”I went through two other centers and never had a clue—but you showed me where to find it and how to fix it. You truly opened my eyes.”
–Pat
About Sovereign Health of California
Sovereign Health of California offers a highly specialized team of qualified and licensed professionals with diverse clinical experience in behavioral health and addictions. The team consists of physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, licensed therapists, a registered dietician, licensed acupuncturists and counselors. Our staff will create your unique program to improve your mental and physical health, helping you get back to life.
Larry Snyder, M.D.
Medical Director, Family Medicine and Addictionologist
Specializing in Dual Diagnosis, Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine and a Member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine,
Dr. Snyder received his M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He is a clinical faculty member at the UCI Medical Center and a member of the American Academy of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Family Practice and the California Medical Association. Dr. Snyder worked for several years as medical consultant to Capistrano by the Sea Hospital in Dana Point, treating eating disorders, chemical dependency and dual diagnosis conditions. He has served as the Medical director of Sovereign Health of California since it its founding. With extensive experience in both addiction and eating disorders, Dr. Snyder has become an invaluable resource to hundreds of patients and their families suffering from addiction, bulimia, anorexia and overeating. He has a special interest in Mindfulness Meditation and its application to all of the above disorders.
Arshia Alec Shirzadi, M.D.
Dr. Shirzadi is a Board certified Psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist, who is also an expert in mood and anxiety disorders, as well as co-occurring alcohol and substance use disorders, with 7 peer reviewed publications, 8 grand rounds presentations and 6 years' experience as a researcher under his belt. A Harvard Medical School graduate, Dr. Shirzadi treats many psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder (manic depression), adult ADHD, anxiety, sleep and psychotic disorders.
Diana Cho, Psy.D.
Senior Clinician
Focus of Mental Health
Dr. Cho graduated from Argosy University with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has experience working with a wide range of patients, including those suffering from serious mental illness. She has clinical experience in chronic inpatient settings, acute psychiatric settings and outpatient community treatment settings. Dr. Cho assisted in the launching and the on-going development of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy-based Intensive Outpatient Program for adults with dual diagnosis. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy as primary forms of treatment.
Heidi Cottle, M.S., M.F.T.
Senior Clinician
Specializing in Anxiety Management and Dual Diagnosis
Heidi received her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and her Master's in Counseling from Cal State Fullerton. She has had specialized training and experience in Trauma Treatment, Crisis Intervention, and Timeline Therapy. Heidi completed a four year internship at a Police Department Crisis Intervention Unit, served as a clinician in a private agency and as a Senior Social Worker for OC Children and Family Services. In addition, Heidi has over 14 years' experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Heidi feels compassion and optimism are essential clinical components to provide motivation for change.
Deborah McCarthy, R.D., C.P.T.
Registered Dietitian
Deborah received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1984. In 1992, she began a post-baccalaureate program in clinical nutrition at Cal Poly Pomona and obtained her registration as a dietitian with honors from Gamma Sigma Delta. Deborah has been a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association for 16 years and received a secondary certification with the American Council on Exercise, in 2006, as a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist. Deborah's current specialties include eating disorders, vegetarian nutrition, sports nutrition, nutrition for addictions and recovery, weight management, pediatric nutrition and wellness. Deborah uses her years of nutritional expertise to assist and educate patients at Sovereign Health who are suffering from nutritional deficiencies due to disordered eating, depression and addictions. With nutrition education, patients can be given tools to improve their physical health, mood and energy level.
Captain Larry Smith, CAS, ALPA EAP REP
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Specializing in Holistic Treatment
Larry Smith graduated cum laude from the University of Toledo in 1977 with a major in Business Management and a minor in Psychology. He is currently certified under CAARR - California Alcohol and Addiction Recovery Resources. He is also certified in EEG Neurotherapy. As an Airline Pilot Association Representative, he has over a 10 years experience working with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In that capacity he guides pilots with addiction problems through a rigorous recovery program and recertification process.
Larry's extraordinary passion for recovery is indicated by his work as an author, lecturer, columnist and radio talk show host. His book, 'Captain Larry Smith's Daily Life Plan Journal' has been endorsed by Dr. Joseph Pursch, MD and TV's Dr. Drew Pinski, MD.
Larry is a retired Air Force Officer and Fighter Pilot. He has accumulated over 20,000 hours of flying time and is currently a 747-400 pilot for a major international airline. Larry attends the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego CA.
Shivani G. Patel, Psy.D., MHA
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Specializing in child, adolescent and health psychology
Dr. Patel is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in different mental health and medical settings for the past thirteen years. She obtained a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Southern California in 2000 and then received a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, where she specialized in child, adolescent and health psychology. Dr. Patel completed her pre-doctoral training in a forensic, dual diagnosis setting. She also served as a Post-Doctoral Scholar and Fellow in the Child & Adolescent Multicultural Training Program within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco where she worked with complex trauma victims and their families. Dr. Patel was selected to present her qualitative research findings on eating disorders at the Western Psychology Association Conference and the California Psychological Association Conference in 2009. Her work at Sovereign Health of California involves the provision of clinical services, program development and clinical training and supervision for psychology practicum, pre and post doctoral fellows.
Sarah (Sunny) Steinmeyer, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director, Eating Disorders Treatment Program
Dr. Steinmeyer is licensed as a clinical psychologist by the state of California and has a vast experience of more than 30 years, working in a variety of mental health and medical settings. She obtained a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Edinborough State College, Edinborough, PA in 1978 and a Doctorate in General Psychology from United States (Alliant) International University, San Diego, CA in 1986. She was the Clinical Coordinator at Capistrano by the Sea Hospital for many years, where she also facilitated a multi-family treatment program. Dr. Steinmeyer has served as an eating disorder therapist at various medical centers, most recently Mission Hospital of Laguna Beach, California. In addition to her hospital work she maintains a private practice in Laguna Hills, treating adolescent and adult patients. Dr. Steinmeyer was selected Winning Author of the First-Paper Competition, sponsored by the National Association of Private Psychiatric Hospitals, in 1991. She has been a teacher and presenter at various universities and institutes on diverse topics including neuropsychological assessment as well as transgender adaptation and the treatment of dissociative disorders. She frequently makes community presentations on parenting, anger management and relationship issues. Her work at Sovereign Health of California includes leading the Eating Disorders Program and providing clinical training and supervision for psychology practicum, pre- and post-doctoral fellows.
