Bridge to Recovery Team
Patricia A. Judd, PhD – Director and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Dr. Judd is Director of the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program and the UC San Diego Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) Integrated Treatment and Research Program. Dr. Judd developed the first fully integrated co-occurring substance abuse and other mental disorders program within San Diego County in 1997 and has been active in advocacy for education about integrated services locally and nationally over the past 30 years. Dr. Judd’s group is researching the course, characteristics and treatment outcomes of individuals with COD. Dr. Judd also specializes in borderline personality disorder with Thomas McGlashan and is the author of A Developmental Model of Borderline Personality Disorder, Understanding Variations in Course and Outcome.
Diana Panizzon, PsyD – Assistant Program Director
Dr. Panizzon is a psychologist working with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. As Assistant Program Director, Dr. Panizzon provides work direction and oversight of services provided by UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program at the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital and various other locations. She is also involved in the delivery of clinical care, the coordination and production of clinical research, clinical supervision and training, program development and program evaluation. Dr. Panizzon received her Doctoral and Master's degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She has a strong background in individual, group and family psychotherapy, ethics and laws in psychology, abuse/trauma, neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment/testing, addictions treatment and severe comorbidities, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Alison Solomon, LCSW – Clinical Coordinator
Alison Solomon is the Clinical Coordinator for the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She oversees the smooth functioning of the program on a day-to-day basis and provides clinical supervision and direction for all clinicians and community health program representatives. Alison has an extensive background in clinical direction of non-profit and behavioral health programs. She has taught at several universities and has published articles in professional journals and textbooks on clinical assessment and multicultural practice. In addition to her expertise in co-occurring disorders, she also has a strong background in domestic violence, adoptions and gestalt therapy. She received her MSS from Bryn Mawr College, PA.
Doug Aucoin, LCSW – Lead Clinician
Doug Aucoin holds a full-time position as Lead Clinician in the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. He has more than a decade of experience as a clinical social worker and is experienced in a variety of modalities, especially individual, group and family therapy. Doug has worked in inpatient and outpatient acute psychiatric settings and also developed and coordinated a program aimed at reducing patient recidivism at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital. He has three years of experience as a hospice social worker and has worked extensively with the severely mentally ill, elderly and substance abusing populations. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California.
Frederick E. Bennett BSW, CAS II – Community Health Program Representative
Frederick Bennett is employed with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program as a Community Health Program Representative. Frederick received his Bachelor of Social Work at San Diego State University in 2003 and has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment and management for the past six years. He is a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS II) from the CAARR Institute (California Association of Addiction and Recovery Resources).
Gina Bongiorno, MA, IMF – Clinician
Gina Bongiorno has held a full-time clinical position with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program since its development in 2010. She obtained her Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego in 2009 where she was the recipient of the Award of Distinction. In 2005, she obtained her Psychology degree with a double minor in Sociology and Behavioral Sciences from McGill University. In addition to her clinical work performing assessment, diagnosis, individual and group psychotherapy, Gina is the lead family therapist for the program. She specializes in trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, grief, sexual assault, and co-occurring disorders in women and seniors. She also serves as a problem gambling consultant and regularly provides trainings to mental health providers and community members. Gina uses a variety of clinical modalities in her treatment, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavior therapies.
Lesley Boutah, LCSW – Lead Clinician / Discharge Planner
Lesley Boutah is a Lead Clinician / Discharge Planner with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis in mental health from San Diego State University in 2007. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with an emphasis in crime/deviance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2003. Lesley’s work experience includes serving the severely mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and co-occurring disorder population. She has worked in a variety of settings, which includes intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, inpatient hospitalization, crisis house and outpatient services. She has experience in individual, couple’s, and family therapy, group therapy, behavior modification, case management, discharge planning, and crisis interventions. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California.
Robert Bryan – Lead Community Health Program Representative
Robert Bryan has a full-time Lead Peer Specialist position with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. He has more than four years of experience working with co-occurring disorders, as well as specialized training in motivational interviewing and group facilitation. He is currently in the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Certificate Program at San Diego City College. Robert also currently serves as a provider outreach specialist in the Bridge to Recovery Program.
Anthony DeMangos, CATC – Community Health Program Representative
Anthony DeMangos is a certified addictions treatment counselor and case manager with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. He has 11 years of experience working in the field of substance abuse/dependency and recovery. Anthony has worked primarily with the veteran and homeless population, with experience in treating co-occurring and post traumatic stress disorders. He has received specialized training in motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, and client centered therapy.
