Morteza Khaleghi , Ph.D.
Executive Director,
Founder of Creative Care Inc.

Dr. Morteza Khaleghi was trained at CGI, the California Graduate Institute, earning his doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He has been working in the field of addiction and recovery since graduating. He founded Creative Care in 1989 with the idea of providing individualized, very highly specialized treatment for the Dually Diagnosed client. Dr. Khaleghi personally meets with each client and family to ensure a thorough clinical assessment and treatment plan.

Dr. Burton Chertock, M.D.
Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Burton Chertock received his Medical Degree at the University of Buffalo and completed his psychiatric training at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI). Dr. Chertock is board-certified in Psychiatry and has been the Medical Director at Creative Care since 1997. Throughout the therapeutic stay, Dr. Chertock will meet with each client to conduct a full psychiatric assessment of need for services. He will then meet with clients at least once per week during their treatment stay to assess progress in their treatment. Our psychiatrist is also on call 24/7 for psychiatric emergencies and consultation.

Dr. Walter Thomas, MD
Addiction Specialist

Creative Care welcomed Dr. Walter Thomas to the position of Addiction Specialist in January of 2008.  Dr. Thomas was born in South Africa and is an internationally respected medical professional.  He received his Medical Degree from the Stellenhorsh Medical School in 1973.  He is board-certified in Family Medicine as well as certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).  Dr. Thomas has held several hospital appointments during his career and his clinical practice of 35 years has covered the areas of Dual Diagnosis and Addiction Medicine.

Deena Manion, Psy.D, LCSW
Clinical Director

Dr. Deena Manion, Creative Care’s Clinical Director and has been with Creative Care since 1999. She oversees the clinical and administrative aspects of the program and is directly involved with each client's treatment.  Dr. Manion holds her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has been a licensed therapist since 1993.  She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, day treatment, out-patient and private practice.  Dr. Manion has extensive training in Dual Diagnosis and Family Therapy.

Giovanni Aponte, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Giovanni Aponte is a licensed Clinical Psychologist as well as receiving his Ph.D in Social Science and Economics.  He has been with Creative Care since 1989 and has over 25 years experience in treating clients with Dual Diagnosis and Addictions.  Dr. Aponte specializes in psychological testing and treatment of major Mood Disorders and other Psychiatric Conditions.

Iraj Shamsian, Psy.D
Consultant

Dr. Iraj Shamsian has been with Creative Care since 1997. Dr. Shamsian holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has been working with the dual diagnosis population for many years. He has ten years of personal sobriety and is active in twelve step programs. Dr. Shamsian also has two weekly radio shows where he focuses of addiction and recovery.

Kerrie Baglio
Program Coordinator

Kerrie Baglio, Creative Care’s Program Coordinator, has worked for Creative Care since 2004.  Kerrie has worked in the field of addiction and recovery since 2001 as a counselor specializing in the areas of relapse prevention and life skills.

Henry Ortega
Intake Counselor

Henry has worked in the field of mental health and chemical dependency for over seven years. Henry has been in recovery for twenty-five years. He works to assist clients and their families upon intake so that they have the best experience possible.

Hillary Berens, Psy.D, MFT
Therapist

Dr. Hillary Berens has been with Creative Care since 1998. Dr. Berens holds her doctorate in clinical psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has worked in a variety of settings for over ten years. She specializes in addiction, recovery and family therapy.

Eileen Halpert , Psy.D., MFT
Therapist

Eileen Halpert has been working with addiction and recovery issues for 13 years in private practice, as well as inpatient and outpatient settings dealing with co-occurring disorders.  Eileen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.  She has a passion for working with clients who struggle with addiction and recovery, eating disorders, and severe mental health issues.  Eileen has been a therapist with Creative Care since 1999.

Alexandra DeCleene, MFTI
Therapist

Alexandra DeCleene is a therapist at Creative Care. She has her master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and is working on her doctoral degree in psychology. She also has expertise in art and runs an art therapy group.

Claire Dorotik, MFT
Therapist

Claire Dorotik is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in equine facilitated psychotherapy, from a psychodynamic perspective. Utilizing her training in trauma and abuse, combined with her 25 years experience training horses, Claire provides clients a unique way of understanding themselves. Additionally, Claire specializes in wellness programs for the recovery population, utilizing her B.S. in Nutrition, as well as, her 18 years experience as a certified personal trainer. Claire has written several articles and continuing education courses for various publications, and has been featured in the local media.

Anne has a masters degree in clinical psychology, with a concentration in co-occurring disorders. She also specializes in working with individuals dealing with sexual trauma. Anne has been working in the field of addiction and recovery for over five years. She also has several years of her own personal sobriety.

Michael Dulman
Staff Counselor

Michael Dulman is a certified chemical addictions trained specialist and has seven years of personal sobriety.

Luis Pinto
Staff Counselor

Luis Pinto, Counselor, has been with Creative Care since 2000. He has been in the field of mental health as a nursing assistant for over thirteen years.

Brianna Levitt
Staff Counselor

Briana Levitt is a certified substance abuse counselor and has been in the field for 5 years and is continuing her education for psychology at Cal State Northridge.

Jose Luis Duran
Staff Counselor

Jose Luis is a bi-lingual Staff Counselor, is registered with CAADE (California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators), and is currently in the process of obtaining a Chemical Dependency Specialist Certificate through the Addiction Studies Program at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA. His interest is in educating individuals so they may achieve longevity in their sobriety.