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Behavioral Health Isn’t Just Therapy: What Comprehensive Mental Health Care Looks Like

When you hear the phrase behavioral health, your mind probably jumps straight to therapy. And yes, therapy is an important

When you hear the phrase behavioral health, your mind probably jumps straight to therapy. And yes, therapy is an important part of getting help. But here’s the thing: real, comprehensive behavioral health Fresno care goes way beyond sitting in a room and talking with a counselor.

True mental health care is about the whole picture—therapy, psychiatry, medication management, group therapy, family involvement, and, when needed, higher levels of care like IOP or PHP. At Vitalize Behavioral Health, we want families to know that whatever you or your loved one is experiencing, there’s a treatment path designed to meet your needs.

Find the right level of support for your mental health journey—schedule your confidential assessment now.

So, What Does Behavioral Health Actually Mean?

At its core, behavioral health is about how our thoughts, emotions, and actions affect overall well-being. It’s not just about treating mental illness like depression, anxiety, or trauma, it’s also about building better coping skills, improving relationships, and finding healthier ways to manage stress.

For residents of Fresno County, having mental health services locally available matters. Life throws challenges at all of us, and having access to the right health services can mean the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.

The Full Range of Care

At Vitalize, we’re proud to offer full-service mental health care in Fresno families can count on. That means whether you’re a teen facing school stress, an adult balancing work and family, or a mother trying to keep it all together, our team is here to help.

Here’s what our services look like:

  • Outpatient Therapy: Weekly sessions for individuals, families, or group therapy, focused on building resilience, practicing new skills, and creating positive changes in daily lives.
  • Psychiatric Care & Medication Management: Because sometimes therapy isn’t enough on its own. Our clinicians help patients manage symptoms through thoughtful, evidence-based care.
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): More structured than weekly sessions, with several days a week of therapy and support for teens and adults who need more support but not 24/7 care.
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A full-day treatment program that offers a higher level of care while still allowing clients to return home each night. It’s a safe step for those who need a little extra stability.

Why a Continuum of Care Matters

Here’s the reality: mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Maybe your teen starts with weekly therapy but needs to move into an IOP program for a while. Or maybe an adult client begins with PHP, then steps down into regular outpatient services once things feel more manageable.

That’s the beauty of having a full continuum of health care services in one place—you don’t have to start over when your needs change. You and your loved ones have ongoing support, a trusted team, and a clear path forward.

What You Can Expect With Vitalize

When you walk through our doors, you’ll find more than just mental health treatment. You’ll find:

  • A safe space where people feel heard and understood
  • Evidence-based care delivered by dedicated clinicians
  • Flexible scheduling that makes it easier for working parents and busy families to stay on track
  • Personalized treatment plans designed for each person’s unique needs
  • A focus on building self-esteem, restoring health, and creating positive change in daily life

For us, it’s not just about treating symptoms. It’s about helping clients and their loved ones build a healthier future, one step at a time.

Take the First Step Today

If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health challenges, you don’t have to face it alone. Our suite of services in Fresno is designed for adults, teens, and youth who are ready to begin their recovery and take back their lives.

Because at the end of the day, behavioral health isn’t just about therapy—it’s about creating lasting change and helping people thrive.

Call us today to take the first step toward comprehensive behavioral health care in Fresno.

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Andy Brimmer, MBA

Andy Brimmer, MBA

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Andy Brimmer is a dynamic Director of Business Development with extensive experience in sales strategy, talent sourcing, and client relationship management across the healthcare sector. Based in Fresno, California, Andy holds an MBA from Purdue Global and a BS in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno. He has a proven ability to drive revenue growth, negotiate contracts, and build strong pipelines using tools like ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Recruiter, and various CRMs. With a background that spans staffing solutions, medical recruitment, dental sales, and career development, Andy brings a well-rounded and strategic approach to business growth and team leadership.

Angel Dean, MS

Angel Dean, MS

Director of Operations

Angel Dean is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 15 years of leadership experience in medical administration, provider services, and surgical specialty management. She holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal State East Bay. Angel has held senior roles including Executive Director, where she spearheaded operational strategy, team development, and revenue growth. Fluent in Urdu and Punjabi, Angel excels in strategic planning, employee development, and healthcare compliance.

Simi Bhaurla, LPCC

Simi Bhaurla, LPCC

ADULT IOP CLINICAL DIRECTOR

As Adult IOP Clinical Director, I oversee our adult intensive outpatient program, guiding both the clinical work and the overall experience so the care you receive is grounded, coordinated, and truly built around you.

MacKena Dean, M.A., APCC

MacKena Dean, M.A., APCC

LEAD ADULT IOP/PHP CLINICIAN

As Lead Adult IOP/PHP Clinician, I provide direct clinical care while helping ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based treatment across our adult program, creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel supported, empowered, and equipped for lasting recovery.

