Effie Goldberg
Managing Director
Leadership
Close
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.
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
Allison Welsh, LCSW
Executive Clinical 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
Executive Clinical Director
Clinical
Close
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
Close
Amy Brenner
Clinical Director – Culver
Amy has over 30 years of experience working with at-risk adolescents and families. She has been a clinician, supervisor, and clinical director in both inpatient and outpatient facilities and in school settings. She is a certified trauma-informed care provider that has been certified in many evidence-based practices and approaches to treatment.
Amy holds a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University, and she also participated in a two-year post-master’s extension program at a psychoanalytic institute in Los Angeles. Amy is a skilled psychotherapist who also works in private practice, specializing in anxiety and depressive disorders, family systems, trauma, and chronic and progressive illnesses.
Amy Brenner
Clinical Director – Culver
Close
Lindsey Araiza
Clinical Director – Haven
Lindsey Araiza is a skilled clinician with a strong background in adolescent and adult mental health and substance abuse recovery. She is experienced in providing individual, group, and family therapy, and has worked as an administrator and a therapist in a variety of intensive in-patient and outpatient settings.
As the Clinical Director at Ascend’s Haven facility, Lindsey utilizes a combination of evidenced-based modalities tailored to fit the unique needs of clients and their families, which may include psychodynamic therapy, structural family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness. Her specialties include the treatment of anxiety and depression, substance abuse, neurodiversity, and trauma.
Lindsey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Barnard College of Columbia University. She went on to pursue a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Northridge.
Lindsey Araiza
Clinical Director – Haven
Close
David Hurwitz, MA, LMFT
Clinical Director – Encino
| 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
Clinical Director – Encino
Close
Margaret Hartmann, LMFT
Clinical Director – Kallos
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
Clinical Director – Kallos
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
Mary Abzug, ACSW
Primary Therapist – Trails
Mary graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Child & Adolescent Psychopathology from New York University. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of California, Los Angeles. Mary has been working in mental health settings since 2016, where she has helped adults and adolescents struggling with issues ranging from depression, anxiety, and OCD to gender dysphoria, trauma, substance use disorders, and personality disorders.
Mary’s education includes expertise in a variety of evidence-based treatments, including DBT, CBT, ACT, and FBT. Her therapeutic approach is based in psychodynamic work with a strong focus on how the past informs the present. Mary incorporates skills and techniques from a multitude of modalities in order to individualize treatment and highlight a client-centered approach.
Since entering the field, she has been passionate about working with adolescents and setting individuals up on a healthy and happy trajectory towards adulthood. Mary recognizes this period of life as one marked with plasticity and opportunity for resilience, and is driven to work with clients to enact meaningful change.
Mary Abzug, ACSW
Primary Therapist – Trails
Close
Samantha Empero, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Trails
Samantha received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California and her Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families of various worldviews and cultural backgrounds. The challenges Samantha’s clients have learned to navigate and overcome with her include but are not limited to, trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, self-esteem, communication and social skills, substance use, and eating disorders.
Samantha is passionate about creating a therapeutic space for people that provides the genuineness, empathy, acceptance, and unconditional positive regard necessary for healing. She desires to capitalize on people’s strengths and hopes for their future in order to walk alongside them as they become the people they desire to be.
Samantha Empero, LMFT
Primary Therapist – Trails
Close
Kristina Navarro, ACSW
Primary Therapist – Canyons
Kristina has experience providing intensive mental health services in the form of individual therapy, family therapy, and crisis intervention. Kristina specializes in treating adolescents living with severe mental illnesses such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, mood disorders, and personality disorders. She is a firm believer in the family systems theory and works closely with clients and their respective families to rebuild their ruptured bonds.
Kristina has an empathetic approach to therapy that is rooted in highlighting client and family strengths and their potential to reach their ultimate goals. She approaches all sessions from an intersectional lens, highlighting the importance of tailoring each treatment plan to the individual’s cultural background, race, identity, and life experience.
