addiction treatment team
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen
Medical Director
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York, where fifty percent of his rotations were at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. After his residency he worked at Ventura County Medical Centers in an adult out-patient setting and now lives in Orange County, California.
Lisa Merry
Clinical Director
Lisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment. She has expertise as a Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor, and creating high quality, client centered services in treatment. She has been a leader with Celebrate Recovery, a Christ Centered 12 step program, for over 25 years.
Andrew Sutherland
Program Director
Andrew was born and raised in southern California and graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He has been with Sober Partners since 2015 and has worked in varying roles with the company. Currently, Andrew is the Program Director at Sober Partners and tries to instill two goals in each client he interacts with: to consistently make progress and to have fun in their recovery. Being in recovery himself, Andrew has made it his purpose in life to help others regain their lives and achieve their greatest ambitions.
Melanie Paniagua
Therapist
Melanie is a dedicated Associate Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. With a master’s degree in counseling, she uses an evidence-based approach to address the complex mental and emotional factors involved in addiction.
Attuned to each client’s unique experience, Melanie creates a compassionate space and integrates proven therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help process trauma and underlying challenges.
She also has specialized training in perinatal mental healthcare, supporting individuals through the psychological challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.
Committed to personalized care, Melanie focuses on insight, resilience, and meaningful progress to empower lasting, positive change.
Makaela Conol
Therapist
Makaela is a dedicated therapist and doctoral candidate specializing in substance use recovery. With a deep passion for healing, connection, and personal transformation, Makaela provides a compassionate, non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their struggles with substance use. Believing that recovery is deeply personal and unique to each individual, Makaela tailors each therapeutic approach to honor your journey and needs.
In this safe space, Makaela offers empathetic support, helping individuals rebuild trust in themselves and others while empowering them to reclaim their lives. Through a holistic and individualized approach, Makaela is committed to walking alongside you as you navigate the challenges of recovery, helping you find strength, healing, and lasting change. Your journey is unique, and she is honored to be part of it, offering the support and care you deserve as you move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Courtlandt Gates
Therapist
Courtlandt Gatea is a compassionate and experienced therapist dedicated to walking alongside individuals on their journey of recovery, healing, and personal transformation. With a commitment to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space, Courtlandt helps clients explore and process difficult emotions, confront personal and relational challenges, and identify sources of strength and resilience. He has experience working with substance abuse, relational and family conflict, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Courtlandt draws from both professional training and personal experience to guide individuals toward greater self-acceptance and emotional well-being. Being in recovery himself, he is passionate about helping others write their own unique stories—overcoming feelings of shame, guilt, and fear, and embracing a narrative of courage, connection and growth. Courtlandt believes in the inherent capacity for growth and transformation within each individual. He works collaboratively with clients to help them reconnect with their inner/true self, overcome challenges, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create a life rooted in authenticity and resilience.
Amy Liepold
Case Manager
Christian Beck
Case Manager
Robert Alvarez
Case Manager
Mell Jackson
Case Manager
Reuben Benitez
Operations
Mike Harrison
Operations
Brandon Beck
Operations
Greg Alexander
Operations
sarah Rhum
Operations
Margo griffin
Operations
Deaidra Benison
Registered Nurse
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