Effie Goldberg
Managing Director
Leadership
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Effie Goldberg
Managing Director
Effie Goldberg has over 13 years of experience as a business executive and as a community leader. His record of decisiveness, initiative, and perseverance has made him into a creative, innovative, and effective leader, facilitator, and team player. His 20+ year commitment to teens is well known in the Jewish and non-profit worlds, and his continued focus on the intersection of adolescence and wellbeing has created a unique, driven, and devoted program of recovery, healing, and mindfulness at Ascend Healthcare.
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Brittany Cohen
Executive Director
Brittany holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and has over 10 years of experience working with adolescents in a variety of acute treatment settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse facilities, schools, & regional centers. She has built and directed both intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs for teens struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance use disorders, trauma, and executive functioning impairments. Brittany is also a skilled a licensed clinical social worker specializing in complex mental health issues and family systems.
Brittany Cohen, LCSW
Executive Director
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Joseph Essas
CTO
Joseph Essas spent over 25 years in the Technology industry, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at OpenTable, the role he holds since 2012. At OpenTable he is responsible for the development, operation, and growth of all products, driving a data-centric approach to engineering initiatives to ensure that OpenTable’s hardware and software solutions continue to exceed the expectations of diners and restaurants. Prior to joining OpenTable, Joseph was the CTO for eHarmony, the Vice President of Engineering at Yahoo!, and technologist at Overture, Idealab, and tickets.com. He currently serves as a Venture Partner at FirstMark Capital. Joseph studied at Jerusalem College of Technology.
Joseph is passionate about data-driven decision making, and pattern recognition of human behavior within the framework of medical research.
Joseph Essas
CTO
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Séamus McKeon
Director of Business Development
Séamus has been working in digital marketing in multiple industries for the past five years. He specializes in digital content strategy and organic, inbound marketing. He brings with him a wealth of previous non-profit youth experience and a background in behavioral health. He enjoys the social aspects of media and technology and is a huge fan of mindfulness, meditation, and holistic healing modalities.
Séamus McKeon
Director of Business Development
Clinical
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Kyle DiFulvio, PsyD
Program Director
Kyle DiFulvio received his PsyD in the spring of 2021 from the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University.
Kyle has worked with families, teens, adults/couples, and seniors of various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. He is qualified to conduct psychological assessments and diagnosis and uses this in his work with patients experiencing different addictions, personality disorders, psychopathology, eating disorders, domestic violence, trauma and abuse.
Kyle’s rich background of work with youth and families encompasses creating and facilitating family day programming, process groups, psycho-educational groups, and skills building groups for teens, parent effectiveness training (PET) group, multifamily group (MFG), therapeutic groups for LGBTQIA youth (including those transitioning) and performing equine and animal therapies for children with disabilities and developmental delays, foster children, at-risk inner-city youth in LAPD programs, and young adults with addiction.
Kyle DiFulvio, PsyD
Program Director
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Matt Metcalf, LCSW
Program Director
Matt Metcalf is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with adolescents and their families for over 11 years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Utah, a Master’s degree in Divinity from Amridge University’s Turner School of Theology, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician, and he also has trained in CBT with the Beck Institute and DBT with Behavioral Tech. He has intensely studied and practiced these therapies in order to best support his clients with a variety of needs, such as social anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, Mood Disorders, and addictions.
Matt’s professional career includes serving as Clinical Director for a dual-diagnosis partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program; as well as serving as Primary Therapist for school-based programs, psychiatric hospitals, and residential treatment centers. He currently has a private practice with clients from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles in which he specializes in providing comprehensive DBT to adolescents and their families.
Matt is personable, practical, and results-driven. He is diligent about creating a space for parents to build relationships with their adolescents, and he strives to assist families in finding the balance between maintaining structure and setting appropriate limits. Matt recognizes his role as a Program Director of residential programs as a calling, much more than a profession, and he brings immense passion and dedication to the position while always keeping the needs of the families he is supporting in mind.
Matt Metcalf, LCSW
Program Director
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Allison Welsh, LCSW
Interim Program Director
Allison has experience providing individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of challenges. Furthermore, she has extensive experience treating mood disorders, trauma, depression, substance abuse, personality disorders, and dual diagnoses in various acute treatment settings. As a former Director of the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs with the adolescent population, she developed expertise in co-occurring disorders in the field of addiction and mental health utilizing a variety of evidence-based practices.
