Trainer's Bios and Pictures

Meet our Trainers

Ana Sepulveda began working in the Criminal Justice field over 14 years ago as a Legal Specialist for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) for the Army in the Criminal Justice Department. She started at Mental Health Systems, Inc. shortly thereafter where she continues to this day. Ana joined Mental Health Systems, Inc. in 2002 as the program secretary for the H.O.P.E. Through Recovery Program at Richard J. Donovan State Prison where she was faced with many challenges and fast paced job. After eighteen months of working in the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community In-Prison program she found an interest in case management and transferred to Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency Program (SASCA). After a few months of working with SASCA the opportunity arose at the MHS home office in the Corrections Division. She went from Operations Manager to the Executive Assistant within the same Division. Ana meets the demands and challenges with such ease that others find her inspiring. Ana’s story wouldn’t be extraordinary if it weren’t’ for the fact that she is self-taught. From proposals to budgets to State and local interfacing and more, she finds a way to make it happen. Ana currently serves on several committees, Cultural Competency Training Committee, Business Development Strategies Committee and Public Policy Committee. She is currently a Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) intern.
Ana is committed in achieving MHS’ mission statement, vision and goals.

Angela Lancaster is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) who has been working with children and their families for the last 13 years in a variety of settings. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in psychology from Cumberland College in Kentucky and went on to obtain a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver with an emphasis in Direct Services and Children, Youth and Families. Angela has provided group and individual services in a variety of settings including schools, child welfare, and residential care. Angela also recently worked abroad in London, UK for five years providing assessment and intervention services to children and their families in a family center setting. Angela currently works at MHS Inc. Families Forward Program as a clinician in a wraparound program designed to reduce the risk of out of home placement for children with mental health needs. Angela has had additional training in grief and loss, trauma, attachment, brief solutions therapy, and motivational interviewing. She has co-facilitated professional trainings on topics including grief and loss, assessment, Motivational Interviewing and Positive Discipline. Angela is registered in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral of Science # 24059 and a member of the Southern California Positive Discipline Mentor Group. She is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator (CPDPE) and is involved with the San Diego Positive Discipline Family Education Centers.

Barry Lindstrom, RAS (CA), L.I.S.A.C. (AZ)
Barry Lindstrom is the Program Manager of SASCA (Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency) Region IV-San Diego, a program of Mental Health Systems. He provides Contract Oversight, Training, Quality Service Review, Program Development and Clinical Supervision to case managers and substance abuse counseling professionals providing services to parolee participants in the areas of substance dependence and alternatives to criminal behavior. During the majority of his 20+ year career Barry has provided program management as well as direct services to program participants in a wide variety of program settings including residential programs, schools, community centers, jails, prisons, and other institutional environments with a variety of populations including men, women, and children.

Mr. Lindstrom completed an internship and began employment with a non-profit substance abuse services organization, remaining in their employ from 1990-2004 when he was hired by Mental Health Systems, Inc. to help manage their in-prison substance abuse treatment programs. He earned a Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA) certification in 1993, became a State Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Arizona from 1994 through 2004, and has been a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC) with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners since 2004. Barry is a certified Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) in the State of California, and is actively working towards his Master level Registered Addiction Specialist (M-RAS) certification.

Caroline Atterton, LCSW

Caroline Atterton has worked for Mental Health Systems, San Diego, for 4 years. She is currently Lead Clinician for Older Adults at the North Coastal and North Inland Mental Health Centers. Her experience includes local government social work in the United Kingdom, working with children, families, youth, older adults, and mental health service users. She has also lectured on mental health and alcohol & other drug studies at West Hertfordshire College, U.K., and San Diego City College. Ms. Atterton has recently joined the gender responsive training committee, and is currently engaged in creating a new curriculum in trauma informed care. Ms. Atterton is also a founding member of the San Diego Trauma Informed Guide Team, dedicated to integrating trauma informed services throughout San Diego.

Charlie Aperule is the Program Manager for Mental Health Systems, Inc’s (MHS) Central East Regional Recovery Center, an outpatient substance abuse treatment program focusing on Proposition 36 clients. He has worked in the substance abuse treatment field for eight years in San Diego County and has specialized in California’s Proposition 36 programming since 2003. As program manager, he has implemented innovative program services to improve treatment retention rates and client sustainability through case management and mental health assessments services for Prop 36 participants. In addition, Mr. Aperule is a member of MHS’s Co-Occurring Guide team, a company trainer for Co-Occurring Disorders, and a member of San Diego County’s 2009 CADRE. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, certified CADC-II alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization and Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from San Diego State University.

