STAFF
DR. JEFF NALIN, Psy.D
COLE RUCKER, M.A.
DR. STEVE SAGER, M.D.
KARMEN KAMLA, M.A.
ALONSO DOMINGUEZ, CTC
ROBB HUMPHREYS, CTC
RUTHANNE ILLIF, MA, MFT.
DR. GARY GOLDEN, Ph.D.
DANIELLE JAGODA, MA, MFT
KAREN RUBENSTEIN MFT
KIM BALDWIN, MA, MFT
PAUL JOSEPH, M.A.
JODI PORETSKIN, M.A.
ASA GUSTAVASSON, M.A.
CAROL NALIN, CPET
MICHELLE WARNER, MA
ANDY TUBMAN, MT-BC
CINDY SHORT
CYNTHIA BOND
JULIA CLARKE MA, MFT
LESLIE TUCHMAN, M.S., MFT
MELANIE KAPLAN, CH, CMT
JACQUELINE KING, CMT
AMANDA SUOMI
RYAN PARKS
LYNN ANERSEN
JESSE LAURICELLA
ANDREW YOUNG, MA
TONY GUERENA
ERIN DOWTY
KAMALA DEXTER
CLAUDINE LAMARRE |
DR. JEFF NALIN, Psy.D. (PSY
17766)
Executive Director
Co-Founder
Dr.
Nalin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY17766),
a Certified Chemical Dependency Intervention Specialist
and a Certified Youth Residential Treatment Administrator
who has worked in the field of addiction for more than
15 years. He has provided direct care for youth at multiple
institutions of learning including; The Los Angeles Unified
School District, the University of California at San Diego,
Santa Monica College, and Pacific University. Dr. Nalin
was instrumental in the development of the treatment component
of Los Angeles County's first Juvenile Drug Court and
is co-founder of the EOS Youth Institute. In addition,
he is a Diplomate of the National Institute of Sports
Professionals and a Certified Sports Psychologist.
Dr. Nalin has appeared
as a chemical dependency treatment expert on CBS News
Special Assignment, CNN and nationally syndicated programs
for youth and families. He also appeared in the anti-Drug
campaign for the Office of National Drug Control Policy
(ONDCP). He is a regular lecturer at U.C.L.A. for their
Integrated Substance Abuse Training Program, and the H.E.L.P.
Group's pre-doctoral training program. He lectures and
conducts workshops nationally on the issues of substance
abuse prevention and treatment for adolescents.
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COLE
RUCKER, M.A.
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder
Cole
holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology
and has more than 20 years of experience in the creation
and implementation of treatment programs for youth and
their families. He has performed as Director for Family
Preservation Programs and as the Director of the largest
chemical dependency treatment program for youth in Southern
California. He is a certified Youth Residential Treatment
Administrator and served as Committee Chair for the Public
Health Institute’s Youth Treatment Standards Commission.
Cole is a member of the California Juvenile Drug Court
Professionals and has been a member of the Los Angeles
Unified School District’s Home Hospital School Advisory
Council and advisor to the School Attendance Review Board.
He also served as a member of the Los Angeles Superior
Court’s Juvenile Drug Court Oversight Committee,
Los Angeles Business Council’s Leadership LA Alumni
Board, Los Angeles County Department of Drug and Alcohol
Program’s Youth Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic
and Treatment Programs Work Group, Los Angeles Children’s
Hospital’s Drug and Alcohol Committee, US Department
of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental
Heath Services Administration Youth Work Group and the
California State University Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
As co-founder of ECHO MALIBU,
Cole works to maintain a physically and emotionally safe
space for youth and their families. He is responsible
for insuring that the expectations held by each participant
are met or exceeded.
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DR.
STEVE SAGER, M.D. (A048008)
Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr.
Sager is a nationally respected Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.
He is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
and has specialized solely in the treatment of adolescents
for over a decade. In addition, he holds a Diplomate in
Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Sager is an attending psychiatrist
at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Division of
Adolescent Medicine and is a faculty member at both the
University of California Los Angeles and the University
of Southern California. Before joining the ECHO team,
Dr. Sager served as Medical Director for the Children
and Family Services Bureau, Los Angeles County Department
of Mental Health.
