Associates

Lee D. Mendiola, M.D.

Lee D. Mendiola, MD graduated from Santo Tomas Medical University in the Philippines and went on to complete his psychiatry residency at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. In 2000, he relocated from the east coast to reside in California where he presently holds his private practice. Dr. Mendiola is dual-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and National Board of Medical Examiners.

In addition to his clinical appointments, Dr. Mendiola maintains memberships with several professional societies, including:

• American Psychiatric Association
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• American Medical Association

Dr. Mendiola completed his advanced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.

His office is located at 1752 S. Victoria Avenue, Suite #250 Ventura, CA 93003. He also serves patients in the Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks areas.

Vania Manipod, D.O.

Dr. Vania Manipod, DO, is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology & Psychiatry in general psychiatry. She graduated from Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. She completed a traditional rotating internship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California followed by a psychiatry residency at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, Oregon where she served as the chief resident. She firmly believes in a holistic approach to psychiatry and incorporates psychotherapeutic techniques, diet and lifestyle, in addition to medication management, when indicated. Dr. Manipod is also actively involved in various social media outlets to reduce the stigma of mental health, particularly in her blog http://freudandfashion.com/.

Sumathi Balaraman, D.O.

Dr. Sumathi Balaraman comes to California by way of the East Coast. After finishing high school and college in Pennsylvania, Dr. Balaraman received her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She began her Psychiatry residency training at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH and finished her training at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She has been in California for the past 10 years with her family. Dr. Balaraman is a general adult psychiatrist with experience in inpatient, community outpatient and correctional facility settings.She is currently in private practice in Ventura, CA with Dr. Lee Mendiola, a friend and classmate from the Cleveland Clinic

Azadeh Ellsworth, PMHNP-BC

Azadeh Ellsworth is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with specialties in outpatient mental health services, crisis stabilization and addiction medicine. For the last ten (10) years, she has been active in providing healthcare services in the Ventura County area, striving to create a safe and trusting environment where clients can feel comfortable to share their needs and concerns. Azadeh believes that every person is unique and that a collaborative approach is best to achieve the most desirable treatment outcomes. She graduated from the Azusa Pacific University

Michelle Hamilton, PMHNP-BC

Michelle Hamilton is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a special interest in the care of adults with mood and thought disorders. She earned her Masters of Science Degree from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from The Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Her background includes crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatry, and Consult-Liaison Psychiatry. Michelle has a passion for incorporating a holistic, evidenced-based approach for optimizing the mental health needs of each individual client. She happily returns to Ventura County with her family after many years of living in the Mid-West.

Julie Tatian, PMHNP-BC

Julie Tatian is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who
particularly enjoys helping those struggling with depression and anxiety. She was born and
raised in Los Angeles, California, and earned her Masters of Science Degree from California
State University of Los Angeles. Her background includes working with adult patients in a
variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency, providing mental health
services. Julie’s primary objective is to establish a meaningful patient-provider therapeutic
relationship to help her clients feel heard and understood. She believes a collaborative and
holistic approach is best to develop a treatment plan centered on the individual’s unique
characteristics, circumstances, and goals.

Michaela Martin, PMHNP-BC

Michaela Martin is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she got her start in healthcare as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room of an East Los Angeles county hospital. Michaela’s clinical experience includes acute psychiatric emergencies, crisis intervention, and medication management for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She offers medication management for psychiatric conditions including: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, insomnia, OCD, and ADHD.
Michaela believes that mental health is necessary for overall health. She provides comprehensive and compassionate care, and works to create individualized treatments that will improve patients’ quality of life. She looks forward to working with you.

Chelsea Vanicek, PMHNP

Chelsea Vanicek is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who particularly enjoys treating adult and geriatric patients. Chelsea, at a very young age has always had a passion for healthcare. She earned her CNA license in highschool and decided to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing. After receiving her BSN in Illinois, she moved to California and started working dealing with chronic illnesses in clinics and hospitals. When the pandemic started, she became acutely aware of the lack of mental health services at a time where it was needed the most. This was what inspired her to go back to school in order to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is a graduate from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science.