Expanding Access.
Building Partnerships.
Strengthening Communities.
A nonprofit connecting San Diego County families to behavioral health care, education, and support through community partnerships.
Our Mission
Behavioral health support that reaches beyond the clinic walls, into the communities that need it most.
Brilliant Hands & Brilliant Start Wellness
One shared commitment to behavioral health access, two distinct roles. Collaboration without duplication.
- Community partners
Shelters, health systems, agencies
Organizations already serving families.
- Nonprofit
Brilliant Hands
Builds partnerships, education, outreach, and supportive services.
- Clinical provider
Brilliant Start Wellness
Provides therapy, psychiatric care, assessments, and substance use treatment.
- The people served
Individuals & families
Across San Diego County.
Four areas of community impact.
Behavioral Health Access
Connecting underserved individuals and families with appropriate behavioral health resources and treatment pathways.
Brilliant Start Wellness Center
An outpatient behavioral health provider in Poway treating mental health, substance use, and dual diagnosis, in person or virtually, days or evenings.
brilliantstartwellness.com- PHPPartial Hospitalization Program
- IOPIntensive Outpatient Program
- OPOutpatient Program
- Mental Health
- Care for mood, anxiety, trauma-related, and other behavioral health conditions.
- Substance Use
- Outpatient substance use treatment with relapse-prevention and recovery support.
- Dual Diagnosis
- Integrated care when mental health and substance use conditions occur together.
- Treatment can include
- Individual, group, and family therapy, relapse prevention, psychiatric and medication coordination, and case management.
- Programming that fits real life
- Day or evening groups, gender-specific or mixed, in person or virtual.
Neurofeedback & qEEG brain mapping.
An additional brain-based service at Brilliant Start Wellness that complements the behavioral health treatment continuum.
- 01
qEEG brain mapping
Baseline measurement of electrical brain activity to inform an individualized training plan.
Baseline - 02
Neurofeedback training
Training sessions using real-time EEG feedback to practice self-regulation.
Typically 8–9 sessions - 03
Repeat mapping
A follow-up qEEG is completed to compare patterns and review progress with the patient.
Follow-up
May support self-regulation and symptom management as an adjunct to psychotherapy and other indicated care.
Research is promising in areas such as PTSD, anxiety, arousal, and mood symptoms, although evidence varies by condition and protocol.
Provides an objective baseline-and-follow-up framework for discussing change with the patient.
Neurofeedback is used as an adjunctive service, not a replacement for indicated psychotherapy, medication management, or medical care.
A Clear Path From Referral to Care
Responsive communication and continuity of care, from the first referral to the first session.
- Step 1
Referral
Referral received by phone or email with available records and appropriate consent.
- Step 2
Clinical Review
The team reviews the referral and reaches out to schedule a clinical assessment.
- Step 3
Assessment & Benefits
Clinical fit, recommended level of care, eligibility, benefits, authorization requirements, and patient responsibility are reviewed.
- Step 4
Start & Coordinate
When appropriate, treatment begins and the referring team remains part of the care ecosystem when the patient authorizes collaboration.
Who may be a good referral?
Adults who need structured outpatient care for mental health, substance use, or both, including step-downs from a higher level of care.
Final admission and level-of-care decisions follow clinical assessment, medical necessity, and safety review.
From Partnership to Community Impact
Listen
Hear from community organizations about service gaps and needs.
Connect
Link organizations, providers, and supportive services.
Collaborate
Build education, outreach, referral pathways, and programs together.
Strengthen
Sustain partnerships that improve access over time.
Listen
Hear from community organizations about service gaps and needs.
Connect
Link organizations, providers, and supportive services.
Collaborate
Build education, outreach, referral pathways, and programs together.
Strengthen
Sustain partnerships that improve access over time.
Built for Responsible Growth
Mission-driven leadership, paired with nonprofit governance and financial stewardship.
- Governance
Board of Directors
Governance, strategic oversight, financial accountability, and compliance.
- Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Lilyan Hassaine
Leads vision, program development, community strategy, and partnerships.
- Chief Financial Officer
Salim Salahi
Leads budgeting, fiscal controls, and the financial systems for sustainable growth.
As Brilliant Hands grows, the board will oversee grants, partnerships, contracts, and program expansion.
Let's build something
meaningful together.
If your organization serves families who could use stronger behavioral health connections, let's talk.
Referral coordination, community education, shared programming, grants, contracts, and more.