Dr. Sager is a member in
good standing of The Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
The American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy
of Addiction Psychiatry, The American Society of Addiction
Medicine, The American Association Of Community Psychiatrist,
The American Association of Administrative Psychiatrists,
The American Medical Association, The Southern California
Psychiatric Association, The American Society for Adolescent
Psychiatry, The International Sports Psychiatric Association
and The House Officer’s Association.
Dr. Sager is responsible
for insuring the integrity of all medical aspects of ECHO
MALIBU’S social model program.
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KARMEN
KAMLA, M.A.
Therapist/Internship Coordinator
Karmen
Kamla holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of
Central Florida, and a Master of Arts Degree from Pacifica
Graduate Institute where she is currently pursuing her
Ph. D. Karmen has worked in the chemical dependency and
mental health fields for almost 10 years. During that
time she has worked with teens with emotional difficulties
in downtown Los Angeles and served as the director of
an orphanage for boys as well as director of an International
Yoga and Meditatin center in Rishikesh, India. Karmen
has also worked with youth at St. John's Juvenile Residential
Facility. Presently She is conducting research in psychobiology
and it's relation to emotions and trauma recovery. Karmen
provides clinical services to adolescents and their families
at ECHO MALIBU. She also provides coordination services
for ECHO's Clinical Interns.
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ALONSO
DOMINGUEZ, C.T.C.
Assistant Program Director
Alonso holds a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University
and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in clinical
psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is a certified
twelves step counselor who has been working with youth
and their families for more than ten years. Alonso has
previously provided leadership as supervisor of the Los
Angeles Superior Court's San Fernando Valley Juvenile
Drug Court Program. He has also served as the manager
of the largest outpatient youth treatment program in Southern
California.
Alonso provides the youth and families
of ECHO MALIBU with counseling and support services. He
is also responsible for the coordination and supervision
of clinical assistants
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| ROBB
HUMPHREYS, BFA, CTC
Assistant Director of Operations
Robb
is a graduate of New York University and holds a certification
in 12-Step Counseling. After a successful career in the
Entertainment Industry, Robb chose to change his life
focus and began working with young people struggling with
chemical dependency and mental health issues. As the Assistant
Director of Operations, Robb assists in the daily operations
of the residential treatment program. He also provides
leadership in coordinating the agency’s extended
care program as well as the Writers and Artist's Series-providing
youth with guest speakers and mentors from the Entertainment
Industry.
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RUTHANNE
ILLIF , M.A., M.F.T. (MFC43707)
Family Therapist
Ruthanne
holds a Master's Degree in Psychology from Phillip's Graduate
Institute and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(lic# MFC43707). Her career has been devoted to working
with youth who have chemical dependency and/or emotional
health issues and their families. She has served as a
School Counselor for Jewish Family Services and as a Therapist
at the California Family Counseling Center.
As a Family Therapist, Ruthanne works
with parents and other family members at ECHO MALIBU to
insure that the progress youth make in treatment is sustained
and built upon.
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DR.
GARY GOLDEN, Ph.D. (MFC7690)
Family Therapist
Dr.
Golden is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a Licensed
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC7690) who has created
an innovative family practice over the past 30 years.
He specializes in the treatment of youth coping with chemical
dependency and/or mental health issues and their families.
Prior to coming to ECHO, Dr. Golden served as Director
for the largest managed care company in the United States
and CEO of a comprehensive family health maintenance organization
providing inpatient, and outpatient treatment for youth
struggling with chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders
and their families.
Dr. Golden brings a wealth
of knowledge and experience to his role as Family Therapist.
He provides individual-family and multi-family therapy
sessions for participants at ECHO MALIBU.
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DANIELLE
JAGODA, M.A., LMFT (MFC44179)
Individual and Family Therapist
Danielle
is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received
her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University
of Colorado where she also earned a teaching credential
and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi Honor's Society
(Psychology), and Kappa Delta Pi Honor's Society (Education).
She then went on to earn her Master's Degree in Clinical
Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Danielle has devoted her
career to the treatment of teens and their families. Her
experiences include working in a variety of settings including
Community Counseling Centers, Jewish Family Service, Pepperdine
University's Counseling Center and Malibu High School.
