insight and motivation for change. Prior to joining the Newport team, she worked with adolescents, adults, and families in clinical roles with several treatment companies in Southern California, including Nsight Psychology and Addiction in Newport Beach, Sustain Recovery in Irvine, and Sovereign Health Group in San Clemente. Jill is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds an LPCC license (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).

Clinical Expertise 

Influenced by humanistic and schema therapies, Jill specializes in treating primary mental health and co-occurring chemical dependency disorders. She utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to increase emotion regulation and distress tolerance, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy for addressing dysfunctional family dynamics. Jill is trained in the Brainspotting methodology for treating trauma, and has also taken specialized trainings for treating eating disorders and for working with LGBTQ+ clients. She holds a Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health from California State University–Fullerton.

About

With 16 years of experience in the mental healthcare field, Jenny Goodall is passionate about helping support young people to build trust, hope, and a sense of purpose. Before joining the Newport team in 2020, Jenny worked in a variety of residential and outpatient settings, ranging from crisis intervention to ongoing therapeutic treatment. Her previous positions included Clinical Team Lead at HealthRIGHT 360, an integrated care center in San Francisco; crisis counselor for Buckelew Programs; hotline counselor for Suicide Prevention of Marin; and Marriage and Family Therapist Intern at Family Service Agency of Marin.

Clinical Expertise 

Jenny has wide-ranging expertise in dual diagnosis and trauma-informed treatment for adolescents, including extensive training in Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is also trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and the Seeking Safety methodology for treating trauma and substance abuse. She holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University of California, and a Bachelor’s in psychology from the University of California, Davis.

About

Rachel Willner joined the Newport Institute team in California in 2019. Her personal experience of healing from addiction inspired her to enter the treatment field, and she specializes in working with young adults healing from anxiety, codependence issues, and substance abuse. Rachel earned her graduate degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and holds AMFT (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) and APCC (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor) degrees.

Clinical Expertise 

Rachel is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Before joining the Newport team, she served as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern at California Rehab Campus and as a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee with Turning Point Center for Families in Costa Mesa.

About

With more than a decade of experience in the treatment field, Faith Kreuger brings strong skills in crisis intervention, behavior modification, and substance abuse counseling to her role with Newport Institute. Inspired by witnessing a family member’s struggle with mental illness, Faith is passionate about providing acceptance, understanding, and unconditional love to our young adult clients. Her previous roles include AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) counselor with the Contra Costa County Alcohol and Other Drugs Services in Martinez, California; psychiatrist technician with the Douglas County Community Mental Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska; and substance abuse counselor at the Champion Center in Lompoc, California.

Clinical Expertise

Faith utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and co-occurring issues. She holds a 40-hour certificate in Crisis Intervention and Conflict Resolution for Criminal Offenders, a 40-hour certificate in Group Counseling, and Level III certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Faith has also participated in trainings with the National Psychology Training Consortium and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.

About

As a valued team member dedicated to helping our alumni stay connected, Sidnee Sharer brings to her work a heartfelt desire to help Newport’s clients and alums find their authentic self and live a thriving life. She provides ongoing support for our young adults with compassion and understanding gleaned from her personal experience with depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and other mental health issues. Sidnee is trained as a Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper through the QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program, which teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to encourage an individual to access help.

About

Michelle Ngu supports clients to map their educational and career paths, while helping them to build confidence and learn healthy self-motivation and time-management skills. She has worked as an educator in multiple countries, and has been an active volunteer with community and outreach groups for more than 20 years. As a family mentor with the Tiyya Foundation, Michelle worked with refugees, victims of human trafficking, and displaced persons. As an ESL instructor for Language Scholastics, she used both traditional and digital media to facilitate learning. Michelle also spent a year in South Korea developing and delivering English-language curriculum for Grades K–12.

About

Ebony Ingram joined the Newport team in 2018, and currently works in our Northern California location. Her effective listening skills and ability to motivate young adults make her an effective leader and valued mentor. Ebony is a passionate advocate for young people and credits her two children as her biggest influences. She is particularly inspired by Newport’s family-systems approach and by observing clients’ transformation during their time with us. Ebony’s previous positions have included caregiver and supervisor for Milestones Adult Development Center in Vallejo, California, and medication technician and caregiver for Atria Senior Living.

About

Dana Escobedo joined the Newport team in 2017, and has eight years of experience in the treatment field. Her personal story of recovery from mental health and substance abuse disorders inspired her to support others on their own healing journeys. Dana’s previous positions include overnight supervisor at New Directions for Women in Costa Mesa, California, and care coordinator at Phoenix House. A Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician I, she has specialized training in crisis intervention and eating disorder treatment. Dana draws on her strengths of patience, compassion, and empathy in working with the young adults in her care.

About

As a residential supervisor with Newport Institute in Southern California, Anne Connor plays an essential role in fostering young adults’ well-being and connection with peers during their time in treatment. Her role involves providing a structured and supportive environment for emerging adults who have embarked on the journey of healing. Anne is a certified CPI Instructor for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainings and also holds Level I certification as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician. “Having the opportunity and privilege to support our clients with honesty, compassion, and unconditional love while they heal is the very definition of meaningful work,” she says.

About

Kanan Chapman has been a member of the Newport team since 2013, and works with young adults in our Southern California location. He finds meaning and purpose in providing a compassionate and secure environment in which young people can heal and thrive. Kanan is dedicated to empowering both the clients Newport Institute serves and the residential staff team he leads. He is certified as an ARF (Adult Residential Facility) Administrator and holds a degree in psychology from California State University–Dominguez Hills.

About

Theo Frazier specializes in helping students to progress academically, identify their strengths and interests, and develop intrinsic motivation. She has particular expertise in coaching students with learning disabilities and those who struggle with study and organization skills. Theo believes that every young person deserves to experience a sense of belonging, success, and inspiration in academics. She holds a TESOL certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and before joining Newport in 2020, she worked as a language teacher in Japan, instructing middle and elementary school students. Theo earned her Bachelor’s in Child Development from Mills College.

About

A dedicated and compassionate teaching professional, Briana Obien works with young adults at Newport Institute’s Southern California location, providing strengths-based life skills mentorship and educational instruction. She joined the Newport team in early 2020 as a Care Coordinator and was quickly promoted to her current role. Before joining the Newport team, Briana was an instructional assistant, mentor, tutor, and job coach for the Northern Suburban Special Education District in Illinois. She also worked with residents of a homeless shelter for women and children run by WINGS Program, Inc., in Palatine, Illinois. Briana holds a Master’s in psychology from Azusa Pacific University.

About

An alumnus of Newport Academy, our teen treatment program, Joshua returned to Newport in September 2019 as a tutor with the academic support team in California. He is passionate about helping young people find motivation and self-confidence, in the classroom and for their future endeavors. Along with receiving certification from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Joshua has been trained in eating disorder protocol and de-escalation techniques. Prior to joining the Newport team, he was a GED teacher at Northbound Treatment in Newport Beach, California, where he created a curriculum based on both test standards and students’ individual needs.

About

Tate Dobbins joined the Learning Lab team at Newport Institute in California in July 2020. An educational professional skilled in youth development, applied behavior analysis, and behavior assessment, she is passionate about supporting and encouraging students to challenge themselves to be the best they can be. Tate excels in tutoring in the areas of English Language Arts, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. Before joining the Newport team, she worked with the ABRITE Organization in Santa Cruz, California, teaching students with autism. She holds a degree in Sociology and Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz.