Redeemed Mental Health Blog

Dr. Andrea Wagner

Owner / Chief Clinician & Psychologist

Dr. Andrea M. Wagner, Psy.D., is the backbone of Redeemed Mental Health. With a wealth of experience across various settings, Dr. Wagner brings a unique perspective to mental health treatment. She is passionate about making complex therapeutic issues easily understandable and provides a roadmap to mental well-being that is tailored to each individual’s unique journey.

Dr. Wagner strives to provide an easily understandable approach to difficult and complex therapeutic issues. She translates complicated concepts into basic and simplistic strategies aimed to achieve personalized results.

She has practiced at the Department of State Hospitals (California in-patient forensic psychiatric hospital) and is an active member on multiple committees. Dr. Wagner earned her Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her experience spans the United States Army, UCI Medical Center, Juvenile Recovery Court, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Wagner specializes in treating adults with severe mental health challenges that impact daily life. She is highly skilled in psychological assessments, including personality, intelligence, developmental, and learning disability evaluations. Her expertise includes Schizophrenia, codependency, personality disorders, and mood disorders.

Vaughn Lawson

Facilities Manager

Vaughn has a passion for assisting those struggling with mental health symptoms. His gentle approach to client care is warmly received by both staff and clients at Redeemed Mental Health.

He has a history of working with mentally aggressive disabled adults as a personal attendant.

Christine Cox, AMFT

Group & Individual Therapist

Christine is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She is pursuing a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University.

Christine previously spent 17 years in Information Technology before deciding to pursue her lifelong dream of coming alongside those struggling with mental health difficulties.

Casey O’Brian, AMFT

Group & Individual Therapist

Casey O’Brian holds two Master’s degrees from Pepperdine University: one in Psychology and the other in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has spent the last ten years working in the drug and alcohol treatment sector, holding positions as both a therapist and case manager.

In addition to his extensive experience working with individuals recovering from substance use and mental health disorders, Casey also has firsthand knowledge of the devastation that unaddressed substance use can have on one’s life. As a result, he continues to educate himself across a wide array of topics and shares up-to-date scientific findings in an effort to not only educate clients but to normalize their symptoms.

Similar to experts like Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Richard Schwartz, Casey views mental health symptoms—including substance use—as invitations to explore what has happened in a person’s life that has led to difficulty regulating emotions. Using all tools at his disposal, Casey’s main objective is to offer as many healing options as possible. He emphasizes that while individuals are not to blame for the development of their symptoms, they are ultimately responsible for choosing to address them.

Sophia Deahl, MS, RD

Registered Dietician

Sophia Deahl, MS, RD is a functional medicine dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity from the University of Southern California, and an undergraduate degree in psychology.

She is dedicated to helping clients transform their physical and mental health with personalized nutrition and lifestyle support. Sophia takes a root-cause approach, guiding clients in building sustainable habits that support all six lifestyle pillars: nutrition, microbiome, sleep, stress, movement/exercise, and hormone & detox support.

Chad Pinel, CADC II

Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor

Chad Pinel, CADC II, is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with nine years of sobriety and eight years of experience working in the treatment field.

He specializes in Holotropic Breathing and meditation practices, bringing powerful tools for healing and transformation to clients in recovery.

April Money, AMFT

Group & Individual Therapist

With a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, April brings years of experience in the human services field. Her passion for helping people drives her to provide compassionate, effective support.

Rooted in a person-centered orientation, she is committed to meeting clients where they are—offering a judgment-free space for exploration and growth.

To facilitate quick and meaningful results, she incorporates cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approaches. This combination allows her to address a wide range of issues effectively, helping clients develop practical strategies to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Her approach ensures that each individual feels heard, respected, and empowered on their journey to well-being.

Danielle Parks

Admissions / Business Development

Danielle is enthusiastic about assisting mental health organizations in making a broader impact within the communities they serve and the individuals they treat. She contributes a strategic business mindset and a genuine desire to help people get the care they deserve.

Danielle interweaves professionalism and empathy to initiate quality, discrete care in her work in the behavioral health sector. She holds a background in Human Development with a minor in Psychology.

