Dual diagnosis · Orange County
Dual Diagnosis Treatmentin Orange County
We treat mental health and substance use together, in one PHP or IOP plan at our clinic in Laguna Beach.
Located in Laguna Beach, California
(949) 670-9345- PlanOne for both
- PHPAbout 6 hours
- IOPAbout 3 hours
What dual diagnosis is
Mental Health and Substance Use, Treated Together
Dual diagnosis treatment in Orange County means care for a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time, also called co-occurring disorders. At Exist, both are treated in one PHP or IOP plan by the same team. That plan uses Dr. Courtney Tracy's three-part model, which she built from more than a decade of clinical work with co-occurring disorders.
You can expect to not be stigmatized, and to be seen as a human in pain who can be helped.
How We Treat Both in the Same Week
In PHP or IOP, your groups, individual sessions, and somatic care all work on both conditions at once. A medical director for psychiatry can help with medication if you want it.
The Overlap
Your therapist looks at how your mental health and substance use affect each other, and builds one plan for both.
The Body
Somatic care uses yoga, mindfulness, and other therapies for physical pain and emotional ups and downs, and we look at nutrition and pain levels too.
The Mind
Cognitive work looks at the automatic thoughts that pop into your head and how they feed both your mood and your substance use.
The Team
Therapists, a case manager, a somatic practitioner, and medical directors for psychiatry and addiction medicine work together as one team.
From Our Founder
I solved the problem I had when struggling with my mental health, BPD, and addiction: no one knew how to help me.
Dr. Courtney Tracy · Founder and chief clinical officer
Dr. Courtney has spent more than a decade in practice, all of it with co-occurring substance use and mental health. She built Exist so both are treated together, by one team, in one plan.
Founder
Dr. Courtney Tracy
Credentials
LCSW · PsyD · CCTP
Accreditation
The Joint Commission
Conditions We Treat Together
Dual diagnosis care at Exist can include any of these, treated alongside substance use in the same plan.
See what we treatTrauma + Use
We treat trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD alongside substance use, with EMDR, somatic work, and parts work.
- PTSD
- C-PTSD
- Alcohol
Personality + Use
We treat BPD and substance use together with DBT and IFS-informed sessions, and you won't be stigmatized here.
- BPD
- DBT
Depression + Use
We treat depression and substance use in one plan, using behavioral activation alongside your other therapy.
- Depression
- Alcohol
Anxiety + Use
We treat anxiety with exposure-based therapy and somatic care, alongside any substance use, in the same plan.
- Panic
- GAD
Substance Use
We treat alcohol and other substance use with therapy, group support, and skills classes. Full abstinence is required while you attend.
- Alcohol
- Drugs
PHP or IOP
Dual diagnosis care runs in both PHP and IOP, so we can match the schedule to what you need.
- PHP
- IOP
A Sober Place to Live While You're in Treatment
The Truth House is transitional living in Laguna Canyon for clients in our PHP or IOP. Full abstinence is a house rule, and a live-in house manager and on-site staff are there with you. Insurance doesn't cover the house.
- Single and double rooms
- Co-ed environment
- On-site night staff
- Food provided
- Fitness and yoga studio
- About a mile from the clinic
- Free trolley to downtown
- House bikes
Who You'll Work With
Meet the team
Mikaela Karpinski
Executive Director
LCSW · trauma and substance use
Maggie Scotto
Somatic practitioner
RADT · RYT-500 · somatic therapy
Dr. Randall Turner
Medical director
DO · psychiatry and addiction medicine
Dr. Nathan Ngo
Medical director
Psychiatry · mood, anxiety, and trauma
How Integrated Care Differs From Split Care
Exist
The plan
One plan for both conditions
A separate plan for each
The team
One team, psychiatry included
A different team for each
The schedule
One PHP or IOP schedule
Separate programs to fit together
The model
Three-part model for both
Each condition treated on its own
How You Pay
We check your PHP and IOP benefits for free and get back to you within one business day. We also accept Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser. Verification isn't a guarantee of coverage, since benefits vary by plan.
In-Network
Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of California, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, Magellan, and TRICARE.
Out-of-Network
Many other plans may pay back part of the cost, usually with higher out-of-pocket costs. We'll check yours before you start.
Private Pay
You can pay by credit card or set up a payment plan, and we accept CareCredit.
Three Steps to Start Treatment
- 01
Tell Us About You
Call us, or tell us about yourself on the insurance form.
- 02
We Call or Text You
We complete an assessment that covers both conditions, go over the financial side, and set your intake date.
- 03
Your First Day
You get your schedule ahead of time, and we give you a warm welcome when you arrive.
Common Questions About Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis treatment is care for a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time, in one plan. At Exist, that care happens in our PHP or IOP in Laguna Beach.
Something we didn’t cover? Call (949) 670-9345 or text us.
Talk With Us About Treating Both
Call and tell us what's going on. We'll tell you honestly whether our dual diagnosis treatment in Orange County fits, or whether a referral would serve you better.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD · Reviewed September 2026