Our dedicated professionals at Oceanside Mental Health are committed to offering comprehensive, compassionate support for men seeking help with mental health challenges. Based in picturesque Oceanside, California, our serene facility provides a calming backdrop where you can fully focus on your recovery and personal growth. Every member of our team is here to guide you through each stage of your journey toward mental wellness, ensuring you feel supported and empowered every step of the way.
Ian is a dynamic leader with extensive experience developing successful treatment programs. As Chief Executive Officer, Ian is responsible for overseeing the strategy, function, and growth of Oceanside Mental Health. Ian’s approach emphasizes vision and collaboration, ultimately resulting in exceptional client care. Ian graduated from The University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Psychology and currently holds a CADC III in California.
He is highly invested in building supportive, compassionate teams who help clients create meaning and purpose in their recovery. Ian analyzes trends in the behavioral health industry, acting as steward of innovative therapeutics and technologies that drive positive treatment outcomes. Additionally, Ian has considerable experience helping families navigate the incredibly sensitive process of their loved one’s early recovery journey. Ian maintains relationships with various treatment programs and professionals across the country due to his passion for business and providing resources for clients.
When he’s not in the office, you can usually find him hiking with his family or playing golf.
Dr. Anna Pollard (PSY35428) is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director at Oceanside Mental Health where she oversees the clinical operations, ensuring the highest standards of care for clients and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a health emphasis from the California School of Professional Psychology, an APA-accredited program.
Dr. Pollard is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is board-certified in biofeedback through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). With experience across various levels of care, she has worked extensively with individuals facing mental health challenges and co-occurring substance use disorders.
Her approach to therapy is person-centered, holistic and inclusive, integrating multicultural perspectives, spiritual dimensions, and gender-affirming care. She values “practicing what she preaches” with clients as she prioritizes her own personal recovery journey.
She has completed a two-year training in shamanic studies, as well as additional training in Buddhist psychotherapy, both of which inform her therapeutic practices.
Dr. Pollard has conducted research in neuroimaging studies related to substance use disorders and depression, as well as examining neuropsychological profiles in neurodegenerative diseases and congestive heart failure.
Her leadership reflects a commitment to evidence-based, mind-body, culturally sensitive, and integrative approaches to healing.
Outside of work, she is likely playing music, continuing to learn how to surf, volunteering with a wolf education program, hiking, going on some form of an adventure with her family, or taking it easy with her dog Nala.
Philosophy: I strive to be collaborative, empowering, and candid in all my therapeutic relationships. I believe working with someone is about creating a safe space to learn how to reconnect with your authentic self, explore dynamics of your life and your relationships, and practice new ways of being that restore balance, peace, and fulfillment in your life.
Specialties: Travis specializes in working with adults, emerging adults, and older adolescents with addictive behaviors and problematic substance use, difficulties with anxiety with particular emphasis on social anxiety, social interaction difficulties, depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, difficulties in relationships, and ADHD.
Education and Licensure: Travis earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in northern California. He completed externships, internships, postdoctoral fellowship at Sharp Mesa Vista inpatient and outpatient programs, Sharp McDonald Center, El Camino Hospital, Gronowski Center Community Mental Health Clinic, and as a college student substance use and conduct counselor at Notre Dame de Namur University. His research has emphasized the identification and treatment of emerging adults and adolescents with substance use disorders. He has been published in these areas of research as a contributing author in The Journal of the American Medical Association, The California Psychologist, The Journal of Primary Prevention, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Paradigm Magazine. He has also had media spots on NBC news and Kusi Channel 6 news in San Diego to discuss overdose awareness, the opioid epidemic and alcohol addiction.
Affiliations: Travis is a psychology faculty member at Sharp HealthCare where he works with clients in early recovery from substance use and supervises postdoctoral fellows, doctoral-level interns, and other therapists-in-training.
Personal: Travis is a Californian at heart who wants to be in the ocean and in the mountains as much as humanly possible and believes that connection with yourself, the people around you, and the natural environment are crucial to a fulfilling and values driven life. Born and raised in southern California, he has lived in Los angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and San Diego. He loves spending time with close friends and family, surfing, backpacking, snowboarding and playing volleyball.
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York, where fifty percent of his rotations were at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. After his residency he worked at Ventura County Medical Centers in an adult out-patient setting and now lives in Orange County, California.