Colleen Marshall, M.A., L M.F.T.,
Mrs. Marshall is currently the Senior Vice President of Development for Mental Health Systems, Inc. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has eleven years experience in the mental health and alcohol and drug field. The majority of her experience has been working with youth and their families in public and government agencies and has specific experience in trauma focused treatment. Mrs. Marshall has been a guest speaker, faculty member and trainer for local universities and community agencies and is a member of MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network Trainer).

David Najera, MA. MFT
Mr. Najera has worked in the mental health field for the past 11 years. He has served as a manager, supervisor, clinician, and speaker at different times throughout his career. Mr. Najera has spent the past 9 years working with males from different backgrounds and ethnicities. He has worked in the prevention of Domestic Violence and the promotion of Healthy Relationships, as well as the impact of trauma and drugs and alcohol in family relationships. Mr. Najera has provided presentations in English and Spanish throughout the County of San Diego helping demystify mental health. He is a co-lead committee and lead trainer for Mental Health Systems Gender Responsive Services for Men and Boys. Mr. Najera is a faculty member for the Mead academy. Mr. Najera’s passion is to help people enhance their relationships through mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful communication.

Deanna Kivett, BS, CATC, FACT

Ms. Kivett has been working the field of substance abuse for over fifteen years specializing in women’s services for the criminal justice and corrections populations. She is currently the Program Manager for the New Hope women and children’s residential program in Beaumont, serving the Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program clients. Mrs. Kivett has worked for MHS for the past 11 years with the Corrections and Rehabilitation Division. Since that time she has served on numerous statewide committees and workgroups focusing on women’s services and the corrections populations. Deanna is a MHS trainer for the MHS Gender Responsive Training Committee and the William R. Mead Academy.
She can be reached at dkivett@mhsinc.org

Delrena M. Swaggerty, MFT
Vice President, Children’s Mental Health
Mental Health Systems, Inc.

Delrena Swaggerty has been working in the mental health field for the past 19 years. She is currently the Vice President of Children’s Mental Health in San Diego County for Mental Health Systems, Inc. (MHS). She is committed to providing youth and families the highest quality of care using best practices and engagement strategies to impact those suffering from severe emotional disorders, hopelessness and isolation. Under her direction, programs focus on finding creative ways to empower youth and parents to voice their needs and be active in their treatment. Emphasis is placed on child and family strengths, cultural inclusion, flexibility, and collaboration with other service providers.

Mrs. Swaggerty participates in the company’s efforts to increase ethical behavior as the chair of the Ethics Training Committee. In addition, she serves on San Diego County’s Children’s System of Care Council which aims to improve treatment provisions by bringing together the major sectors that help shape our behavioral health system. Finally, she is an active member of the San Diego County Training Academy which serves to educate the community at large on behavioral health issues.

Mrs. Swaggerty attended the University of San Diego where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology as well as her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2001. She is an active supporter of our local homeless veterans and volunteers to link them to resources and treatment to get them off the streets.

Denise Sassoon, BA-Criminal Justice, Registered Addiction Specialist

Denise has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment for over 20 years and with Mental Health Systems for 12 years; her current position is with SASCA, San Diego where she conducts statewide training for substance abuse treatment providers in five southern California counties. She provides training that includes, but is not limited to Case Management, Group Skills, Working with Trauma (men and women), Therapeutic Community, Motivational Interviewing, and Gender Responsive Service Delivery.

She is a consultant with University of California San Diego, Center for Criminality and Addiction Research, assisting the department with cross training for in-prison correctional and treatment staff who work together to provide in-prison substance abuse treatment programs.

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Eleane L. Young, M.S.
Intern Marriage and Family Therapy - MHS

Eleane Young is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern at the MHS New Hope Women and Children’s Residential Program where she provides individual, group and family therapy as well as clinical training for staff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business in 2002 from National University and was the 2008 commencement speaker when she received her Master of Science degree in counseling from the University of Phoenix. Eleane is a member of the MHS Multicultural Integration Team (MCIT) and the MHS Co-occurring Pillar Guide Team. She is a public speaker conducting seminars and workshops on topics such as suicide prevention, self-empowerment and the connection between the mind, body and spirit to healthy balance. As a recipient of several corporate awards; she received the "Diverse Business Enterprises 2006-2007 Community Partnership Award" presented by Sempra Energy. In addition, Ms. Young served as President of the Alpha Delta Honor Society for Health and Human Services 2008-2009. Most recently, Eleane joined the faculty and staff at the University of Phoenix teaching in the College of Health and Human Services. “I am honored to have been considered to serve Mental Health Systems and it’s constituency with integrity and excellence. I accept the challenge of continuing to fulfill the mission of MHS by providing stellar service to our employees and the community”.

