Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Psychiatrist

Jaskanwar Batra, MD, MHA is a board-certified psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry currently serving as Vice-Chair of Clinical Affairs at University of Southern California.  Previously he has served as Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations (Psychiatry) at Stony Brook University.  Other leadership roles include Medical Director of Ambulatory Behavioral Health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone in Brooklyn, NY.  He completed residency at the University of Vermont in 2003 and master’s in health administration (MHA) at George Washington University in 2017.  He has had significant leadership roles including Medical Director of the Vermont State Hospital, Medical Director for Vermont Department of Mental Health, and Chief Medical Officer of the Vermont Health Coop.

Dr. Batra’s clinical interests include treatment of Mood and Anxiety disorders, improving access to mental health services, healthcare integration of mental health with primary care as well as suicide prevention.  Outside of professional work, he loves spending time with his golden retriever Miso. He is also an avid nature and wildlife photographer.

Medical Director & Psychiatrist

Celeste Peay MD, JD is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry and board-eligible in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. She provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management informed by psychotherapeutic techniques. She appreciates the flexibility and wholistic nature that the field of psychiatry fosters and aims to meet each individual where they are. Her evaluations include a detailed and thorough exploration of each person’s developmental, social, and cultural contexts in addition to their prior experiences and attitudes towards psychiatric care. These components are essential for formulating an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan for each unique person.

Dr. Peay received her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and her legal degree from Boston University Law School. She completed her internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and completed her adult psychiatry residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at Harvard Medical School. During residency, she was an active member in the Program for Psychodynamics, completing a one-year fellowship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. During her final year of residency, she received additional training in meaning-centered psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. Following residency, she completed a Consultation Liaison Psychiatry fellowship at the combined Los Angeles General Medical Center and Keck Hospital program, focusing on psychopharmacological evaluation and management in medically complex populations. She is currently completing an additional two-year fellowship in Advanced Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the New Center for Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. She holds memberships in the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the Academy for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. She is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

During her time outside the consultation room, she is an avid perfume and miniature tea set collector. She also enjoys running in the California sunshine and was thrilled to complete her first marathon last year.

Psychiatrist

Sepehr “Sheperd” Aziz, MD is a physician and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Aziz completed his general psychiatry residency training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMass), and a subspecialty fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he worked in the OCD and Tic Disorders clinic. His research experience includes clinical trials of stimulant medications for ADHD and esketamine for refractory depression.

In addition to English, Dr. Aziz speaks fluent Persian. His approach to psychiatry is integrative, individualized, and culturally informed. He loves dogs and cats, and enjoys cooking as well as singing karaoke.

Psychologist

Joel Frank, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with a wealth of experience in neuropsychological and forensic evaluations. A graduate of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Joel cultivated a strong interest in neuropsychological assessments while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in the psychiatry departments at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago, where he provided comprehensive care to diverse medical populations.

Further enhancing his expertise, Joel honed his evaluative skills at the Department of State Hospitals in Atascadero, California, treating individuals within the forensic population. He has since established a thriving group practice in Sherman Oaks, California, where he offers neuropsychological evaluations, forensic evaluations, and outpatient psychotherapy.

Joel is dedicated to maintaining his competency in evaluating a broad spectrum of populations, with specializations in helping individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, concussions, physical and psychological trauma, chronic pain conditions, age-related ailments, and developmental disorders. His commitment to his clients and his field ensures that they receive the highest level of care and support.

Therapist

Paria is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of California, Irvine. Paria has extensive experience working with adolescents and families in residential treatment and assisting clients and families through crises. Additionally, Paria worked as a Trauma Therapist at a non-profit community mental health agency focusing on the maltreatment of children and adults. She also worked as a victim advocate at California State University, Northridge. Paria carries over her trauma-informed, collaborative, and strength-based approach to her work at Bridges to Recovery. She is passionate about empowering clients with PTSD, relational trauma, mood disorders, and adjustment issues and their families to overcome challenges and develop resiliency. She helps motivate patients to establish goals, gain self-confidence, and participate in work, school, and social interactions, in order to improve their overall life satisfaction and achieve a more purposeful and meaningful life. Paria primarily employs a combination DBT, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, solution-focused, mindfulness, and trauma-informed treatment in her work.

Therapist

Livon is a primary therapist and group facilitator at BTR. She completed a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University in 2018, with an emphasis in psychosis. In 2021, she completed a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University where she focused more on honing her therapeutic skill. She has extensive experience working with severe mental illness, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal difficulties in a clinical setting. Livon works collaboratively with her clients in developing a treatment plan and pulls from several different treatment modalities (ie. DBT, CBT, Solution-Focused, Narrative, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, etc.) Livon provides clients with a non-judgmental and empathic atmosphere to confidently tackle their therapeutic goals.

