Sovereign Health of California - Clinical Staff

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.

Sarah (Sunny) Steinmeyer, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Director, Eating Disorders Treatment Program

Dr. Sarah 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 Edinboro State College, Edinboro, 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.

Diana Cho, Psy.D.

Director of Mental Health Program

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 severe mental illness. She also has clinical experience in chronic inpatient, acute psychiatric 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 also directs both the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Mental Health programs, as well as Sovereign’s residential treatment program. Dr. Cho uses a wide ranging form of therapy to cater patient care and is consistently focused on providing the best and most innovative care to patients of Sovereign Health.

Dr. Donald E. Wallens

Faculty Psychiatrist

Specializing in Psychiatric Illness

Doctor Donald E. Wallens, is Sovereign Health’s faculty psychiatrist. Dr. Wallens received his M.D. from Cornell University, in New York, and has over 40 years experience in the medical field. Dr. Wallens currently operates a private practice in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, is an attending staff member at a number of major Los Angeles Hospitals and is both an assistant professor and resident supervisor at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical center respectively. He is also a diplomat for the National Board of Medical Examiners and a member of the Southern California Psychiatric Society, American Psychiatric Association and the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Dr. Wallens has a special interest in helping others manage and overcome psychiatric illness, and has made treating mental illness the primary focus of his career.

Dr. Jennifer O’Connor

Faculty Psychologist

Specializing in Child, Adolescent and Family psychology

Dr. Jennifer O’Connor is the faculty psychologist for Sovereign Health. Dr. O’Connor graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in psychology from Georgetown University. She went on to receive both her Master’s and Ph.D. from Alliant University with an emphasis in Child, Adolescent and Family psychology. Dr. O’Connor has been a part of both the Phi Beta Kappa, and Psi-Chi national honor societies and received the Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy award while at Alliant. Dr. O’Connor maintains a private practice in San Clemente and had numerous positions in the field before joining Sovereign including serving as the Clinical Director for the OCD Residential Program at Remuda Ranch and serving as a predoctoral intern at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. O’Connor also has broad teaching experience in the field of psychology and has numerous publications and presentations on the fields of mental health and eating disorders. Along with her depth of knowledge and experience Dr. O’Connor brings a strong passion about caring for those with mental illness to Sovereign Health.

Dr. Fred Bekhrad

Biofeedback Technician

Specializing in Biomedical Rehabilitation Engineering

Dr. Fred Bekhrad is the Biofeedback technician at Sovereign Health. Dr. Bekhrad received his Bachlor’s of Science with honor in Biology and Chemistry from St. Louis University and his Master’s in Clinical Rehab Engineering from Washington University, St. Louis. He received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Iowa State University and has certifications in CPR, Biofeedback and Assistive Technology. Dr. Bekhrad is currently both a practitioner and consultant for Biomedical Rehabilitation Engineering in addition to being part of the Sovereign Health Staff. Before joining Sovereign, Dr. Bekhrad served as the Director of Rehabilitation Technology Laboratories and Senior Tech Solutions across the country and also acted as a Rehabilitation leader and expert for numerous organizations, including the UCLA Medical Centers. Dr. Bekhrad has helped design numerous innovations in the field of mental and physical care and has many publications and presentations on the topic of Rehabilitation Engineering as well.

Dr. Kelly Souza

Associate Clinical Director

Specializing in Eating Disorder Program

Dr. Kelly Souza is the associate clinical director of the eating disorder program at Sovereign Health of California. Dr. Souza received her Bachelor’s degree in generally psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2003. She then went on and completed her Master’s degree and Doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Southern California Seminary in 2010. Dr. Souza has been working in the mental health field for the past ten years in various setting including residential treatment and foster care for severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, residential treatment for adolescent males on probation, treatment of chronically mentally ill adults in inpatient and outpatient settings, and treatment for adults with eating disorders, mental health issues, and substance abuse issues in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient settings.

Jennifer McGruder

Licensed Vocational Nurse and Medical Liaison

Jennifer McGruder, is Sovereign Health’s Licensed Vocational Nurse and Medical Liaison. Jennifer received her Vocational Nursing Diploma from Stanbridge College, while maintaining a position on the Dean’s List for much of that time. She also is certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) by the American Heart Association and is IV therapy and blood withdrawal certified. Before joining Sovereign’s staff Jennifer was deeply involved in care-giving. As both a student LVN in a variety of positions and as a fully Licensed Vocational Nurse for Alzheimer’s and Dementia clients at ComForcare Senior Services, Jennifer has consistently demonstrated a passionate attitude towards assisting in caring and helping clients.

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.

John D. Tobias

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor – II

John D. Tobias is the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor - II (CADC - II) for Sovereign Health. He received his Bachelors Degree in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin and continued on to receiving his Masters of Science Counseling at the National Louis University in Chicago, Illinois. John is currently a board member of Recovery Beyond Borders, who provide assistance to developing countries in their alcohol and drug treatment efforts. He is especially well versed in the 12-step recovery and has considerable experience as a member of the multi-disciplinary therapeutic treatment teams. John has extensive experience within his field and before coming to Sovereign, he accumulated over 20 years of experience in the field of addiction counseling. We are proud to have John Tobias as a member of Sovereign Health’s team, and we know that his experience in counseling will help provide our clients with the necessary tools towards a positive recovery.

Jill Robinson

Marriage and Family Intern

Jill Robinson is a Marriage and Family Intern with Sovereign Health of California. Jill received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s, in Psychology and Clinical Psychology respectively, from Vanguard University and is specifically certified in dealing with Co-occurring Disorders. Jill has experience working with many of the more well-known mental health service centers in Orange County and Los Angeles County including, College Hospital Costa Mesa and StarView Community Services. She is also a registered member with the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. At Sovereign Health we benefit greatly by having Jill’s experience and dedication to the field of therapy as part of our clinic.