Eleane can be reached at eyoung@mhsinc.org (619) 578-4510.

JACQUELINE V. GARDINER L.C.S.W.

Jacqueline Gardiner, M.S.W, L.C.S.W, is a licensed clinical social worker with a professional focus in family, youth and children. She has worked in the mental health field since 1991 in various settings from hospitals, residential treatment centers, wrap around school based programs, substance abuse programs, crisis services, hospice and private practice. She has provided individual psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families for over twenty years.

Prior to opening her private practice Jacqueline Gardiner developed and directed programs for children and adolescents in clinical and school settings. All of her training and experience has allowed her to lead various workshops in parenting, psychodrama, substance abuse, relationships, communication, workplace and personal challenges throughout San Diego County. She has presented to corporations, non-profit organizations, and conferences.

Ms. Gardiner holds a masters degree in social work form San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Scripps College. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and is a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work.

Jacqueline Gardiner is passionate about creating and implementing programs, trainings, supervision and clinical assessments to meet the needs of her clients, particularly by the strengthening of the home, workplace and community.

Jeanell Emond, FACT
Ms. Emond currently serves as a Program Manager for Mental Health Systems AOD Division at the Central ValleyRegional Recovery Center. She is a certified alcohol and drug counselor with over 10 years of experience in the field of alcohol and other drugs. Ms. Emond has gained most of her experience working with female offenders in a criminal justice setting. As a member of the Gender Responsive Services Team, Ms. Emond has become a leader in implementing and providing gender specific services for women.

John Fulan, LMFT, M-RAS, is a clinical supervisor for mental health and alcohol/drug professionals at Mental Health Systems. He serves as a consultant and a trainer in co-occurring disorders. He has published an article on counselor development and contemplative supervision. John maintains a private practice using a mindfulness based approach.

You can contact John at JFulan@Mhsinc.org

Kimberly Shultz, LCSW
Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently working as the Older Adult Lead Clinician at MHS Inc North Coastal Mental Health Center in Oceanside. Her focus and professional passion are aimed at providing trauma informed group and individual therapeutic support for the geriatric population as well as chronic and pervasively mentally ill Adult and TAY populations.

She attended UCSD for undergraduate studies and graduated with a BA in Communication. As an undergraduate student, Kimberly created a pilot community outreach project working with at risk youth, mentored impoverished children and volunteered with the San Diego Coalition for the Homeless for 3 years.

Kimberly went on to pursue her Masters of Social Work at San Diego State University, Graduate School of Social Work. She served as the President of the Graduate Social Work Association (GSWA) and was awarded the Mental Health Training Stipend specializing in mental health, direct practice.

Kimberly has expertise in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and has practiced this modality since her training at UCSD Gifford Clinic in 2007. She has extensive experience providing Social Skills Training, Seeking Safety, Case Management, DBT coaching, individual therapy and group therapy to older adults, adults and transitional age youth with pervasive and chronic mental illness, as well as depression and anxiety disorders.

In 2009 Kimberly became one of the founding members of the San Diego Trauma Informed Guide Team, a grass roots community based group, focusing and disseminating core competencies of systemic trauma informed services. Kimberly is now acting as the Co-Chair and Chair of the Training Subcommittee for this integrated, multidisciplinary group of professionals.

Currently, Kimberly is active in creating curriculum for the MHS GR training committee and is facilitating the GR 102 curriculum to the MHS Inc and community at large. Kimberly develops ongoing curriculum for community trainings and conferences initiated by the SD Trauma Informed Guide Team, partnering with the County Behavioral Health Department and stipend programs at universities in San Diego County.

