After 25 years as Executive Director of La Selva Group, Jim Millsap has announced his retirement this November. Since he started in 2000, Jim has guided La Selva from a single residential program in Palo Alto to a robust group of services including a comprehensive outpatient program located at our new campus and five different residential sites.

Jim began his fifty-year behavioral health career in 1975 working at Camarillo State Mental Hospital, seeing firsthand how badly our country’s behavioral health system needed to change. After that role, Jim went on to work at other hospitals as well as counseling centers before starting at Momentum for Health running the La Selva Group division.

“My vision for La Selva has always been to provide a resource where our clients could transition through different levels of care within the same wellness community,” says Jim. “It has been nothing short of a privilege, and I am grateful to have had something in my life that will be so hard to say goodbye to.”

Jim’s plans for retirement include moving to Arizona where he and his wife Pam will live in the same community as their children, Derek and Carly. All of us at Momentum and La Selva Group wish Jim and his family a very happy next chapter and thank him for his tireless contributions to our agency!

Jim can be reached at jmillsap@momentumforhealth.org or 650-617-1759.

Meet Our Incoming Executive Director: Anthony Miller, M.S., MFT

Anthony Miller, Senior Director of Operations, stepped into the role of Executive Director on August 2, 2025. He will overlap with Jim Millsap, who will officially retire in November.

Anthony is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has more than 15 years of mental health experience in various settings throughout the Bay Area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame De Namur University.

Anthony started working at Momentum for Health, La Selva’s parent agency, in 2011 as an assistant manager and clinician. He was promoted in 2013 to Program Manager/Clinician of Momentum’s Litteral House and was then promoted shortly after to Director of Residential Services for La Selva Group in 2014. In 2022, Anthony was promoted to Director of Operations at La Selva Group.

Anthony has a strong foundation working across systems and developing continuums of care, utilizing both his clinical and operational experience to connect the dots and support the ever-changing La Selva community. Anthony works from a strength-based model and takes great pride in helping clients thrive. “I believe that our greatest power is to empower others,” says Anthony.

“I am excited and honored to take on the role of Executive Director. I look forward to continuing the great work that has been done before me as the torch is being passed and I’m grateful to Jim for his leadership and mentorship over the years,” he added.

When Anthony is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, practicing physical fitness, and gardening in his backyard.

Anthony can be reached at amiller@momentumforhealth.org or (650) 484-1287.

Happy Holidays from La Selva Group! During this busy season, which begins after Thanksgiving and stretches all the way through New Year’s Day, it can feel like one big nonstop marathon – full of joyful moments but also challenging ones.

Many people struggle with stress, loneliness, or overwhelm during the holidays and winter, and it can be easy to judge ourselves, exacerbating these difficulties. The good news is that you are not alone!

The APA conducted a study in which they found that nearly nine in ten (89%) feel stressed and overwhelmed during this season.

So what can we do?

1. Practice Financial, Emotional & Physical Self-Care

• Set realistic expectations: Avoid aiming for “perfect” holidays.
• Create a budget: Avoid financial stress by planning expenses.
• Prioritize rest and downtime: Give yourself permission to say no to events.

2. Stay Connected to Loved Ones & Community

• Reach out to friends or family, even virtually.
• Participate in community events or volunteer to feel a sense of connection.
• Explore online and in person support groups for people facing similar challenges.

3. Find Ways to Cope with Loneliness & Grief

• Honor lost loved ones through traditions or quiet reflection.
• Practice mindfulness or journaling to process emotions.
• Seek therapy or support groups for added help.

4. Manage Family Dynamics

• Set boundaries around topics or interactions that may lead to conflict.
• Limit time spent in stressful situations, if possible.
• Practice grounding techniques to manage anxiety during gatherings.

5. Incorporate Mindfulness for Holiday Wellness

• Incorporate mindfulness or gratitude exercises.
• Engage in physical activity or movement to boost mood.
• Focus on small moments of joy, like holiday lights or a warm drink.

As we navigate the emotional highs and lows of the holiday season, it’s important to remember that support is always within reach—whether through loved ones, self-care practices, or professional resources like our mental health programs designed to provide guidance and relief during this busy time.

La Selva is a PHP/ IOP outpatient program with a limited waitlist and is in-network with most major commercial insurance providers. We can schedule intake assessments as soon as the same day of the referral and start sessions within the same week! 

To get started, please call our Outpatient Admissions director, Meremy Needham, at 650-617-8349 or via email at mneedham@momentumforhealth.org.

Best wishes,

Donna Gallienne, MSc, LMFT

Lead Clinician II/Clinical Outreach