Allison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University Channel Islands. She furthered her education and earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Southern California.
Allison Welsh, LCSW
Interim Program Director
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David Hurwitz, MA, LMFT
Primary Therapist
| David Hurwitz, MA, LMFT brings more than 25 years of experience working in mental health. He has successfully worked with children, adults, and couples, treating depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief and loss, trauma, and parent-child conflicts. From the beginning of his career, David has always been passionate about his work with younger clients.
For adolescents, he holds the philosophy that if you want to affect change, you have to recognize both the individual and the individual within their family system. If you can embrace and include the whole family, you can give the young person the best chance at long-term success. In his work with teens and families, David strives to impart tools for a healthy dependency, supporting parents in realistic healthy boundaries while working with the adolescent to strengthen their toolbox and ultimately improve their emotional wellbeing. David comes to Ascend as a veteran clinician having worked extensively in prestigious treatment centers establishing clinical programming and overseeing all aspects of treatment from intake to discharge. David has a wealth of experience leading process, didactic and psychodynamic-oriented groups as well as individual and family therapy. He understands that the impact of trauma or severe life stressors can be profound. To that end, he brings to the table a nonjudgmental caring approach that is practical and solution oriented. Clients have described David as being direct, in the most gentle way. His greatest passion is to bring healing to people, helping them find a healthy perspective and strengthening their relationships with self and others. As a native Californian, David continues to support his local community. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and earned his master’s degree at Ryokan College. |
David Hurwitz, LMFT
Primary Therapist
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Nathalie May, LMFT
Primary Therapist
Nathalie grew up in Paris, France and moved to New York City to pursue her love of dance. She made her way to the west coast where she continued her education and graduated with a Master of Science (MS) degree in Counseling with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 11 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and their families. Nathalie has worked in outpatient, educational, and in-home settings. She has extensive experience in treating children on the autism spectrum, crisis intervention, behavioral issues, trauma, family issues, and addiction.
Her therapeutic approach is solution-focused, using cognitive behavioral therapy, and she is trained and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Nathalie is biracial and culturally competent. She can easily relate to clients from diverse backgrounds. She is also bilingual speaking English along with her native French.
Nathalie believes that by strengthening clients’ ability to take ownership of their own behaviors, they can improve their level of functioning, interpersonal relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
Nathalie is highly trained in Structural Family Therapy and works to improve family functioning by increasing positive communication, building on family strengths, and defining and setting healthy boundaries.
She enjoys supporting both, parents and adolescents, in creating a healthy environment for everyone to thrive.
Nathalie May, LMFT
Primary Therapist
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Madison Dennis, AMFT
Primary Therapist
Madison Dennis attended Furman University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minor degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and she then went on to earn her Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California. She has extensive experience working as a therapist in outpatient clinic and inpatient residential settings where she has treated adults, adolescents, and families who were struggling with issues ranging from trauma to depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and disordered eating. Madison’s therapeutic approach is based in psychodynamic therapy and deep insight-oriented work.
She also utilizes behavioral therapies including DBT, CBT, ACT, FBT, and Seeking Safety to support this work and her interventions are aimed at promoting safety, distress tolerance, and self-management. All of Madison’s work is based in empathy and authenticity. She provides her clients with a safe space in which to explore life experiences, and how they impact current behaviors. Madison has a passion for helping her clients focus on integration, growth, and insight while establishing healing and recovery through empowerment.
Madison Dennis, AMFT
Primary Therapist
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Margaret Hartmann
Primary Therapist
Margaret graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. She then earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and families in residential, school, and outpatient settings. Margaret is skilled in treating individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and substance abuse disorders.
As she approaches therapy through a relational lens, Margaret relies heavily on the power of human connection. She incorporates CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Systems interventions into her therapeutic approach to provide the leading evidence-based care for her clients. In guiding her clients with compassion and honesty, Margaret seeks to empower adolescents to overcome challenges, discover their true worth, and live boldly according to their values.
Margaret Hartmann
Primary Therapist
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Kaylin Miller, PsyD
Primary Therapist
Kaylin received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University, and is currently pursuing licensure as a clinical psychologist.