Her professional experience spans business development, operations, and marketing in fast-paced ventures and real estate, prior to her transition into mental health. Through strategic collaboration and foresight, she has helped establish new markets, scale early-stage enterprises, and promote sustainable growth.

At Redeemed Mental Health, Danielle applies this experience to assist in developing mission-aligned, impactful growth strategies and partnerships. Her methodology is rooted in purpose—maintaining connection to the core of the work while helping organizations expand with intention.

Laura Weber, AMFT

Group & Individual Therapist

Laura is a compassionate and skilled therapist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. She takes a person-centered approach, creating a warm and non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and empowered to explore their emotions and experiences.

Laura specializes in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, and domestic violence. She tailors her therapeutic techniques to each client’s unique needs, fostering growth, resilience, and healing.

She is dedicated to supporting her clients in building healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Jodi Copeland

Psychological Associate

Dr. Jodi P. Copeland, Psy.D., believes in the power of a solid support system. She works collaboratively with clients and their care teams to foster empowerment and provide encouragement on the journey toward achieving personal goals.

She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Walden University and went on to complete her Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Copeland has provided mental health treatment in a variety of settings, including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Los Angeles Job Corps, Los Angeles Mission, and Casa De La Familia.

She specializes in helping adults using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Her experience spans working with addiction, LGBTQIA+ communities, adult community mental health, anxiety, self-esteem, disabilities, and both individual and group therapies.

Ashley Minus

Clinical Coordinator

Ashley is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist currently pursuing her Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in Symbolic Experiential Therapy and Collaborative Language Systems, blending creative, experiential techniques with a focus on how language and meaning shape personal and relational dynamics.

Drawing from both formal training and lived experience, Ashley believes therapy is a co-created space where curiosity, metaphor, and connection pave the way for intentional examination. She views the therapeutic relationship as elemental to change—creating a space where clients are witnessed, challenged, and empowered.

Often leaning into the messy, confusing, and contradictory edges of growth, Ashley fosters a therapeutic environment where true transformation can take root. She specializes in trauma, substance abuse, racially charged imposter syndrome, and domestic violence.

Dr. Mike Kelly, DNP

Doctor of Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Mike Kelly, DNP, is a board-certified Psychiatric Doctor of Nurse Practice. He completed his education at the University of Long Beach and Chapman University, and brings over 20 years of psychiatric clinical experience to his work.

Dr. Kelly provides general psychiatric and addiction medicine services across a variety of care settings, including private clinics, acute inpatient psychiatry, assisted living, partial hospitalization programs, residential detoxification, and sober living psychiatric consultation with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

He is affiliated with hospital-based environments where he offers acute in-patient and out-patient psychiatry, emergency room psychiatric triage, and psychiatric consultations. His well-rounded expertise supports individuals across the full continuum of mental health and addiction care.

Dr. Warren Taff, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Warren Taff, M.D., graduated from the University of Birmingham, England School of Medicine, and earned a BA from Rutgers University. He later attended the UCLA School of Public Health where he received his Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health and Human Services.

He completed an internal medicine internship with the Veterans Administration, followed by a residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Southern California (USC). His training also included elective residencies at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia, and the Royal College of Psychiatry.

Dr. Taff is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. With a career spanning from 1979 to the present, he brings extensive experience in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. His leadership roles have included serving as Chief of Staff and Medical Director in both hospital and private practice settings.

Frederick L. Williams, LMFT

Group & Individual Therapist

Frederick L. Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California and has worked in the clinical field since 2004.

Most of his career has been spent serving in local non-profit organizations, focusing on areas such as anger management, domestic violence, substance abuse, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma, depression, and parenting.

Frederick is also an active member of the Orange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board, where he currently serves as Vice Chair. His client-centered therapy approach helps individuals strengthen personal authority over their healing process by promoting self-actualization and offering a safe, accepting space for growth.

Dr. Raj Augustine

Associate Clinical Director

Dr. Raj Augustine, Ph.D., is a highly experienced and dedicated professional with a robust background in clinical psychology and healthcare administration. Holding a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Augustine brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic oversight to his role.