Kristina received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Channel Islands, and went on to achieve a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Northridge. Kristina is currently working towards licensure in the state of California.
Kristina Navarro, ACSW
Primary Therapist – Canyons
Close
Madison Moore
Primary Therapist – Haven
Madison Moore has worked with children, teens, and young adults for the past four years as a therapist. She earned her Master of Science in Psychology and is currently completing her dissertation to earn her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology.
Madison is trained and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Managing and Adapting Practices, as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Madison utilizes an individualized approach to create positive change from within. She also incorporates cognitive behavioral concepts with mindfulness-based techniques.
Madison Moore
Primary Therapist – Haven
Close
Laura Barone
Primary Therapist – Culver
Laura Barone is a therapist that brings more than two decades of clinical experience to her work in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Her restorative work with children and their families includes working with survivors of abuse and neglect, survivors of human and sex trafficking, substance use, LGBTQIA + support, and neurodiversity.
A perpetual student, Laura has enjoyed studying trauma-informed care and multiple evidence-based modalities to inform additional approaches to her treatment methods. In groups and therapy sessions, Laura’s laid-back style and warm approach help to create safety for Ascend’s diverse client population.
Laura holds a Masters’s Degree in Social Work from New York University. Her experience is surpassed only by her desire to build rapport with clients so they may feel seen and heard as their authentic selves.
Laura Barone
Primary Therapist – Culver
Close
Emmanuel Garcia
Therapist – Culver
Emmanuel Garcia earned a Master of Science in Counseling, with a dual concentration in Professional and School vectors, and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology-Social Services from California State University, San Bernardino. Emmanuel has worked with adults and adolescents navigating their sobriety, combating addiction, and treating their mental health diagnosis in both residential and outpatient settings.
During his career, Emmanuel has conducted intensive individual and group counseling work utilizing Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. In addition, Emmanuel has also provided Solution-Focused and Narrative Therapy to students and families of the San Bernardino City Unified School District to enhance their understanding of student social, emotional, and physical well-being, including awareness of depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, and other mental health barriers.
As a psychotherapist, Emmanuel uses a neutral, strength-based, relational approach through DBT, ACT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and/or Narrative Therapy. His goal is to ensure clients feel empowered to create meaning in the life that they live, guiding adolescents, families, and adults to regulate their emotions, tolerate their distress, and process hardships. In his role as a Therapist at Ascend, he strives to maximize every client’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being through mindfulness, patience, accountability, hope, and connection.
During his leisure time, Emmanuel enjoys hiking in nature, traveling on road trips, backpacking in different countries, physical fitness, raising his Siberian husky, and embracing the present moment through laughter with loved ones.
Emmanuel Garcia
Therapist – Encino
Close
Kathlyn Wolgast
Therapist – Encino
Kathlyn Wolgast (she/her/hers) obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University of Los Angeles and went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Social Work from Azusa Pacific University. She’s committed to a career in psychotherapy to become a social justice advocate and help her clients find their voices.
As she works with her clients on radical acceptance, she utilizes a number of modalities, including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Family Therapy, and Psychoanalytic Family Therapy. Her goal is to help teens and their families explore transgenerational trauma and find healing from its negative effects.
Kathlyn began her career working with children and adolescents but has experience working with clients of all ages. She has helped clients through various forms of trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other related disorders. She has joined the Ascend team as a Primary Therapist to help our clients pursue their own healing in mind, body, and spirit.
Kathlyn Wolgast
Therapist – Encino
Close
Carla Barclay, EMDR
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 Barclay, EMDR
Therapist – Canyons
Close
Ann Holm, CADC
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator
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
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator – Empress
Close
Pauline L’Herbette
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator – Magnolia
Pauline is working toward her Master’s Degree at the University of South Florida, to be completed in 2023. She works at Ascend as a Case Manager to help provide individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents suffering from a variety of mental health and life challenges. She believes in using a strength-based approach for therapy and meets clients where they are at. Pauline works to ensure a warm, collaborative environment, allowing her to build authentic connections with clients and parents. Pauline also incorporates CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing into her therapy practice.