Prior to beginning her doctorate, Kaylin also completed a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology. During this time, Kaylin worked with adolescents involved in the criminal justice system, as well as individuals in forensic hospital settings. Throughout her career, Kaylin worked with children and families in outpatient clinics and inpatient hospitalization programs, and youth in the foster care system and their families. Kaylin holds a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in and completed her doctoral project on the impact of childhood trauma on adolescent self-harm behaviors and suicidal ideation. Her work with adolescents and families is motivated by a desire to help others use their strengths to accomplish their therapeutic goals.
Kaylin Miller, PsyD
Primary Therapist
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Cynthia Kelvin, PsyD
Therapist
Cynthia received her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2014 and her registration in drama therapy in 2016. She is also currently in training to become a certified poetry therapist from the International Association for Biblio/Poetry Therapy.
Cynthia has worked in community mental health settings as well as in private rehabilitation with people in various stages of recovery. In her role as a drama therapist, she focuses on accessing deeper emotions by utilizing a safe distanced and playful approach. Her work is based on the belief that by exploring parts of self through creative activity, clients can heal trauma, cultivate mindfulness, and uncover & develop personal strengths. She facilitates groups with the overall goal of helping clients lead an inspired and healthy life.
Cynthia Kelvin, PsyD
Therapist
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Tanya Rivero, LCSW
Matrix Model Therapist
Tanya has over 10 years of experience working with clients of all ages, diagnosed with severe mental illness, substance use disorders and dual diagnoses. She has worked in a variety of settings including field-capable programs, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs for clients struggling with, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Tanya is a skilled licensed clinical social worker specializing in complex mental health issues and couples and family therapy. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing and Strengths-based treatment modalities to guide clients in their journey to recovery. Tanya obtained her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Southern California.
Tanya Rivero, LCSW
Matrix Model Therapist
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Emily Skelton, LMFT
Art Therapist
Emily Skelton (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Art Therapist with over a decade of experience working with teens and young adults. With a focus rooted in neuroscience and the mind-body connection, Emily has trained with the Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing, and received her training in Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with the Institute of Creative Mindfulness. Emily runs Art Therapy groups for Ascend, incorporating a myriad of media such as paint, oil pastels, fiber, collage, and 3-D art interventions to support teens in expressing their thoughts and feelings, creative problem-solving, distress tolerance, mindfulness, anxiety-reduction, and cultivating healthy coping strategies. In addition to her work with Ascend, Emily runs a private practice in Newhall, CA, where she uses art therapy, mindfulness, and EMDR to support clients on their path towards healing, acceptance and understanding. Emily is a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) and provides gender affirming psychotherapy for transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary youth, adults, family members and partners.
Emily Skelton, LMFT
Art Therapist
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David Tucker, LMFT
Drama Therapist
Hello, my name is David Tucker and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Drama Therapist. I have clinical experience working with individuals struggling with various mental health ailments from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I have worked and continue to work counseling individuals of all ages and from many different backgrounds. I have experience counseling children, adolescents, and their families, adults, and children at in-patient behavioral psych hospitals, adolescents in high schools and middle schools as well adults and children in a clinical setting.
I take a strengths-based integrative approach, treating therapy as a way to assist the individual to gain the skills in order to move past their obstacles. You already have the tool kit ready and most likely have some tools already there, therapy is a way to help sharpen the tools you already have and help fill your tool kit with all you need to face the trials and tribulations throughout life’s journey. The theoretical approach I take when working with clients all depends on what is going to work best for you. The majority of the time I will begin with a person-centered approach, implementing CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative therapy, and Gestalt therapy. At Ascend I specialize in Drama Therapy and run the weekly Drama Therapy groups.
You may ask, What is drama therapy? Drama Therapy is a creative arts therapy that allows the person to explore their inner experiences using drama, art, music, and movement as a way to solve problems, express themselves, and much more. The power of creativity can be an incredible tool and no previous art, music, or acting experience is necessary.
Most importantly I will create a safe and comfortable space for you to best achieve your goals. An environment that is free of judgment and a place that is here for you. I want you to get the most out of your time in therapy and to do that we must be transparent with one another. In order for me to be the most effective therapist I can be for you, knowing if things are feeling off in our treatment approach, or things that are working is extremely important. I am here for you and you are the expert in your own life. I am honored to join you on a part of your journey.
David Tucker, LMFT
Drama Therapist
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Ann Holm, CADC
Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Ann Holm has a degree (CDAC) in Drug and Alcohol Counseling from Antioch University and a degree in holistic health coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Ann is from Sweden originally, by way of New York City.