At these and other institutions, she specialized in working
with adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety,
bipolar disorder, ADHD, addiction, eating disorders and
self-harm.
Danielle is a member of
the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
(CAMFT) and the American Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists (AAMFT). She provides individual, group, and
family therapy for participants at ECHO Malibu.
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KAREN
RUBENSTEIN, M.A., MFT (MFC 43747)
Individual and Family Therapist
Karen
Rubenstein is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
who holds a Masters of Arts degree in Psychology from
Phillips Graduate Institute. Her experience includes the
provision of counseling services to youth and their families
involved in the Los Angeles Unified School District, a
domestic violence shelter and the California Family Counseling
Center.
As an individual and family
therapist, Karen works to provide adolescents and their
families with the necessary tools to effectively address
the dynamics which are resulting in difficulties.
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PAUL
JOSEPH, M.A., IMFT 35310,
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Paul
holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and
is certified in Bio Feedback. He has worked with youth
and their families for more than fifteen years. He served
as a Mental Health Services Coordinator for the Los Angeles
County Department of Mental Health and as a treatment
team leader for an integrated mental health rehabilitation
services agency, serving chemically dependent clients
and their families. He has also performed as the manager
of a residential program for multi-diagnosed residents
and as an interventionist for high risk youth in Hollywood.
Paul conducts all of the
neuro-biofeedback sessions at ECHO MALIBU. Working in
this capacity, he assists clients in developing skills
that allow them to recondition their responses to a variety
of triggers, enhancing their ability to achieve and maintain
sobriety.
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JODI PORETSKIN, M.A., (IMFT 53975),
MFT Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Jodi
holds a bachelors degree from Elon University and a Master's
Degree in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute.
She specializes in eating disorders and addictions. She
has worked at both inpatient and outpatient treatment
centers throughout the Los Angeles area that serve youth
with eating disorders and other behavioral health issues.
She has also served as a therapist for the Los Anglese
Unified School District. Jodi also travels throughout
the United States educating students, parents, and families
about eating disorders.
Jodi provides individual,
group, and family therapy for participants at ECHO Malibu.
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ASA GUSTAVASSON, M.A.
Therapist
ASA
holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.
She has devoted her career to community service, working
with adolescents who have emotional difficulties and/or
chemical dependency issues. Born and Raised in Sweden,
Asa has traveled the world, resulting in a high degree
of cultural competence. Youth who enjoy extreme sports
will appreciate the fact that she is an avid snowboarder
and motor cross racer. She also enjoys and teaches more
serene activities to ECHO residents, such as yoga and
meditation. In addition, Asa provides youth with a variety
of clinical services.
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CAROL
NALIN, CPET
Parent Effectiveness Trainer
Founder
and Co-Creator of The Parenting Pro, Mrs. Nalin is a Certified
Parent Effectiveness Trainer, a Certified Anger Resolution
Therapist, and a Child Custody Mediation Evaluator and
Witness. She has served as the President of the Community
Advisory Council for the Los Angeles Unified School District
for more than a decade and is a Dispute Resolution Services
provider. She is also certified by the Los Angeles Bar
Association, and works as a U.C.L.A. Certified Mediator.
Mrs. Nalin brings a distinctive
array of professional experiences to her position as a
parent educator. She conducts all Parent Education and
Parent Effectiveness Training classes at ECHO MALIBU.
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MICHELLE
WARNER, MA, CPET
Michelle
holds a Master's degree in Education and a Master's Degree
in Teaching. She has served as a college instructor at
Pacific Oaks College and as head teacher for the Pacific
Oaks Children's School. She has held the position of Director
of the Valley Beth Shalom Program and Family Center for
more than 25 years. She is co- founder of the Parenting
Pros and a certified Parent Effectiveness Trainer. Michelle
co-facilitates Parent Effectiveness Training at ECHO MALIBU.
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ANDY
TUBMAN, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Andy
is a board certified Music Therapist. He earned his degree
in Music Therapy from Temple University and has worked
with youth and their families for more than ten years.
Andy uses music therapy to address the
physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs of youth.
He assists clients in managing stress, expressing feelings,
enhancing memory, improving communication and promoting
sobriety. |
CINDY
SHORT
Special Projects Coordinator
Cindy
Short is a professional artist who specializes in facilitating
special projects for adolescents. Her goals include introducing
youth participants at ECHO to new sober activities that
allow them to re-engage with life in meaningful ways.
Among the many special events that she coordinates are
ECHO's participation in the Los Angeles County Museum
of Contemporary Arts's Teens of Contemporary Art program
and the creation of the annual ECHO Alumni/Parent's Council
art calendar.
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CYNTHIA
BOND
Therapeutic Writing
Cynthia
has been working with youth for more than ten years. She
is the founder of Words Changing Worlds, a writing workshop
for at-risk youth offered through U.C.L.A. She worked
conjointly with the Cultural Affairs Department of the
City of Los Angeles to compile and edit the critically
acclaimed anthology of youth writing titled When the Bough
Breaks. In addition, she has collaborated with organizations
such as the LA Alliance for a Drug Free Community, to
create multiple youth writing and photo exhibits which
have been featured on MTV, in the LA Weekly, LA City Hall,
multiple art gallery's and the National Drug Court Office
in Washington D.C. Cynthia also previously served as the
manager of the Pedro Zamora Youth HIV Clinic and coordinated
a creative arts program for youth with comedian Ellen
DeGeneres. Cynthia is a Pen Fellow who has been published
by Doubleday and others. She attended Northwestern University
and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
She lecturers at multiple institutions of higher education
including Sarah Lawrence University, Albany College, Whittier
and U.C.L.A.
Cynthia conducts Journaling
and Therapeutic writing groups for ECHO MALIBU participants.
Through written expression, she works in conjunction with
the other expressive arts therapists to assist youth in
gaining new perspectives on their lives and the recovery
process.
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| JULIA
P. PENGRA CLARKE M.A., MFT (42994)
Marriage and Family Therapist
Paige
is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT# 42994).
She graduated from University of Texas at Austin and holds
a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology/Drama Therapy
from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She
is a Registered Drama Therapist with the National Association
of Drama Therapy and has extensive experience working
with chemically dependent youth and their families. Prior
to coming to ECHO MALIBU, Paige worked with post-acute
clients in a Medical Center, with at-risk youth at the
Kirk Douglas Continuation High School and with chemically
dependent youth at Los Angeles Unified School District's
Treatment Based Schools. She also served as a drama therapist
and supervisor for a youth outpatient program supported
conjointly by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental
Health and The Los Angeles County Department of Drugs
and Alcohol.
Paige provides the participants
of ECHO MALIBU with psychodrama groups including solution-focused
scene work, improvisation and role playing to aid in the
recovery process. Many youth who do not respond to more
traditional modalities, thrive in her drama therapy groups.
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| LESLIE
WEISS TUCHMAN, M.S., MFT (08952)
Poetry Therapy
Leslie
Tuchman holds a Master’s degree in Education from
Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s degree
in Counselor Education from the University of Southern
California. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist (MFT #08952), a member of the National Association
of Poetry Therapy, and The Society for the Arts in Health
Care. Before coming to ECHO MALIBU she worked for Glendale
School District as both a teacher and a school based psychologist
for more than thirty years. Leslie has also served as
a Crisis Intervention Specialist, a therapist for the
Westside Center for Child Development and a board member
of Centinela Valley Child Guidance Clinic.
As an educator, poet and
psychotherapist, Leslie conducts poetry therapy sessions
with the participants at ECHO Malibu. Language, lyrics,
journal writing and poetry are used for healing and self-integration.
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| MELANIE
KAPLAN, MTOM, L.Ac., Dipl. CH, CMT ()
Acupuncturist
Melanie
attended Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental
Medicine in Santa Monica where she graduated Summa Cum
Laude. She completed her externship at UCLA Arthur Ashe
Student Health Center. In addition to her work at ECHO
MALIBU, she maintains a private practice in West Los Angeles.
Melanie provides acupuncture to
the youth at ECHO MALIBU to assist in decreasing withdrawal
symptoms and to reduce the likelihood of relapse. She
is also devoted to educating patients about the relationship
between their minds and bodies.
