Michael Castanon, CEO of Alter Behavioral Health and Care Predictor, Nominated for Executive of the Year 2026 by the Santa Monica Daily Press.
IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 21, 2026 / Michael Castanon is the next big name when it comes to mental health services. Castonon, Founder and CEO of Alter Behavioral Health, Alter Behavioral Health San Diego, Alter Behavioral Health for Women, host of the Alter’d Life Podcast, and the creative brains behind Care Predictor. Michael has changed the game for mental health services, focusing on evidence-based treatments and scientific advancements. Now he is nominated for Best Executive of 2026 in Southern California, the second time he has been nominated for this award.
Before working with mental health services, Castanon spent more than two decades working in finance. In 2019, he started Alter Behavioral Health, a residential treatment center for adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring conditions. To him, it was all about human connection. This belief inspired Castanon to launch BeWellLine, a crisis hotline, and Mindfuli, a virtual care platform that has aided more than 130,000 patients in need, supported by a $5M grant from the California Mental Health Services Authority.
“Access to mental health care should be fast, human, and deeply meaningful. When you build connections, you build recovery. Period,” said Castanon, CEO of Alter Behavioral Health.
That’s what happens when you build a mission, not just a business. After working in finance for 20 years, Castanon transitioned to advocating for mental health. Since then, he has opened an acclaimed treatment center, founded virtual care platforms that have provided more than 200,000 free sessions, and raised over $12 million in funding. Castanon launched I AM WELL, a non-profit organization focused on getting people treatment scholarships, funding advanced mental health research, and supporting local health programs. He is the founder of CarePredictor, a health-tech company. Castanon has spoken at conventions and summits across the country, and hosted a podcast that helps people everywhere heal. These accomplishments have allowed Castanon to redefine the term “best executive” because leadership is more than just tangible assets; it’s about meaning.
About Alter Behavioral Health
Founded in 2019, Alter Behavioral Health is a Southern California residential treatment center. With facilities across Southern California, Alter Behavioral Health’s mission is to provide evidence-based treatments combined with a human-centered environment for adults struggling with mental health.
About Care Predictor
Founded in Dana Point in June 2022, Care Predictor is a platform utilized by mental health facilities to better aid their patients. They do this by evaluating the personal skills and traits of each patient and employee before pairing them up.
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SOURCE: Alter Behavioral Health
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