PRESS RELEASE:
Meet Dr. Olga Yahontova: A Visionary in Trauma Healing for First Responders
After Action First Responder Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Center is proud to welcome Dr. Olga Yahontova as our new Psychiatrist. With a remarkable career spanning psychiatry, forensic psychology, trauma treatment, and cutting-edge digital mental health solutions, Dr. Yahontova brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for healing those who serve on the front lines.
Originally from Siberia, Russia, Dr. Yahontova began her career as a psychiatrist with a deep focus on understanding and treating trauma. She later moved to the United States and spent the past 15 years as a forensic psychiatrist, board-certified in Psychiatry, at Atascadero Hospital in California, working with some of the most complex psychiatric cases, including individuals deemed criminally insane, serial offenders, and those with severe trauma histories. Her goal was to understand the nature of evil, but after working with thousands of patients, she discovered that what she found was not evil—only broken human beings in need of healing.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Yahontova is a renowned author, speaker, and educator who has conducted seminars and training events worldwide, primarily in Europe. Her groundbreaking book, Entering the Circle, written nearly 30 years ago, introduced readers to Siberian shamanism and alternative healing practices for trauma. The book has been published in over 20 countries and is now being adapted into a television series.
Her career has also taken her to the forefront of innovative trauma treatment. As the Medical Director at Promises Malibu and Margo Vista, she worked alongside Amy Spahr, now the Clinical Director at After Action, to establish one of the most respected and effective trauma treatment programs in the country. Amy has seen firsthand Dr. Yahontova’s passion for trauma healing and the incredible success she has achieved in this field.
When the war in Ukraine began, Dr. Yahontova felt a calling to prepare herself to help those who would need healing in the war’s aftermath. She dedicated the last few years to building digital resources and a virtual trauma center, leveraging cutting-edge technology to expand access to mental health support. She even went back to school, earning certifications from MIT in Blockchain and AI technology, with the vision of applying AI in psychiatry and trauma treatment.
Now, at After Action, Dr. Yahontova sees this role as the natural evolution of her career—a full-circle moment. After spending years understanding the minds of those who have inflicted harm, she is now focused on healing those who have suffered trauma through service. First responders willingly put themselves in harm’s way, often carrying the weight of what they witness. Dr. Yahontova is committed to helping them process and heal from these experiences, using both traditional and innovative digital approaches to trauma treatment.
Her dedication to healing those who dedicate their lives to others is unwavering, and we are honored to have her as part of the After Action team.
Arthur Mogilevski
CEO
Originally from Siberia, Russia, Dr. Yahontova began her career as a psychiatrist with a deep focus on understanding and treating trauma. She later moved to the United States and spent the past 15 years as a forensic psychiatrist, board-certified in Psychiatry, at Atascadero Hospital in California, working with some of the most complex psychiatric cases, including individuals deemed criminally insane, serial offenders, and those with severe trauma histories. Her goal was to understand the nature of evil, but after working with thousands of patients, she discovered that what she found was not evil—only broken human beings in need of healing.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Yahontova is a renowned author, speaker, and educator who has conducted seminars and training events worldwide, primarily in Europe. Her groundbreaking book, Entering the Circle, written nearly 30 years ago, introduced readers to Siberian shamanism and alternative healing practices for trauma. The book has been published in over 20 countries and is now being adapted into a television series.
Her career has also taken her to the forefront of innovative trauma treatment. As the Medical Director at Promises Malibu and Margo Vista, she worked alongside Amy Spahr, now the Clinical Director at After Action, to establish one of the most respected and effective trauma treatment programs in the country. Amy has seen firsthand Dr. Yahontova’s passion for trauma healing and the incredible success she has achieved in this field.
When the war in Ukraine began, Dr. Yahontova felt a calling to prepare herself to help those who would need healing in the war’s aftermath. She dedicated the last few years to building digital resources and a virtual trauma center, leveraging cutting-edge technology to expand access to mental health support. She even went back to school, earning certifications from MIT in Blockchain and AI technology, with the vision of applying AI in psychiatry and trauma treatment.
Now, at After Action, Dr. Yahontova sees this role as the natural evolution of her career—a full-circle moment. After spending years understanding the minds of those who have inflicted harm, she is now focused on healing those who have suffered trauma through service. First responders willingly put themselves in harm’s way, often carrying the weight of what they witness. Dr. Yahontova is committed to helping them process and heal from these experiences, using both traditional and innovative digital approaches to trauma treatment.
Her dedication to healing those who dedicate their lives to others is unwavering, and we are honored to have her as part of the After Action team.
Arthur Mogilevski
CEO