Background and Experience

Prior to joining Vitalize Behavioral Health, I gained valuable experience working with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns across diverse clinical settings. That background strengthened my ability to work with complex clinical presentations, facilitate meaningful group therapy, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive, client-centered care, closely aligning with Vitalize’s mission of delivering personalized, evidence-based behavioral health services.

Areas of Specialization

I have a passion for working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, life transitions, and interpersonal challenges.

Therapeutic Approach

I believe that healing occurs through authentic connection, collaboration, and helping clients recognize their own strengths. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based interventions while honoring each client’s values, culture, and lived experiences.

Leadership and Philosophy

As the Lead Adult IOP/PHP Clinician, I am committed to fostering a culture of clinical excellence, teamwork, and compassionate care. I am passionate about helping clients build resilience, develop practical coping strategies, and achieve meaningful progress toward their personal goals, embodying Vitalize’s commitment to individualized care that empowers every client to thrive.

Dana Charles, LMFT

Dana Charles, LMFT

CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF VIRTUAL IOP SERVICES

As Clinical Director of Virtual IOP Services, I lead our telehealth intensive outpatient programming, making sure the care you get through a screen feels every bit as personal, structured, and supportive as care in the room.

Corion Duran, LMFT

Corion Duran, LMFT

Clinical Director

I am a client-centered and ACT-focused clinician with a significant history working with children and adolescents. I deeply believe that therapy needs to be driven by the people we are working with, in order to achieve their own unique goals and personal ideals in regards to what they want their lives to be.

Areas of Specialization

  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • LGBTQ+
  • Children and Adolescents

Therapeutic Approach

I was trained as a person centered therapist through my graduate program and quickly gravitated towards acceptance and commitment therapy, which is a third wave behavioral therapy that focuses on acceptance of emotions and thoughts, coping effectively and committing to living our lives by our own values and ideals. I also utilize play therapy with younger clients that allows them to explore and process their emotions and struggles through a developmentally appropriate process. What clients can expect more than anything else is receiving therapy that is tailored to their needs. This would include exploring what gets in the way of them living how they want in a deep, meaningful way, developing skills and strategies that are tailored to their experience, and moving in a significant way towards the behaviors and goals they desire for themselves.

Education and Credentials

  • B.A. Psychology
  • M.S. Counseling
  • Marriage Family and Child Counseling, LMFT
  • Trained in Affirmative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

About Me

Primarily I gravitated towards becoming a therapist as I grew up with family members who needed mental health care in significant ways and I saw first hand how good, quality care benefitted them. I also attended therapy as a child and teenager and will be forever grateful that I saw competent, ethical therapists. Beyond that I am also a lifelong athlete who has seen the benefits of sports and meaningful experiences on people’s lives. I have been a whitewater river raft guide for the past 15 years and have worked on the Kings River and the American River.

Nadiyah Parks, LPCC

Nadiyah Parks, LPCC

REGIONAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR

As the Regional Clinical Director of the Adult IOP/PHP program, I bring over three years of experience in intensive outpatient care and six years in crisis intervention and emergency response alongside law enforcement. My clinical work is grounded in a psychodynamic approach through a trauma-informed lens, with a focus on helping clients understand how their past informs their present functioning. I became a therapist after starting my work as an emergency response advocate, where I supported individuals and families during some of their most difficult moments. Over time, I realized my true calling was in helping people not just survive those experiences, but heal from them, and that’s what led me to the deeper, ongoing work of therapy.

Areas of Specialization

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • EMDR
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Education and Credentials

  • Bachelor of Science, Criminology, Victimology Emphasis
  • Master of Arts, Clinical Counseling
  • Certified Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor
  • EMDR Trained Therapist

Therapeutic Approach

Working with me, you can expect a warm, judgment-free space where empathy, curiosity, and understanding guide our work together. I believe in meeting you where you are, moving at your pace, and allowing you to take the lead in your healing process. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported as we explore what matters most to you.

Dr. Jonathon Baird, Psy.D

Dr. Jonathon Baird, Psy.D

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I specialize in a neurological-psychological approach, integrating comprehensive neuropsychological assessments with empirically based, trauma-informed treatment. My work emphasizes brain-behavior relationships to inform personalized interventions across clinical and forensic settings.

Areas of Specialization

Specializes in neuropsychological and psychological assessment, with extensive experience conducting comprehensive evaluations across the lifespan, including intellectual, achievement, adaptive functioning, and forensic assessments. My clinical expertise spans trauma-informed care, forensic psychology, and behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I have provided psychological services in diverse settings, including correctional institutions, developmental centers, and outpatient clinics, addressing a broad spectrum of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, impulse control disorders, and relational dysfunction. Particularly skilled in forensic evaluations, including fitness to stand trial, conservatorship, and risk assessments, frequently serving as an expert witness.

Therapeutic Approach

My approach combines neurological and psychological principles to provide individualized, brain-based care. I focus on how cognitive functioning and emotional health intersect, using comprehensive assessments and evidence-based therapies like CBT. Clients can expect a supportive, structured environment aimed at promoting insight, resilience, and lasting change.

Education and Credentials

  • Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology