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
Clinical Director – Trauma & Anxiety-Related Disorders
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
Clinical Director – Trauma & Anxiety-Related Disorders
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Allison Welsh, LCSW
Clinical Director – Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
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
Clinical Director – Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
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Dr. Gerrian Wuts
Clinical Supervisor
Gerrian grew up in the Netherlands and has a Doctorate Degree from the University of Amsterdam, started her Clinical Work in 1991 in Singapore, and later obtained her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego. She has worked as a supervisor since 2002 and currently has her own private practice in Pasadena. She enjoys supervising clinicians in training and preparing for licensure.
Her work experience includes working with children experiencing trauma, adults, and families dealing with interpersonal challenges, Couples in conflict, as well as psychological testing. In light of her own cross-cultural experience; she is passionate about working with clients from various cultures, countries, and backgrounds. She is fluent in Dutch, German, and Spanish in addition to English and has an understanding of Chinese cultural family values. Her therapeutic lens starts with the foundation of developmental history infused with dynamic understanding and a practical approach to managing day-to-day challenges with the goal to seek self-awareness and growth.
Dr. Gerrian Wuts
Clinical Supervisor
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David Hurwitz, MA, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Magnolia
| 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 – Magnolia
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Ashley Richter
Primary Therapist – Trails
Ashley graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and a concentration in French. She received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family from Pepperdine University.
Ashley is passionate about working with all different types of individuals with a wide variety of disorders and issues. Her background includes school-based counseling and both inpatient and outpatient individual therapy working through a variety of presenting problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse disorders, family and relational issues, disordered eating, mood disorders, suicidal ideation, and personality disorders. She is also well versed in group therapy, including process groups and groups with the UCLA PEERs Clinic where she assisted neurodiverse individuals with relational skills and other social challenges.
Ashley believes each individual has their own unique story to tell and that they are the experts of their lives. She works with the clients at their own pace using their strengths to create a safe, inviting, and open therapeutic space that promotes communication and trust to further enhance their personal growth.
Ashley Richter, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Trails
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Carla Nathan, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Canyons
Carla received her Masters Of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute/California Family Study Center in 1997. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has over 25 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient and residential settings. She has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, self-injurious behavior, family conflict, and addiction. She is committed to helping clients overcome life’s many challenges, and to begin a new journey in their lives through meaningful change. Carla strongly believes in the importance of treating the whole family unit, and not just the individual. She is also the mother of two adolescent boys, which further strengthens her passion to help young people navigate life’s difficulties and come out the other side a stronger, more authentic individual.
Carla Nathan, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Canyons
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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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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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Kaylin Miller, PsyD
Primary Therapist – Magnolia
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 – Magnolia
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Hannah Sandler, AMFT
Therapist/ Program Coordinator
Hannah understands the nuances of challenging oneself and continuously learning how to be one’s best self. She believes that everyone is capable of change and provides the extra guidance and support to empower clients in facilitating that change. Hannah incorporates the underlying need for connection and remaining authentic to who we are in her sessions. She encompasses a strength-based approach in her work while incorporating Family Systems, CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy.
Hannah graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant University. Hannah has worked in the mental health field since 2010. She has worked with neurotypical adolescents, teenagers, and adults, as well as with the neurodiverse population, in multiple settings.
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Hannah Sandler, AMFT
Primary Therapist- Trails
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Daniel Ahearn, AMFT
Therapist and 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, AMFT
Therapist and Meditation Coach
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Madison Dennis, AMFT
Primary Therapist – Canyons
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 – Canyons
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Margaret Hartmann, LMFT
Therapist/ Program Coordinator
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, LMFT
Therapist/ Program Coordinator
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Syuzanna Shirinyan, AMFT
Primary Therapist – Empress
Syuzanna attended the University of Southern California, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology (cum laude) and a master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in cognition and innovation.
Syuzanna has been working as an associate clinical social worker for five years. She greatly enjoys working with adolescents, where she can incorporate her specialties of cognitive behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, and mindfulness. Syuzanna recognizes that no single therapeutic approach is inclusive of all clients. Thus, she puts emphasis on the individual needs of each client and focuses to uncover the most appropriate therapeutic approach. Syuzanna enjoys working in diverse mental health settings and loves seeing progress in her clients.
Syuzanna Shirinyan, ACSW
Primary Therapist – Empress
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Ann Holm, CADC
Counselor and Case Manager
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
Counselor and Case Manager – Empress
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Marissa Dearborn
Primary Therapist – Empress
Marissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University- Pueblo. She then earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Marissa has extensive experience working with adolescents and families in schools, group homes, outpatient settings, and within partial hospitalization programs.
Marissa is skilled in treating individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. She approaches therapy through a client centered and strength based approach. She believes that connecting to Clients and providing safety is one of the most essential parts of treatment. Marissa incorporates CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and family systems into her therapeutic approach, providing evidence based care for her Clients while building authentic connections.
Marissa Dearborn
Primary Therapist – Empress
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Janet Velazquez
Case Manager
Janet is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor who received her certification at Pierce College in Los Angeles CA in 2010. Janet’s clinical background has been in the field of addictions treatment for adults and adolescents with co-morbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, chronic trauma, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, and depression. Janet is proficient in working with high-risk youth and youth from varied backgrounds including those from an inpatient treatment setting with substantial legal difficulties and also those having gang affiliations. In the juvenile justice setting of David Gonzales and Kilpatrick Youth camps of Ventura County, Janet has provided substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling to assist youth with entering back into the community. Janet has worked with all populations including working with the homeless to assist in receiving inpatient substance use treatment. She also has substantial experience working in
community mental health centers providing counseling services to families and youth mandated by Los Angeles family court.
