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Amen Clinic Newport Beach

Amen Clinic Newport Beach – Serving Southern California
4019 Westerly Place, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA
92660DIRECTIONS: Click For DirectionsPHONE: Toll Free (888) 564-2700
FAX: (949) 266-3750
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Staff Directory

Arsalan Darmal, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr.Darmal is a Diplomate of American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, he is also Board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He completed his General Psychiatry Residency and Child Psychiatry Fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York in 1995. Since, he has been involved in teaching and training of medical students, general psychiatry residents and child psychiatry fellows at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu Hawaii. He has served as Chair of, Risk Management Committee at Hawaii State Hospital, Member, Medical Executive Committee at Hawaii State hospital, Member, Quality Assurance Committee: HSH, Kaneohe, HI, Member Peer Review Committee ,Queens Medical Center. He has Grand Round presentation on”Steroid Hormones and Behavior” “Neuro-imaging in psychiatry” for Dept. of Psychiatry 3/2005 “New Strategies in Treatment Refractory Psychosis” for Hawaii State Hospital Staff, Grand Round presentation “Child Psycho Pharmacology” for Queen’s Hospital Family Treatment Center Scientific Forum presentation”Child Psychopharmacology,Mood stabilizers”Kapiolani Medical Ctr. He was a Clinical Preceptor Unit 4 John Burns School of Medicine for 6-8 weeks/year,He has given Seminars on Anxiety Disorder Physiopathology and Child Development He has been involved in a Part Time Private Practice (Child Psychiatry), Honolulu, HI, his areas of interest are ADHD,Anxiety and Mood Disorders. He has received multiple awards including Outstanding Teacher Award 2003-2004,Dept of Psychiatry JABSOM.and Teacher of the year Award 1999-2000,Dept of Psychiatry JABSOM
Diane Highum, M.D.
Staff Psychiatrist
Diane Highum, MD is a staff psychiatrist currently working at the Amen Clinic in Newport Beach, CA. She graduated from Harvard Medical School and went on to complete a four year NIH funded research fellowship at Harvard prior to obtaining post graduate training in psychiatry. She spent the first two years of psychiatric residency training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and completed the final two years of training at UCI in Orange, CA. She has worked in both the private and public sectors, and has treated a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. She has spent a significant portion of her career as an academic psychiatrist as a faculty member at UCI. Immediately prior to joining the Amen Clinic, she worked full-time as a research psychiatrist. She has extensive clinical research experience in the areas of pharmaceutical development and neuroimaging, and is interested in the neuropsychiatric aspects of mental disorders. She joined the Amen Clinic due her interest in the application of neuroimaging modalities for diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Alexis Meshi, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Meshi is a graduate of Wellesley College and the AUC School of Medicine. After receiving her medical degree she completed a year-long Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Neural Regeneration and Spinal Cord Injury at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UCI. Dr. Meshi completed her internship year of residency at the UCLA-Northridge Family Medicine Residency Program. She then went on to complete her residency training in general adult psychiatry at the Morehouse School of Medicine. While at Morehouse Dr. Meshi was the recipient of the Emory/Pfizer Resident Research Award. She also received a departmental nomination for both the Association of Women Psychiatrists Wyeth/Ayert Fellowship and the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education Fellowship. Dr. Meshi is a general adult psychiatrist and has a strong interest in treating women. She has a particular interest in perinatal and reproductive psychiatry. She enjoys providing specialized care to women suffering from reproductive associated mood disorders, including PMS, illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Meshi is a native of Newport Beach and continues to live here.
Larry Momaya, MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. Momaya graduated from the University of California at Irvine’s College of Medicine in 2000, and also completed his Psychiatry Residency from UC Irvine in 2004. He is a Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist, and enjoys working with fairly high functioning patients with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders, and Adult ADHD. Dr. Momaya, has a keen interest in helping people shift their focus from the place of Mental Dis-Ease to moving towards Mental Wellness, using various techniques including Hypnosis, Visualization Exercises, Spirituality and Meditation, Music and Sound, Breathing Techniques, practicing Presence, Psychotherapy and a life-changing Inquiry process called ‘The Work.’ In fact, he successfully founded a weekly experiential/educational group called The Path of Wellness in early 2009, helping people come closer to finding their own Inner Peace though these various techniques. www.thepathofwellness.net Dr. Momaya also has a variety of other passions, particularly in the creative arts and media. He has hosted his own Psychiatry call-in talk show, as well as an Indian Music program on public radio which broadcasted worldwide. In addition, he has also filled in for Dr. Amen on his National radio show “Change Your Brain Change Your Life,” as well as speaking engagements for the Amen Clinics.
Dr. Garrett Halweg
Staff Psychiatrist
Dr. Garrett Halweg was in private practice from July 2003 till May 2009 before joining the Amen Clinics and also holds a position with the Department of Juvenile Justice. He currently serves as Medical Director of the Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital (CTC). He is board certified in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Past clinical experience includes several years serving at an outpatient mental health clinic with chronically mentally ill and substance abusing patients, coordinating both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments as well as case management and rehabilitation services. Responsibilities there included the development of a rehabilitation program for the incarcerated youth of Ventura County, California and organization of the Transitional Age Youth mental health delivery system. Additionally, he served as a Correctional Psychiatrist for the California Department of Corrections at seven institutions including level IV facilities housing the most dangerous mentally ill offenders. His work there was during a time of federal receivership whereby health delivery systems were restructured and thought leaders were gathered to advise the State of California how to revise their health care.Dr. Halweg served as Associate Medical Director of CNS, Medical Affairs for i3 Research in 2007. He gained experience as a medical monitor and consulted on clinical trials for depression, bipolar disorder, and neurological disorders including Parkinson’s and post CVA patients. He has an academic appointment at one of California’s leading Universities and teaches Psychopharmacology to Graduate Students. Previously, he served an Administrative Professorship at the University of Hawaii for thirty-five residents in Psychiatry.
Dr. Christine Kraus, Ph.D.
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Kraus obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and worked in the field of accounting for a few years before realizing that this area was not her passion. During this time, her brother-in-law developed grade 4 brain cancer and she was intrigued by his changing behavior and became very interested in the subject of neurology and behavior. The neurosurgeon at that time suggested she come and conduct research with him and she did! For 3 years, on her own time, she conducted research particularly in the area of neurodegenerative diseases; during that time she wrote and published papers worldwide with research in the area of Parkinson’s disease and cognitive functioning as a primary focus. She became so interested in this area that she decided to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University.She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and then her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology. She continued to conduct research and publish papers.

Post-doctoral experience was at the Pediatric Assessment Program at Loma Linda University. She maintained the position of Supervisor of Doctoral Students who conducted psychological and neuropsychological assessments in children and adolescents with various disorders. It was during this time that Dr. Kraus realized she wanted to find a treatment for these children that was more natural, yet effective. After extensive research, she found EEG Biofeedback, or Neurofeedback.

Using Neurofeedback, Dr. Kraus has treated individuals from age 3 to 87, for disorders ranging from autism to peak performance, including depression, anxiety, bipolar, migraines, sleep disorders, anger or frustration issues, and memory.

Dr. Kraus practices Clinical Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological Testing, Neurofeedback, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Therapy, and Hypnosis.
Cherri Penne-Myers, PA
Physician Assistant
Cherri completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California at Irvine in 1990, and a Bachelor of Science for Physician Assistant from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA. Cherri holds national certification as a Physician Assistant. Upon graduation, she became a faculty member with the Physician Assistant Program at Charles R. Drew University. She has past experience in the field of neurology, working with migraine and MS patients. Cherri joined Amen Clinics, Inc in May of 2004, and assists with appropriate referrals to the clinics and pre-reading SPECT scan results.
Mike McWherter
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Mike McWherter has been a nuclear technologist for six years. He earned his bachelor’s degree at CSU Sacramento, and his nuclear medicine technology degree in North Haven, CT.
Haley Figueroa
Historian
Haley is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Intern. She has been working at the Amen clinics since 2006, doing in depth histories and providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Haley has her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University; she completed her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies at California State University, Fullerton. She has specialized training in Mediation/Conflict Resolution and she is trained as a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, which is a specialized program that offers personalized assessments for couples to identify strengths and growth areas in their relationships and teaches proven relationship skills. Haley has over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families in a variety of environments including school and clinical settings. She has co-led an anxiety and depression group and she will be leading a group for parents/guardians of pre-adolescent children starting April 2009. Haley and her husband have a three year old daughter who is their pride and joy and they are expecting twin boys.
Lindsey Reynolds
Historian
 
Blaire Rummel, M.A.
Historian and Registered MFT Intern
Blaire Rummel received her B.S. in psychology at Mississippi State University. She played 4 years of NCAA-Division 1 softball for Mississippi State University and received All-American Academic awards for her achievements as a student-athlete. She received her M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, at Pepperdine University. In addition to working as a historian for the Amen Clinic, she provides therapy for clients as a registered MFT Intern at the Amen Clinic and co-facilitates a depression/anxiety support group at Mariner’s Church one night a week. She is passionate about helping people who suffer from emotional distress, specifically individuals with mood and anxiety disorders. She resides in Irvine with her husband Beau.
Lesley Tatum
Historian
 
Ronnette Leonard, MFT
Chief Historian
Ronnette is the Chief Historian for Amen Clinics, Inc. She is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. Ronnette has worked with Dr. Amen since 1993, and has acquired an extensive knowledge of various effects on human behavior and relationships. She has worked as a program specialist at a psychiatric hospital and as a therapist for adults, adolescents, and children.
Krystle Johnson
Patient Care Director
Krystle Johnson graduated from California State University of Fullerton in 2007 with a Bachlors Degree in Communications. Krystle is in charge of Patient Care for the Newport Beach office and will assist you with any questions that you may have. She has worked with the Amen Clinics since 2004. When she’s not managing the Newport Beach office, she is spending time with her little boy Michael and her husband Ryan. You can reach Krystle by calling the Newport Beach office at 949-266-3700.
Venus Murrillo
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters.
Call Venus at (949) 266-3700.
Lauren Perez
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters.
Call Lauren at (949) 266-3700.
Lydia Rodriguez
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Lydia at (888) 564-2700.
Rushmi Singh
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Rushmi at (888) 564-2700.
Arlene Soto
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Arlene at (888) 564-2700.
Michelle Torres
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Michelle at (888) 564-2700.
Michelle Walthall
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Michelle at (949) 266-3700.
Connie Won
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Connie at (888) 564-2700.
Rachel Young
Patient Care Coordinator
Our patient care coordinators are our patients primary contact person. Patient care coordinators will assist you in all your patient related matters. Call Rachel at (949) 266-3700.

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