Before transitioning into administrative leadership, Dr. Augustine served as a Registered Psychologist at Kedren Community Health Center, specializing in psychological assessments, treatment planning, and crisis intervention for in-patient residents. He also developed and delivered training on psychological assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

His administrative career includes serving as Quality Improvement Manager and Training Director at Pacific Asian Counseling Services, where he oversaw clinical training, policy development, and staff performance in alignment with state regulations. Additionally, he provided mental health services to inmate-patients as a Staff Psychologist for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, focusing on group skills training, suicide prevention, and therapy.

Dr. Augustine’s professional journey spans juvenile justice, private practice, skilled nursing facilities, and educational settings—demonstrating his versatility and depth of experience in psychological care, program development, and leadership. He is especially passionate about solution-focused therapy that builds on a client’s natural strengths.

Donna Brandt

Equine Therapist

Donna is a PATH Certified Instructor with a CTRI certificate. She began riding horses in college, where she trained in saddle seat, entered competitions, and won several ribbons.

After graduating with an engineering degree and moving to California, Donna became a mother of three. Her second child, Jamie, is severely developmentally delayed and autistic. At eight years old, Jamie began riding with The Therapeutic Riding Center (TRC) in Huntington Beach—and she flourished.

Inspired by her daughter’s progress, Donna began volunteering at TRC as a side-walker, then as a horse leader. She eventually became Board President and Head Instructor. Donna shares, “I have seen firsthand what this program can do for children and adults with all different types of disabilities. It builds confidence and self-esteem where there is usually little.”

Today, she owns a sweet Palomino named Trigger who enjoys gymkhana, trail riding, and even cow sorting.

Matthew Song, B.A.

Nutrition and Conditioning Coach

Matt is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Precision Nutrition Coach. He earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut.

With over 17 years of combined personal and professional experience, Matt enjoys working with clients to spark interest in total body healing and overall wellness. He is a leader in the art of guided movement and empowers others through strength, discipline, and sustainable practices.

Donna Brandt

Equine Instructor

Donna is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). She began riding horses in college, where she trained in saddle seat, entered competitions, and won several ribbons.

After earning an engineering degree and moving to California, Donna became a mother of three. Her second child, Jamie, is severely developmentally delayed and autistic. At eight years old, Jamie began riding with The Therapeutic Riding Center (TRC) in Huntington Beach and flourished.

Inspired by her daughter’s progress, Donna began volunteering with TRC as a side-walker, then a horse leader, and eventually became the Board President and Head Instructor. Donna shares, “I have seen first-hand what this program can do for children and adults with all different types of disabilities. It builds confidence and self-esteem where there is usually little.”

She currently owns a sweet Palomino horse named Trigger, who participates in gymkhana, trail rides, and recently, cow sorting.

Sean Leonard

Medical Director

Sean Leonard is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He received his master’s degree in adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner from Walden University and a second postmaster specialty in psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner from Rocky Mountain University.

Sean has experience working in various diverse settings, including an outpatient clinic, inpatient detox and rehab, psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis programs. His specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.

Sean works primarily with adult populations but has been trained across the lifespan, from children/adolescents to geriatric. He offers medication management, crisis management, and psychotherapy with extensive experience in anxiety/OCD, depression, mood disorders, attention deficit disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

He believes that “everyone can benefit from therapy and that many may find great benefit from medicine. Therapy is cornerstone to my practice, medicine or not.”

Lee Breitenbach

Trauma Lead

Lee Breitenbach is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys providing interventions in a warm, relatable manner to others. He will break down the goals of therapy through education while building rapport and engaging individuals in the present moment.

He currently practices at the Department of State Hospitals as the program assistant to the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) program. He is heavily involved in culturally based committees/workgroups, program development, intervention implementation, and trauma research.

He attended California State University, Fullerton to earn a BA in Psychology, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. With over 20 years of experience practicing in the field of mental health, Lee has provided therapy in group home settings, substance abuse programs, trauma groups for Veteran’s Affairs Long Beach, hospice care, and currently in in-patient mental health settings.

He specializes in trauma recovery and group dynamics.