Therapist

Libby is a Primary Therapist and Group Facilitator at Bridges to Recovery. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Saybrook University, Los Angeles, and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Sydney, Australia. Libby fosters deep connections through unconditional positive regard and tailors trauma-informed, person-centered interventions to support the holistic growth and healing of her clients. Her goal is to expand the potential of everyone she encounters. Libby is experienced working with high acuity clients who are struggling with schizophrenia spectrum, mood, anxiety, and trauma/stressor-related presentations. She draws from her training in several treatment modalities including IFS, DBT, Cognitive Processing, and Attachment/Psychodynamic. Prior to joining the Bridges to Recovery team, Libby gained extensive experience in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with a focus on supporting individual clients and groups, as they integrate their insights and take measurable steps towards their treatment goals. Outside of her work at BTR, Libby enjoys travel, Pilates, and concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

Ancillary Therapist

Anne is a Group Facilitator and Ancillary Therapist at Bridges to Recovery. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT-200), with specialized training in trauma treatment. Anne earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University in New York City and completed postdoctoral training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Anne prioritizes an empowerment-focused, integrative approach to work collaboratively with clients. Anne’s training covers a wide range of approaches, from traditional methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), to more open-ended approaches like Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-based approaches, and Integrative Yoga Therapy. Her focal trauma treatment background includes Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Community Resiliency Model (CRM), and Posttraumatic Growth.

Outside of her work at Bridges, Anne is an Adjunct Professor at CSU-Long Beach and maintains a small private practice.

Ancillary Therapist

Lee is a licensed marriage therapist (LMFT) who provides ancillary individual and group therapy at Bridges to Recovery. Lee incorporates the best of western and eastern philosophies in a way that is simple and accessible.  Over the past 10 years, Lee has worked in two primary areas: the field of addiction, as well as individuals in high-profile/ high pressured arenas.

Lee has training in the following evidence-based modalities:  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  He also has extensive study in Meditation and Mindfulness based practices.  His teachers over the years have included Thich That Hahn, Adyashanti, and Byron Katie.

Lee’s interaction with clients rides the fine line of being a coach, thought leader, and Buddhist Monk; he is always working to incorporate humor, improvisation, and spontaneity in his therapeutic work.

Lee graduated Pepperdine University with a master’s in clinical psychology.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Shelby is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). She facilitates groups and provides ancillary nutrition counseling to the BTR clients.

Raised by a family of educators, Shelby obtained a bachelor’s in education with an emphasis on teaching and learning. Her love of travel, culture, food, and science led her to the field of dietetics, and motivated her to earn a master’s degree in Nutritional Science.

Shelby remains intrigued by the learning process and understands that the experiential nature of nutrition can be a useful teacher. She educates clients on nutrition science so they can better understand their own experiences and make helpful changes. Shelby ties in areas such as mental health and how it can impact our relationship with food (preferences, cravings, motivation, and appetite)  and how food impacts our mental health.

Shelby has a clinical background and specializes in the areas of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, bariatric surgery, heart health, IBS, and conditions related to drug and alcohol abuse. Shelby helps clients with disordered eating and eating disorders establish a more peaceful relationship with food. She guides clients to develop the art of non-judgmental awareness so they can continue to build on the wisdom they have established once they move on from her care.

Shelby enjoys living a balanced life and relaxes by hanging out with her fur and human friends and spending time in the surrounding mountains, ocean, and desert.

Ancillary Therapist

Peter is a Certified Hypnotherapist and trainer of Humanistic Neuro Linguistic Psychology (HNLP). He provides ancillary individual and group sessions at Bridges to Recovery. Peter’s approach alternates between an uptime conversational style and a downtime hypnotic one depending on what clients respond to. Uptime sessions utilize non-linear and inductive language to help clients redirect away from problem states, access resourceful emotions, and attach those resources to previous triggers. Downtime hypnotic approaches focus on increasing rapport between clients’ conscious and unconscious minds as well as training clients in self-hypnosis techniques for change.

In his off time, Peter enjoys martial arts and volunteering.

Director of Operations

I have been in the field of mental health treatment for over 17 years. I started as Support Staff and within 10 years worked my way up to National Director of Operations. In that role I opened 6 treatment centers, finding the facilities, acquiring state licensing and joint commission accreditation, interviewed, hired and trained all operational staff, created an Operations Staff Training Manual, instituted bi-monthly on-going training, oversaw the annual budget, and a fleet of over 300 vehicles.

I am in this field because I have genuine compassion for people who struggle with mental health issues. I am grateful to be able to be a part of such an important field and most importantly to be present for people that are suffering and need care, concern and empathy.

Nurse Manager

Keith Dicke is a registered nurse (RN) with over 13 years of experience in healthcare. Keith has spent the last decade specializing in psychiatric nursing and practicing at various levels of care. Possessing a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, Keith spent the first three years of his career working with socio-economically disadvantaged, unhoused population on the streets of Los Angeles, bringing much needed psychiatric nursing expertise to this vulnerable community. Keith continued his career in hospitals, intensive outpatient, and high-end residential treatment centers, familiarizing himself with various mental health conditions, levels of acuity, and treatments.

