Willow Springs Center
Reno, NV

New Staff at Willow Springs

Willow Springs Center for children and adolescents ages 5 through 17 welcomes Dr. Philip Malinas as Chief Medical Officer for the medical model Residential Treatment Center in Reno.

Dr. Malinas, a Board Certified Child and Adolescent psychiatrist heads up the Willow Springs Treatment team with an extensive background in behavioral healthcare in California. He completed his Postgraduate Training at UCLA San Fernando Valley Psychiatry Training Program and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Malinas possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and mathematics at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, and his Doctor of Medicine degree at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Malinas was the Former Medical Director for Youth and Family Mental Health Services, Department of Behavioral Health, Ventura County and the former Medical Director for partial hospitalization at Vista Del Mar Hospital in Ventura, California. He has provided psychiatric evaluations for adolescent residential treatment programs, consultation, therapy and medication management for a juvenile correctional treatment facility. Most recently, Dr. Malinas has maintained a private practice in Woodland Hills, CA since 2003.

Scott York, CEO of Willow Springs states "We are very excited about having Dr. Malinas on-board; he is a fine person and wonderful human being."

Willow Springs would also like to welcome Dr. Jason Walenta, Medical Director of the Outpatient Program and attending to clients in the Residential program. Dr. Walenta is a widely published and honored psychiatrist who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry at the University of Texas, Austin, and his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University Of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He also earned a doctorate in the medical scientist training program at the University Of Texas Southwestern Graduate School Of Biomedical Science. He completed his general psychiatry residency at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine, Reno, NV, and his child and adolescent psychiatry residency at the University Of Utah Affiliated Hospitals in Salt Lake City.

Willow Springs, a JCAHO accredited, TriCare certified "secured" medical residential treatment program in Reno, NV and by the State of Nevada as a psychiatric hospital is a member of the American Association of Children's Residential Treatment Centers. All clients' treatment is led by a Staff Psychiatrist as well as licensed Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, Medical Doctors, Director of Nursing, RN's, Mental Health Technicians, Allied Therapists, and Education staff. Both children and teens attend Truckee Meadows School, an on-site, state-licensed private school providing elementary through high school education. Teachers are employees of Willow Springs Center and serve as educational advisors to the treatment team and the patient. All teachers meet or exceed State of Nevada certification requirements in the subjects they teach.

Contracted with most major insurance payers and certified by TriCare, Willow Springs can offer services to a wider audience of clients.

Willow Springs Center's philosophy recognizes the unique needs of each individual patient and family. The program takes a developmental approach in assessing and providing treatment for children and teens suffering from psychiatric problems, with the family playing a key role in the treatment.