Dr. Thankachen is currently working with Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists in an out-patient practice, as well as working at multiple in-patient psychiatric and medical units bringing his patients the most advanced health care treatment in psychiatry. Dr. Thankachen sees patients with an array of disorders, including depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety, and dementia-related problems.
Dr. Thankachen is also involved in professional organizations and societies in good standing including the American Psychiatric Association, Indian Medical Association, and the Karnataka Medical Association.
Sean Leonard received his MSN degree from Walden University. He is board certified in adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and is completing his post master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at RMU. He is also working on his certification for addiction medicine nurse practitioner.
His practice serves the San Diego County. He has experience with geriatric population and addiction medicine. He strives to understand psychiatry for his populations in order to serve those patients suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Sean Leonard traveled the world playing soccer. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking. He currently resides in Oceanside, CA with his wife and seven children.
South African Josh combines his lived experience (bipolar 1, 6 x 5150’s) with his education (BA Psychology; MA Theology) to create a synergy between the inner and outer worlds. He’s the COO of Inspired Mind Mental Health and in addition to being in the Oceanside Mental Health team, he also works with NAMI, the National Empowerment Center, and CalMHSA as a leader in the Peer Movement, providing fresh hope and perspective for the mental health world. He lives with his wife and daughters in San Marcos, California.
Kayla Grandis is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) dedicated to supporting individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward healing and personal growth. With a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from National University, she provides a compassionate and client-centered approach to therapy, integrating evidence-based techniques tailored to each person’s unique needs.
Passionate about fostering a safe and supportive space, Kayla specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and grief. Drawing from modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, EMDR, and strength-based approaches, she empowers clients to build resilience, develop healthier relationships, and achieve meaningful personal transformation.
Committed to ongoing learning and professional development, she believes in the power of therapy to create lasting change. By collaborating with clients in a warm and empathetic environment, she strives to help individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity.
Brandon is co-founder and Head of Business Development at Oceanside Mental Health, as well as the founder and CEO of Pink7.
After getting sober himself, Brandon found his calling in recovery-adjacent industries. He’s since hosted thousands of alcohol-free events throughout San Diego, creating spaces that bring people together. He also founded Pink7, a mental health brand that represents the path to wellness we’re all on.
Brandon went through a program much like Oceanside Mental Health, and it changed the course of his life. Now, he’s building a program with the goal of giving that same experience to other men. He wants to help his clients find the peace, happiness, and success that he’s found.
Brandon holds a degree in Business from the Marshall School of Business at USC. Before entering the wellness space, he built a successful career in Silicon Valley, working with tech leaders like MobileIron and Dropbox.
Brandon lives in Carlsbad and is deeply immersed in the wellness space. He enjoys yoga, running, cold plunging, and exploring new restaurants to name a few.
Joseph is the founder and CEO of Oceanside Mental Health as well as the founder of Pink7 and LLHD Real Estate Partners. Joseph is deeply involved in the Alcohol-Free community of North County, San Diego. His entire life is dedicated to sharing Natural Happiness, improving Mental Health and inspiring people to find their Natural High.
Joseph started his career in New York City at UBS where he focused on Alternative Investments. After becoming a CFA Charterholder and CAIA Charterholder, Joseph moved to San Francisco to focus on TMT Investment Banking. Joseph has predominately focused on Private Equity investments in the Software and Technology sectors.
Personally, Joseph stopped drinking at the age of 29 and loves being Alcohol-Free! He lives in Carlsbad with his dog, Rocky. Joseph is a certified Yoga Instructor (YTT 200 at Asteya Collective in Encinitas) and an Ironman (Ironman California in Sacramento).
In the community, Joseph volunteers at the First Step House of North County and is a Board Advisor for Natural High – a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.
Joseph attended the Pennsylvania State University where he graduated with Honors (Schreyer Honors College) and High Distinction with a B.S. in Finance and minor in Economics.
Joseph is originally from Garden City, New York.
Joseph’s natural highs are surfing, running, yoga, beach volleyball, entrepreneurship and helping people.
At Oceanside Mental Health, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to achieve mental wellness and live a fulfilling life. Our treatment center is ready to provide the support and mental health treatment you need to overcome your challenges and build a brighter future.
Don’t wait any longer to take control of your mental health. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and mental health services. Whether you are seeking intensive treatment, outpatient support, or a stable living environment, we have the resources and expertise to help you succeed and overcome the challenges of mental illness.
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