Why Breakaway
With over 33 years of experience helping clients with mental health and substance abuse issues, our family-owned business has the expertise necessary to guide you and your loved ones through recovery and rehabilitation. We offer respect and dignity for our clients and foster diversity, communication, and personal development throughout our personalized programs for clients at Breakaway Health in Costa Mesa, CA.
No matter your goals or walk of life, Breakaway Health has a variety of services and programs geared toward your individual needs. Our company offers unique services for our clients in order to help them find freedom, hope, and independence through long-term recovery.
Our Staff
Breakaway Health offers trained and licensed staff members to help run our facility and mentor clients through group and individual therapy. Many of our team members have personal experience with mental health or substance abuse issues and have the understanding and life experiences necessary to relate to your story, struggles, and search for healing.
Meet our talented and friendly staff at Breakaway Health and learn more about their qualifications, work experience, and passion for our clients looking to better their lives through recovery and rehabilitation.
Dr. Nader Siahdohoni
CEO
Dr. Nader Siahdohoni, Ph.D., is the founder and owner of VCAT Treatment Center and CEO of Breakaway Health Corporation. He is a clinical psychologist specializing in mental, behavioral health, and addiction treatment in Costa Mesa, CA. As a leading voice in brain-based treatment, Dr. Nader has years of experience working in this field and is the creator of the innovative Visual Concentration Attention Therapy (VCAT). He is also a professional health/life coach.
Hannah Plaskett
CFO
Hannah unexpectedly was given the Administrative Director role of Breakaway after her father, Richard Plaskett, passed away suddenly in 2021. She graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration. Her favorite things to do in her free time include hot yoga, snowboarding, live music, and traveling. Her favorite thing about Breakaway is being a part of something bigger than herself and having the best team to work alongside… AND of course hanging out with the clients. This environment has led her to exceed all prior expectations she had of herself. “I am a leader, a role model, and most importantly a sister and daughter to the family I work alongside”.
“Be good to yourself” – Richard Plaskett
Nestor Carcache LMFT
Clinical Director
Nestor is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is currently the Clinical Director at Breakaway. In his late 30’s, he graduated from Vanguard University achieving a Master’s degree after receiving honors and a scholarship in his Bachelor’s program. He aspires to pursue a Doctorate and Private practice in the near future. He has been passionately practicing for 9 years, mostly in the substance abuse field specializing in trauma. Nestor expressed that helping others recover from addiction and traumas has brought him a deep satisfaction and even contributed towards his own journey towards healing trauma and addiction. Further, Nestor feels his experience has provided him with the necessary tools and skills to help others with a vast number of mental health topics. Nestor has been married for 30 years, is a father of 3 children, and loves his 3 dogs, family vacations, watching movies with his wife, and playing soccer and basketball.
Nick Plaskett
Marketing Director
Nick graduated from Boise State University in 2019, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and a Minor in Business. In April 2022, Nick stepped into the role of CEO at Breakaway Health Corporation, replacing his father Richard Plaskett who had passed away in 2021. Nick takes a lot of pride in his leadership skills and being a good role model to the people around him. Nick currently lives with his one year old golden retriever puppy. He loves to play golf and socialize with his friends in his off-time to help ground himself.
Angie Plaskett
Marketing Director
Angie obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Southern Methodist University and her Masters degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Angie has been working in the field of psychology since 1992. She has worked with children, adults and families in many facets over the years. Her sobriety journey began in 1988 and continues to this day. Angie’s passion and drive has always been to make a positive difference and change in other people’s lives. She feels extremely grateful and blessed to be a part of the Breakaway team and especially to work alongside her children. She enjoys beach walks, concerts, spiritual retreats, and spending time with family and friends.
Jeff Dougherty
Director of Operations
Jeff is a US Army veteran who lives in Orange County, CA. Graduated from Valley Vista high school and attended Cal State Fullerton. Jeff is an active member of the NA community and has a sobriety date of Oct 26th, 2007. Jeff actively does outreach to the homeless for harm reduction and narcan distribution. He is certified with his RADT-1, certified Med-Tech, Wellbriety Certified Counselor, U.S Army Veteran, a peer to peer veteran specialist, and has many years working with the homeless and lost/missing children.
Alex Smith
Program Manager
Alex is a mother, a wife, a recovering addict, the Program Manager at Breakaway Health, and a proud alumni of Breakaway Health Corporation!
