STEVE SAGER, M.D. (A48008)
Child and 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.

ALONSO DOMINGUEZ, M.A.
Executive Director

Alonso holds a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gonzaga University. He is a Certified Youth Residential Treatment Administrator who has been working with youth and their families for over fifteen years. Alonso has previously provided leadership as coordinator of treatment for 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.

As Executive Director of ECHO Malibu, Alonso 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.

KAREN RUBENSTEIN, M.A., MFT (MFC 43747)
Clinical Director

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.

ANDREW N. YOUNG, M.A., MFT (MFC 47539)
Director of Operations

Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida where he graduated Cum Laude from the Burnett Honors College. He later earned a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the American Psychological Association. In addition he has received specialized training in psychopharmacology, law & ethics, human sexuality and substance abuse treatment.

Andrew is responsible for the coordination of daily operations at ECHO Malibu.

Jonine Nazar-Biesman, Psy.D. (PSY 17283)
Clinical Psychologist & Pediatric & Adolescent Neuropsychologist

Dr. Jonine Biesman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Pediatric and Adolescent Neuropsychologist. Jonine works in association with The Fulton Psychological Group, a group private practice of therapists and psychiatrists that provide outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents and adults. She has also been adjunct faculty at Phillips Graduate Institute teaching a course on Psychological Assessment. She has been in private practice for the last seven years and has over ten years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Jonine has worked at private and public schools, community mental health centers, residential treatment centers, brain injury facilities, and hospitals. Jonine incorporates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, family systems, humanistic, and attachment theories in her work with children, adolescents and families.

At ECHO Malibu, Jonine conducts neuropsychological and developmental evaluations, as well as psychoeducational, psychological, and general screening measures when clinically appropriate. Each case is individualized, facilitating greater understanding of essential strengths and areas of need. Her warmth, patience, and dedication are evident to those with whom she works as well as her ability to clearly define problems and help families prioritize.

Angela Mohan, M.A., MFT (MFC 31627)
Marriage and Family Therapist

Angela Mohan, has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for the past 15 years. She has a Bachelors Degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Arts degree from Phillips Graduate Institute. She has built successful private practices in Los Angeles and Ventura counties with primarily specializations in adolescents and couples therapy. She is a Gottman Certified Clinical Counselor and is Adjunct Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, teaching law and ethics and clinical practice. She also provides trainings and consultation for USC, UCLA, CSULA and CSULB. In her role as a professional speaker, Angela is most often described as "enthusiastic", "lively", and "fun." Angela is a published author and has recently served on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Angela provides group and family therapy at ECHO Malibu and practices from a strength-based family systems approach in her work.

JODI PORETSKIN, M.A., MFT (MFC 47562)
Marriage and Family Therapist

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.

TROY MATTHEWS, B.A.
Teacher

Raised in a family of teachers, Troy holds a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, and is currently working towards a law degree.  He has extensive experience in both youth counseling and classroom teaching. Troy runs the on-site classroom, and works with ECHO youth to insure that their academic needs are met in a therapeutic environment, while focusing on education as an essential component of their future.

Tabitha Fronk, M.A., ATR-BC (BC # 01-199)
Art Therapist

Tabitha received her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts/Women's Studies from Bennington College, and her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Concordia University in Quebec, Canada. She is a Board-Certified Art Therapist, registered with the American Art Therapy Association and certified by the Art Therapy Credentialing Board. Also she holds certification as a Child Life Specialist, trained to counsel children and youth facing life-threatening or terminal illnesses. For over fifteen years, Tabitha has been facilitating individual, group, family, paired, and collaborative art therapy sessions, as well as clinical art therapy supervision, consultation and workshops, in a wide variety of hospital, school, mental health and drug rehabilitation settings.

At ECHO Malibu, Tabitha works with youth to discover their creative process to be used as a powerful tool for self-awareness, healing, and personal transformation.

ANDY TUBMAN, MT-BC (BC # *06049)
Music Therapist

Andy is a board-certified Music Therapist and has been assisting clients  at ECHO Malibu in managing stress and anger, expressing feelings,  improving communication and promoting sobriety since the very start. Andy  received his degree in Music Therapy from Temple University in  Philadelphia and brings over 14 years of clinical experience to ECHO. Andy  is an active consultant, speaker and writer on the subject of Music  Therapy and the creative process here in the U.S., and frequently travels  to India where he consults the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and  Research Hospital Group on instituting their Music Therapy practices. He  is also co-Founder of u-Sing, a technology company whose products enable  those with neurological, emotional and physical challenges to access the  medical benefits of singing. Ina addition, Andy runs the Los Angeles-based  Integrative Music Therapy Services (IMTS) offering one-to-one and group  Music Therapy by highly trained therapists. IMTS focuses on treating  chemically dependent youth and adults in Recovery as well as Special Needs  populations.

TRACY MERRIFIELD, B.A.
Drama Therapy Coordinator

Tracy has been using theatre as a therapeutic tool for over 17 years and has facilitated thousands of drama therapy workshops in a multitude of recovery-based facilities. She has worked with recovering drug addicts, victims of domestic violence, youth who are abused and neglected and has with terminally ill teens at Children's Hospitals. Tracy assists with the coordination and implementation of all drama therapy services for participants at ECHO.

