Caring Staff

Restore features a multidisciplinary team of certified addiction treatment professionals, psychiatrists, licensed therapists, interventionists and coaches that staff our world-class treatment centers and living quarters. Our goal is to help those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders achieve lasting recovery. We like to say our job is removing any barrier that is in the way of clients getting better!

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Dr. Christian Small
MD Medical Director

Christian Small, MD is board certified in addiction psychiatry, general psychiatry and family medicine. He is one of a handful of doctors in the US who have the experience and training to treat full spectrum medical and psychiatric illness. Dr. Small has become a leader in delivering evidence based addiction practices, medical and psychiatric care to addiction treatment programs.

He is the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, an innovative company bringing the highest level of patient care to substance treatment and mental health programs. Dr. Small was previously employed by the Veterans Administration in La Jolla as an addiction psychiatrist and at the University of California San Diego. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine and completed a residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.

Aliza Vayngurt
Executive Director

Aliza, our Executive Director, received her undergraduate degree in Political Science at The University of San Francisco in 2014. After graduating, she had her own experience and exposure to the world of Addiction and Substance Abuse. Discovering her passion to help other addicts like herself, Ms. Vayngurt has been working in the Substance Abuse field since 2018. In 2021, she joined the Restore Health and Wellness Team and is currently working towards her national AOD Certification.

Before her role as Executive Director, Aliza had the opportunity to explore and operate in various areas of the SUD industry including, amongst others, Case Management, Compliance, and Operations. She states, “When I was in the grips of this disease I couldn’t see a way out, and that kept me sick and hopeless, but I want to let other people suffering from this disease know that there is a way out and there are people willing to help them find their hope again”.

Donny Barth
Director of Admission

With 13 years of personal recovery and 10 years of industry experience, Donny is a strong believer in the transformative nature of sound clinical treatment experience. Donny struggled with substance abuse through high school, college, and afterward, putting his family and loved ones through unimaginable stress for years. Today Donny has a passion for educating families and loved ones of the co-occurring struggles that addicts and alcoholics face, as well as addressing and coaching them through codependent relationships to help empower loved ones to draw healthy boundaries and set up a path for long term success. Donny believes real success stems from addressing underlying issues- that substance abuse disorders are merely a symptom of a larger problem, and that access to quality clinical care is the foundation of that recovery.

Rick Hagaman
Recoveryfit

Rick Hagaman has provided his elite fitness and wellness services to individuals and corporate groups since 2006. He has utilized this success and experience along with over 18 years of active recovery to create the Recoveryfit program. “Early on, I was lucky enough to realize just how essential fitness and exercise was to my recovery. Sometimes it was the only thing between me and a drink. I developed this unique program in an effort to share the gift of fitness with others suffering from addiction who are searching for tools to stay clean and sober.

Recoveryfit is an expertly crafted group fitness program presented in alignment with the 12 Steps and 12 principles of recovery. This innovative program elevates the emotional well-being of clients through exercise; consequently, increasing the chances of long-term recovery from addiction. Recoveryfit centers on the often-neglected PHYSICAL COMPONENT of recovery by providing the valuable tool of fitness to people struggling through the early months of the recovery process.

Safe and effective exercise is universally beneficial for all who do it; however, Recoveryfit’s comprehensive fitness program is especially beneficial to those individuals recovering from addiction:

Produces endorphins (similar to drugs)
Partially replaces cravings for drugs and alcohol
Exercise may reduce withdrawal symptoms
One can start developing healthy habits to replace ones which have been destructive
Feel better and look better; increasing your self esteem
If I have low self-esteem, my mind tells me I might as well drink
Exercise can slow down the alcoholic mind for a period of time
Creates a special bond and camaraderie within the group

Clients experience recovery at the physical level through this one-of-a-kind exercise program, creating a paradigm shift not only for recovery, but also for fitness and exercise.

Natanya Ross Morrow
Regional Director of Business Development

Natanya has been working in the field of addiction for the last 12 years. Natanya brings enthusiasm and dedication to her work that is unparalleled to many we have seen. Through her kindness and warmth, she has the ability to connect with clients and their families on a level where they can relate to her story and feel safe with her guiding them through the process of entering treatment. Natanya started at a very young age as a child actress and through her struggle in her own addiction found a passion for working in the field of treatment. At Restore, Natanya approaches her job with compassion and love and tries to always come from the heart space that has allowed her the opportunity to help as many people as possible. In Natanya’s own personal life, she is an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and sponsors many people in that community and well as being the founder of San Fernando Valley's Feed the Homeless which is a service organization that provides hope and a meal to those suffering and in need. As of 2018 Natanya serves on the executive board of WAAT (women’s association of addiction treatment) as the CEO/ President and co-founded the Golden Thread Women’s empowerment group. Natanya continues to strive towards growing with Restore and strengthening her skills not only as the Regional Director but as a member of the Restore community.

Nicole Prescott, RADT
Program Director

Nicole Prescott has worked at Restore Health Wellness since 2018. Over the course of five years, Nicole has dedicated herself to experiencing a vast variety of titles. Initially starting as a Behavioral Health Technician her passion proceeded to launch active roles within operational and clinical departments. Prior Supervisor in operations, group facilitator, IOP coordinator, and Clinical Counselor with Restore Health Wellness. She has compressive knowledge of the company policy and procedure exhibiting ethical standard care. Treating with individualized compassion. Nicole has twenty years of personal experience that supports clients and family members struggling with substance use disorder. She is an active member of the recovery community and has a working knowledge of support group fellowships. Nicole strongly supports structure to ensure sobriety. Registered with CCAPP Studying in Los Angeles Pierce College she is pursuing ongoing education. She specializes in motivational interviewing and unconditional positive regard. Nicole expresses empathy and a level of individual care to the whole person modality working closely with clients and family members. Encouraging structure and support to motivate the stage of change. -The only time you look down on addicts is when you are helping them get back up -

Joshua Wintringham, CADC-CAS
Clinical Counselor

With four years in the field, Josh’s goal continues to be providing substance use disorder counseling in both an official capacity and as a compassionate coach; helping clients see what’s next in life as well as purpose and finding meaning. Before intensive motivation to change his life to help others, Josh worked as a documentary filmmaker, writer, and graphic artist in motion picture marketing and television. He embraces the serenity he finds in fellowship, ultimately hoping to pass on the gift of lifelong recovery.

Josh holds a BFA in Motion Picture Production, a California state certified accreditation in Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC I), and a Certification Degree from Pierce College in Addiction Studies. This Fall he accepted a seat in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Graduate Studies Program at CSUN.

Emily Bruce, RAC
BHT Manager

Emily Bruce is a dedicated professional at Restore Health and Wellness, serving as the Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Manager. She started her journey with the organization as a Tech and has quickly climbed the ranks to become a trusted and valued member of the management team. Her passion for helping others stems from her own personal experience with addiction, which gives her a unique perspective and empathy towards clients who are struggling with substance abuse. Emily is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment that fosters growth and healing for clients. Her management style is characterized by her ability to inspire and motivate her team to deliver exceptional care and services to clients. She is known for her interpersonal skills, which help her to build strong and meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike.