Ashley Sacriste of Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
is Committed to its Mission of”Saving Lives,
Healing Families, and Creating Hope”
By Antonio Gutierrez | Photography by Suzanne Pack, Celebrated Reflections
Since taking the helm as CEO of Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in June 2024, Ashley Sacriste has wasted no time in fulfilling one of her key responsibilities, which is to engage with the San Antonio community to raise awareness about mental health – and let them know that Laurel Ridge is here to help.
“I have a mission and a servant’s heart to reach the San Antonio market as a whole,” Sacriste said. “Even though Laurel Ridge has been here for 40 years, there is still a large population that doesn’t know about the services we provide. We want to let the community know there are services for a variety of mental health needs one might experience.”
With more than 20 years of experience in the behavioral health industry and a doctorate degree in healthcare administration from Oklahoma State University, Sacriste is well-equipped with the knowledge and capability to carry out the center’s mission of “Saving Lives, Healing Families, and Creating Hope” along with the staff and providers at Laurel Ridge.
“Our mission encompasses a variety of opportunities,” Sacriste explained. “For instance, how do you accomplish those three aspects and bring that message to people in San Antonio? There’s help and options behind every situation that may arise, and when you have someone supporting you, it goes a long way in helping you overcome your challenges.”
The CEO and her staff have been creative in their outreach efforts and outside-the-box thinking to educate people about mental health issues and the stigma surrounding it. Recently, Sacriste met with members from the boxing community to do just that. “We have a large boxing community, and we went to several boxing gyms to bring mental health awareness to the sports industry,” she said. “In any physical activity, it all starts with a strong mental perspective, so we developed the slogan, ‘The Fight Starts From Within.’ “
The campaign’s success has led Laurel Ridge to partner with the North East Independent School District as the lead sponsor for its North East Educational Foundation to take that message to the schools. “We’re helping bring awareness to students, but also to teachers, administrators and counselors throughout the district,” Sacriste said.
Chief Operating Officer Deborah Toscano, LCSW, said that as a female leader in mental health, one has the power to change lives—not just by what you do, but by how you lead. “Compassion, strength, and resilience are not just qualities; they are the foundation of the future we are building,” Toscano said. “Leading in an inpatient psychiatric facility requires more than expertise—it demands heart, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to healing. True leadership is about creating safety, inspiring hope, and guiding both patients and staff toward transformation. Laurel Ridge leadership is dedicated to instilling trust and accountability not only to our staff but in the community that trusts us to serve them in their time of need.”
Since opening its doors in 1987 on a 29-acre campus, Laurel Ridge has evolved immensely to offer a broad range of mental health and substance abuse recovery services tailored to meet individuals in need of help, Sacriste notes.
“Laurel Ridge has expanded its treatment services to make sure we can meet every need,” she said. “We’ve expanded our second campus to serve our military and active service members, and we are now partners with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County to serve our first responders, including the San Antonio Fire Department and San Antonio Police Department. We’ve also seen an 80 percent growth of veterans seeking behavioral and out-patient services.”
Jeanette Quiroga, MD, Medical Director, Department of ECT and Neurostimulation, said Laurel Ridge leads the way in mental health treatment, using advanced technology to enhance their patients’ recovery and restore well-being. “As one of the largest providers of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) in the state, our Neurostimulation Department is home to highly experienced physicians, nurses, and staff, delivering compassionate, expert care with an unwavering commitment to patient well-being,” Quiroga said.
Mary R. Unzueta-Hernandez, MD, Medical Director, Mission Resiliency Program, believes Laurel Ridge offers the most comprehensive psychiatric care in the area, with programs tailored to fit the needs of people with substance use disorders, trauma, and mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, as well as other psychiatric illnesses. “We serve a wide variety of populations, including active duty service members, first responders, and veterans,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sacriste’s passion for improving lives and advocating for mental health makes her a respected voice among industry peers and an asset to the community. “When you’re able to stand side by side with someone and help them recover, it’s a beautiful thing, knowing you can impact a person’s life,” she said. “That’s what has kept me in the behavioral health industry for so long.”
Sacriste encourages anyone seeking services to call Laurel Ridge, which offers 24/7 free assessments, at (210) 491-3591 to get connected to a live person and guidance on treatment options. For more information, visit www.laurelridgetc.com.