Ann has a gentle yet direct approach. She realized that she likes working with adolescents while she was a health coach. She has done a significant amount of family work, especially in the realm of eating. She likes to work with adolescents as part of a family unit and teaching families how to empower themselves. Ann tries to work from a strength-based perspective, helping teens to find their voice based on their strengths, and empowering them to advocate for themselves. She meets clients where they are at and has a gentle, collaborative approach to empower teens to be able to help themselves.
One of her favorite things to see is when teens are finding a way to advocate for themselves within their family. She helps kids find their voice and become a full partner in family structures, and helps families to take ownership of their own part in family dynamics.
Ann Holm, CADC
Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor
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Lexee Wescott
Counselor & Discharge Coordinator
Lexee joined Ascend late last year. Previously she was a certified nursing assistant and medication technician in Virginia. She is a passionate student with a strong desire to help people who are suffering. She was accepted into Liberty University’s bachelor of science program majoring in psychology at sixteen and graduated with early acceptance into Liberty University’s master’s program in counseling before turning twenty one. After finding her passion in the trauma counseling field here at Ascend upon graduation from the master’s program in May she will begin the doctoral program at Walden University studying counselor education and supervision specializing in crisis and trauma. Outside of Ascend she is a member of one of the California Allstars Worlds teams and likes to spend time tumbling, performing and reading.
Lexee Wescott
Counselor & Discharge Coordinator
Experiential
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Andrea Restivo
Yoga Teacher
Andrea Restivo is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, having completed yoga teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS). She is a self-avowed spiritual warrior on a mission to recharge the universe through a mind-body connection. She teaches Yoga, Pilates, Barre, TRX, Barefoot Bootcamp, and Cannonball Yoga Sculpt.
Andrea Restivo
Yoga Teacher
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Brandon Jordan
Rock to Recovery
Brandon Jordan has been a professional musician all of his adult life. He founded the infamous punk band KillRadio (Columbia Records) in 2002 and toured the world with bands like Green Day, My Chemical Romance, and Rise Against, until his drug addiction made performing impossible. He got treatment with the support of MusicCares in 2007 and has been sober for more than a decade. Now, Brandon brings the power of music to those in need through Rock to Recovery. He works nationally with the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program and in the Los Angeles area with veterans, at-risk teens, and individuals in treatment for addiction or mental illness. He has written more than 4500 songs with those in the Rock to Recovery program. Currently, Brandon conducts 22 sessions a week, serving approximately 250 people. He also engages in solo music projects and plays with the Rock to Recovery band, Sacred Sons.
Brandon Jordan
Rock to Recovery
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Daniel Ahearn
Meditation Coach
Daniel Ahearn has been a student of meditation for over 15 years. Since 2015 through his organization (PTHWRK.com) he has brought meditation strategies to Treatment centers, schools, corporations, prisons, jails and transitional housing centers for the homeless.
Daniel applies the latest developments in neuroscience and psychology with traditional Buddhist practices to help clients improve their lives immediately. Scientifically-based, his strategies are stabilizing and expansive.
Daniel Ahearn
Meditation Coach
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Max Venison
Rock to Recovery Facilitator
Max Venison was born in Liverpool, England, a town famous for producing a certain four-piece music group. He moved to Los Angeles at 19 years old and quickly secured a solo multi-album recording contract under the name Max Morgan (Chime/ Universal). While having had over a dozen placements in television (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, NFL) and momentum building at radio across the U.S, Max left the deal in a state of disillusionment shortly after the release of his debut album. Although Max went on to write music for numerous commercials, musicals, and other artists internationally, he was on the losing end of a battle with alcohol and drugs. By 2012, alcohol had well and truly drowned out Max’s love of music. He hit bottom.
With the help of recovery communities, Max has been sober since 2012 and has realized an entirely new foundation for life. Max is immensely grateful that the love of music/creativity has returned to him. Max’s creative life has bloomed exponentially and he’s collaborated on a number of projects internationally.
“Music and creativity had always been my saving grace and my primary source of joy. I would never have thought that anything could change that, including alcohol and other drugs. I was wrong. When I got sober, I thought the price that I had to pay was a life without music and creativity. Thankfully it all came flooding back! Recovery has made new space inside of me to experience the wonders of art and music like I never have before. Rock to Recovery provides me with a unique opportunity to be there with others who want to experience the joy of music in recovery.”
