Destinations Staff

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Exceptional, Accessible

care for teens and their families.

Dani Samson

Dani Samson

Daniel Samson

Founder / President

A welcome message from our Founder and President, Daniel Samson.

“Destinations is one of the premier teen treatment centers in the country. Both our residential and out-patient programs are designed to support the whole family throughout their journey to sustainable wellbeing. Our dedicated team of therapists and staff are there for each teen and their family at every stage of their recovery and beyond. By providing a quality safe-haven, a full range of treatments, and an uninterrupted education, we have one of the highest rates of success in the country. Whether treating mental illness, addiction, or both, our concierge service delivers a customized program for each teen with the goal of establishing a pathway to realizing a stable and productive future. We are also one of the ONLY facilities that separates pure mental health clients from those with addiction issues.”

Clinical Leadership

Dr Baback Gabbay

Baback Gabbay

Dr. Baback Gabbay, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr Kristen Roye

Dr Kristen Roye

Dr. Kristen M. Roye, Psy.D.

Clinical Director

Clinical Team

Ashley Shelton

Ashley Shelton

Ashley Shelton, LMFT

Residential Program Director

zoe wick

zoe wick

Zoe Wick, LMFT

Residential Program Director

Daniel Carroll

Dan Carroll, LMFT

Residential Program Director.

Allison McIntyre

Allison McIntyre

Allison D. R. MacIntyre, LMFT

Outpatient Program Director

Melissa Sanderson

Melissa Sanderson

Melissa Sanderson, AMFT

Therapist

Rebecca Escobar

Rebecca Escobar, AMFT

Therapist

laila curtis

laila curtis

Laila Curtis, AMFT

Therapist

Adam Jelloian, AMFT

Therapist

Shaina Goelman, AMFT

Therapist

Paige Pensivy, APCC

Therapist

Leticia Tye, AMFT

Therapist

Michael Brose

Michael Brose, RAT-C

Residential Recovery Counselor

Wellness Care

laura hubbard

laura hubbard

Laura Hubbard

Director of Health and Wellness

Judith Aguirre

Chef

Academics

Scott Decker

Scott Decker, MA

Director of Education

Community Relations

Cynthia Della Ripa

Cynthia Della Ripa

Cynthia A. Della Ripa, LMFT

Clinical Liaison

Kayvon Babakan

Kayvon Babakan

Kayvon Babakan, LMFT

Director of Admissions

Sandra Shahrokh

Sandra Vargas

Sandra Shahrokh

Community Relations Coordinator

selene acosta

Selene Acosta, MS

Admissions Coordinator

jocelyn chavez

Jocelyn Chavez

Admissions Coordinator

Support Team

Elvis Reyes

Elvis Reyes

Elvis Reyes, CPA

Vice President of Finance

Annetta Van Buskirk

Annetta Van Buskirk

Annetta Vanbuskirk

Director of Provider Relations

Lesky Kiaee

Lesky Kiaee Santos

Lesky Santos-Kiaee

Director of Human Resources

Tiffany Pineda

Tiffany Pineda

Tiffany Pineda

Director of Operations

Tiffany Hall

tiffany hall

Tiffany Hall

Facility Manager

Lori

Lori Roberts

Facility Manager

Samantha Skillin

Samantha Skillin

Billing Manager

Erin Clark

Erin Clark

Erin Clark

Administrative Assistant

Destinations for Teens Policy Update:

The well-being and safety of our clients, their families, and our staff are always our top priority at Destinations for Teens.

Destinations for Teens will continue to serve our community during this time by providing online/virtual programming for our Intensive Outpatient Program. Our Partial Hospitalization/Day program and Residential program will remain open as usual at this time. In conjunction with our existing infection control policies, Destinations for Teens is closely monitoring CDC updates on the impact of the COVID-19. Please see link below for measures we are taking to maintain a safe environment for our staff and clients.

For more information, we encourage you to please take some time to read the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please check in daily for updates regarding our services.

Destinations for Teens (“Destinations”) is monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and employing safety measures to protect our clients and families. At this time, we have no immediate concern that Destinations should be making changes to its’ daily schedules. On February 26, Destinations for Teens updated its’ protocols to include specific instruction for the coronavirus and it is important to continue taking the following preventative measures:

•Established a revised screening process for admissions, including questions about recent fevers, travel overseas, and family members’ potential risk factors for the virus. Anyone posing a risk to our treatment centers will not be admitted.
•Instructed any PHP/IOP clients to stay home if they are sick and seek appropriate medical care. Clients can only return to treatment with written medical clearance.
•Implemented mandatory training for every employee on hand washing and hand sanitization and cough etiquette, and strict employee, client and visitor compliance with washing/sanitizing hands thoroughly in accordance with CDC guidelines.
•Increased availability and use of alcohol-based hand rubs and making sure that tissues are available and sinks are well stocked with soap and paper towels for hand washing.
•Distributed flu prevention information and instructed staff to stay home if they are sick pursuant to CDC recommendations.
•Increased sanitization of equipment and by having the cleaning crew disinfect surfaces and doorknobs on a daily basis.
•Posted signs in all treatment areas and residences explaining the importance of hand sanitation, illness prevention and available sanitizing stations at Destinations.
•The ability to participate in the family support and education sessions remotely via HIPAA compliant Zoom software allowing families to not have to travel to Destinations for family visits, support or workshops.

As you are partners with Destinations in supporting our clients, we are asking that you continue to adhere to the following preventative measures in your home and prior to visiting Destinations:

•Stay home when you are sick. If your son/daughter is not feeling well, please keep him/her home and return to treatment after 48 hours of no symptoms.
•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
•If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze in the crook of your elbow - NOT in your hands.
•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
•Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
•If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
•If you have not received the regular flu shot, you should do so immediately.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

•Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
•Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Destinations is committed to staying current with the evolution of this health concern. Destinations will continue to implement best practices pursuant to CDC guidelines for minimizing risk, and closely monitor the situation within our sites and more broadly. Our clients’ safety is our top priority and we will continue to assess this situation and provide updates.

More information about the coronavirus can be found at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Click here to learn how Destinations for Teens is closely monitoring COVID-19.