Meet Our Team

Michael Jordan is the Co-Founder and CEO of South Orange County Wellness, where he guides the organization’s operations, clinical vision, and long-term growth. With more than 14 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Michael has served in roles spanning program direction, business development, and certified counseling across mental health and substance use treatment settings.

He is a firm believer in treating the whole person — not just symptoms — as the strongest foundation for lasting healing. Beyond direct care, Michael brings extensive experience developing recovery residences and supportive living environments, as well as facilitating family education workshops focused on communication, rebuilding trust, and navigating the recovery process.

His leadership at South Orange County Wellness is driven by a deep commitment to ethical, client-centered care and helping every individual find hope, healing, and a sustainable path forward. 

Dr. Joseph DeSanto is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience in Addiction Medicine. He earned his Medical Degree from SUNY Downstate and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

After achieving his own sobriety 13 years ago, Dr. DeSanto dedicated his career fully to helping others overcome addiction. His personal journey gives him a rare and genuine empathy for his patients — a perspective few physicians can offer. Over the years, he has partnered with more than 30 treatment centers and has cared for thousands of individuals navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

Since 2014, Dr. DeSanto has maintained his private practice in Huntington Beach, California. He remains actively involved in 12-Step Recovery Programs, which he considers the cornerstone of his ongoing recovery and growth.

Patrick Cheesman is a psychiatric clinician with 13 years of experience dedicated to supporting individuals navigating mental health challenges. He takes a multifaceted approach to care — blending holistic treatment modalities with pharmacological interventions to address the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through lifestyle modifications and the development of effective coping strategies, Patrick helps clients move beyond simply managing their condition toward truly thriving.

He is passionate about building meaningful therapeutic relationships and is committed to making ongoing mental health care accessible and impactful for those who need it most.

Cade Gala brings over a decade of experience in mental health and the helping professions to his work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, recovery, and questions of identity and purpose.

A graduate of Pepperdine University, Cade draws on evidence-based modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and trauma-informed care to guide meaningful, lasting change.

His approach is warm, authentic, and grounded — emphasizing mindfulness, values-based living, and practical tools that build resilience and psychological flexibility. Cade is committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can heal, grow, and reconnect with what matters most. 

Dr. Dimitry Fox brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and lived experience to his work in mental health and wellness. A Doctor of Physical Therapy, he earned his degree from Chapman University in 2018 and completed an Orthopedic Residency at California State University, Long Beach in 2019. As both a sober member of the recovery community and someone who has navigated chronic pain firsthand,

Dr. Foox is deeply committed to bridging the gap between physical and mental health. His graduate research — focused on the role of physical therapy in addiction treatment — laid the foundation for HP Mental Health, a holistic practice dedicated to addressing mental wellness through physical therapy, pain neuroscience education, somatic movement, and experiential therapies.