Mark Blackshear is an extraordinary young man and an inspiring trainer. He has been in the youth development field for ten years, coaching and counseling youth in a variety of settings including high schools, youth camps, faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations. He has also counseled and mentored at risk and system involved youth. Mark is a 2002 Graduate of the Oracle Program at Garfield High School in San Diego, CA. As a former "system involved youth" Mark became a founding member of the Take Wing Youth Advisory Board at San Diego Youth Services.
His example of overcoming challenges and creating success provides inspiration and insight to both youth and adults. Mark has been the Youth Leadership Trainer for the Caring Helpers Leadership Training program of Mental Health Systems, Inc., since 2007 where he has contributed to the development of numerous character development and leadership training courses. He has trained approximately 1000 youth and adults per year in leadership skills, and he has spoken at conferences and programs across California, on topics relating to youth issues. In addition to his numerous accomplishments, Mark coaches track and field, volunteers as a young adult ministry leader, and serves as a mentor for The Foster Youth Mentor Program of San Diego County.

Mary Hubbard, CADC II is the Director of Training and Education for Mental Health Systems Inc., and Administrator and Dean of the William R. Mead Training Academy (WRM-TA). A leader in the field of treatment services, Mary has over 20 years experience in program management and the training and education of AOD counselors. Mary developed and implemented the WRM-TA based on clinical practice and TAP 21 Knowledge Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice.
As a certified trainer, Mary has extensive expertise at curriculum development in TAP 21 and the 12 core functions of a counselor. She is passionate about the facilitation of interventions and counselor skill development, as well as about training on ethics, prevention, clinical supervision, and women and girls studies. Mary developed and implemented the WRM-TA based on clinical practice and utilizing evidence based practices. Mary has BA in Human Services, is a certified AOD counselor and holds the following certifications: CADCII, CCS, M-RAS and CAS II.

TAP 21: Knowledge, Skills and attitude of professional Practice - WRM-TA
Group Facilitation – WRM-TA
Counseling Skills – WRM-TA
Ethics- Advanced Ethics for Clinicians
Ethics- Ethical Decision Making
Clinical Supervision
Management Course
Intervention

Renee Sievert, RN, MFT
Author, Consultant, Leadership Coach
Ms. Sievert has advanced certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and HIV and AIDS. She has been certified in Gestalt Therapy, DV Treatment, Critical Incident Stress Management and Addiction Treatment. She is also a certified Motivational Interviewing trainer and a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Ms. Sievert is a member of the International Coaching Federation.
Web Address: www.SievertServices.com

Rebecca Culjat, LCSW

Rebecca graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and a Bachelor’s of Art in Spanish. Rebecca then went to the University of Southern California where she completed her Master’s in Social Work in 2002. Since then, Rebecca has spent most her career working with underprivileged children, youth and families affected by trauma and/or severe emotional disturbances. Rebecca became licensed in the field of social work in 2005 and has worked in a variety of treatment settings including, disaster response, residential, day treatment, outpatient, medical social work and therapeutic behavioral services. Rebecca has spent the last 4 years working as program manager for a San Diego based, non-profit organization, Mental Health Systems, Inc., and is currently running their Family Forces program which provides counseling services to military members and their dependents. In addition to her role as a program manager, Rebecca also sits on the Co-Occurring Disorders steering and training committees for Mental Health Systems, Inc. and serves as the coordinator for all Co-Occurring Disorders trainings within the company. Rebecca also serves as a Motivational Interviewing trainer for Mental Health Systems, Inc. Rebecca is passionate about her work and enjoys training others in the field.

Rich Bradway, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., is a licensed clinical social worker with a professional focus in co-occurring substance abuse and mental health services. His experience includes clinical practice, political advocacy, research, program design and evaluation-primarily for treatment programs serving women and children. He has conducted trainings for substance abuse treatment counselors, mental health professionals and primary health care workers. He is committed to bringing research to practice through the implementation of Motivational Interviewing in various practice settings. Mr. Bradway holds a B.S. in Business Administration, a Master of Social Work and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Rohina Fazil, ASW

Rohina graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis and she graduated with a Masters Degree in Social Work from California State University, Fresno. Rohina has worked in the mental health field in various treatment settings including residential, outpatient, and juvenile detention. Rohina served as a guest lecturer at California State University, Fresno for the MSW program’s cultural competency course for three years. Currently, Rohina works as a clinician serving the mental health needs of adolescents incarcerated in an inpatient substance abuse program at the Juvenile Justice Campus in Fresno, CA. Rohina serves on the Co-Occurring Disorder and Motivational Interviewing Committees for Mental Health Systems, Inc.

