Leadership Team

Dustin oversees all operations at Paradigm Treatment locations, including programming, treatment content and quality, growth management and strategy, and team support to all therapeutic and operational staff. Having previously worked at Paradigm in the roles of Chief Operating Officer, Program Director, and Therapist, Dustin is also a skilled clinician with an emphasis on family systems . Prior to joining the Paradigm team, Dustin served as Program Manager at Arizona Child and Family Support Services in Flagstaff, an agency providing community-based wraparound services for youth and family treatment. At CFSS, Dustin also built, facilitated and oversaw an Intensive Outpatient Program. He also served as an individual and group therapist for Northern Arizona Substance Abuse Services working with the Drug Court; as a therapist for youth in juvenile detention; and as a wilderness therapist for a program that worked throughout Northern Arizona.

Dustin holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Northern Arizona University and has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents in a variety of settings. He is also trained in EMDR and Parent Effectiveness. Dustin’s motivation as both a therapist and a manager exemplify his deep desire to provide the insightful support and guidance that youth need to make the changes that will profoundly improve their well-being, relationships, and their futures.

Lucy helms all clinical treatment directives, programs, and services across Paradigm Treatment’s southwestern territory, and provides ongoing clinical group supervision specifically to our Southern California staff. Lucy also worked extensively with young adults in a private practice setting. She also treated children and teens with emotional and behavioral needs at multiple school sites as a therapist. Lucy has comprehensive experience as a behavior interventionist working with teens with developmental disorders, and as a therapist at an intensive outpatient program for mental health and substance dependency. Additionally, Lucy has a background that includes working at a residential facility that uses dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to treat borderline personality disorder and is EMDR-trained.

Lucy is passionate about helping her clients discover their own strengths and use their unique qualities to create a more fulfilled life. She integrates the practical components of various cognitive-behavioral approaches with the gentle practice of mindfulness, compassion, and cultural sensitivity. Lucy received her Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis on Clinical Mental Health at California State University, Fullerton. She also received an Excellence in Research Award studying parent-adolescent relationships when she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine.

View Lucy’s YouTube interview below.

Dr. In is a psychiatrist based in Santa Monica, CA. She has an undergraduate degree from Emory University and a medical degree from Texas Tech University. Dr. In completed general psychiatry residency at Louisiana State University and Ochsner Health in New Orleans, and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, treating all ages, backgrounds, illness severity and achievement levels. Dr. In believes in mutual respect and teamwork, as well as being able to adapt to individual differences and expectations. She works with patients to explore solutions for overall health and mental well-being. Dr. In enjoys traveling, playing tennis and golf, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Andrea F. Polard first became a psychologist in Germany at the Freie University of Berlin in 1993. Besides working in research at her Alma Mater, she enjoyed working with multi-symptomatic children, adolescents and their families for various District offices of Berlin. When she immigrated to the U.S. in 1994, she had to get her second MA degree in Counseling Psychology and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Ryokan College (1998). For two years, Dr. Polard worked in convalescent homes and halfway houses, where she was trained in various methods of psychological and neuroscience testing. She also worked at the Primal Institute for three years, where she conducted group and individual therapy with trauma survivors, many of whom were recovering from substance abuse. After this intense training, she yearned to work more holistically. Her subsequent, diverse training included Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Therapy, Mindfulness and Mind/Body work. Finally, in 2012, she founded the Los Angeles Center for Zen Psychology, where she saw many adolescents and adults who recovered from substance abuse, trauma, depression, and anxiety.

Andrea loves to write blog articles for Psychology Today. Her first published book —A Unified Theory of Happiness—received international attention. She loves to hike in nature and lives with her family and her dog in the quiet mountains of Topanga.

Tracy Bangar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who graduated with honors from Azusa Pacific University with her Master’s in Social Work with a concentration of Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Education and Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to joining Paradigm, Tracy worked in residential treatment with youth struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and addiction-related issues. She is certified in different Evidence-Based Practices of Trauma-Focused CBT and Seeking Safety, as well as Trauma-Informed Care. Tracy integrates multiple therapeutic modalities into treatment and is passionate about finding what works best for each teen. She takes the approach that every child and adolescent possesses strengths and positive qualities that when incorporated into treatment better foster growth and the ability to overcome the challenges.

Timothy Harmon, MSW, DSW-C, is Clinical Social Worker who has worked within the helping profession for the last nine years. From Washington, D.C. originally, Timothy received his master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Kentucky, where he is currently in the final year of his Doctorate in Social Work Administrative Leadership. Before joining the team, Timothy spent the last five years providing administrative and clinical guidance in various residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient clinical settings. Timothy is passionate about delivering ethical and effective clinical services to his clients and the administrative operations that ensure continuity of care. Timothy’s work is grounded in trauma-Informed care, cognitive behavioral theory, psychodynamic theory, evidence-based management, and evidence-based practices.

Marc Botezatu graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Humanity. Prior to joining the Paradigm team as Deputy Director, Marc helped manage residential care units at other treatment facilities. Marc’s approach is to make sure day-to-day operations are running smoothly, so that the environment is conducive to positive change. Marc enjoys working with a team that helps bring joy to young adults, youth, and families. Outside of work, Marc likes everything in the great outdoors.

Bio Coming Soon

Rebecca Acevedo is a Registered Nurse who graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Before joining the Paradigm team, she worked in a wide range of clinical settings where she provided treatment to adolescents and their families for a variety of health-related needs. Her passion, however, is in the provision of teen treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Rebecca has devoted much of her career to de-stigmatizing mental health treatment for teens. Her goal is to help young people become the best possible version of themselves.

Jeff was born on the bayous of Southwest Louisiana. He is a father of two, a daughter, 34, and a son, 26, and grandfather to two little boys, Judah, 5 and Roman, 2. Jeff has worked in this industry for 32 years and has had the privilege to make a difference in hundreds of lives, as a director in 3 different residential facilities, helping many children overcome the trauma and pain in their lives due to abuse and neglect. He aims to create a safe, nurturing environment for the children served by Paradigm.

Jeff believes that client-centered therapy focuses on establishing a warm, safe environment and providing genuine empathy, while building a relationship so that the client feels safe and has a sense of trust. Jeff believes we can reach and help each child overcome any obstacle in their lives by getting to the root of the issues and forming new beginnings with their family. Jeff enjoys coaching select baseball, developing players and creating a team mentality while also spending time with family and enjoying those precious moments with his grandkids.

Dr. Veronica J. Vargas is a distinguished Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of dedicated service in the Austin and Central Texas area. Her extensive career spans a diverse array of roles, from her tenure as a Victim Witness Counselor for the Austin Police Department to her impactful contributions as a Medical Social Worker, psychiatric assessor, and individual therapist.  Dr. Vargas has also held pivotal positions in hospitals, jails, residential treatment centers, and other critical care settings, showcasing her versatility and commitment to mental health care.

As a seasoned clinician and senior administrator, Dr. Vargas has worked across various populations and therapeutic modalities, providing essential support to clients and families navigating mental health crises. Her profound belief in delivering personalized care during pivotal moments defines her role at Paradigm, where she currently leads a dedicated team of clinicians, nurses, and support personnel who share her unwavering commitment to compassionate care.

Dr. Vargas earned her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Doctorate in Social Work from Tulane University. Beyond her professional achievements, she finds joy in spending quality time with loved ones, savoring the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, and embarking on spontaneous adventures around the globe, all while cherishing Austin as her beloved home.