Our Team

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.

Brandi was born and raised in Fresno, California. She is married and has two children. Brandi and her family recently moved to San Diego County in December 2021. Brandi earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University Fresno, earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in general psychology from Grand Canyon University. She is currently writing her dissertation with hopes to graduate in 2023. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC), and is certified in animal-assisted therapy (CAATP). She currently sits on the board of directors for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Brandi has a passion for working with those struggling with mental health and addiction-related disorders as she has seen both affect those closest to her since a young age. Brandi has experience working in a variety of mental health and substance use disorder settings both in public and private communities. She has worked in battered women’s and children’s shelters, children’s youth services, the Salvation Army, and provided co-occurring services within the educational system. Brandi worked in the private treatment industry both as a therapist and as a clinical director overseeing all levels of care in the SUD field. Brandi was deputized as a conservator working with serious mental illness within the County of Fresno and was a utilization review specialist for the County of Fresno, conducting audits for all substance use programs under Medi-Cal. Brandi was the liaison for the Fresno County Jail ensuring those on conservatorship and incarcerated were able to get needed mental health and SUD treatment. Brandi also had a private practice where she practiced her specialty in animal-assisted therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy. Her dog Rocket is currently in training to be her new therapy dog. Brandi now is the Executive and Clinical Director for Invigorate Behavioral Health. She oversees all operational and clinical staff and ensures the treatment is of the utmost quality, from the client’s arrival to discharge. Brandi tries to see beauty and hope everywhere she goes and believes everything happens for a reason. Brandi’s passion is advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves and helping people start a new life and journey in recovery.

My name is Darrin Thibault. I am the Program Director for Invigorate Behavioral Health.  I have been working in the substance abuse industry for three in a half years. When you finally make the decision to engage in your recovery and the date of your admission is set, I will be the first voice you hear on the facility side. My duty is to bring structure, accountability, and love. For 20 years I lived in the dark, wasting my life and potential. Through recovery, I was given a second chance. I was able to find my purpose to help people find the light I found. I have been referred to as an anomaly, I am truly on borrowed time. If you feel the same, if you’re reading this, I want you to know I will be here waiting in a holding pattern to help you help yourself along the path of recovery. I look forward to meeting you! ” You are a child of God with infinite value,” we will help you realize your true potential.

Hello! My name is Shane Niels, and I am the supervisor of Clinical Services and documentation a Invigorate. I have been with the company for over 3 years, and it has been a humbling learning experience. I hail from the Midwest area of Chicago Illinois and have been living in California for nearly 4 years. My beginning at Invigorate was a big career change for me and it is something I have loved and enjoyed. I appreciate seeing our clients heal, grow, and become empowered in their new life of recovery. I am active in recovery myself and enjoy a physical lifestyle of fitness. I also train in Muay Thai, which has helped me in my journey to continuously grow and remain humble. Being a part of this amazing team has offered me the insight I need to continue developing as a better version of myself and allowed me to offer my experience, strength, and hope, to any person that comes through our doors. I firmly believe that recovery begins somewhere between education and a spiritual overhaul, and I am honored to be part of an organization that fosters the ability for both.