Our Team

Healing isn’t something we do for you, it’s something we do with you.

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Your Care Team

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Coordinates your care, ensuring every part of your treatment plan is personalized and evolves with your progress.

PSYCHIATRIST

Provides guidance on whether medication could support your recovery and offers ongoing care if it’s part of your plan.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Guides your relationship with food through meal plans, nutrition education, and support for your body’s healing.

SUPPORT TEAM

Counselors, recovery coaches, and mentors are here for daily encouragement and practical help when you need it.

PRIMARY THERAPISTS

Help you understand your experiences, uncover patterns, and develop tools to create a fulfilling life.

ADMISSIONS & PROGRAM TEAM

Handles the behind-the-scenes work, from insurance to scheduling, ensuring your experience feels smooth and stress-free.

Meet the team and explore each person’s approach to healing.

team bios & photos
  • A woman with long blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a brown sleeveless top and standing outdoors by the water, with a natural landscape in the background during sunset.

    Dr. Liz Esalen, Psy.D.

    FOUNDER & CEO

  • Dr Michael Gadbaw is a board certified licensed psychiatrist. He attended the USC Keck School of Medicine and did his residency at Stanford University where he served as a chief resident, as well as his fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

    Dr. Michael Gadbaw, MD

    MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PSYCHIATRIST

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a colorful patterned top, smiling, standing in front of green foliage in natural sunlight.

    Yasamine Pahlevanlou, PA-C

    PSYCHIATRIC PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

  • Young woman with dark curly hair smiling outdoors with green leaves in the background.

    Kayla Smith, LCSW

    CLINICAL DIRECTOR

  • Young woman with long brown hair, wearing a black top, smiling, standing against a plain white background.

    Anna Riverso, MS/RDN

    REGISTERED DIETITIAN & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A smiling person with short hair, glasses, and wearing a gray jacket over a blue shirt, standing outdoors in front of a bushy tree with pink flowers and a building with windows in the background.

    Rone Canyon Gasch, PhD

    ASSISTANT OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | SANTA CRUZ

  • A young woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a beige ribbed long sleeve top and black pants, standing in front of a cracked concrete wall.

    Briana Mancha, MS, RD, CEDS

    REGISTERED DIETITIAN | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A young woman with long dark wavy hair, smiling, wearing a maroon top and a delicate necklace, standing outdoors with lush green foliage in the background.

    Kalia Firmage, MA/ RD

    REGISTERED DIETITIAN | SAN FRANCISCO

  • Close-up of a young woman smiling outdoors, wearing a white top, gold jewelry, and standing between trees with a sunny background.

    Kimberly Kapelson, MA, ASW

    LEAD PRIMARY THERAPIST | SANTA CRUZ

  • Therapist wearing pink glasses and a black wide-brimmed hat with a red lanyard with a 2SLGBTQIA+ pin.

    Angel Scott, ACSW

    PRIMARY THERAPIST | SANTA CRUZ

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors, wearing a black top and a silver necklace, with green plants and a tree in the background.

    Jill Wimmer, AMFT

    PRIMARY THERAPIST | SANTA CRUZ

  • A young woman with dark curly hair smiling outdoors, wearing a yellow graduation stole with blue trim and a floral dress, standing on a wooden bridge surrounded by green trees.

    Melissa Lawler

    RECOVERY COUNSELOR | SANTA CRUZ

  • A young woman with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a green shirt, smiling at the camera indoors with a blurred background and a plant.

    Alicia Noonkester, APCC

    PRIMARY THERAPIST | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a beige knit sweater and a gold necklace, standing indoors.

    Mimi Kuehn, AMFT, APCC

    PRIMARY THERAPIST | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A man with glasses smiling at a restaurant.

    Perfecto Quiachon

    RECOVERY COUNSELOR | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A young woman with long, dark, curly hair, smiling, wearing a cream-colored off-the-shoulder top and a green scarf, sitting indoors near a bookshelf.

    Gabby Coia

    RECOVERY COUNSELOR | SAN FRANCISCO

  • Close-up of a woman with long, voluminous dark hair with light highlights, wearing makeup with a natural look, gold necklace with a cross pendant, and a black top, standing in front of a neutral background.

    Anjolie Picar

    RECOVERY COUNSELOR | SAN FRANCISCO

  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiling outdoors near a window with blinds and a large cactus plant.

    Liz Cruz Porter, BS

    BUSINESS DIRECTOR

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair, glasses, wearing a black top, smiling, standing against a beige wall.

    Sue Mileto, MHA

    ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR

  • Close-up of a young man with glasses and a beard, smiling, standing outside next to a dark blue brick wall.

    Gabe Smith, BA

    ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR

  • A young woman with long wavy brown hair and bangs is smiling, wearing a light pink top and layered necklaces, standing in front of a plain wall with two windows letting in natural light.

    Lea Horsley, BA

    OUTREACH & MARKETING MANAGER