As Ascend continues to grow and expand, we add even more incredible individuals to our team. If you’re considering Ascend as a treatment program for yourself or your teen, you may want to learn more about who is going to be involved in your care. With our staff spotlights, you get an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes.
Follow along this month as we explore Dr. DaNiesha’s work. What does she do at Ascend? Let’s find out!
Dr. DaNiesha’s Role on Our Team
Dr. DaNiesha’s title is Clinical Director at our Magnolia and Kallos programs. In this role, she’s in charge of program leadership, clinical guidance, client supervision, mentor support, and the overall progress of all our clients. She’s there for everything that’s going on, including day-to-day needs, monthly schedules, treatment planning, and so much more!
Where She Got Her Start
Dr. DaNiesha wasn’t always part of the Ascend squad. She only joined us in 2024 after working as the clinical director for a program funded by the Lanterman Regional Center. In that role, she provided 24-hour crisis support for individuals with intellectual and developmental needs.
Before her work in mental health, Dr. DaNiesha was working as an intern for a residential treatment facility while completing her doctorate degree. After less than two months at her internship, she was asked to join full-time as a primary therapist. She trained as a mentor and therapist, realizing that the family work in residential treatment level of care was exactly where she wanted to be.
Why We Love Dr. DaNiesha
When she first joined the team, we were going through a big transition, growing our organization while moving staff to positions where they could perform at their best. Many people were concerned with the sustainability of our growth, but Dr. DaNiesha immediately recognized that with just a little extra guidance, she could provide mentors with the support they needed. Under her guidance, the mentors easily adjusted to the transition in leadership with minimal burnout.
Now, she’s taken over clinical directorship at two houses, including Kallos and Magnolia. Working with Dr. DaNiesha, we can clearly see that she’s incredibly passionate about her work, especially when it comes to family intensive weeks! Her commitment to helping families heal and reconnect has been an inspiration for everyone who works with her.
Why Dr. DaNiesha Loves Ascend
Dr. DaNiesha already found her niche working in residential treatment, so Ascend was a great company for her to join, as we currently have eight residential treatment facilities. Each facility offers a unique focus area, including substance use, general mental health, trauma, and neurodivergence. Dr. DaNiesha finds the work at Ascend both challenging and fulfilling, especially since she’s in charge of two of our facilities!
Dr. DaNiesha has also contributed a lot of time and effort into building a committed and passionate team. She’s developed a group that trusts one another, looks to her for leadership, and finds joy in helping others. Working alongside her team, Dr. DaNiesha feels like she’s part of a family.
A Day in Her Life
A typical day for DaNiesha is all about the meetings. She meets with clinicians, educators, mentors, and other members of the support staff for clinical check-ins and reports on everyday needs. You’ll also find her occasionally running groups with clients and interacting with them in a therapist role to help them grow and build resilience. And on top of all that, Dr. DaNiesha still finds the time to meet with our in-house chefs and discuss client dietary needs and restrictions to ensure everyone has access to healthy, fulfilling meals.
Learning & Growing
Ascend isn’t just a place where clients can learn, grow, and work on themselves — our staff get the same opportunities every day. For Dr. DaNiesha, learning and growth mean trusting in her team and discovering ways to become a better leader. She realizes how many people rely on her skills, so she never takes her work for granted.
Another challenge Dr. DaNiesha has faced in her work is setting appropriate boundaries. As much as she wants to give all her energy to helping our clients thrive, she knows that she must care for herself in order to care for others. Setting professional boundaries ensures Dr. DaNiesha isn’t overexerting herself — she’s following the rules that she preaches to everyone else!
Next Month at Ascend
Many of our staff members find our work incredibly fulfilling because they get to watch how transformational our programs can be for teens and their families. If you’ve ever considered a career in mental health, we’d love to hear from you! Fill out an application to join the team, and keep up with our blog for next month’s spotlight staff member!