Alex is currently in school working towards her Bachelors in Psychology to further her career with the end goal of working to improve the prison system and the rehabilitation of those struggling with addictions and other co-occurring disorders. Alex recently finished school for drug/ alcohol counseling as well as completing her education for the speciality endorsement of an Interventionist & crisis specialist through CCAPP. Alex has a passion for helping others find the strength within themselves to work through crises and improve their quality of life. Outside of Breakaway, Alex enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Alex loves dirt biking and going to metal shows; these are just a few of the things she gets to enjoy today thanks to the gift of recovery! Alex loves working for BHC for many reasons, but mostly because it is a program that works, and she feels she is living proof of the success that comes out of this program.
Aspen Kling AMFT
Therapist
Aspen is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Biola University and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from California Baptist University. Aspen is passionate about working in the mental health field, and aspires to get her PHD and eventually have her own private practice. She has over a year of experience working in substance abuse and mental health and has always felt honored to hear the powerful stories of those who have battled with substances, various addictions, and mental health. Aspen has personally been blessed with a strong support system and gifted therapist’s throughout her own challenges in life. She feels very grateful to provide a safe space for those who are walking through challenging seasons and uncovering painful memories and she enjoys working with these individuals on their journey’s of healing. Outside of work, Aspen loves to travel, paint, and enjoys backpacking and other outdoor activities. She also volunteers often for the homeless community.
Phoenix Diaz
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Phoenix received his license for Vocational Nursing in 2013. Phoenix spent two years doing home health, seven years managing a medical weight loss company, and now at Breakaway Health Corp. His family is his life, but helping others has always been his passion. Phoenix expressed it being so rewarding to witness patients graduate and change their lives for the better due to the program. This encourages Phoenix to continue to support patients and staff in their goals. Phoenix hopes to help and change as many lives as he can!
Melissa Austin
Case Manager
Melissa’s journey as a Case Manager started at Breakaway Health Corporation in 2021. Melissa had battled with her own drug addiction for over 20 years and her journey began nearly five years ago when she was arrested and her daughters were taken into CPS custody. Melissa was determined to turn her life around. Melissa then embarked on a path of self-improvement and resilience. Since then, Melissa started her journey in recovery and was able to regain custody of both her beautiful daughters, discharge probation and enroll into college. With perseverance, resilience, and self-belief, Melissa has overcome challenges and achieved greatness. Melissa recently achieved a significant milestone by obtaining her CADC credential. Melissa’s unwavering spirit has been her guiding force and has fueled her determination to pursue her dreams relentlessly. Melissa strives to inspire anyone facing adversity and seeking to build a better future. Melissa feels If she can do it, you can do it too!
Helen Hildebrand
Case Manager
Helen is a mother of two, a Case Manager at Breakaway and is currently attending school online to gain her license through CADTP. Helen has an extensive background in the substance abuse field stemming from her own childhood affiliations, Which led her to gain the knowledge and tools to help others who are seeking recovery. Helen has a passion to help others in any way possible and aspires to own her own Sober Living facility in the future. In her free time, Helen loves to bowl, shoot pool, and go to concerts. Helen truly feels all her negative experiences from childhood and adulthood have made her the dedicated person she is today. Helen feels even if she can change just one person’s life, it’s all worth it.
Nikki Fields
Intake Manager
Nikki is graduating from Arizona State University as a dean’s student and will have her Bachelors degree in Psychology in May 2024. She plans to continue on with her education and pursue her career path as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has always had a passion to help others in their process to recovery. She has been affiliated with Breakaway since 2015 and wholeheartedly loves the company, program, staff and all the individuals she gets to work with. Her favorite thing about Breakaway is the quality of care they offer, the safe and comfortable environment they have built for our clients, as well as the amazing, dedicated, inspiring staff she gets to work amongst. Lastly, her most favorite thing is getting to be part of the legacy that is Breakaway and the Plaskett family. “With the knowledge and love Richard and his family have shared with me, I plan to dedicate my career and life to helping those who struggle with addiction and mental health and give them the voice and help they deserve”.
Joseph Doud
Transportation
Joseph Doud has been in recovery for multiple decades now. He has an immense amount of passion for helping others. Joe has worked in the field of substance abuse recovery for 17 + years. He is a HUGE lover of the Raiders and enjoys fishing with his recovery family in his free time. “God Family and Recovery” is the motto he lives by.
Christina Hand
Reiki and Meditation
Christina is a naturally gifted intuitive who has committed her life to being a practitioner of wellness for the mind, body and soul. Her passion is to touch the hearts of those she encounters and to teach them how to find wellness from all aspects of self-care. After getting sober in 2013, she went on a spiritual journey that led to the discovery of her life purpose: Inspired Wellness. Her personal experience with Reiki began in 2017, where she experienced the profound benefits of Reiki healing on her ability to self-regulate, meditate, find clarity, and heal physical and mental blocks. From there she became a certified in Level III Holistic and Integrative Health, and Level III Reiki Practitioner and Master Teacher. Additionally, Christina is the Owner /Operator of Hands to Wellness, LLC, a holistic Wellness Company that provides access to Reiki Healing, Meditation Groups, Wellness Circles, Sound Healing & amp; Breathwork events, retreats, workshops and other various energy healing modalities that promote self-discovery and inspired living. Her studio, Hands to Wellness Collective, is located in San Clemente, CA.