Max Venison
Rock to Recovery Facilitator
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María Fenelon
Expressive Arts Facilitator
María Fenelon is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Certified Expressive Arts Practitioner and owner of inantu Expressive Arts who sees art-expression as a gentle, yet powerful and important tool in the journey of emotional healing and well-being.
She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Currently, she dedicates her attention to working primarily with women who are looking to reconnect with their essence and develop a greater sense of self worth, love and compassion.
Through combining simple relaxation techniques with various art-forms including drumming, visual art , and movement, she assists her clients in releasing stress and connecting with themselves while listening to the wisdom of their hearts.
She looks forward to continuing holding hands with many people from different walks of life, and cultural backgrounds through her expressive arts workshops and retreats.
María Fenelon
Expressive Arts Facilitator
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Ryan Schiffman
Surf Therapy Group Facilitator
Ryan grew up along the coast of Big Sur, CA and has been surfing since the age of 5. He brings decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge about recovery and treatment to his practice. Ryan aims to empower his students through combining surfing with various experiential techniques to build self-esteem. Ryan draws on his compassion and sense of humor when he is surfing with kids and encourages them to believe in themselves.
Ryan Schiffman
Surf Therapy Group Facilitator
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Rick Hagaman
Recoveryfit Instructor
Rick Hagaman is the founder & CEO of Recoveryfit, LLC. He has a bachelor’s degree in International Business & has been an ACSM (American College of Sport’s Medicine) certified personal trainer since 2006. However, the inspiration for this innovative company was born from an overwhelming desire to share the life-saving benefits that he received from exercise, both early on in his sobriety & today still. With over 2 decades of firsthand recovery & over 15 years of professional work in the fitness industry, Rick knows all too well the undeniable correlation between physical activity & successful progress in recovery. This knowledge together with his expertise from successfully owning & operating his fitness company, Blue Clay Fitness, prepared him perfectly to develop the Recoveryfit program.
Blue Clay Fitness, Inc. is one of the premier training & wellness companies in Southern California. With Rick & his wife Sarah at the helm, the company has provided their high-level personal fitness & training services to numerous corporations & to some of the most recognizable people in the world including but not limited to: Brian Johnson & Angus Young (AC/DC), Cindy Crawford, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Chaz Bono, Mick Mars (Motley Crue) & Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) Blue Clay is also the fitness company of choice for the Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills & is widely recognized as the fitness solution of choice within an elite circle of Hollywood influencers.
After discovering the minimal amount of attention that was placed upon the physical component of recovery in most treatment programs, Rick utilized his vast experience in developing & implementing safe & effective corporate fitness programs along with his personal experiences in recovery to develop this ground-breaking program. It was painfully clear that the physical component was widely under represented in addiction treatment, that this needed to be addressed, & that he was uniquely qualified to do so.
Rick heads an experienced team of highly qualified business, addiction, fitness, & technology professionals who share their passion & knowledge to effectively bridged the gap between the equally essential mental, spiritual, & physical components of recovery treatment.
Rick Hagaman
Recoveryfit Instructor
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Vince Ramos, CPT
Recoveryfit Instructor
Vince Ramos has been evolving in the field of human wellness and performance for over 13 years. A six-year native of Los Angeles by way of South Florida, Vince began his career at the working as a fitness trainer at two large chain gyms; affording him the opportunity to work with and learn from a wide range of body types and capacities, goals, and mindsets.
After a few years of growth, in his mid 20’s, Vince made the leap into athletic performance and holistic wellness. Stimulated by a desire to genuinely thrive and reach optimal output and performance on top of a sturdy foundation, helping many others along their path.
Now after over 10 years in his practice, Vince continues to yearn for new ways to positively impact lives through movement. A gem of his journey has been the awareness of the remarkable, direct correlation between one’s psychology and their physical condition. As well as the ability to “bio-hack” the bodies internal chemistry through movement to improve one’s mental state.
His desire to have a constructive and profound impact on the future of the planet led him to cross paths with Rick Hagaman and Recoveryfit – a vision and movement that greatly resonated with Vince’s values and purpose. The rest as they say, is history.
Vince Ramos, CPT
Recoveryfit Instructor
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Danny Calkins, CPT
Recoveryfit Instructor
Danny is a group fitness instructor and recovery trainer with Recoveryfit.
