The Mental Health Collective

02/19/2026

"Rooted in Polyvagal Theory, SSP is an auditory-based approach that helps regulate the nervous system by targeting how we perceive safety and danger through sound." - Dr. Nazneen Nizami, Assistant Clinical Director

02/17/2026

Titrating off medications in residential treatment can often be your safest option.

"One of the benefits of working in a PHP or residential facility is that you can talk to the patient on a daily basis. You could check on them frequently as needed. They know that if they’re not doing well, they could come ask you about it." - Dr. David Safani, MD, MBA, FAPA

To learn more, watch The Mental Health Collective's Medical Director, Dr. Safani, in his interview 'The Benefits of Titrating Off Medications in Residential Treatment' at https://bit.ly/47XuZWA or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/12/2026

TEAM HIGHLIGHT :: ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ :: MINDFULNESS MUSIC INSTRUCTOR + FACILITATOR
EXPERIENCE: Antonio Rodriguez is a mindfulness music instructor and facilitator whose work sits at the intersection of contemplative practice, music, and emotional regulation. His approach is informed by a long-standing personal mindfulness practice and over two years of professional experience in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment setting at the DBT Center of Orange County. In this role, Antonio has supported individuals across the lifespan as they navigate emotional dysregulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal challenges, and major life transitions.

PRACTICE FOCUS: Antonio focuses on facilitating mindfulness through music as a practical tool for presence, emotional awareness, and nervous system regulation. His work is DBT-informed, drawing from core principles such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and values-based living, while emphasizing experiential, body-based, and creative practices over purely cognitive approaches. He is particularly interested in how rhythm, sound, and intentional listening can support emotional processing, strengthen self-trust, and foster resilience in everyday life.

INTERESTS: Antonio is especially interested in working with individuals who are curious about reflection, self-awareness, and meaning through music. He approaches music as one of humanity’s oldest forms of expression—long used for storytelling, regulation, connection, and reflection across cultures and throughout history. In his work, music becomes a practical and accessible medium for mindfulness, offering a way to notice internal states, emotions, and patterns through sound, rhythm, and attentive listening.

02/12/2026

UNPARALLELED CLINICAL SOPHISTICATION :: Treatment is directed from highly experienced Doctoral and Masters level clinicians who work with each client in a fully integrated model. At The Mental Health Collective, clients are thoughtfully matched with a primary clinician who specializes in treating their specific mental health challenges.
Concurrently, the families of The Mental Health Collective’s clients are provided with a clinical care team to coach and guide them through the experience of supporting their loved ones through the treatment process.
To learn more about our Clinical Team, visit https://bit.ly/3q9Tih1 or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/11/2026

OUR INTENSIVE DAY PROGRAM INCLUDES:
▫️ Individualized Psychiatric + Psychological Care
▫️ Independent or At-home Living
▫️ Monday to Friday | 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

This location was chosen for its quiet surroundings and openness, hosting 1,200 square feet. The center is within walking distance of Newport Beach’s famous back bay wetlands, offering clients vital nature walks amid water, sun, and local wildlife.
To learn more, visit https://themhcollective.com/individualized-intensive-day-program/ or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/06/2026

WATCH NOW!!! Sarah Verrelli and The Collective’s clinical experts, Kristen Zaleski, PhD, LCSW, Tony Meiners, PsyD, Sarah Schall, PsyD, and Grace Fraser, ACSW, present The OCD Clinic Virtual Talk. February’s topic was OCD Severity, Complexity, and Care: A Case-Based Review.
To click into The Collective's recording, visit https://bit.ly/4pHmEfw or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

Please join Sarah Verrelli, VP of Clinical Outreach, and The Collective’s clinical experts for The OCD Clinic Virtual Talk...

02/03/2026

"We’re now harnessing all of our expertise around the treatment of OCD." - Kristen Zaleski, PhD, LCSW | Chief Clinical Officer
Watch Dr. Zaleski's Interview 'The OCD Clinic at The Mental Health Collective,' at https://bit.ly/49PHJ1t or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

01/23/2026

WHAT IS I-CBT? :: Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a cognitive-based approach. I-CBT targets the reasoning process behind obsessions, helping clients break free from OCD doubt and uncertainty.
To learn more about I-CBT and how it's used to treat OCD at The Collective, visit https://bit.ly/3MoDRfx or click Sprout 🔗 in bio.

01/22/2026

"The Mental Health Collective is really skilled at evidence-based treatment in the realm of OCD, those would be therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy." — Dr. Kristen Zaleski, PhD, LCSW

In this interview, Dr. Kristen Zaleski, Chief Clinical Officer, provides an inside look at The OCD Clinic. Discover how The Mental Health Collective integrates specialized, evidence-based modalities to provide comprehensive care for clients.

Clinical Specializations Include:
▫️ ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
▫️ I-CBT (Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
▫️ EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
▫️ ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
▫️ DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/49PHJ1t

Dr. Kristen Zaleski, Chief Clinical Officer, introduces The OCD Clinic at The Mental Health Collective, focussing on ERP, ACT, I-CBT, EMDR...

01/20/2026

"Each year, we ask a big question: What forces are shaping psychology right now—and what’s coming next? ...This year, nine trends rose to the top—developments we believe every psychologist, psychology-adjacent professional, and informed reader should know about." - American Psychological Association.
To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4r8FLAm or click Sprout 🔗 in bio