People Helping People

At Cedar Hills, our team of professionals have a passion for serving those struggling with mental illness.
Our careers are our calling.

Start Your Recovery

People Helping People

At Cedar Hills, our team of professionals have a passion for serving those struggling with mental illness. Our careers are our calling.

Start Your Recovery
Inpatient Treatment Services

Cedar Hills Behavioral provides inpatient care with therapy and wellness programs that support healing and recovery.

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Cedar Hills Behavioral
Individual Therapy

Our team of therapists work together with individuals on a one-on-one basis to inspire change, improve one’s quality of life, or…..

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Cedar Hills Behavioral
Group Therapy

Group Therapy is a form of therapy including educational and process (Talking) sessions. Individuals seeking care are encouraged to join …..

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Cedar Hills Behavioral
Family Therapy

Therapists meet with the individual and their support system or family while they are staying with us. We encourage and invite …..

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For those who’ve survived the system, this treatment is the way out.

Anonymous Former Patient

Welcome To
Cedar Hills Behavioral

Cedar Hills is an inpatient behavioral health hospital designed to treat individuals experiencing acute mental health crisis, re-occurring mental illness and co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.

Help Starts Here
Cedar Hills Behavioral

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances.

Cedar Hills Behavioral
Cedar Hills Behavioral
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Cedar Hills Behavioral
Cedar Hills Behavioral
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Who We Are

Cedar Hills is an inpatient mental health facility that keeps a very important goal in mind; the goal of treating each individual where they are in their journey toward stability and recovery. We understand that people seeking our services are doing so during the most challenging times in their lives and at their most vulnerable moments. Thus, we have created a team of experienced professionals with a calling and passion for helping people experiencing difficulties with mental wellness.

At Cedar Hills we are committed to supporting and guiding individuals as they overcome any obstacles preventing them from reaching their optimal mental wellness. Every person seeking care at Cedar Hills can expect to be treated with compassion and dignity in a comfortable and caring environment.

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Services

Cedar Hills Behavioral
Individual Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Group Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Family Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Medication Management and Education
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Social & Emotional Wellness Groups
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Substance Use and Disorder Groups
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Music and Art Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Nutrition Education

Services

Cedar Hills Behavioral
Individual Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Group Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Family Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Medication Management And Education
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Social & Emotional Wellness Groups
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Substance Use And Disorder Groups
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Music And Art Therapy
Cedar Hills Behavioral
Nutrition Education

More space, more care, more comfort

We’re growing to better serve our community. Our upcoming expansion will introduce new rooms and treatment areas designed for comfort, privacy, and healing. This project allows us to welcome more patients while continuing to provide the highest standard of behavioral healthcare.

More space, more care, more comfort

We’re growing to better serve our community. Our upcoming expansion will introduce new rooms and treatment areas designed for comfort, privacy, and healing. This project allows us to welcome more patients while continuing to provide the highest standard of behavioral healthcare.

Admissions

You will be assigned a member of our admissions team that will become your “person” throughout the admissions process.

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Reach Us

Our team is ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have and will get back to you shortly.

Call Us

Our Services

At Cedar Hills, our team of professionals have a passion and dedication for serving those struggling with mental illness.

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Any Questions? Concerns?

Drop us a line and your request will be answered within 24 hours.

Get In Touch With Us

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Lisa Ellis

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lisa Ellis has a passion for serving individuals with mental illness! With over 28 years of administrative experience in mental health, in both community and hospital-based services, she has worked to create innovative programs that address the gaps and barriers often encountered when people seek care. She strives to find the most dignified, least restrictive programming possible for individuals and families. A native of the San Antonio area, Lisa completed her studies and set out on a mission to help the community she grew up in. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys fishing, hanging out at the beach or river, travel, and spending time with her family.

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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

With a career spanning over two decades in a hospital setting, Esmeralda Orta excels in roles that require precision in organization, effective communication, and event coordination. Her expertise shines through her ability to serve as a liaison between internal teams and external partners, maintain meticulous document control, provide exceptional customer service, and seamlessly orchestrate events. Being bilingual adds to her versatility, making Esmeralda a valuable asset in supporting individuals and organizations. She enjoys reading, movies, embroidery, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

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PSYCHIATRIST

Dr. Jason Miller is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist. He serves as the Residency Training Director at UIWSOM TIGMER, and the Corporate Chief Medical Officer for Voyages Behavioral Health. He completed his training at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Dr. Miller served in the USAF as a Lt. Colonel during the Afghanistan War. He has worked in military, private, and forensic settings.

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Bobbi Bridges

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Bobbi Bridges is a nurse practitioner specializing in Adult & Geriatric Acute Care Medicine and Psychiatry. She was born in Texas and completed graduate studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Bridges completed residency training at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio Trauma ICU. She has spent extensive time in the development of hospital medicine treatment protocols for inpatient psychiatric clients. Ms. Bridges was involved in the development of hospital policy & procedure, as well as treatment protocols for Eboli in 2014 and throughout the COVID19 pandemic. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and riding motorcycles.