Born in Seattle, WA, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in communications from
Washington State University before attending graduate school at Boston University to pursue a career in sports journalism.
His life took a turn in 2016 as he struggled to fight the demons of his alcohol and drug addiction. Danny checked in to a treatment facility in Los Angeles, where he experienced Recoveryfit for the first time, as a client! From there, he fell in love again with all things sports and fitness. He earned his personal training certification in 2017 in the hopes of spreading the benefits of exercise to those need. Fitness and staying active in recovery are essential for his continual growth, a message he works hard to pass along to those seeking tools for recovery.
Danny Calkins, CPT
Recoveryfit Instructor
Medical
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Lisa Acosta
Medical Director & Psychiatrist
Dr. Acosta is a Ventura County native and graduated cum laude with a BA in Psychology from Harvard University. She attended medical school at Rush University and then returned to California where she completed her Psychiatry residency at Harbor-UCLA and her Child & Adolescent Fellowship at Cedars Sinai. She has filled different positions in other residential settings and has spent the last 8 years serving the moderate to severe mentally ill population with Ventura County Behavioral Health. Dr. Acosta is double-boarded in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She enjoys collaborating with a team of professionals to develop a treatment plan that includes a whole person approach.
Lisa Acosta, MD
Medical Director & Psychiatrist
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Sam H. Ross, M.D.
Internal Medicine Doctor
Dr. Sam Ross is a native of Los Angeles and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Biology from Yeshiva University. He earned his medical doctorate from Temple University and returned to Los Angeles to complete his training in Internal Medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Ross has a special interest in lifestyle, nutrition and weight loss. He enjoys teaching residents and medical students at Cedars Sinai. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Cedars Sinai Health Associates.
Sam H. Ross, MD
Internal Medicine Doctor
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Tara Bordonaro, LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hi my name is Tara and I am a Los Angeles native and a world-traveler. I graduated from Casa Loma School of Nursing. Helping humanity by being of service has always been dear to my heart. Nursing has been a calling of mine and a blessing I am honored to be a part of. I also love to travel and experience the world. Kids are the future! They are bright and thriving! It’s a blessing to get to be apart of their journey.
Tara Bordonaro, LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse
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Lisette Ohana, RN
Nurse
With over 30 years of experience, Lisette has led a very fulfilling life in pediatric nursing. From New York to California, Lisette has worked in hospital wards, ICUs, ERs, and doctor’s offices, providing assistance and treatment to thousands of pediatric patients.
Shifting her focus to school nursing, Lisette acted as the sole nurse at a large private school in Los Angeles with a student body from early childhood to middle school. There Lisette created and managed the nurse’s office establishing all protocols and procedures. She tended to students’ ailments and mental health daily be it physically or emotionally. Lisette also spearheaded health education campaigns and programs teaching all grades the importance of hygiene, nutrition, and exercise to instill and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Children and adolescents have always remained Lisette’s devotion, bringing her enjoyment and fulfillment to her day-to-day routine. Seeing children’s smiles, tears, successes, and even failures continue to give her strength and fortitude. Lisette has always felt that children are very resilient. They just need a little support.
Her work at Ascend Healthcare has brought on a new dimension to Lisette’s career. She is thrilled to be working with an outstanding staff who never cease to impress her as well as truly grateful to be helping adolescents who leave a lasting impact on her as much as she on them!
Lisette Ohana, RN
Nurse
Admissions
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Alicia Brown
Director of Admissions
Alicia has always felt called to be the conduit between people and their goals. She comes to Ascend from higher education, which is where she first realized her passion for working with young people and helping them to find their path. As the department head for a music/entertainment business bachelor’s degree at the Australian College of the Arts, she spent 5 years working as both a teacher and a bridge-builder for young adults seeking a career where they could do what they love for a living. Through this work she found that as she placed students in internships and jobs, their mental health and emotional wellbeing were often a large indicator for their success and fulfilment. Somewhere along the way, helping the students who were struggling in that arena became her passion and her mission. She started to sense that her calling was shifting, and soon found herself working to help these students and their families as her main priority, which led her to Ascend. Prior to becoming a college educator, Alicia spent over a decade as a music and entertainment industry talent manager in Hollywood, where she enjoyed helping creative individuals share their art with the world. Alicia is a Certified Health Coach, with a deep passion for health and wellness. She holds a BS in Communications from Miami University in Ohio, and also studied psychology at the University of Colorado. She is completing her master’s degree in Writing and Literature from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
Alicia Brown
Director of Admissions
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Nicole Rubin
Admissions Coordinator
Before coming to Ascend, Nicole spent 3 years working with adults in a residential mental health setting, mostly on the operations side. She graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2017 from California State University Northridge where she realized that helping people was her passion. Her pivotal role in admissions now allows her to work with families more directly. Nicole understands how difficult it is for families to go through this process, and being able to start the process of getting families the help they need is very personally rewarding to her. She has extensive knowledge working with clients in a residential setting directly, as well as working in treatment on the administrative side, which she’s found is helpful for families to get all of the information they need. Being that first initial contact with families is extremely important, and Nicole strives to make it known how much we care for the well-being of every individual and their families.
