Meet the Team

Matthew Tatum, PsyD received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology. Early in his career, he played a key role in helping develop two integrated behavioral health departments for Federally Qualified Health Centers in Fresno County. In 2015 he assumed the Executive Director role at First Steps Recovery. There he grew a single, six bed residential drug and alcohol treatment center into a six bed detoxification facility, 16 bed residential treatment center, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program, and 30 bed sober living program. Expanding services such as this is a passion and life’s work for Dr. Tatum. His goal for Sierra Meadows is to expand services to the entire Central Valley and be able to provide care for all those in need.

Meet Alicia Alva, our dedicated Chief Operating Officer of Mental Health Division , a distinguished figure in the field of behavioral health with a wealth of experience and expertise. Holding a Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, Alicia’s passion for enhancing mental health and well-being is palpable in her every endeavor.

With a background as an Executive Director of Day Treatment and Crisis Response programs in the Central Valley, Alicia has honed her leadership skills and deepened her understanding of the complexities within the behavioral health landscape. Her strategic vision and commitment to excellence drive the operational success of our company, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services that positively impact individuals and communities.

Beyond her professional achievements, Alicia finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly in traveling to watch her sons play soccer in California. This balance between her personal passions and professional pursuits reflects Alicia’s holistic approach to life and work, embodying the values of dedication, empathy, and resilience.

As Chief Operating Officer of Mental Health Division, Alicia Alva embodies the ethos of our company, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve while fostering a culture of compassion, innovation, and inclusivity.

Jason Christopherson, PsyD, MSCP, ABPP earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He is the only Board Certified Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychologist in Central California.  Dr. Christopherson is a neuropsychologically trained clinical psychologist and has been working with children, teens, and families for over a decade.

Stephanie Patrick-Calvillo, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating patients with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan and across practice environments; including inpatient and outpatient settings. Her education includes a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a focus on Executive Healthcare as well as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization from the University of St. Louis. Stephanie provides personalized, compassionate, and comprehensive care for patients. When not caring for patients Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and collecting plants.

Amanda Frantz brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Director of Outpatient Programs at Ascend. With a Master’s degree in Social Work, Amanda is deeply committed to improving the lives of individuals struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse.

Prior to her current position, Amanda served as the Program Manager at Eminence Healthcare, where she specialized in providing substance abuse treatment to adolescents. Her dedication and passion for helping young people navigate the challenges of addiction have made her a respected figure in the field.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda finds fulfillment in her roles as a mother and wife to her young children. She values family time and cherishes the moments spent with her loved ones.

Amanda’s combination of clinical expertise, leadership skills, and compassionate approach make her a valuable asset to the Ascend team, driving positive outcomes for those in need of behavioral health services.

Aaron Vargas has earned his Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from National University and a Bachelors in Criminology from CSU Fresno. Aaron comes to Ascend as an experienced Facility Manager for Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs, where he has helped establish the treatment of new programs. Throughout Aaron’s career he has supported patients and his fellow staff through behavioral and crisis management and has a passion for helping adolescents in need. On his free time, Aaron is a family man and enjoys to watch his son play football and wrestle.

Tiffany graduated from UC Riverside and Fresno State. She came to Ascend with extensive clinical experience as a Program Manager at Valley Recovery Center working with clients in an intensive outpatient setting for several years. She is passionate about working with children’s and their families who have experienced crime and more specifically, sexual abuse. Tiffany enjoys playing sports, spending time with her family, painting, and participating in anything related to true crime.

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Bio Coming Soon.

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Megan comes to Ascend with over a decade of experience working in strategic development and social impact in the non-profit, NGO, and foreign aid sector. She was a film producer at MSNBC and produced documentary and docu-series projects during her time there. Megan has a passion for helping underserved communities access the mental health and recovery resources they need.  She is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and a minor in Business Administration, she also lettered in Division 1 Soccer while at USD. She was born and raised in Central California and is returning to the area after working in the Bay Area and Los Angeles for the last 20 years. She values spending time with her family and weekend trips to Shaver Lake.

Bio Coming Soon