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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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