Janet Velazquez
Case Manager
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Jessica Torres
Case Manager – Canyons
Jessica Torres is working towards obtaining her PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Downtown Los Angeles. Jessica received her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at TCSPP in the Summer of 2021 and received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Northridge in the Spring of 2017.
Jessica’s clinical background includes experience with adult and adolescent forensic populations/settings assessing and treating patients with comorbid disorders such as chronic trauma, depression, personality disorders, anxiety, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum, dissociative disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and substance abuse. Jessica previously completed her graduate training at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/Division of Juvenile Justice at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. In this forensic setting, she worked closely with both male and female violent youth offenders providing psychological testing and treatment in the mental health residential units. She also has substantial experience working in community mental health centers providing therapeutic services to families mandated by Los Angeles family court, children’s court, and criminal court. Jessica’s therapeutic approach is heavily influenced by psychodynamic therapy focusing on attachment theory.
Jessica Torres
Case Manager – Canyons
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Kaylin Major, BA
Case Manager – Magnolia
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, BA
Case Manager – Magnolia
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Kayla Goldberg
Social Work Intern
Kayla is working toward her Master’s degree, to be completed in 2022, at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She focuses on collaborating with clients and their primary therapists to provide additional support while continuing to grow her skill set. Kayla offers guidance by facilitating groups, fostering relationships with clients, and providing psycho-education to both clients and parents. Kayla also teaches a curriculum about recognizing the universal experience of shame and embracing authentic living through self-compassion and vulnerability. She is highly motivated to work with adolescents while they navigate their individual challenges. Her experience includes volunteering and managing groups of volunteers who provide support to families with various terminal illnesses.
Kayla Goldberg
Social Work Intern
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Reuben Brody
Social Work Intern
Reuben studies mental health and trauma at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and will graduate in 2022. As an intern at Ascend, he co-facilitates narrative therapy groups, where he utilizes his experience as a professional writer to help clients connect the ways in which their personal stories impact their lives. He is also absorbing the Ascend staff’s wealth of experience by assisting them in DBT groups, Parent Effectiveness Training, and clinical assessments.
Prior to pursuing his MSW, Reuben worked as a staff writer for a politician and was the founding editor of the LA edition of InsideHook, where he still contributes articles on environmental issues. His interest in becoming a therapist evolved out of his love of interviewing people and his time volunteering as a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters and as a counselor at the California Youth Crisis Line.
Reuben Brody
Social Work Intern
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Matt Metcalf
DBT Consultant
Matt Metcalf
DBT Consultant
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Ms. Daphne
Lead Mentor
Daphne is the Lead Mentor at Magnolia House at one of our Encino locations. She has completed an Addiction Studies Program and is currently following up with an AA in Behavioral Science at Los Angeles Pierce College. Daphne has been with Ascend since June of 2020, mentoring in multiple houses and learning more about mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Ms. Daphne
Lead Mentor
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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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
Head 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
Head 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 Waldron
Director of Residential Operations
Jaq is the spirit of Ascend Healthcare. She serves as the Director of Residential Operations, 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 Waldron
Director of Residential Operations
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Caroline Szakiel
Executive Chef
As Executive Chef, Caroline brings her passion and talent to Ascend to create culinary delights for our clients and staff. She believes we eat with our eyes first and strives to keep a delicious yet nutritious menu.
Having 15 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry, Chef Caroline has worked in high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, and banquet facilities. After gaining years of experience Caroline ventured off to operate her own business and worked for clients as a private chef, taught classes, and catered on-set and corporate events.
Her passion for cooking is matched by her passion to make a difference in people’s lives and she enjoys interacting with clients daily. Caroline runs a cooking group, where she has observed the art of cooking to be therapeutic.
Caroline Szakiel
Executive Chef
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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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Dave Trice
Facility Manager – Empress and Magnolia
I am currently a Facility Manager 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.
Dave Trice
Facility Manager – Empress and Magnolia
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Zackary Hale
Facility Manager – Canyons and Lorjen
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 – Canyon and Lorjen
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Edna Leon
Lead Mentor – Canyons
I am currently the lead mentor at Ascend Canyons. My journey with mental health and trauma started in 2018, where I began working in a long-term residential facility for adults. I began to branch out working with children of all ages and volunteering a lot at shelters where I would lead activities with the children. My own battles with depression and anxiety have made me strive harder to help others facing the same battles. Being able to speak from experience allows the children to connect on a different level, where they feel safe and not judged. I believe that these kids need structure and mentorship while still being able to enjoy their teen years.
Edna Leon
Lead Mentor – Canyons
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Taylor Owens
Lead Mentor – Empress
Taylor has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and has a passion for pursuing her Master’s in Social Work in the near future. She hopes to inspire the youth to find their passions and develop healthy habits. Taylor hopes to foster a safe place for each individual kid to express themselves and rediscover their talents. She believes that if the youth can find their determination to learn no one can stop them. Taylor strives to maintain a positive environment for these kids to grow while also upholding structure. She hopes to continue to support and help the youth for many years to come.
Taylor Owens
Lead Mentor – Empress
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
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Ran Tixier
Educator – Trails
Ryan is an Educator with a primary professional background in behavioral health. He received his Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and has developed a drive to help others since his first exposure to the healthcare field. In addition to his employment background in mental health, Ryan has explored professional avenues in teaching and tutoring. Previously a Mentor with Ascend, he adopted the Educator role – and its didactic approach to mental wellness – with the hope of nurturing clients’ desires to discover themselves by pursuing their passions. He believes that adolescents exist within a very formative period of their lives, and understands that addressing health disturbances during this period of development is particularly critical in terms of an individual’s ability to thrive. Ryan further believes that fostering passion on an intrinsic level is a hallmark to living a fulfilling life, and aims to assist clients in their ability to achieve personal growth in this way.
Ryan Tixier
Educator – Trails