Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Monisha Vasa, Dr. Anna McCarthy and Ryan Franke.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ryan Franke: We knew Orange County was feeling the void of comprehensive, integrative, and evidence-based mental health treatment programming. Dr. McCarthy, Dr. Vasa and I knew that with our combined treatment experience we could provide patient-centered care in a safe and supportive environment within our own community. The Mental Health Collective was the result of our focus on surrounding our clients with a highly experienced clinical team that prioritizes clients’ individual clinical needs and personal goals.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Dr. Anna McCarthy: The Mental Health Collective has grown from a concept to a fully operational and expanding business within the last 24 months. The reason we have been so successful, and have been able to expand at the rate we have, is because we have actively engaged in an ongoing process of self-examination every step of the way. We have looked at policies and procedures and structures to ensure that our clients are truly getting the best care from us, and most importantly, getting unstuck from the mental illnesses that have so profoundly impacted their lives.
Self-examination is not always easy or comfortable. We all come to the table with our beliefs and notions of how things should be. Sometimes there are competing motivations and agendas at play. There have been some difficult conversations at times about who we are as an organization and what we represent. But these conversations have been critical, because we have set a foundation for ourselves as individuals, as a team, and as an organization. As a direct result of our willingness to examine why we are doing what we are doing, today I perceive The Mental Health Collective to be steeped in a healthy employee culture and steeped in a relentless determination to provide ethical and clinically sophisticated care to our clients. I feel really proud of what we have accomplished, and I am excited to see where the next year takes us.
Please tell us about The Mental Health Collective. What should we know?
Ryan Franke: The very heart of our mission is to provide each client with the best possible treatment experience. A small community of clients allows our clinicians to develop a strong therapeutic alliance, and maintain an emotionally safe environment for each and every client. The team is able to work with each client to develop highly individualized treatment goals, and closely monitor the progress towards achieving those goals.
The treatment of mental illness extends far beyond symptom reduction. Our focus on Functional Recovery supports each client in reconnecting to their sense of meaning and purpose, finding joy, and pursuing value-based living. We believe that this is how true healing unfolds for each and every individual who seeks treatment at The Collective.
Founded by a board-certified psychiatrist (Dr. Monisha Vasa) and a licensed psychologist (Dr. Anna McCarthy), The Collective team is comprised of highly experienced Doctoral and Masters level clinicians who work with each client in a fully integrated model. At The Collective, clients are thoughtfully matched with a primary clinician that has expertise in treating their specific mental health challenges. Concurrently, the families of The Collective’s clients are also provided with a clinical care team to coach and guide them as they support their loved ones through the treatment process. Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation, followed by the creation and implementation of a true bio-psycho-social and spiritual treatment plan.
At The Collective, we hold regular weekly meetings to discuss the care of each client, in order to ensure continued progress towards treatment goals. This unique, tailored approach to mental health treatment breaks from the traditional model of healthcare. We treat the underlying causes of mental health challenges within a small, community based, compassionate environment.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Dr. Monisha Vasa: In general, we are very proud of the program that we have built, and the highly individualized, integrated, and evidence-based care that our patients receive. We are also proud of how we are expanding into other areas of mental health and wellness so that we are able to support individuals who are just looking to take better care of their emotional well-being. We are carefully building out a wellness program that includes experiential learning in mindfulness and meditation, stress management, emotional regulation, self-care, creativity, and staying connected to our greater sense of meaning and purpose. This will be done in the form of workshops, retreats, and even digital offerings.
Contact Info:
- Address: 20377 SW Acacia Street Suite 110
Newport Beach . CA . 92660 - Website: themhcollective.com
- Phone: 888.717.9355
- Email: info@themhcollective.com
- Instagram: @themhcollective
- Facebook: @themhcollective
Image Credit:
John Glover Photography | https://johnglover.photography
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