As the mother of a three-year-old boy, she hopes that her experience in child rearing will complement her traditional school learning and strengthen her passion for helping young people and family systems.
Pauline L’Herbette
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator – Magnolia
Close
Janet Velazquez
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator
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 & Discharge Coordinator
Close
Naja Martin, MSW
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator – Canyons
Naja Martin is originally from the Ohio/Michigan area, and much of her experience is in Mental Health and Criminal Justice settings in those locations. During her time within the treatment community, she has had the opportunity to help adolescents and adults with issues ranging from depression and anxiety to trauma and substance use disorders.
Naja attended Eastern Michigan University where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work & Criminology in 2020. Later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration on Children & Family Services in 2022. Currently, Naja is a certified ABA Behavior Technician who has worked with adolescents diagnosed with ASD, as well as others considered to be on the spectrum. She has extensive experience working with families, children, and adolescents in school and treatment settings, specifically with at-risk youth.
Before coming to Ascend, Naja served as Founder and President of the organization Unlatched, providing mentorship to children who were at risk of entering the school-to-prison pipeline. She also worked with the Washtenaw County Courts and the Public Defender’s office, completing mitigation reports for clients and serving as an expert for testimony in trials.
Naja’s goal is to help her clients realize their potential regardless of any obstacles. She believes her clients’ futures are endless, and the possibilities for fulfilling their potential nearly limitless. Naja takes pride in making a difference by helping and leading others to success and confidence. She is passionate about advocating for her clients’ specific needs and providing a space that encourages authenticity, acceptance, and unconditional support, to succeed in their therapeutic system.
Naja Martin, MSW
Case Manager & Discharge Coordinator – Canyons
Close
Laura Ticho, MSW
Program Coordinator – Encino
Laura graduated with a Bachelor in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon. She then went on to earn a Master’s of Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work. Laura has extensive experience working with families, children, and adolescents in school and treatment settings. Additionally, she worked in special education for three years, expanding her experience to work with people who have diverse needs. She is passionate about advocating for accessible and equitable treatment for individuals and believes in the healing power of strong relationships with her clients and coworkers.
Laura works from a relational and strength-based perspective, placing emphasis on how adolescents can advocate for themselves within their families and communities. She pulls from solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and family systems theory to support clients as they move through their treatment.
Laura Ticho, MSW
Program Coordinator – Encino
Close
Melissa Domeyer
Program Coordinator – Santa Clarita – Santa Clarita
Melissa is an Associate Clinical Social Worker at Ascend who earned her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge. She later graduated at the top of her class from the University of Southern California where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus in Mental Health and Wellness.
Melissa has experience providing individual therapy in a private practice setting to adolescents and adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Melissa was also a Rape Crisis Advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and sex crimes in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
With an approach rooted in the mind-body connection, Melissa utilizes psychoeducation with individuals and families to inform and normalize their experiences. She utilizes evidence-based interventions including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused approaches to generate meaningful change and encourage clients to draw upon their resiliency and strengths to cultivate healthy coping strategies.
Melissa Domeyer
Program Coordinator – Santa Clarita
Close
David Schwartz
DBT Group Facilitator – Encino
David Schwartz, MS, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#87261). David
has facilitated hundreds of group sessions in a variety of therapy modalities. He is committed to helping teens prepare themselves for a healthy and successful future and works as a group facilitator at Ascend as part of his practice. David has experience as a past clinical director of two adolescent treatment centers, as well as his own therapy practice in Westlake Village, California.
David writes a regular blog for Psychology Today’s website, titled “Adolescents Explained.” His articles focus on helping readers better understand the changes happening when children reach their teenage years. Prior to becoming a therapist, David was a successful writer and producer in the television industry.
David Schwartz
DBT Group Facilitator – Encino
Close
Scott Firestone
DBT Group Facilitator – Encino
Scott received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York. With a drive to work intensively with families, Scott did post-graduate training for two years at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan. At Ackerman, Scott trained in Family Therapy Theory and underwent a supervised training program where he worked with families coming to the agency for help.
Scott began his Social Work career as a substance abuse counselor in a drug rehab program in a maximum-security prison in Florida. He later went on to work for 20 years as a Caseworker for the Department of Social Services. For Social Services, Scott worked with families struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues, providing counseling and casework management for families who needed assistance getting their children back from foster care or preventing their children from entering the foster care system in the first place.
During this past year, Scott has been facilitating DBT and Process Groups at Ascend Healthcare. He also worked in a local elementary school doing therapy with children who struggle with a variety of behavioral issues. Scott has also been working part-time for a private clinical practice, seeing teens and children for therapy. He is working towards clinical social work licensure in the state of California.
Scott Firestone
DBT Group Facilitator – Encino
Close
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
Experiential
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Close
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
Medical
Close
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
Close
Laura Hubbard
Director of Nursing
Laura has spent the majority of her adult career in the medical field. Shortly after high school, she became an EMT and gained seven years of first responder experience. Recognizing that she wanted to broaden her scope of practice, Laura enrolled at the Angeles College of Nursing to expand her education and become a Nurse. Laura has over 12 years of nursing experience with 9 of those years specializing in adolescent residential and outpatient treatment.
Prior to joining Ascend, Laura was the Director of Health and Wellness with Destinations for Teens and played an integral part in the growth and development of their nursing staff. She has worked in many different fields of nursing, such as pediatrics and emergency care, but found her true calling working in adolescent mental health.
Laura also oversees Ascend’s wonderful team of nurses who provide care to our clients 24 hours a day. She works closely with support staff to ensure that all of her clients’ medical and physical needs are being met ethically and professionally.
Laura Hubbard
Director of Nursing
Close
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
Close
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
Close
Josseline Tchoumi, LVN
Nurse – Encino
Josseline Tchoumi is originally from Cameroun, but moved to America for her education. After graduating from Casa Loma College in 2010, she started work as a CNA, and has since ben in the nursing field for more than 20 years. Josseline has worked in hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, and group homes for both adults and children. Her experiene in mental healthcare is vast, and she has come into contact with patients suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and self-harm behaviors, as well as clients with serious health conditions.
As a nurse at Ascend, she has established an environment that ensures a loving, caring, and positive relationship with the clients to ensure they feel safe and comfortable. She believes that no matter their diagnosis, there is a compassionate heart and genius in each one of them.
Josseline Tchoumi, LVN
Nurse – Encino
Close
Ana Lopez, LVN
Nurse – Santa Clarita
Ana Gabriela Lopez graduated from Concorde Career College in July of 2020 as a Vocational Nurse. While in nursing school, she worked as a CNA in a skilled nursing facility, assisting patients with multiple mental health concerns, such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. After obtaining her nursing license, she worked in Covid units throughout the pandemic and served as a Covid-19 vaccine nurse.
Ana has also worked in hospice, home health, skilled nursing facilities, and med surgery positions. During the pandemic she realized how many families were in dire need of mental health services, so she decided to transition into residential treatment for adolescents. She now works for Ascend as a psychiatric nurse.
Working at Ascend has been an incredibly rewarding experience, as Ana gets to participate in holistic treatment of the entire family system, watching as parents and children reconcile, learn, and grow together.
As a nurse at Ascend, she has established an environment that ensures a loving, caring, and positive relationship with the clients to ensure they feel safe and comfortable. She believes that no matter their diagnosis, there is a compassionate heart and genius in each one of them.
