Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Sindhuja Pavuluru
Pharm-D, MIB & MIM
Dr. Sindhuja Pavuluru, Pharm-D, MIB, MIM, serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Sunshine Behavioral Health Services, where she has been instrumental in overseeing and enhancing operational strategies for the past four years. Her leadership ensures the delivery of high-quality behavioral health services, fostering a therapeutic and safe environment for clients and staff alike. Before joining Sunshine Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Pavuluru amassed significant experience with global pharmaceutical leaders such as Novartis and Pellets Pharma Ltd. In these roles, she honed her expertise in pharmaceutical operations, quality assurance, and strategic management, contributing to advancements in healthcare solutions on an international scale. Dr. Pavuluru's academic credentials include a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D), a Master's degree in International Business, and a Master's degree in Marketing, equipping her with a unique blend of clinical knowledge and business acumen. Dr. Pavuluru is an active member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). Through these organizations, she advocates for mental health awareness, supports local businesses, and empowers women entrepreneurs.
Psychiatrists
Dr. Naga (Satish) Bodapati
MD
Medical Director
Dr. Bodapati is a double board-certified psychiatrist in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry with 7+ years of experience. He serves as Sunshine BHS's Medical Director, Service Director for the DSH Incompetent to Stand Trial Program, and is fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Dr. Naga Bodapati (Satish) MD, is a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry with 7+ years of experience. He completed his Fellowship in Child Psychiatry from the University of Texas Medical Branch and a residency in General Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Currently serving as part-time Medical Director at Sunshine Behavioral Health Services, he also serves as Service Director for the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) Program in Kern County, CA. Dr. Bodapati is fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Dr. Sri Venkata Uppalapati
MD
Psychiatrist & Sleep Medicine Specialist
Dr. Uppalapati brings 20+ years of experience treating anxiety, bipolar disorder, dementia, and sleep-related conditions. He's licensed in California, Texas, and Michigan, and fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Dr. Sri Venkata Uppalapati, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in treating a wide range of mental health and sleep-related conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, dementia, and insomnia. He is licensed to practice in California, Texas, and Michigan, and is fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Nurse Practitioners
Parwinder Dhillon
PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
With 11+ years of nursing experience including ICU and crisis units, Parwinder provides telepsychiatry and medication management across the lifespan, from children through older adults.
Parwinder Dhillon, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in ICU, telemetry, step-down, and medical-surgical units, as well as 3 years of experience in a Psychiatric Emergency Evaluation Center. She completed her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Walden University and graduated in May 2025. She provides evidence-based psychiatric care for patients across the lifespan, from children to older adults, specializing in telepsychiatry and medication management.
Simbella Singh
PMHNP-C
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Simbella delivers compassionate psychiatric care with a particular focus on ADHD evaluation and treatment in children, working closely with parents and caregivers.
Simbella, PMHNP-C, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering compassionate and comprehensive psychiatric care. She has a particular focus on the evaluation and treatment of ADHD in children, working collaboratively with parents, caregivers, and schools to support her patients' mental health needs.
Sharbek Shahijani
PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Sharbek brings hands-on experience across psychiatric urgent care, hospice, and crisis settings, treating mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. He is fluent in English and Armenian.
Sharbek Shahijani, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with hands-on experience in psychiatric urgent care, hospice, and crisis intervention settings. He specializes in treating mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma-related conditions. Sharbek is fluent in both English and Armenian, allowing him to serve a diverse patient population.
MD
Manreet Dhaliwal
PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
With nearly six years in psychiatric nursing, Manreet focuses on autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma-informed care, and is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Manreet Dhaliwal, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly six years of experience in psychiatric nursing. She specializes in trauma-informed care, with a focus on autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Manreet is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, enabling her to connect meaningfully with patients from diverse backgrounds.
Ilianna Tapanes
PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ilianna is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for a wide range of mental health concerns. She takes a collaborative, patient-centered approach, combining medication management, education, and holistic strategies to help patients achieve lasting emotional wellness.
Ilianna Tapanes, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns. Her approach is collaborative and patient-centered, focusing on creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered in their treatment journey. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), combining medication management, education, and holistic strategies to help patients achieve lasting emotional wellness and an improved quality of life. What she enjoys most about her work is building meaningful therapeutic relationships and helping patients reach their personal goals while fostering resilience and hope.
Therapists
Danielle Cohen
LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Danielle brings nearly a decade of crisis-oriented clinical experience, currently serving as Lead Therapist for the Kern CARE Court Act program and at Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.
Danielle Cohen, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly a decade of crisis-oriented clinical experience. She currently serves as the Lead Therapist for the Kern CARE Court Act program and works with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, where she supports individuals navigating complex mental health challenges.
Rhonda Garone
AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Rhonda works with children, adolescents, adults, and families using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach drawing on CBT, DBT, and EFT.
Rhonda Garone, AMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She employs a trauma-informed, client-centered therapeutic approach, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Brianna Ochoa
AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Brianna specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families, certified in TF-CBT, with a culturally informed lens as a first-generation Mexican American clinician.
Brianna Ochoa, AMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University. As a first-generation Mexican American, Brianna brings a culturally informed lens to her work, with a deep understanding of intergenerational dynamics, acculturation stress, and the challenges faced by diverse communities. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families.
What our clients say
Very Happy!
I felt very comfortable talking to Dr. Bodapati. He listened to my concerns and made questions in order to better understand my situation. I really feel he understood everything that was going on. I am very happy I have found him.
Always great!
I have been seeing Dr. Bodapati for 6 months and I am so thankful I found BHS! Appointments are always available within a few days, very convenient and Dr. Bodapati is always great
Beyond Happy!
Sunshine Behavior Health is highly recommended. The receptionist is always so sweet and nice and is very well mannered and psychiatrist AHILA is very recommended she listens to what you have to say and is actually there to do her job as a psychiatrist. I am beyond happy with them and I will continue to stay with them for as long as I need. Thank you Sunshine Behavior Health
Great Listener
Sunshine BHS was able to provide an urgent appointment within a few days of the request. The provider answering questions about services was informative. The treating provider was a great listener and addressed all concerns presented.
