Dr. Cherylynn Lee is the Manager of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Behavioral Sciences Unit (BSU). The BSU was created in 2016 to assist law enforcement when they encounter mentally ill community members and to improve communication and operations with behavioral health entities.

Dr. Lee was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2017 to develop and grow the unit. She holds a PhD. and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego.

Prior to working for the Sheriff’s Office, Dr. Lee worked for Aegis Treatment Centers, an outpatient addiction treatment center where she managed over 350 patients and 30 medical and mental health staff. Dr. Lee also worked UC San Diego Metabolic and Bariatric Institute, UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry and Preventative Medicine and their Mindful Eating Conscious Living course and the Department of Psychiatry at San Mateo Medical Center. Dr. Lee is a founding member of the South Santa Barbara County Opioid Safety Coalition, Chair of the North County Opioid Coalition and co-chair of the Stepping Up Initiative.