About Alter Health in Southern California

Learn how Alter Behavioral Health, formerly Alter Health Group, is advancing mental health care through compassionate, evidence-based treatment. Serving adults and families across Southern California and nationwide, Alter provides a full continuum of support for mental health, trauma, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Discover the people, values, clinical approach, and mission behind personalized care that helps individuals heal and thrive.

Alter Behavioral Health team member representing compassionate mental health care

Our Behavioral Health Services

Explore Alter’s full continuum of personalized mental health, crisis, and addiction treatment services.

Residential Mental Health

Comprehensive residential treatment for adults experiencing mental health, trauma, psychiatric, or co-occurring substance use concerns, supported by individualized care and evidence-based therapies.

Crisis Stabilization

Acute care for individuals experiencing mental health crises, including clinical assessment, psychiatric stabilization, risk assessment, safety planning, and family support.

Outpatient Programs

Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs provide structured support while helping clients practice recovery skills and transition toward everyday life.

Whole-Person Care

Care Built Around Lasting Transformation

Alter Behavioral Health combines scientific rigor, human connection, and compassion to support adults and families facing complex mental health, trauma, addiction, and co-occurring concerns. Across Southern California and for clients nationwide, individualized plans may include CBT, DBT, EMDR, family therapy, mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches. Care is designed to support healing, stability, meaningful functioning, and recovery beyond discharge.

Compassionate clinician speaking with an adult client in a peaceful treatment setting
Progress With Purpose

Stories Of Transformation

Discover how personalized, compassionate care can support healing, stability, and meaningful long-term recovery.

"Me being a Registered Nurse never imagined being in need of the same services that I’ve given over the years. I can truly say I’m very pleased with my overall stay at Alter Behavioral Health, starting with the admission coordinator, The Therapist and case manager I give all staff an..."

Terry H.

"Alter saved my life. I have been in treatment for over a year but really started working on myself after my suicide attempt in December. I came to Alter in December a very broken person. Alter has given me the tools, resources, support, and care to piece my life back..."

Terry
The Alter Difference

Why Choose Alter Behavioral Health?

Our approach brings together clinical expertise, compassion, innovation, and a connected continuum of care.

Full Continuum

Access connected levels of care spanning residential, crisis, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient support.

Personalized Care

Individualized treatment plans address each person’s mental health, trauma, addiction, and whole-person needs.

Clinical Expertise

Psychiatrists and doctorate- or master’s-level clinicians deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment.

Compassionate Support

Southern California facilities and nationwide admissions support families seeking thoughtful behavioral health care.

Meet The Alter Team

Meet the leadership guiding Alter’s compassionate, evidence-based approach.

Portrait of Michael Castanon, Founder and CEO of Alter Behavioral Health

Michael Castanon

Founder and CEO

Michael Castanon is the Founder and CEO of Alter Behavioral Health, a Southern California-based organization dedicated to advancing the future of mental health care. With a vision rooted in combining scientific rigor, genuine compassion, and lasting transformation, Michael has built Alter Behavioral Health into a comprehensive provider offering a full continuum of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services. He is committed to ensuring that every client receives individualized, evidence-based treatment delivered by skilled psychiatrists and clinicians. Under his leadership, the organization has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and recognition as a Care Predictor Certified Treatment Facility. Michael's mission is to empower individuals and families across Southern California and nationwide to heal, thrive, and achieve sustained recovery through innovative, whole-person care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alter Behavioral Health?

Alter Behavioral Health is a private mental-health treatment organization, formerly known as Alter Health Group. Based in Southern California, it provides personalized care for adults and families facing complex psychiatric, mental health, trauma, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Its continuum includes residential, crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, transitional, therapeutic support, and aftercare resources.

What does Alter Behavioral Health treat?

What levels of care does Alter offer?

Where is Alter Behavioral Health located?

Does Alter treat co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders?

What therapies does Alter Behavioral Health use?

Does Alter accept insurance?

How can someone contact Alter Behavioral Health?

Have Questions About Alter?

Speak with the admissions team about care options and next steps.

Recognized & Accredited

Awards and Recognition

Gold Seal of Approval accreditation from The Joint Commission

Gold Seal of Approval accreditation from The Joint Commission

Named accreditation listed by Alter Behavioral Health.

Care Predictor Certified Treatment Facility recognition

Care Predictor Certified Treatment Facility

Named recognition listed in Alter’s company information.

The Joint Commission National Quality Approval recognition

The Joint Commission National Quality Approval

Named recognition listed in Alter’s company information.

DHCS recognition and certification

DHCS recognition and certification

Named recognition listed in Alter’s company information.

Connect With Alter Behavioral Health

Reach out to discuss treatment options, admissions, insurance verification, and support for yourself or a loved one.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at (866) 248-9285.