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| JACQUELINE
KING, CMT ()
Massage Therapist
Jacqueline
is a certified massage therapist who has provided massage
therapy in some of the most exclusive resorts in Southern
California. At ECHO Malibu, Jaq provides all program participants
with massage therapy with an emphasis on helping youth
detox, releasing toxins and releasing tensions held in
the body while teaching them the value of healthy touch.
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AMANDA
SUOMI
Teacher
Amanda
graduated with a degree in Education from the University
of Vermont. She has served as a supervisor at five schools
in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Prior to her
role as a supervisor, she participated in the semester
at sea program where students studied at eleven ports
around the world and served as a classroom teacher in
Hawaii. Amanda's commitment to education once even led
her to help build a school house in a small Fijian Village.
As a teacher in ECHO's on-site, accelerated
learning classroom Amanda works to insure that youth remain
current in their academic studies and that their academic
goals are met.
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RYAN
PARKS
Recreation Therapist
Ryan
has many years of experience in the provision of recreational
services for youth. He is responsible for leading all
therapeutic recreation activities at
ECHO MALIBU. He provides youth with opportunities to re-engage
with life via sober activities designed to strengthen
their bodies and minds. Ryan provides supervision for
surf lessons as well as organizing nature hikes, group
sporting events and outings for all program participants.
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LYNN
ANERSEN
Clinical Assistant
Lynn
is a Native of North Carolina who earned his bachelor's
degree from TCU in Fort Worth Texas. He currently provides
support services for the adolescents and families at ECHO.
Lynn also teaches yoga, surfing, golf and other sober
activities to teens who are interested in re-engaging
life through constructive activities.
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JESSE
LAURICELLA
Clinical Assistant
Jesse
holds a Bachelor's Degree from Georgia State University
and is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Clinical
Psychology. An accomplished musician, Jesse left behind
more than 10 yeas of touring to devote his life to working
with teens who are struggling with drug addictions and/or
emotional health issues. He as served as an outreach counselo
for hospitals serving persons with chemical dependency
and/or mental health issues.
Jesse provides clinical support to the
teens and families at ECHO MALIBU and assists youth in
working the 12 step program.
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ANDREW
YOUNG, MA
Clinical Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Andrew
N. Young holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
from the University of Central Florida and a Master of
Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis Marriage
and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.
Andrew provides clinical support services
for the youth and families of ECHO MALIBU.
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TONY
GUERENA
Clinical Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Tony
holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from california
State University San Marcos and is currently pursuing
a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine
University. His Experiences include working as a youth
counselor on a Psychiatric intensive care unit and as
a research assistant at Cal State San Marcos, for the
department of psychology where he assisted with research
focused on the Beck inventory scale as it relates to depression
and anxiety. Tony provides clinical support services for
the Youth and families of ECHO MALIBU."
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ERIN
DOWTY , M.A.
Clinical Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Erin
received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts
Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage
and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Her previous
experience includes working with dually diagnosed youth
and their families. Erin is a member of Psi Chi Honor's
Society and California Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists (CAMFT).
Erin provides clinical
support services for the youth and families of ECHO Malibu.
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KAMALA
DEXTER, M.A.
Clinical Intern
SUPERVISED BY JEFF NALIN (PSY 17766)
Kamala completed her bachelor's
degree from UCLA and a Masters Degree in Education from
Pepperdine University. She is currently pursuing a second
Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis
in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kamala has worked with
adolescents for over six years as a high school teacher.
She now provides the youth
and families at ECHO Malibu with educational and clinical
support services.
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CLAUDINE LAMARRE
Chef
Claudine
Lamarre was born in Provence, France into a family of
chefs. Following in the tradition of her family, Claudine
learned the ways of cuisine at home and at 16 enrolled
in "l'école hotellière de Paris"
– a school specializing in the culinary arts. Claudine
specializes in Mediterranean-style cooking in addition
to many European culinary traditions. Claudine has spent
many years working as a private chef, orienting her cuisine
to be healthy and light, but with tastes pleasing to the
palette.
Claudine routinely designs
Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher and other specialized meals
to meet the needs of individuals. She works with all youth
at ECHO to help teach the value of healthful eating
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