Ana Lopez, LVN
Nurse – Santa Clarita
Close
Alyza Rozal
RN Nurse – Encino
Alyza Rozal is a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She is passionate about furthering her education at Ascend and pursuing a career that involves helping children and younger adults.
With five years of experience working with children, she has transitioned from a Teacher Assistant for the Los Angeles School Unified District to a Mentor position at Ascend Healthcare while working on her degree. Once she completed nursing school, Alyza was honored to be considered for a role as a Nurse with Ascend.
As a nurse, she strives to promote quality patient care, advocating for client needs throughout their stay with us. Her goal is to make a positive difference to every client that comes through Ascend’s residential treatment facility, delivering compassionate care to all.
Alyza Rozal
RN Nurse – Encino
Admissions
Close
Nicole Rubin
Admissions Director
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 as Admissions Director 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 Director
Close
Brie McQueen
Admissions Coordinator
Prior to working at Ascend, Brie has always found a place in special education and the study of adolescent behavior. Over the past 10 years, Brie has worked in hospitals, schools, and in-home settings with children and adults that have a variety of needsm including but not limited to: Autism, Down’s syndrome, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and children struggling with emotional distress. Brie is also certified in crisis prevention and intervention practices. In her admissions position, she hopes to promote a safe space filled with understanding and compassion for parents and children during their most turbulent times.
Brie McQueen
Admissions Coordinator
Operations
Close
Jaq Waldron
Director of Operations
Jaq is the spirit of Ascend Healthcare. She serves as the Director of 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 Operations
Close
Ashtar Goldreich
Director of Compliance
Ashtar received her Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2012. She has over 8 years of experience working in the Substance Abuse Treatment field in varying roles. She started as an Admissions Coordinator and Insurance Biller at a 130-bed, non-profit residential facility and moved on to become a Client Success Manager at one of the most respected electronic medical record companies for Substance Abuse Facilities.
As a Client Success Manager, Ashtar implemented electronic medical record systems at over 100 substance abuse facilities across the Western United States for three years. She was exposed to many different types of facilities in this role and expanded her knowledge of the treatment field. Ascend was her first client as a Client Success Manager, and she was overjoyed to be able to join the Ascend Team as their Director of Compliance.
Ashtar is passionate about helping people, and even though her role seems behind the scenes, she has the ability to ensure clients thrive by encouraging the team at Ascend to maintain the highest standard of care through proper procedure and documentation.
Ashtar Goldreich
Director of Compliance
Close
Daniel Ahearn
Director of Culture & Development
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 brings a strong educational background in attachment repair substance abuse, applied community psychology, and over 20 years of Buddhist practices to his work. As Director of Culture and Development, he connects our team by defining our shared language, establishing weekly intentions, facilitating daily staff meditation groups, holding space for staff process through support groups, identifying training opportunities, and acting as a clinical brand ambassador.
Daniel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.
Daniel Ahearn
Director of Culture & Development
Close
Dave Trice
Facility Compliance Manager – Empress and Magnolia
I am currently a Facility Compliance 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 Compliance Manager – Empress and Magnolia
Close
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
Close
Zackary Hale
Director of Facilities
Zackary is the Director of Facilities 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
Director of Facilities
Close
Alison Fogarty, MSW
Head of Utilization Review
Allison’s master’s degree is in Psychology and she has worked in substance use disorder treatment for thirteen years, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment. Overall, she’s been working in mental health for over 20 years, initially in Rhode Island and later in California. She has worked with adolescents and children, the geriatric and hospice population, and in family dynamics and trauma. Some of Allison’s most notable roles include Program Director, Executive Director, and Director of Operations at a variety of treatment facilities.
At Ascend, Allison oversees many aspects of our clinical programs to initiate any quality improvements that may be necessary and supervises clinical treatment teams to ensure effective communication, as well as proper oversight of client service delivery and progress. Her work includes program development, compliance of clinical documentation, and interviewing potential staff as we expand our team.