Rebecca Segars Washington
Therapist
Rebecca is a Therapist Associate at Breakaway. Rebecca is currently an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) and graduated with her Master’s in Counseling from Chapman University in 2021. Rebecca has a background in Education and received her Bachelor’s in Education from the University of La Verne in 2019. Rebecca specializes in working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma and understands that therapy is incredibly personal and requires a client-centered approach. Rebecca enjoys running groups and leading conversations regarding mood management, communication skills, and relationship development tools. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, crafting, and spending time with her family. Rebecca looks forward to connecting with you!
Andrew H.
Sound Bath/ Healing
Andrew is a Integrative Vibrational Therapist, Certified Sound Healing Practitioner and Specialist, Meditation and Breathwork Facilitator and Musician. Andrew has an endless passion for being of service and helping others and has been working with the balancing and healing power of music, sound, vibration and energy for more than 18 years. Andrew works in and outside of recovery-centered locations including senior / community centers, rehabilitation centers and facilities for addiction, alcoholism, mental health, relapse prevention and beyond. Andrew identifies as being in recovery himself and has been since October 8th, 2012. Andrew expressed he is here to stay, not only to share the gift and passion he has been so graciously blessed with, but to also inspire others that recovery is not only absolutely possible, but 100% worth it. Andrew feels It’s so far beyond just being and getting sober.
Raymond Drake
Group Facilitator
Raymond flew out to California for 30 days, and ended up staying for 30 more years. Within those first years, he tried to look good for the courts, went to recovery homes, but watched as everyone worked a program and got better than him. Raymond soon realized all he needed to do was just show up, be honest, and try to do his best on that day – the rest then fell into place for him. Raymond has been a TV host, comedian, hair-stylist, actor, and volunteer, but realized what his passion was when he finally went back to school to receive his CADC certification. In doing so, Raymond continues to work, inspire and give back to those who struggle with addiction. Raymond expressed the worst part of his life turned around and became the most fulfilling! Raymond brings everything he’s been through to the table and he now has a life he doesn’t need to run or escape from and can now show clients to do the same– Today Raymond has 29 years of sobriety, loves to work on cars and motorcycles as well as do hair. In Raymond’s groups, he hopes to make others smile and inspire creativity. Some of Raymond’s favorite groups to run are art related. Raymond expressed not expecting to make it past 30 years old however, he is excited to see what the next 30 years have in store for him and his recovery journey.
“People can change, even if you back up, stumble, or fall on your way there”.
Monique Guzman
Support Staff
Monique is an alumni of the Breakaway program. She has a strong passion for helping others in their recovery process. She has been sober for multiple years now and her goal is to help as many people recover from mental health and addiction as possible. This is her passion. She has 6 children, 4 grandchildren and is leading them by example. Her favorite things to do outside of work include church, hiking, going to the gym and spending time with her loved ones.
Our Facility
Located near the beaches of Southern California, Breakaway Health offers clients an escape from their everyday lives at our facility in Costa Mesa, CA. Take in the beautiful surrounding community as you work on personal development and improve your mental health and addictions. We provide a safe and scenic facility that affords comfort throughout the treatment process, making recovery as manageable as possible.
Escape triggers, toxic situations, and the stresses of everyday life at our Orange County facility. We keep you relaxed and secluded in order to devote your time, effort, and energy to your recovery and our community at Breakaway Health. With the support of our experts and your peers, you’ll have the opportunity to change the course of your life and set yourself up for success during your time at our beachside facility.
Our Mission
We believe that recovery is an ongoing process, and we are committed to helping clients through rehabilitation both during and after treatment with us at Breakaway Health. From skill development and therapy to education and support groups, we pride ourselves on a variety of resources to meet the diverse needs of our clients looking to recover from substance abuse, trauma, grief, and mental health issues. Our treatment combines traditional, proven techniques as well as modern approaches to recovery for the best results possible for clients of all ages.
Breakaway Health’s goal is to see the success, recovery, and long-term improvement of our clients. We offer the patience, compassion, and community required for recovery from addictions and mental health concerns, changing the directory of our clients’ lives and eliminating unhealthy habits. Our team works tirelessly to see clients rediscover themselves, manage their symptoms, and heal at our facility.