KAREN HUNT
Writing Workshop

Karen is the best-selling author and illustrator of nineteen children's books and author of the upcoming young adult fantasy series, "Night Angels," to be published with Townsend Press. She co-founded InsideOUT Writers, a nationally acclaimed creative writing program for incarcerated youth, and served as its president for eight years, publishing a book of student writing and a literary journal. She has over fifteen years experience teaching incarcerated youth, as well as youth within drug treatment facilities and the public and private school systems. Karen's work has been the subject of numerous print articles and television documentaries, including A&E's Gangsta Girls and NBC's award-winning Seeds of Peace. She has been awarded the Soroptimist's Woman of Distinction Award; the Child Welfare League of America's National Award for Excellence in Community Collaboration for Children, Youth & Families; and the Tarzana/Encino Medical Center's Distinguished Community Award, among others.

Karen conducts a creative writing workshop at ECHO MALIBU, encouraging youth towards honest introspection and a greater understanding of who they are and how they see the world around them.

CARMEN NAVARRO, MTOM, L.Ac
Acupuncturist

Carmen holds a Master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica where she graduated Magna 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 Pacific Palisades. Carmen provides acupuncture to the youth at ECHO MALIBU to assist in decreasing withdrawal symptoms, reduce the likelihood of relapse and to ease emotional discomfort. She has a passion for working with adolescents and empowering them to make healthy choices by aligning the relationship between mind, body and spirit.

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.

Jennifer Nauman
Admissions Counselor

Jennifer is presently studying at California State University Fresno with  plans of completing her graduate studies in Counseling Psychology. She has  been assisting in admissions for the past three years helping families  navigate through difficult moments found during adolescence.

Meredyn Pike-Erickson
B.A., Admissions Counselor

Meredyn holds her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science from
San Jose State University. She has worked intensively to help adolescents struggling with emotional challenges on a teen hotline in the San Francisco Bay area.

At ECHO Malibu, Meredyn assists families in navigating through crises and emotional obstacles.

JESSE LAURICELLA, B.A., C.T.C.
MFT Trainee*

Jesse is a certified 12-step counselor. He 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 has served as an outreach counselor 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 steps.

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

MICHELLE M. SCHAFER, M.A., IMF 54836
MFT Registered Intern*

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biopsychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan. She also earned a Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Before joining ECHO Malibu she worked as a youth counselor and as a facilitator of therapy programs throughout California.

Michelle provides clinical support services for the teens and families of ECHO Malibu.

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

JESSICA ISAAK, M.A., IMF 59836
MFT Registered Intern*

Jessica received her bachelor degree from Fordham University and holds a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. She is trained as a marriage and family therapist with a specialization in mindfulness and its relationship to emotional well-being. Her experience includes individual, group, and family therapy for a variety of concerns including recurring depression, anger management, anxiety, life transitions, marriage and family issues, and alcohol and substance use disorders.

Jessica provides therapeutic support to both participants and their families at ECHO Malibu.

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

Molly Lyda, M.A., IMF 51060
MFT Registered Intern*


Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Molly holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon. She earned her Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute, with an emphasis on marriage family therapy and post modern theory. Molly is incredibly passionate about her work as a therapist and enjoys creatively collaborating with clients, empowering them to step into the life they prefer. She is actively involved in the San Fernando Valley CAMFT chapter where she has served on the board of directors for three years. Molly also speaks and teaches at graduate programs and association meetings in the LA area. Additionally she is in private practice where she especially enjoys her work as an anger management facilitator..

Molly provides individual and group therapy for the youth at ECHO Malibu

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

MICHELLE OREM, M.A., IMF 60279
MFT Registered Intern*

Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Her training in psychotherapy has taken place at the Southern California Counseling Center, where she has conducted individual counseling with a diverse population of clients. She has experience working with adolescents as an athletic coach and teacher, and especially enjoys working with this age group. Herself an accomplished athlete, Michelle has represented the United States internationally as a competitive cyclist and rower. These experiences have led to her strong belief in the connection between physical health and wellness and psychological well-being

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

JOHN SHERK, B.A.
MFT Trainee*

John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, both from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada. Currently completing his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, John's interests include Jungian and Archetypal psychology and the therapeutic benefits of creative writing. John's past areas of research include neuropsychology and the relationship between traumatic brain injury and behavior in adolescents.

John is an avid surfer, golfer and hockey player. John is responsible for facilitating creative writing groups at ECHO Malibu.

*Supervised by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT (MFC 43747)

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

SHERA ROZENFELD, LD
Dietitian

Shera is a licensed dietitian who  currently serves the adolescents at ECHO MALIBU as a Nutrition Therapist. Born in Belgium, Shera moved to Israel, where she attended and graduated from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem with a degree in nutrition. She has served as a licensed dietitian for the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv in addition to working at Mt. Sinai Hospital and  private eating disorder clinics in Connecticut and Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association "ADA" and the National Eating Disorder Association "NEDA"