Wendy Galvan graduated Nursing School as an LVN in 2014. She has been working in the field of mental health and substance abuse since her graduation. Wendy’s enthusiasm in helping others to recover from addiction issues has led her to becoming one of the best in her field. In her time working in substance abuse treatment she has worked in detox and residential healthcare and knows the ins and outs of doing treatment safely and efficiently from a medical perspective. Her experience in medical compliance and passion for helping other individuals has led her to having a unique perspective. She leads through integrity and believes that all individuals seeking treatment should be provided exceptional care.

Tim joins Safe Harbor after 30+ years in business in the high-tech field, where he earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. A career change brought him to the mental health field in 2020. He earned a Master’s in Marriage and Family therapy from Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. He also worked in a Community Mental Health facility helping clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational distress. Tim is also seeking a specialty in Sex Addiction, which he has utilized to help clients that have struggled with porn addiction.

Nicholas Lodge is a husband, father, and servant leader who uses his love for service to develop leaders through human resources, professional and business development, and community service. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, he started from humble beginnings but is now a leader in his field. He continues to use his experiences to support business leaders and fortify others to be effective in the marketplace. Currently, Nicholas serves as the head of HR with responsibilities for all aspects of human resources for the organization, including HR planning, strategic compensation and benefits, performance management, compliance, and employee relations. Nicholas holds a Master of Business Administration degree from La Sierra University in Riverside, California, and a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Media and Communications from Northern Caribbean University in Manchester, Jamaica. Nicholas has also completed additional training in Business Leadership and Strategy, Learning and Development, Employment Law, Information Technology, Strategic Compensation, and Business Management. He also serves on the board of the LLJ Nonprofit Foundation, whose mission is to bring hope and joy to children with chronic healthcare challenges at various hospitals like CHOC, Mission Hospital, and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, especially the mitochondria community. Additionally, he serves as an Adjunct Professor in the business department of an online university, teaching courses like Organizational Behavior: Developing Healthy Organization, Leadership in Under-Resource Communities, and Cross-Cultural Management throughout the academic year. Nicholas is a very active member of the HR community in Southern California. He currently serves as Chair for the PIHRA (Professionals in Human Resources Association) South Orange County Emerging Leaders. With over 4300 HR professionals in Southern California, Nicholas has spoken at various HR conferences regarding the Future of HR leadership and From Blah to Bliss – Mental Health and has moderated several HR learning sessions with great enthusiasm and high energy. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his family, taking pictures, and playing the piano and the saxophone

My name is Kim Kaiser and I am a Case Manager for Safe Harbor Treatment Center. I have been working in the recovery industry since 2018. I personally have been through a recovery treatment program and have over 20 years of sobriety. Through my own experience in treatment and recovery, I have been able to grow and heal and I hope to help as many people as I can, do the same. I am passionate about each person who comes through our doors at Safe Harbor and am grateful to be a small part of their recovery journey. I have two adult children and four grandchildren, and I am grateful for my sobriety today which allows me to be a part of each of their lives. For fun, I like to go to hockey games, read crime novels, read my bible, and spend time with my family: just some of the many gifts that God and sobriety have brought me. If you are reading this and are interested in Safe Harbor, please know that I understand the weight on your heart as you contemplate these next steps, and though it may feel like one of the hardest decisions of your life, it is also one of the most important, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Dylan is a clinical case manager here at Safe Harbor who works with individuals struggling with substance use and dual-diagnosis disorders. For several years, Dylan himself struggled to find a purpose in life and was in the grasp of a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease. Dylan has first-hand experience with substance abuse and how to overcome trials and tribulations. Dylan will be able to provide individuals with love, solidarity, and authenticity throughout their treatment to achieve sobriety. Dylan has knowledge in several areas that will support recovery and of 12-step education and substance use disorders. In his free time, Dylan enjoys going to the gym and working on his own personal growth. Dylan’s wish is for everyone who walks through the doors to feel safe, serene, and connected with a new community. Dylan would like you to know that you are worthy and that a new way of living is possible.

As a therapist at Safe Harbor Treatment Center, my passion is helping those who have struggled with addiction build meaningful relationships with themselves, their loved ones, and their environment. Using a collaborative approach, I work with clients in early recovery to identify their hidden strengths and potential, establish short- and long-term sobriety goals, and cultivate sustainable behaviors, habits, and beliefs. Drawing on my current training in Somatic Experiencing, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy, in addition to my extensive experience in the international Fine Arts community, I provide relevant insights and knowledge to help clients see new opportunities and start fresh experiences throughout their journey. I’m currently a graduate student at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology working toward a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Clinical Counselor Trainee under the supervision of Safe Harbor’s Clinical Director, Brandi Jordan. I received a BFA in Fine Art Media from Art Center, College of Design in Pasadena, and an MFA in Art, Space, and Nature from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

Jennifer has been working in the Mental Health field since 2013 as an associate marriage family therapist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in History from California State University Dominguez Hills and holds a master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Brandman University. Jennifer has worked with transitional age youth (TAY) with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) with dual diagnosis. She was a behavioral health clinician with the County of Orange for seven years working with adults of all ages with SPMI, dual diagnosis, as well as homelessness issues. Jennifer’s passion is to support folks in their recovery through self-discovery and self-empowerment, which leads to beautiful transformational changes in one’s life. Jennifer has had close family and friends affected by addiction, which fuels her passion to help people live the meaningful life they desire. Jennifer sees hope in every person and is proud to be a part of the Safe Harbor family in helping others seek out the life they want.

