PSYCHIATRY

Dr. Purewal opened Sahara Behavioral Health in 1998 to further his commitment to providing quality mental health care to his patients, expanding to open Sahara Wellness Center in 2024. Dr. Purewal specializes in chronic psychiatric illness and finds innovative solutions for patients with a variety of needs. His compassion and commitment to patients coupled with his expertise in psychiatric medicine results in exceptional outcomes for his patients.

Dr. McKinney is Board Certified in both Addiction Medicine and Pediatric medicine. She is passionate about the study and treatment of addiction and dependency. Dr. McKinney utilizes her unique experiences in both adolescent and adult addiction medicine to craft personalized strategies to combat addictive disease states for patients in all stages of life while supporting them through the recovery process.

Chen Pei provides an integrated approach to health, considering the entire person including their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. She works with patients to develop treatment strategies that meet their individual needs and goals. She has more than 30 years of experience treating patients for a variety of disorders. 

Cassie provides care focused on each individual and their specific needs. She works collaboratively with patients to develop treatment plans that will offer the most successful outcomes for each patient’s goals. Cassie offers culturally inclusive care for Spanish speaking patients in their native language allowing for better communication and care. Cassie has an extensive background working with pregnant women to manage mood and other pregnancy related issues. Her expertise in psychiatry and addiction partnered with her compassionate and caring approach, facilitate medication stability and long-term positive outcomes for her patients.

Barbara provides client centered care that is individualized for needs of each patient. She has an extensive background working with patients suffering chronic psychiatric conditions. She works to address mental and emotional health needs to provide treatment with optimal outcomes for each patient while supporting them throughout their health journey.

Paris approaches treatment by listening to her patients concerns and develops a plan to help patients achieve their personal goals. Her extensive background in nursing, pediatric, and military care makes her especially equipped to manage patients’ illness, balance responsibilities such as service, employment, and school, and help them move towards healthier, happier lifestyles.

Thomas Clouse, LPC is a dedicated mental health professional with a rich background in guiding individuals toward personal growth and mental wellness. Since beginning his career in 2016, he has gained extensive experience in both individual and group counseling, working with clients across various age groups. Thomas holds dual Master's degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sports Exercise Psychology from Argosy University, along with a BS in Psychology from Western Illinois University. Thomas will be leading groups focused on aging populations and geriatric care. His expertise in sports exercise psychology uniquely equips him to integrate the mind-body connection into his counseling approach, enhancing overall well-being. Thomas is committed to empowering his clients to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve their personal goals, always striving to help them become the best versions of themselves.

Diana is a licensed associate counselor with a specialization in Military Family and Culture. She has worked in the behavioral health field for 6 years, some of which she spent serving in the military. Her brief time serving in the United States Army as a Behavioral Health Specialist opened her eyes to the lack of mental health resources provided to active-duty service members. Speaking with soldiers daily about their struggles and becoming a support system sparked her passion for the field so much that she decided to pursue her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling upon her separation from the service.