Velma “Vernay” Justice Royster, BS, RAS – Community Health Program Representative
Vernay Justice Royster holds a full-time position as Peer Specialist with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She received her certification in addiction studies from the Breining Institute, College for the Advanced Study of Addictive Disorders, Sacramento in 2009 and her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Services at Springfield College, San Diego, California campus in 2011, graduating Cum Laude. Vernay has received specialty training in Motivational Interviewing and has worked in the field of addiction for several years. Vernay also has experience managing a residential alcohol and drug program in San Diego County.
Karen Miller, BA, CATC – Community Health Program Representative
Karen Miller holds a full-time position with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery program as a Community Health Program Representative. She received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from National University in 2010, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She has worked in the addiction treatment field for 10 plus years providing direct client services on both an individual and group level. Karen is regularly scheduled as a guest speaker at San Diego City College on the disease of addiction and treatment options. She is a certified addictions treatment counselor through the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE).
Joseph Mora – Clinician
Joseph Mora holds a full-time clinical position with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. He obtained his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University and graduated from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's in Political Science-Public Policy and minor in Law & Society. Prior to working with Bridge, Joe was a social worker for the Senate Bill 618 (SB 618) and Transitional Case Management Programs (TCMP) where he advocated for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmates and parolees and assisted in their transition back into the community. His additional clinical experiences include working with women, children, and substance abuse at MHS Providence Place and severe trauma for individuals seeking asylum at Survivors of Torture, International. He has gained a lot of personal and professional insight serving these communities and is conscious of the additional social and emotional challenges associated with re-entry, mental illness, HIV/AIDS and issues surrounding family reunification and resettlement.
Rebecca Munger, MSW, ASW – Clinician
Rebecca Munger is a full-time Clinical Social Worker with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University in 2008. She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in women’s studies from San Diego State University. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, she gained experience working as an inpatient clinical social worker at a free standing psychiatric hospital in La Mesa. She also has experience and specialized training working with domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Rebecca works with a variety of clients at the Bridge to Recovery Program and utilizes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and client-centered therapy techniques.
Ana Ocampo Rebollar, MA – Clinician
Ana Ocampo Rebollar is a clinician at the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She has a MA in clinical psychology. Prior to joining this program, she was working as a community case manager for the Senate Bill 618, a voluntary re-entry program designed to assist non-violent offenders in prison by providing services to help ensure a successful transition back into the community. Previously, she was a program and management analyst for the United States Department of Defense in Naples (Italy) where she worked for the Fleet and Family Support Program. Before moving to Italy, she was working as a clinical social worker for the Transitional Case Management Program at UC San Diego where she conducted mental health assessments for CDCR. Additionally, she has experience working as a substance abuse counselor for inmates and parolees. Ana is currently enrolled in a PhD program in clinical psychology.
Paige Ryan, BA, CATC-I – Community Health Program Representative
Paige Ryan holds a full-time position as Peer Specialist with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. Paige obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal Communications from USC and is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor Intern with CAADE (California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators). Paige is currently enrolled in graduate school at Walden University in the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program with the goal of obtaining her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Paige has advanced training in Motivational Interviewing and in the treatment of Problem and Pathological Gambling. Paige has worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug treatment for the last several years.
Jorge Sinohui, CATC-I – Community Health Program Representative
Jorge Sinohui holds a full-time position as Peer Specialist with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery for Problem Gambling Program. He is a certified addictions treatment counselor and has more than four years of experience working in the field of substance abuse/dependency and recovery. Jorge has worked primarily with Drug Court Program and SDSU research Foundation SBIRC program (screening patients for use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, providing a brief or in-patient treatment and counseling community programs, while in Emergency Room or Trauma Centers.
Julia “Juli” Smith, CDAAC, RAS – Community Health Program Representative
Juli Smith holds a full-time position as a Community Health Program Representative with the UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery Program. She received her certification as a drug alcohol addiction counselor at ACADCI (Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute) as well as her Registered Addiction Specialist certificate through the Breining Institute. Prior to joining Bridge to Recovery, she has led The Most Excellent Way meeting for four years and has worked with the older adult population as a care manager for a private fiduciary. She has received specialized training in motivational interviewing and has worked in the field of addiction for several years.
Ellen Solorzano, MA, MSW, ASW – Clinician
Ellen Solorzano holds a full-time clinical position with UC San Diego Bridge to Recovery for Problem Gambling Program. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cleveland State University in 1985 and her Master’s degree in social work from San Diego State University in 2008. From 1991-2008, Ellen worked as a psychiatric research coordinator, interviewing clients with severe mental illness. She has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and crisis house settings in the San Diego area. She has specialized training in working with clients of all ages with severe mental illness and works with a diverse population of clients in both individual and group settings.