Nicole Rubin
Admissions Coordinator
Operations
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Jaq Marshall
Operations and Facilities Manager
Jaq is the spirit of Ascend Healthcare. She serves as the Operations Manager, modeling professional excellence for Ascend’s residential technicians and ensuring that our clients are kept safe. Her unique ability to meet kids where they’re at is a constant reassurance for them along their journey. Jaq has served as a clinical associate and sober technician in a number of treatment centers prior to coming to Ascend. She has also serves as a teaching assistant and is present with our clients in the classroom as well.
Jaq has extensive knowledge of recovery and 12 Steps programming. She helps connect our substance use clients with the large and vibrant recovery community here in Southern California and adheres our program to the highest ethical standards within the treatment world.
Jaq Marshall
Operations and Facilities Manager
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Zackary Hale
Facility Manager
Zackary is the Activities Director and the Weekend Lead Mentor at Ascend Healthcare. He is a highly motivated mentor who is always willing to go the extra mile. Zackary utilizes and applies his life experiences while modeling professional behavior and engaging with our clients. In addition to his own recovery and years of sobriety, he also has years of experience working in recovery and helping to foster healthy living in others. He easily connects with the kids, and allows them to open themselves up. Zack believes that it is important to guide clients to recovery through both work and fun. He knows just how these kids think and feel, and uses his experiences to help them navigate the ups and downs of healthy living. He is passionate and positive about his work.
Zackary Hale
Facility Manager
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Chance Bryant
Special Projects Manager
Chance serves as the Special Projects Manager, undertaking extensive clinical and operational projects, in order to support Ascend from the top down. In other words, he facilitates structural changes that ultimately have a positive impact on the client’s day to day progress and overall treatment experience. Chance has served as a lead clinical associate, an educational coordinator, and a program coordinator at past treatment centers. His unique understanding of the diverse aspects of the mental health industry supports his work at Ascend. His background also includes management experience which enables him to be objective, innovative, and decisive with his aim. Additionally, Chance has worked as a life coach, 12-Step sponsor, and sober coach at various locations throughout Southern California.
Chance Bryant
Special Projects Manager
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David Trice
Lead Mentor
I am currently a Lead Mentor at Ascend Healthcare. I am responsible for mentoring the mentors. I take the lead on new hire training, supporting staff in implementing appropriate interventions, reinforcing line of sight, and helping everyone to drive the program. As a Mentor, I established and cultivated positive relationships with clients helping them establish personal goals and build coping mechanisms to address life challenges. My leadership, strong people skills, and non-judgmental approach helped to motivate them and assist in crisis situations. I possess more than ten years combined of progressive experience working with youth in residential rehabilitation and treatment and mentoring at risk youth. My professional history includes daily monitoring and supervision of youth ages, 13-18 with high-risk behavior, depression, and substance abuse while maintaining a supportive and therapeutic environment. I provided shift notes, distributed responsibilities, and kept clients on schedule. I also transported clients to outside meetings and activities. As a freelance music producer, I taught music lab in Experiential Learning Therapy and assisted in implementing the project. I also mentored at risk youth living among gang violence and taught beat making and songwriting labs to juvenile delinquents.