Allison has been trained in many modules of therapy, from CBT, DBT, Gestalt, Narrative, Behavioral, Psychosomatic therapy to Psychodynamics/Psychoanalysis, including Freud and Jung. In her practice, she blends a combination of these therapies to ensure clients are getting personalized treatment that effectively addresses their needs.
As she expands her personal education goals, Allison is looking forward to the completion of her PhD in Depth Psychology with an emphasis in Dream Analysis and Quantum Mechanics.
Alison Fogarty, MSW
Head of Utilization Review
Close
Trey Hyde
Special Projects Manager
Trey holds his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from The University of Scranton and a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He has eight years of experience managing both clinical and operational systems and directly supports Ascend Healthcare’s upper management whilst also serving as a resource for the company as a whole.
In the past, Trey has served as program coordinator for high school students who were interested in going to college and studying medicine but lacked the knowledge and resources to get there. He has years of experience in the healthcare field, serving communities both in the hospital and in afterschool programs.
Trey has a passion for working with adolescents and strives to be a positive presence, showing young people that no matter the past, their dreams are still attainable.
Trey Hyde
Special Projects Manager
Close
Molly Elkin
Facility Manager – Culver
Molly Elkin has been working in social services for over 10 years and is looking forward to completing her MSW program to ensure she can continue serving the young people at Ascend to the best of her abilities. It is Molly’s love for fun and passion that makes working with adolescents the right choice. At Ascend, her role as a facility manager means working with onsite staff to keep our residential treatment center at Culver running smoothly.
Favorite quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Molly Elkin
Facility Manager – Culver
Close
Sarina Sity
Alumni Program Coordinator
Sarina Sity has a RAD-T certification and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from CSUN. She recently decided to return to CSUN for her Master’s Degree to bolster her education so that she can continue pursuing a career helping young people thrive.
Sarina found her passion for helping people a few years ago when serving as an RA, Tech, and Mentor for people with chemical dependency. She also worked with veterans suffering from PTSD, women struggling with mental health concerns, and facilities that specialize in substance abuse in underprivileged populations. Now, with over two years in this field, and a transition to Alumni Coordinator at Ascend, she has learned so much about connecting with her clients during and after treatment.
Sarina is excited to continue working in this field with Ascend because she believes in using her skills, resources, and abilities to advocate for others, guide them toward amazing opportunities, and help them live fulfilling lives.
Sarina Sity
Alumni Program Coordinator
Close
Noah Mann
Strategic Growth Manager
Noah is a Certified Life Coach who has been with Ascend Healthcare from the very start. He was previously the administrator of a 210-bed facility for the elderly but found his passion in mentoring adolescents who struggle with substance abuse and mental health. Noah brings to Ascend his experience in 12-step recovery on a daily basis and strives to provide a kind and loving approach to treatment with teens and their families.
Noah has worked on the floor with our clients for many years and has transitioned through many roles as the company has grown. In addition, he has developed amazing relationships throughout the adolescent treatment community as a direct result of his involvement with Ascend.
Noah is now tasked with building our aftercare programs to our teens continue with their recovery after moving on from our residential treatment programs.
Noah Mann
Strategic Growth Manager
Academics
Close
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
Close
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 – Empress
Close
Taylor Owens
Educator – Magnolia
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
Educator – Magnolia
Close
Jenna Stover
Educator – Canyons
Jenna Stover became an Educator at Ascend Healthcare because she has a passion for helping others unlock their true potential. Jenna has a degree from the University of La Verne, and she has spent the last four years volunteering in Los Angeles through various outreach programs. With over 12 years of experience in the field of child development, she identifies and bridges the gap of developmental delays in adolescents and teens. While Jenna originally started working with infants, her experience sparked an interest and passion for serving adolescents and school-aged children.
Jenna serves her community and her Ascend clients with empathy and compassion, focusing on communication to build trust and rapport with teens and their families. She hopes to continue her education and become a true expert in her field.
Jenna Stover
Educator – Canyons