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Crystal Naylor

Director, People Resources

Crystal Naylor is a seasoned Human Resources executive with a remarkable career spanning over 15 years, predominantly within the dynamic and demanding healthcare industry. As an accomplished HR leader, Crystal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in employee relations and talent management, underpinned by her commitment to fostering positive workplace environments and optimizing organizational performance. Crystal holds an HR Management Certification, showcasing her commitment to staying current with the latest HR trends and best practices. Additionally, her National Healthcare Recruiter Certification highlights her specialized expertise in healthcare recruitment. When Crystal is not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially the time she spends at youth sporting events with her children.

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CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Dr. Oliva was born in Havana, Cuba and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. He serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Cedar Hills Behavioral in San Antonio, Texas. He is fluent in both English and Spanish allowing him to better serve the San Antonio population. He obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. Thereafter he completed his Residency Training in Psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Since 1996, he has owned and operated his private psychiatric practice in downtown San Antonio, Alamo Psychiatric Care, P.A., where he specializes in adult and geriatric psychiatry. His private practice consists of both out-patient care in-patient care. Dr. Oliva became involved in assisting the University of the Incarnate Word in implementing and developing a Psychiatric Residency program for UIW’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. As such he served as Associate Program Director from August 2017 through March of 2021. He is currently an instructor and attending physician for the residency program.

Dr. Oliva is an avid sports fan (some would say fanatic) that has held season tickets to the San Antonio Spurs for 30 plus years. He also loves the Dallas Cowboys, the Cincinnati Red, and the New York Yankees!

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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

For over three decades, I have been committed to healthcare excellence as a dynamic and results-driven leader.  I hold a Master of Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and served for 25 years in the Army National Guard, including 3 deployments to Iraq where I earned 3 Bronze Stars for meritorious service and leadership.

Throughout my career, I have focused on delivering exceptional results through people and process improvement. I have a track record of streamlining operations, ensuring financial and regulatory compliance, and implementing strategies that drive growth while aligning with organizational needs. I excel at business analysis and making strategic decisions that provide long-term solutions to complex problems.

Collaboration, communication, and transformational leadership are core strengths of mine. I believe in empowering teams to achieve objectives and deliver a strong return on investment. My people-focused and collaborative approach has helped organizations improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance customer service. Innovation, compliance, and delivering results are what drive me as an executive leader.

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Chief Nursing Officer

Over the past three decades, I have worked in the healthcare field, helping connect patients with vital services. My passion lies in creating systems and processes that support compassionate care for patients.

Throughout my career, I have strived to improve access to care, enhance care coordination, streamline operations, and implement innovative programs. I work to develop solutions that maximize limited resources, reduce administrative burden, and empower care teams. My primary goal has always been to identify and remove barriers that prevent individuals from receiving the right care at the right time.

Outside of work, I find joy in spending time with my family and our pets, which currently include four dogs, one cat and an African Gray Parrot. Recharging with my loved ones motivates me to tackle the challenges within healthcare and bring compassion and common sense to every initiative.

After so many years in this field as a registered nurse, I remain inspired by the opportunities to make a difference in people's lives, especially for the most vulnerable. I hope to continue creating systems that ease suffering and give hope, one person at a time. My work aims to improve patient experience and health outcomes through practical, sustainable solutions.

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Cindy Beasley

Administrative Director – Patient Access

Cindy Beasley, Administrative Director-Patient Access, is an accomplished health care executive with a distinguished 35-year career in Patient Access. Her extensive experience in health care administration grants her a profound understanding of registration operations and a keen focus on process improvement. Cindy spearheaded a range of critical initiatives to include optimizing staffing levels, implementing upfront collections education, and forging partnerships with entities such as Health and Human Services, Medicaid Eligibility, and Medicare disability teams.

Throughout her career, Cindy has played an integral part in implementing key initiatives reflecting her unwavering commitment to health care excellence.

When Cindy is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and can usually be found at the baseball field. She loves to bake cakes and cookies from scratch to share with her family and friends.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

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BIONOTE OF ARLENE G. PAINAGAN

JD, MAN, MAEd, RN, CLNC

Arlene, Chief Nursing Officer of Cedar Hills Behavioral, is a seasoned RN with 33 years of nursing experience, including clinical, academe, psychiatric and behavioral health nursing. She holds a BSN, two master’s degrees specifically in Nursing Education and Psychiatric Nursing, a Juris Doctor, and is a foreign Attorney. She has been a consistent recipient of both academic and leadership awards in all her academic years, including graduate and postgraduate studies. Arlene is also a U.S. Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, Human Rights Consultant, and International Diplomatic and Business Protocol Consultant. Her leadership experience includes roles such as Nurse Manager, House Supervisor, Intake Associate Director, and Interim CNO of various behavioral health hospitals. In addition to being a longtime nursing instructor and a nurse clinician, she owns an international nurse recruitment agency and has been awarded for her contributions to nurse entrepreneurship at local, state, and national award levels.

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