David Trice
Lead Mentor
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Kaylin Major
Lead Mentor
Kay is a lead mentor at the Magnolia house. She has her Bachelors in Psychology and is currently studying music with the intention of becoming a Music Therapist. She hopes to inspire the kids she works with to pursue their passions and develop healthy habits to assist them in reaching their desired goals. Kay creates a safe environment for kids to explore their talents and identities. She believes in the power of routine and structure. She ensures each individual has a chance to build their self esteem by cultivating a space that fosters a greater capacity for honesty, vulnerability and self-reflection. She recognizes the strength in finding love and belief in oneself. She works to empower each kid she mentors by supporting them in growing this love and belief in themselves.
Kaylin Major
Lead Mentor
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John Pola
Lead Mentor
John worked at an ABA-focused program for years where he initially did behavioral therapy. He was assistant manager of one of their main offices in Los Angeles before he made the switch to Ascend. At only 3 months in, John was recognized for his innate talents and is and now currently a Lead Mentor for Canyons house. One of his biggest achievements was being part of the Air Force where he develop his leadership skills, decision making, and ability to work well under pressure.
What John Ioves most about working with adolescents is getting to know the clients’ stories and history. Even with different backgrounds, he loves that he’s still able to relate to each and everyone of them and help become a pillar for their progress.
John Pola
Lead Mentor
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Darnell Baylor
Lead Mentor
Darnell is originally from Baltimore, MD. From 2005-2014 he worked for the Department Of Juvenile Services for the state of Maryland, as a residential advisor, and later a community detention officer. He has many years of experience working under the social work/mental health umbrella by working with at-risk-youth from all backgrounds. He and his wife moved to Los Angeles in March 2018. The move led Darnell to The People Concern where he helped people that were experiencing homelessness living on the street near skid row, assisting them with affordable housing. In January 2019, he was able to jump back into his element by working with adolescents at Trinity Youth Services, a non-profit group home organization that houses teens under state supervision in El Monte, CA. After almost two great years as a Team Administrator on campus, he advanced to his current role at Ascend Healthcare. He began in December 2020 as a mentor and he was quickly recognized as a lead mentor just two months later. He loves the journey that he’s on. It gives him so much to look forward to when he helps others in need. He loves waking up every morning going to Ascend and teaching our clients new life and coping skills. He was once them!
Darnell Baylor
Lead Mentor
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Stephen Farris
Executive Chef
As the Executive Chef, Stephen Farris’ passion for cuisine, parlayed with over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry, is a perfect pairing for Ascend Healthcare
Stephen is well-prepared by more than twenty years of work experience in international hospitality management. Beginning his career in the culinary field, he graduated from Southern California School of Culinary Arts, Pasadena (now referred to as Le Cordon Bleu) in 1998. His previous endeavors include Nick & Stef’s in downtown Los Angeles, Mastro’s in Beverly Hills, the famous Arclight Cinemas restaurant in Hollywood, and too many more to list.
The recipient of numerous awards and certifications, Stephen continues his efforts to research and implement current trends within the culinary industry.
Stephen Farris
Executive Chef
Academics
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Hayden Harrower
Director of Education
Previously an Academic Coach at Sober College, Hayden Harrower has been coaching and teaching students for the past five years, particularly those with mental health and substance use issues. He specializes in passion development and habit formation among students. During his graduate studies, Hayden was mentored by educators implementing mindfulness strategies in the classroom and he has developed effective methods to do just that. He is a big fan of behavioral science and productivity research, and this informs his teaching techniques. Hayden is exceptional at finding what teens are passionate about and helping transform that into something they can do, giving them the confidence and drive to follow through with tasks and goals.
Hayden Harrower, M.A.
Director of Education
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Derrick Williams
Educator
Derrick was born in Los Angeles and has had a passion for young people since he was in high school where he founded a tutoring program for elementary students. He attended college in the South and continued helping students while participating in various clubs throughout his academic career. When Derrick came home during the semester breaks, he noticed how his community was changing. He began contemplating ways he could help others make better choices for their lives.
After college, he worked in schools and homes as a behavior therapist assisting students overcome their academic and/or social challenges. In this position, he was able to identify evident disparities within the school district. This furthered his intent to assist those who are not able to access the tools necessary for a sustainable life. It was during this time that Derrick purposed to develop a nonprofit aimed to assist at-risk youth make better life choices.
Derrick went back to school and received a Master’s in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding. While at Ascend, Derrick is working on developing his nonprofit so he can continue his endeavor to improve the socioeconomic health of communities and reduce the recidivism rate of at-risk youth while supporting them become functioning members of society.
Derrick Williams
Educator