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.

Aubrey Woodside serves as Client Advocate and Office Manager at South Orange County Wellness, providing administrative support, coordinating communication with medical providers, and helping ensure continuity of care throughout each client’s treatment experience.

Outside of her role at South Orange County Wellness, Aubrey manages a sober living environment, offering structure, support, and accountability to individuals working toward long-term recovery. Her commitment to client-centered care reflects a genuine passion for helping others find a safe and supportive path to wellness.

Kaitlin Paletta is passionate about helping adults navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and self-understanding. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions — supporting them in creating meaningful and lasting change.

Her approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and strengths-based, drawing on DBT, mindfulness, and somatic interventions to help clients build practical tools for daily life. Kaitlin is committed to fostering greater self-awareness, confidence, and emotional well-being within a supportive, nonjudgmental space — one where clients feel empowered to reconnect with their strengths and move forward with intention.

With more than 11 years of experience in addiction and mental health treatment, Brian Tiongson, LCSW, brings a well-rounded understanding of the recovery process and the many levels of care that support lasting change. Throughout his career, he has served as a treatment technician, operations manager, case manager, and now as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Brian is passionate about helping individuals understand and heal from trauma while developing practical tools to manage emotions, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful lives. He is certified in EMDR therapy and trained in Ego State Therapy and clinical hypnosis. He also incorporates mindfulness-based approaches to help clients increase self-awareness, regulate their nervous systems, and respond to difficult experiences with greater compassion and intention.

As an active member of the recovery community, Brian values authenticity, connection, and the courage it takes to ask for help. His therapeutic approach is compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on helping each client recognize their strengths, reconnect with themselves, and move toward sustainable healing and recovery.

Ravikash Autar is a dedicated behavioral health professional and case manager committed to supporting adults living with mental health and substance use disorders. As an active member of the recovery community, Ravikash draws on his clinical knowledge, professional experience, and personal understanding of the recovery process to provide compassionate, client-centered care.

He is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-I) who earned his degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies from Saddleback College and is currently furthering his education in Psychology and Social Work. His areas of practice include case management, motivational interviewing, behavior modification, and crisis intervention.

Ravikash believes meaningful recovery is rooted in collaboration, respect, and individualized care, and he is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Irelyn is a dedicated behavioral health professional and Case Manager committed to supporting individuals throughout their mental health and recovery journeys. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating with honors and membership in an academic honor society, then continuing her education and earning a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology in August 2026.
Through her work in behavioral health, Irelyn has developed a passion for helping clients navigate the challenges that can accompany mental health treatment, life transitions, and personal growth. She takes a compassionate, client-centered approach and believes in creating a supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to work toward meaningful change.
As she continues to grow professionally, Irelyn is working toward transitioning into a therapist role, with the goal of expanding her clinical skills and providing individuals with thoughtful, evidence-informed support. She is passionate about building genuine therapeutic relationships and helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective coping skills, and move forward with greater confidence and self-awareness.  

Dr. Dimitry Foox 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.