EXPERIENCE GUIDING YOUR CARE
Meet Dr. DeAnna Crosby, Clinical Director
Dr. DeAnna Crosby brings more than 25 years of experience as a mental health clinician, plus more than 35 years of volunteer work in dual diagnosis treatment, to the clinical standard she sets at Laguna Therapy Center. Her background spans direct clinical care, clinical leadership, and program development, with deep experience treating co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
EXPLORE HER CLINICAL BACKGROUND
Learn about Dr. Crosby’s education, credentials, and clinical training.
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UNDERSTAND HER CLINICAL FOCUS
Explore her work in trauma, dual diagnosis, and clinician support.
EDUCATION, LICENSURE & TRAINING
Education & Credentials
Dr. Crosby holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, both from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California (LMFT License Number: CA127645) and a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC). She has completed Clinical Supervisor Training through CAADAC and holds certification as a Wellbriety Counselor for the dual-diagnosed Native American population. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and has supervised graduate and undergraduate clinical trainees for over a decade.
DECADES OF INTEGRATED CLINICAL CARE
A Career Built Around Complex, Co-Occurring Care
Dr. Crosby’s clinical career began as a drug and alcohol counselor, facilitating group therapy and conducting substance use assessments for clients with co-occurring disorders. That early work shaped a career-long focus: treating mental health and substance use together, not as separate problems handled one at a time. She went on to lead clinical operations at the director level, overseeing multidisciplinary treatment teams, clinical training, accreditation efforts, and policy development. That experience now informs the clinical standards across every program at Laguna Therapy Center.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE & CLINICIAN SUPPORT
A Specific Focus on Trauma and Dual Diagnosis
Dr. Crosby’s doctoral dissertation examined vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue among professionals working with survivors of human trafficking. She has also worked directly with this population, in both clinical and advocacy roles, for much of her career. That focus on trauma, dual diagnosis, and the toll that helping work takes on clinicians continues to shape how she approaches clinical oversight and staff training.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE BEYOND THE CLINIC
Recognized Expertise
Dr. Crosby is a trusted voice on addiction, trauma, and mental health. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show and contributed to NBC News, The Huffington Post, Elle, and MSN. She also speaks to clinicians and universities about resilience and compassion fatigue, including a 2026 session titled “Thriving in the Trenches: Resilience Tools for Mental Health Providers in High-Intensity Settings.”
LEADING WITH HOPE & CLINICAL PURPOSE
Her Approach to Clinical Leadership
Dr. Crosby describes her clinical philosophy simply: her role is to help instill and nurture hope in clients and clinicians alike, until they are able to carry it on their own. Her approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and built around the whole person rather than a single diagnosis. It’s the standard she holds every program at Laguna Therapy Center to.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DR. CROSBY
FAQs
Clear answers to some of the questions we hear most often. Don't see what you're looking for? Give us a call — our team is happy to help.
What are Dr. Crosby’s credentials?
Dr. Crosby holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC).
What is Dr. Crosby’s clinical specialty?
Her focus areas include dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions), trauma-informed care, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
How long has Dr. Crosby worked in mental health treatment?
She has more than 25 years of professional clinical experience, along with more than 35 years of volunteer work in dual diagnosis treatment settings.
Has Dr. Crosby been featured in the media?
Yes. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show and contributed to NBC News, The Huffington Post, Elle, and MSN.
What role does Dr. Crosby play at Laguna Therapy Center?
As Clinical Director, she sets the clinical standard of care across every program we offer and clinically reviews the information on our website.