Welcome to CREATIVE CARE INC. ~ The Country's Premiere Dual Diagnosis Residential Treatment Center

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	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. Upon admission, the clients meet with Dr. Chertock for a psychiatric evaluation and assessment to determine the need for all medications. Throughout the therapeutic stay, Dr. Chertock meets with each client on a one-to-one basis for medication management. He is an expert in Dual Diagnosis and Bipolar Disorder.
	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 for seven years. 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.
	Matt Conley Program Coordinator Matthew Conley has been working at Creative Care since 2004. He is our Assistant Program Director. He has earned his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Lutheran University.
	Melissa Booth, RN, BSN Nursing Supervisor Melissa Booth specializes in psychiatric nursing and has worked in a variety of Dual Diagnosis treatment settings. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in nursing. Melissa works closely with our medical staff to provide clients with an individualized treatment plan, which may include: detoxification, medication monitoring, health screening and education.

Jenice Cubillas
Intake Director

Jenice Cubillas is our Intake Director and has worked in the field of dual diagnosis since 1989 and is a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist.

She has over 15 years in recovery in a 12-step program. It is her goal to offer the best solution to clients that help them in their own recovery. She finds this work to be extremely rewarding both personally and professionally.

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.
	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.
	Ross McNutt, MFT Therapist Ross McNutt has worked in the field for thirty years as a therapist and as a director of various hospital and dual diagnosis treatment centers. Ross has lectured about dual diagnosis and has appeared on television and radio.
	George Glecker, MFT Therapist George Gleckler has thirty years experience in the field of chemical dependency. George has been with Creative Care since 2000. He completed his Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at Phillips Graduate Institute.
	Claire Dorotik, LMFT 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.
	Alison Carlton Camhi M.A., LMFT - Therapist Alison brings over 22 years of work in the field of recovery from addiction and co-existing disorders. Since earning her Masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy in 1998, Alison has focused her clinical work on her integration of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with spirituality, human development, trauma and complex PTSD, mood disorders, learning disabilities, nutrition and eating disorders into her work with individuals, families and groups. Alison is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds certification as a Pupil Personnel Services provider, a Certified Instructor for Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP).
	Ronaye Calvert Therapist Dr. Ronaye Calvert joined the Creative Care team in 2007. Dr. Calvert holds her doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked in a wide variety of settings in her career. She specializes in trauma recovery and emphasizes the power in moving from victim to survivor. She is pleased to work as an individual and family therapist at Creative Care.
	Anne Rose Group Facilitator Anne holds a masters degree from Phillips Graduate Institute in clinical psychology, with a concentration in co-occurring disorders. Anne has been working in the field of addiction and recovery for over four years. Anne also holds several years of her own personal sobriety.
	Patrice Karst Group Facilitator Patrice has been with Creative Care since 2000. She conducts a spirituality group that consists of meditation, healing and spirtual tools for recovery. Patrice is the author of several books including the bestselling book "God Made Easy".

	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.
	Joey Rodriguez Staff Counselor Joey has been a staff counselor at Creative Care since 2006. He is state certified as a drug and alcohol counselor through CAARR and has been in recovery since 2000.
	Susan Miller Staff Counselor Susan Miller has completed the CAADAC, California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, program at UCLA. Susan has 20 years personal sobriety.
	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.
	Mike Mcquade Staff Counselor Mike has been with Creative Care since 2007. He is currently perusing his AA degree in Addiction Studies from Pierce College in Los Angeles. Mike has three years of personal sobriety.
	Veronica Gilbert Staff Counselor Veronica has been a staff counselor at Creative Care since 2006. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University.
	Michele Gullon Staff Counselor Michele is a CAADE certified Addiction Treatment Counselor with a special interest in co-dependency. Michele focuses on the individual needs of each client, honoring all cultures and spiritual foundations.
	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.
	Allen Wolfkill Staff Counselor Allen has worked in the recovery field since 2004 and is extremely passionate about working with others who have a history of substance abuse. Allen holds a special interest to spiritual psychology and specializes in Meditation, Addiction Counseling, Group Skills for the Chemically Dependent, Recovery Life Skills, Intervention and Family Outreach.