Terri Belmonte, CATC II

Terri Belmonte holds a certification from California Association of Drug and Alcohol Educators (CAADE), and been employed with Mental Health Systems since 1999. Terri currently serves as the Program Manager for the Parolee Reentry Program in San Diego and has also served as a program manager for Mental Health Systems’ Options for Recovery program, Family Treatment Center, and Santa Barbara Center for Change. In addition, Terri is an MHS trainer for the Gender Responsive Training Committee and the William R. Mead Academy. Terri has also been a guest speaker for various community colleges and county offices.

Terri’s passion is to assist people in learning how to empower themselves through personal choice. To help them understand they have the ability to “re-write” their story at anytime.

Theodore Walker, BSHS,
Program Manager, MHS East County Center for Change.
Theodore began working for Mental Health Systems on January 5, 2004 at North Rural Regional Recovery Center as a AOD Counselor; he later transferred to the Parole Partnership Program as a P3 Advocate. He later became a Program Manager at MHS Central North Regional Recovery Center. Presently he is the Program Manager at MHS East County Center for Change. Prior to working for MHS, he spent 10 years in the US Navy. After discharge he began his career in the AOD field working at the House of Metamorphosis, Inc. as well as the Substance Abuse Evaluation Resource Center. He attended San Diego City College and graduated with two Associate’s Degrees; Social Welfare in 1993 and Behavioral Sciences Chemical Dependency 1997. He became a CAADE certified Addiction Treatment Counselor in 1997. In 2000 he attended University of Phoenix and graduated with Bachelors Degree in Human Services 2002. He has 18 years of significant AOD outpatient and residential treatment experience working with all populations; male, female, youth, & Criminal Justice and 10 years DUIP treatment/education experience.

D. Anthony Jensen, M.D.
Medical Director

As the Medical Director of Mental Health Systems, Dr. D. Anthony Jensen is responsible for assuring that the organization’s programs operate according to the highest of clinical standards. Dr. Jensen oversees the performance of all contracted physicians and psychiatrists who are working in MHS programs, and is also a member of the MHS Executive Team. As a member of the Executive Team, Dr. Jensen works directly with the President, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration of MHS, to direct the overall operation and success of the organization. Dr. Jensen also participates in the development and implementation of MHS training activities, and is an officer of the MHS William R. Mead Training Academy for addictions counselors. Prior to joining MHS in 2005, he was the Unit Director of the Adolescent Inpatient Unit at UC San Diego Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, where he served as a supervising attending psychiatrist, and as a full-time faculty member in the UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In addition, he was a psychiatric consultant to the UCSD Department of Pediatrics in the Mother, Child and Adolescent HIV program. Dr. Jensen currently continues as a volunteer member of the clinical faculty at the UCSD School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry where he provides supervision to resident physicians who are training in Child Psychiatry. Dr. Jensen is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, San Diego Psychiatric Society, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, San Diego Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Society of Addition Medicine.

Wendy Broughton, MA, RAS
Began working in the substance abuse field 23 years ago right out of college. A transplant from the East Coast, she received her B.A. in Psychology, 1987 in New Hampshire where she worked primarily with adolescents and families. Wendy received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology, 1992 in California. She began working with the criminal justice/substance abuse population after arriving on the West Coast and has since been involved at State and County levels for 20 years now. Wendy also became a Certified Life Coach in 2007 and a Certified Master Life Coach in 2009.
MHS included Wendy among its ranks in 1998 where she worked as a Program Manager for Probationers in Recovery (PIR). She then took over as Program Manager for the Substance Abuse Recovery Management Systems (SARMS) until such time as she moved to the home office as Head of Service for the Corrections and Rehabilitation Division. She has since become the Vice President for the same Division overseeing the Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program (FOTEP) Region IV- Providence Place and New Hope, as well as the Federal Probation Program (FPP) in San Diego and Chula Vista.
Wendy has served on many committees over the years in the name of improving client care. Currently, she is on the Training Advisory Council, Chair of the Cultural Competency Training Committee, Cultural Competency Guide Team, Management Academy, Clinical Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement Cross-Functional Team, Gender Responsive Services Commission, Safety Committee, Continuing Care Committee, and Hope in Action.
MHS has various opportunities for training and public speaking which Wendy readily accepts. At home in the public eye she can be as easily seen at the program level talking with clients as she can behind a microphone. Wendy is dedicated to making a difference wherever she is most needed at MHS.