Hello! My name is Shane Niels, and I am the supervisor of Clinical Services and documentation at the Safe Harbor Treatment Facility. I have been with the company for over 3 years, and it has been a humbling learning experience. I hail from the Midwest area of Chicago Illinois and have been living in California for nearly 4 years. My beginning at Safe Harbor was a big career change for me and it is something I have loved and enjoyed. I appreciate seeing our clients heal, grow, and become empowered in their new life of recovery. I am active in recovery myself and enjoy a physical lifestyle of fitness. I also train in Muay Thai, which has helped me in my journey to continuously grow and remain humble. Being a part of this amazing team has offered me the insight I need to continue developing as a better version of myself and allowed me to offer my experience, strength, and hope, to any person that comes through our doors. I firmly believe that recovery begins somewhere between education and a spiritual overhaul, and I am honored to be part of an organization that fosters the ability for both. 

Arin is from Los Angeles and a graduate of UCLA with a degree in Sociology. As an alumnus of Safe Harbor, Arin knows the client’s experience firsthand and works hard to ensure each client feels safe and cared for throughout their stay in treatment. Arin started her career in the Real Estate business. After going through the Safe Harbor program, she decided to put her passion for helping others towards aiding them to reach their goals in recovery. Arin joined the Safe Harbor team in 2019 and is proud to take part in the first step to bringing healing from addiction to many individuals and their families.

My name is Darrin Thibault. I am the Program Director for Safe Harbor Treatment Center.  I have been working in the substance abuse industry for three in a half years. When you finally make the decision to engage in your recovery and the date of your admission is set, I will be the first voice you hear on the facility side. My duty is to bring structure, accountability, and love. For 20 years I lived in the dark, wasting my life and potential. Through recovery, I was given a second chance. I was able to find my purpose to help people find the light I found. I have been referred to as an anomaly, I am truly on borrowed time. If you feel the same, if you’re reading this, I want you to know I will be here waiting in a holding pattern to help you help yourself along the path of recovery. I look forward to meeting you! ” You are a child of God with infinite value,” we will help you realize your true potential.

My name is Stephen White, I have five years of experience working in Admission and Business Development in the treatment industry. I’ve been with Safe Harbor Treatment Center for two in a half years. The main point of my position here is to assist with getting someone into our care, while they’re in our care making sure they have everything they need to have a comfortable positive experience. Also helping to find suitable, ethical, and individualized aftercare programs for each person in our care to continue their treatment experience and further solidify their recovery. This is your process. We are here to help and guide you. Some words of advice to help you start your journey: Vulnerability, Communication, and Commitment are a few of the pillars to be successful. Remember, “We cannot fix what does not exist”.

Brandi was born and raised in Fresno, California. She is married and has two children. Brandi and her family recently moved to San Diego County in December 2021. Brandi earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University Fresno, earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in general psychology from Grand Canyon University. She is currently writing her dissertation with hopes to graduate in 2023. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC), and is certified in animal-assisted therapy (CAATP). She currently sits on the board of directors for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Brandi has a passion for working with those struggling with mental health and addiction-related disorders as she has seen both affect those closest to her since a young age. Brandi has experience working in a variety of mental health and substance use disorder settings both in public and private communities. She has worked in battered women’s and children’s shelters, children’s youth services, the Salvation Army, and provided co-occurring services within the educational system. Brandi worked in the private treatment industry both as a therapist and as a clinical director overseeing all levels of care in the SUD field. Brandi was deputized as a conservator working with serious mental illness within the County of Fresno and was a utilization review specialist for the County of Fresno, conducting audits for all substance use programs under Medi-Cal. Brandi was the liaison for the Fresno County Jail ensuring those on conservatorship and incarcerated were able to get needed mental health and SUD treatment. Brandi also had a private practice where she practiced her specialty in animal-assisted therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy. Her dog Rocket is currently in training to be her new therapy dog. Brandi now is the Executive and Clinical Director for Safe Harbor. She oversees all operational and clinical staff and ensures the treatment is of the utmost quality, from the client’s arrival to discharge. Brandi tries to see beauty and hope everywhere she goes and believes everything happens for a reason. Brandi’s passion is advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves and helping people start a new life and journey in recovery.

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 evidence 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.