Staff

Melissa Legere

COO & Co-founder, LMFT

Melissa Legere, LMFT graduated cum laude from California State University, Fullerton with her master’s degree in Counseling. Melissa has 12 plus years of experience as a License Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) working in many different settings from hospital inpatient and outpatient programs, residential detox and treatment facilities, to utilization review departments. She has extensive experience in developing programs and is always challenging the status quo when it comes to treating individuals. She has specific training and experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Melissa excels at supervising intern therapists and ensures their development. Melissa founded and created the Program at California Behavioral Health which provides truly individual care based on each person’s own experience and desire. She is a co-founder, Chief Operating Officer and Clinical Director for California Behavioral Health.

Paul Del Vacchio

CEO & Co-founder

Paul has over 30 years’ experience in finance, human resources, administration, and operations with the hospitality and healthcare industries. He has spent the past 12 years in the healthcare industry working with American Addiction Center, Las Vegas Recovery Center, Delphi Behavioral Health and now has founded California Behavioral Health. He has a track record for operational, financial and clinical success in the healthcare substance abuse treatment industry. He has founded CBH on the principles of a safe environment, dignified treatment and exhibiting the utmost respect toward everyone while provider the very best opportunity toward long term recovery.

Dulce Reyes

Therapist

Dulce received her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from California State University, Hayward. After 8 years of working in the Healthcare Management world, she recognized she wanted to work with people on a much deeper level. Dulce earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University. Dulce brings a great deal of life experience to this work enabling her to connect with her clients on a variety of levels and in both an empathetic and meaningful way. She has experience working with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Dulce incorporates value-oriented techniques into treatment, encouraging clients to explore their unique qualities. She believes that therapy is not about diagnoses or “one method fits all,” and understands the importance connection plays in the healing process. She strives to provide a safe place where you can explore your deepest concerns, work through your challenges, and come out on the other side feeling empowered.

Adam Castro

Therapist

Adam retired from Military Service in 2013. Adam earned his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Redlands and recently became a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Adam brings a wide variety of knowledge and experience to his work and connects with his clients on multiple levels. He has experience working with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Adam understands humans are unique, and highlights this to empower his clients to explore, grow, and be healthier in their lives.

Taylor Harris

Therapist

Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication Studies from Chapman University. Taylor recognized her deep-rooted desire for helping and empowering others and continued her education at the University of Redlands. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, graduating with honors. During her time in graduate school, Taylor was the Student Manager of Counseling Services for the Riverside Free Clinic and gained experience in working with diverse populations utilizing an array of therapeutic modalities. Taylor understands that mental health treatment cannot be understood using a one-size-fits-all model and is mindful of tailoring her approach to one that best serves the individual client.  Taylor believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works with clients to increase self-awareness, gain new perspectives, and challenge thoughts and beliefs that hold clients back from experiencing self-compassion and self-love.

William Donahue

Therapist

William earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Redlands. Shortly after graduating, William began working with individuals on the autism spectrum as a Behavior Therapist in the Inland Empire. After three years in the field, William returned to the University of Redlands to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with hopes to better serve stigmatized and marginalized populations in his community. He has experience working with individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. Specifically, he strives to create collaborative, therapeutic relationships that foster an accepting and empathic environment.

Amber Alvarez

Nursing Supervisor

Amber is a Licensed Vocational Nurse born and raised in Coachella Valley. She graduated from California Nurses Educational Institute in 2015. She has worked in the medical field for over 18 years with extensive experience in case management and mental health. Amber’s strong sense of duty, dedication to serve, and willingness to provide care to all residents is what drives her toward medical excellence.

Debra Lloyd, PMHNP

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Debra has devoted her entire nursing career to working with psychiatric and chemically dependent patients. She is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s college and received her Master’s degree at Maryville University. In addition to her certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Debra carries certifications in addiction nursing (CARN) and public health nursing (PHN).

Christian Small, MD

Psychiatry and Family Medicine

Christian Small, MD is board certified in addiction psychiatry, general psychiatry, and family medicine.  He is one of a handful of doctors in the US who have the experience and training to treat full spectrum medical and psychiatric illness.  Dr. Small has become a leader in delivering evidenced based addiction practices, medical and psychiatric care to addiction treatment programs.  He is the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, an innovative company bringing the highest level of patient care to substance treatment and mental health programs.  Dr. Small was previously employed by the Veterans Administration in La Jolla as an addiction psychiatrist and at the University of California San Diego. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine and completed a residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.

Tyrone Hicks

Chef

Bio coming soon!

Ivan Cardenas

Chef

Chef Ivan has more than 12 years’ experience in behavioral health. He strongly believes just as food absorbs the flavor of spices, it also absorbs the attitudes of those that cook and serve it. That is why, chef Ivan creates each dish with love, passion, and respect. Chef Ivan is a firm believer that, the second heart is in our belly. He puts great effort in creating the best food experience with his skills and experience in fusion cuisine. Chef Ivan loves traveling and learning about different cultures since this inspires him to create recipes and bring them to CBH.

Pat Visgilio

Driver

Patrick Visgilio, Driver. Patrick was born in Vicenza, Italy. He grew up overseas in such places as Germany, Spain, and Japan. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and the Far East exposing him to many different nationalities and cultures. He attended the University of Maryland in Munich, Germany and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, California where he earned an Associate’s Degree. Patrick was a small business owner for ten years prior to becoming a team member at California Behavior Health. He enjoys interacting with people and loves to see them meet their full potential.

Hedley Green

Operations Director

Hedley joined CBH having previously worked in operations at two other treatment centers here in Southern California. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position having been the CEO at a medical device company and the EVP of business development at a full-service marketing agency exclusive to the mental, behavioral and substance abuse industry. He has an extensive background in banking, finance, administration and operations and hold degrees in Finance and consumer and business law earned during his time in the UK. As Marketing Director at CBH, Hedley handles the marketing and the HR administrative duties at the facility while maintaining a supportive presence among our residents.

Heather Lyons

Care Manager

Heather joined California Behavioral Health as Care Manager when it first opened having worked in the healthcare field and specifically addiction for the last 4 years. During this time, she has developed a passion for supporting our residents and helping in the transition from treatment to outpatient and sober living. The journey began for Heather after completing a medical assistant and family medicine at Loma Linda Hospital where she learned the value of working collaboratively within a team medical professionals and support staff. As Care Manager Heather is responsible for the CBH aftercare program, State compliance, admissions, and alumni follow up. In this role she works daily with the residents and supporting the Clinical team. Heather enjoys spending her free time with family!

Alexa Melhado

Outreach Coordinator

Alexa is a behavioral health professional whose work spans over fifteen years serving a variety of populations in both private and public sectors. Alexa graduated from Georgian Court University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then attended Monmouth University and achieved the degree of Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. Alexa is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Management program.

Over the past fifteen years, Alexa has dedicated her professional career to social work, behavioral health treatment, and recovery advocacy. She has held numerous roles ranging from Treatment Consultant to Executive Director.  Alexa has also devoted time to volunteer work within the recovery and creative arts spaces as well as being invited to speak at international recovery conferences.

Alexa’s expertise is in working with people who struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle due to drug, alcohol, family, and emotional challenges. She is sought after for her experience and her ability to help clients identify their underlying truth with a compassionate and straight-forward approach.

When she’s not ensuring the delivery of premier-level services for her clients, Alexa finds her creative passions lie in the culinary arts and spiritual development.