Throughout his career, Keith’s passion for promoting mental well-being has been a driving force. Beyond the clinical setting, Keith has found a unique way to integrate personal interests into his professional life. An avid cyclist and runner, Keith not only embraces the physical benefits of cycling and running but also recognizes their positive impact on mental health. The discipline, perseverance, and resilience he developed through his hobbies are qualities that he seamlessly incorporates into his nursing practice.

Keith is a is a father to a lovely dog named ‘Camper’ who despises camping.

Keith is currently continuing his education and is in the process to becoming a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Clinical Program Manager

Katie is our Clinical Program Manager at Bridges to Recovery. With a passion for helping others, she has dedicated several years of experience in the field to fostering healing and recovery for individuals facing mental health challenges. She oversees program services, staff training, and daily operations to ensure high quality care for our clients. Having earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, Katie is a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, and helps provide direct clinical support, crisis intervention, and specialized therapeutic services here at Bridges. Katie’s role as the Clinical Program Manager allows her to blend her practical experience with the latest therapeutic knowledge, creating a holistic and effective approach to mental health treatment.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Katie finds joy in traveling during her free time. By exploring new places and cultures, she appreciates being able to gain unique perspectives and further enrich her understanding of the human experience. Katie’s commitment to supporting clients and mentoring staff reflects her compassion and the positive impact she continually brings to both the field and our team at Bridges.

Professional Relations Representative I Admissions Advisor

Michele has been a committed professional in the field of behavioral health since 2006. She possesses extensive knowledge and experience in residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and sober living environments, having worked at several distinguished mental health and substance use programs in Southern California. Throughout her career, Michele has undertaken various roles, including residential technician, office manager, director of alumni services, admissions advisor, director of admissions and, currently, professional relations representative.

Michele’s passion for her field was sparked by her personal experience with substance use recovery and her family’s struggles with a loved one’s mental health illness. This deep understanding of the challenges facing individuals in recovery allows Michele to effectively support clients and their families as they navigate the often-complex process of entering treatment.

When Michele is not working, she enjoys lifting weights at the gym and boxing. She also loves traveling with her husband. Her favorite vacation spot is New York, where she visits her nine grandchildren.

Director of Admissions

Marc Gallagher has been working in admissions for substance abuse and mental health diagnosis since 2013. His professional journey started in a non profit organization where he assisted families without resources to stabilize their family member, friend, or colleague in a safe environment. His innate ability to identify with each case individually has aided both the client and the families going through the recovery process with empathy and integrity. Marc has since worked in renowned treatment centers in Malibu and San Diego, California and has worked with the most respected doctors, therapists, and healthcare professionals in this field. Marc has the understanding of exactly how the admissions process works that provides the client and the loved ones with the information they need to execute and make informed decisions in a timely manner. Mental illness holds a special place in Marc’s personal life having a family member battle a severe mental health diagnosis for 35 years.

Marc holds a space for both the client and the family, friends, or colleagues of the client to express their needs and concerns since the impact to each party is unique inside the recovery experience. Marc is a big proponent of family healing and believes that mental health issues are a family issue not an individual issue. There is sense of fulfillment personally and professionally in guiding clients, family members, and referring professionals through the admissions process and facilitating a qualified safe place so one can begin the recovery process.

When Marc is not working, he enjoys being with his wife and three children traveling through beaches, mountains, desert, and the rainforest.

Client Care Coordinator

Since entering the mental health field in 2008, Monica has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering positive change and supporting individuals in need. Her professional experience encompasses both outpatient and residential settings, where she has worked with a diverse array of clients across various age groups and backgrounds. At Bridges to Recovery, Monica specializes in developing and implementing personalized continuing care plans to facilitate clients’ continuous recovery and long-term success.

Monica holds a master’s degree in counseling from University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Arizona.

Outside of her professional life, Monica enjoys traveling, practicing meditation, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her cat Azul.

Senior Admissions Advisor

Jeffrey joined Constellation Behavioral Health in 2019 and has spent over 15 years working in the care and treatment of clients with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. In that time, Jeffrey has enjoyed working with some of the most well-respected clinical professionals in our field and has served in positions of admissions coordinator and admissions director for programs in Florida and California. Jeffrey’s approach to admissions is compassionate, client-focused and collaborative.

As our senior admissions counselor Jeffrey uses his wealth of experience to work closely with clients, their families, and our internal treatment teams to help determine the best program to fit for each client’s personal needs and goals. He takes great pride in representing both Alta Mira and Bridges to Recovery and strives to provide a seamless, compassionate and world class experience for those seeking help.

Personal Trainer

Mike is a Certified Fitness Instructor specializing in fitness lifestyle management. He enjoys teaching clients how to maintain regular and consistent exercise as a way to increase fitness level, self esteem, and overall wellness.