Our Approach to Care
At Laguna Shores Mental Health, we believe meaningful healing occurs when individuals feel safe, respected, and supported within a structured therapeutic environment. Recovery involves more than symptom management—it requires connection, practical skill development, and the opportunity to rebuild stability across multiple areas of life. Through an integrated model that combines clinical therapy, psychiatric care, medical oversight, and daily behavioral support, our team works collaboratively to help clients develop the insight and tools necessary for lasting change.
Our philosophy emphasizes trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and whole-person wellness. We focus on helping individuals strengthen resilience, build healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and direction. Every member of our team contributes to creating an environment where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered as they move forward in their recovery.
Matthew Darst, LCSW
Nikki Schneider
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen
Brittney MacIntyre, MSW, ACSW
Noelle Toguchi
Brittany Martinez, LVN
Vaughn Darst, MS, RD
Emma Jimenez
Rain Lang
Malcolm Dore
Why Our Team Matters
Effective mental health treatment depends on more than individual expertise—it requires a coordinated team working together with shared purpose and mutual respect. At Laguna Shores Mental Health, our clinicians, medical providers, operations staff, and behavioral health technicians collaborate closely to ensure clients receive thoughtful, consistent care across every part of the treatment experience. By combining clinical knowledge, structured daily support, and compassionate human connection, our team creates an environment where individuals feel safe enough to confront what is difficult and strong enough to move forward with clarity and confidence.
That same commitment to growth, mentorship, and professional excellence is reflected at every level of the Laguna Shores team. Program Director Matthew Darst has established Laguna Shores Mental Health as a recognized practicum and internship placement site for several regional and national graduate training programs”—ensuring that the clinical culture here is one of lifelong learning that takes the development of future mental health professionals seriously, and that our team remains continuously informed by the latest research, emerging treatment approaches, and the evolving standards of a field we are genuinely invested in advancing.
Matthew Darst is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as Program Director at Laguna Shores Mental Health, providing oversight across clinical programming, operational structure, and the integrated delivery of care throughout the program. He earned his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a specialization in Military and Veteran Social Work and has spent the past decade working in substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment. Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) | California Society for Clinical Social Work | Approved clinical supervisor Certified CCAPP Supervisor | Practicum & internship site for Saddleback College, Capella University, and Alliant University.
