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Destinations Staff

Our Programs & Activities Will Guide Your Teen Through Rehab

Contact Us Today!
Call Us 877.466.0620

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.”

MEDICAL TEAM

DR. BABACK GABBAY, MD

Chief Medical Officer

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DR. BRIAN HOLT, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

CLINICAL TEAM

Tara Farazian, LMFT

Clinical Director

KAZ KATSEANES AMFT

Assistant Regional Director of Residential Services

WENDY PALMA, AMFT

Clinical Trainer and Quality Improvement Manager

DR. IRIT BAR-NETZER, PSYD

Director of Parent Support Programs

ALLISON D. R. MACINTYRE, LMFT CCTP

Program Director

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NATHAN LINDBORG, AMFT

Program Director

Oksana Boiko, ACSW

Outpatient Therapist

ANA RAMOS, AMFT

Outpatient Therapist

WILL MCGARRY, CADC 4

Recovery Services Manager

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Pearl Basaldua, APCC

Residential Therapist

Daria Collins, AMFT

Residential Therapist

Yessica Valencia, ACSW

Residential Therapist

Chelsea Cota, AMFT

Residential Therapist

Tanisha Adeleke, ACSW

Residential Therapist

Jessica LeMelle, AMFT

Residential Therapist

Jessica Del Rubi Vasquez, AMFT

Outpatient Therapist

Reid Kessler, AMFT

Outpatient Therapist

ACADEMICS AND WELLNESS

SCOTT DECKER, MA

Director of Education

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CLARA MAHMOUDI, RN

Director of Nursing

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS

JORDANA GOLDSTEIN ACSW

Director of Admissions

ALAN ELLSWEIG, LMFT

Director of Utilization Review

KARLA LOPEZ BARRIOS

Admissions Coordinator

ARLENE CARLOS

Admissions Coordinator

AYANA RILEY

Admissions Coordinator

SUPPORT TEAM

ELVIS REYES, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

LESKY SANTOS-KIAEE

Director of Human Resources

Toni Jackson-Rainey

Operations Manager

TIFFANY HALL

Facility Manager

DEVYN MOORE

Facility Manager

Sandra Zepeda

Facility Manager

Mary Joo

Facility Manager

CHRISTOPHER DEVINE

Sr. System Engineer

We Are Here To Help!

Delivering personalized programs for teens that address each individuals specific needs in treatment.

Contact Us Today
Call Us 877.466.0620
Contact Destinations for Teens today to get started with our programs. Our treatment, therapies, and a community of support can make a difference as you or your loved one works towards recovery.
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DR. BABACK GABBAY, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Gabbay is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who specializes in the following: substance use and eating disorders; adolescent mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. Dr. Gabbay earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and also underwent medical school training at UCLA.

After medical school he completed both general adult psychiatry residency and fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He has had extensive training within the realm of emergency psychiatry room, inpatient, residential and outpatient treatment settings. His clinical experience encompasses medication management and therapy services to a diverse range of clients, with specialized intensive clinical training with dual diagnosis clients. Prior to joining Destinations to Recovery, Dr. Gabbay served as Attending Psychiatrist for Center for Discovery Adolescent Group residential homes in the South Bay. He also has extensive experience treating low socioeconomic and foster care patients through The Help Group and Penny Lane Mental Health Centers.

Dr. Gabbay currently works as Destinations’ Chief Medical Officer where he is passionate about the care he provides and strives to constantly self-educate through continuing medical education trainings/self-directed learning, as well as teaching his colleagues. Dr. Gabbay’s philosophy towards medication management follows a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Clinical information is gathered from multiple sources (client, family, school, therapist, nursing and outside referral sources) in order to make an informed decision regarding a definitive diagnosis and appropriate medication recommendations. Dr. Gabbay evaluates all clients whether they are prescribed medication or not. In his spare time, Dr. Gabbay loves to swim and play basketball. He frequently will spend spare time hiking with his wife. He is a huge fan of comic book movies (both Marvel and DC Comics) and 1980’s popular music. His family has been known to chuckle on more than one occasion at his Spotify music list.

ALLISON D. R. MACINTYRE, LMFT CCTP

Program Director

Allison acquired a Master of Arts in Psychology in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy with a credential in Pupil Personnel Services from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002. She has worked with emotionally disturbed youth for over 16 years. Allison has experience working with clients who present with oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, mild to moderate autistic spectrum disorder, as well as learning disabilities. In 2018 she received her LPS credential through the Department of Mental Health. In addition, Allison was trained in Bowen Family Systems Theory and incorporates cognitive behavioral techniques and solution focused methodology.

Allison joined the Destinations team recently and works as the Woodland Hills Program Director. Allison brings Destinations her passion to help youth thrive and reach their goals. When Allison is not working you can find her spending time with her beautiful two daughters or elbow deep in amateur vegetable and flower gardens.

WILL MCGARRY, CADC 4

Recovery Services Manager

William McGarry is the Recovery Supervisor at Destinations for Teens. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. William is certified by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals. He has worked in and managed residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs in various treatment centers throughout Southern California. William is in recovery from substance use and understands the challenges to change as well as the daily attention it takes for continued sobriety. William enjoys using a variety of creative expression and play to build rapport and convey the principles of recovery including photo-therapy, gardening, journaling, and mindful tennis.

SCOTT DECKER, MA

Director of Education

Scott Decker received his Master’s degree in Special Education from National University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Scott has spent his entire career working with youth, young adults, and their families. He was a teacher for 4 years, moved into school administration as a Vice Principal and later into the role of Director of Education. Additionally, Scott is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in education.

 Scott currently works as the Director of Education where he oversees the academic programs at all Destinations for Teens locations. His goal is to implement and create an academic program that is therapeutic and nurturing. He is dedicated to being a resource for both clients and their families. Scott is committed to serving diverse populations and the challenges our youth, young adults and families face. Scott is an avid cook and he likes to spend time with his two sons, play his guitar, go to concerts and shows, and travel/explore Southern California.

CLARA MAHMOUDI, RN

Director of Nursing

Clara is a registered nurse who specializes in psychiatry and addiction. Clara originally obtained a Masters’ Degree in agricultural engineering in Toulouse, France. She has always been passionate about helping people thus motivating her to go to nursing school in Santa Monica. Clara has extensive experience in inpatient detoxification programs and acute psychiatric programs prior to joining Destinations. At Destinations, Clara oversees a team of nurses in order to coordinate interdisciplinary client care management efforts and ensure that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each client. In Clara’s free time, she enjoys oil painting and training horses.