Questions? Call for Help Now
Questions? Call for Help Now
At Alter Behavioral Health, you or your loved one will be able to lean on a compassionate team of therapists and clinicians throughout the recovery process.
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D.
Medical Director/Psychiatrist
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D. is an award-winning, Board Certified psychiatrist in La Jolla, CA with over ten years of experience working with people of diverse needs. He pursued his true passion for psychiatry and completed his psychiatric residency training at the University of Reno, Las Vegas. A San Diego native, he returned to Southern California to receive additional training in mental health, and start his private practice. His specialties are psychiatry and psychotherapy, which are techniques that facilitate a better understanding of thoughts, feelings, and motivations. His approach explores the interplay of biology, psychology, and sociology in shaping individuals and their relationships.
Dr. Tawfique’s experience includes delivering comprehensive addiction treatment at substance abuse centers in San Diego.
Larissa, originally from the suburbs of Chicago, made the move to sunny California in 2016. Her personal journey in recovery has evolved into a valuable asset that she has applied to her role at Alter Health Group. Larissa initially launched her career as a case manager and has since transitioned into the field of business development. With expertise in Partner Relations, Community Resourcing, and Strategic Planning, Larissa excels in building and sustaining robust relationships with healthcare organizations, providers, and industry professionals. Her commitment is evident in her dedicated efforts to assure families and friends that their loved ones receive tailored care aligned with their unique needs. Larissa draws upon her educational background from the University of Illinois, holds a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) certification, and has completed training in Yoga Teacher Training (YTT 200). Combining her professional expertise with personal experience in the field of recovery, she skillfully guides individuals through substance and mental health treatment with unwavering support and compassion.
Niloufar Nekou, a Marriage and Family Therapist, specializes in a range of psychotherapy areas, including trauma, substance and alcohol abuse, and embracing cultural diversity. Trained in EMDR and skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, she fosters a compassionate and non-judgmental therapeutic environment.
Niloufar received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Charleston. Niloufar’s therapeutic approach is to create a compassionate and non-judgmental space to address the difficulties that bring clients to therapy.
Will graduated from Fresno Pacific University with his bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management. Will has worked in a variety of different industries, from banking to human resources, but found his passion in serving others. Before being a part of the Alter team, his work for a non-profit amplified his desire to help others facing addiction.
Neha Kumar is Alter’s Director of Clinical Relations. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Neha has extensive experience across various settings in the mental health field, including schools, community mental health centers and both substance use disorder (SUD) and primary mental health (PMH) rehab facilities. Neha’s work in a variety of professional settings has offered her a deep understanding of the diversity that exists in terms of individual client struggles and needs. Her therapeutic approach includes a combination of several different modalities including but not limited to Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, all of which she utilizes to empower clients to redefine their stories, confront their maladaptive behaviors and achieve overall well-being.
Neha’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration + Marketing from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.
In addition to providing exceptional clinical care when working with clients, Neha aims to destigmatize mental health issues by sharing education and insights through her writing. Neha’s written work has been featured in various publications, including CNBC, Healio, PureWow, USA Today, HealthNews.com and Newsweek.
Makenna Jones, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, specializes in treating individuals with mental health conditions, trauma, and substance abuse. Graduating from Azusa Pacific University, her approach is collaborative and compassionate. Makenna is committed to assisting clients in learning tools to navigate life’s difficulties, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Marissa Gunal, MA, ASW, a Primary Therapist at AWC, Laguna Beach, CA, has a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential from the University of California, Long Beach, and a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC)..
A native Southern Californian, Marissa grew up in the performing arts: singing, dancing and acting. Marissa was a high school English teacher for 13 years and was dedicated to her students as she was inspired by a high school speech teacher that encouraged her to overcome her shyness and fear of public speaking. Marissa taught literature, writing, reading and character development. Her love of empowering others evolved into working one-on-one to help clients live up to their full potential through the use of compassion, empathetic listening skills and assessment to help create treatment goals that assist clients in developing positive healthy coping tools. Her experience includes working with Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, the 12 Steps of A.A., Codependency, Narcissistic Abuse, Effective Communication, Anger Management and Multicultural Family Therapy.
Her training and intervention experience specializes in Trauma-Focused Therapy, Individual and Family Counseling, TEAM CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, Psychodrama and Crisis Prevention.
Our mission is to advance the future of mental health care through innovative, evidence-based treatments, delivering excellence, fostering human connection with unwavering compassion that empowers every individual to thrive.
34270 Pacific Coast Hwy
3rd Floor
Dana Point, CA 92629
Questions? Call now to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor.