Professional Staff

Our Founders

founders Creative Care Malibu

Morteza Khaleghi, PhD and his wife Karen Khaleghi, PhD

Dr. Khaleghi, lovingly called Dr. K, and his wife Dr. Karen Khaleghi tell the world they have four children. But spend any amount of time with them and you’ll discover that 21 years ago they gave birth to a fifth child that has grown up to become a successful residential facility specializing in dual diagnosis of co-occurring disorders in the treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Creative Care’s reputation for clinical excellence can be traced back to its beginnings in 1989 when Dr. K was the first clinician to show an unswerving commitment to treating all of the coexisting conditions driving his patient’s addictions. Soon his dual diagnosis approach was proving to be so successful that other well-known facilities began referring their toughest clinical challenges into Dr. K’s Creative Care.
Dr. Morteza Khaleghi Founder and Executive Director Creative Care Malibu

Morteza Khaleghi, PhD

Founder and Executive Director

Renown for his clinical insight and skill, Dr. K personally initiates the clinical evaluation that follows admission to Creative Care Malibu. Dr K 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 and has been a key player in the continuing development of the Dual Diagnosis treatment methodology.

Dr. Karen Khaleghi, PhD Founder & Director of Education

Karen Khaleghi, PhD

Founder & Director of Education

First as a parent, second as a practitioner, Dr. Karen Khaleghi speaks to parents and organizations about the formation of addiction, the critical aspects of nature and nurture and the resulting disconnection between emotions and behavior.  Both she and Dr. K feel strongly that there needs to be more of a dialog about the genesis of addiction and the path to recovery, a process they call "connecting the dots."  In addition to speaking, Dr. Karen authors the Creative Care Blog. 

Clinical Director

Dr. Deena Manion,  Creative Care Malibu

Deena Manion, PsyD, LCSW

Clinical Director

Dr. Deena Manion 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 is originally from New York where she trained under leaders in the field of psychiatry. She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, day treatment, outpatient and private practice. Dr. Manion has extensive training in Dual Diagnosis and Family Therapy.

Clinical Staff

Burton Chertock, M.D., Detoxification & Psychiatry Creative Care Malibu

Burton Chertock, MD

Detoxification & Psychiatry

Dr. Chertock has been with Creative Care since 1997. He received his medical degree at The University of Buffalo and completed his psychiatric training at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI). In addition to specializing in Bipolar Illness and PTSD, Dr. Chertock is board-certified psychiatrist and is certified to do detoxification including Suboxone. 

Melissa Booth, RN, BSN Nursing Supervisor Creative Care Malibu

Melissa Booth, RN, BSN

Nursing Supervisor

Melissa Booth specializes in psychiatric nursing and has worked in a variety of Dual Diagnosis treatment settings. Melissa works closely with doctors to provide clients with an individualized treatment plan that may include: detoxification, medication monitoring, health screening and education.

Therapists

Dr. Giovanni Aponte Licensed Psychologist Creative Care Malibu

Giovanni Aponte, PhD

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Aponte has been with Creative Care since 1989 and has over 25 years experience in treating clients with Dual Diagnosis and Addictions. He received his PhD in Social Science and Economics. Dr. Aponte specializes in psychological testing and treatment of major Mood Disorders and other Psychiatric conditions. Dr. Aponte supervises the clinical staff as well as conducting psychological testing on each client.

Ross McNutt, MFT, Marriage and Family Therapist Creative Care Malibu

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. He has been with Creative Care since 1996. Ross lectures about dual diagnosis and has appeared on television and radio.

Hillary Berens, PsyD, MFT Therapist Creative Care Malibu

Hillary Berens, PsyD, 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 many years. She specializes in addiction, recovery and family therapy.

Alexandra Edwards, PsyD, MFT, Creative Care Malibu

Alexandra Edwards, PsyD, MFT

Therapist

Dr. Edwards has been an invaluable member of the Creative Care team since 1997 when she was Program Director for our original Northridge psychiatric facility.  She has an unique expertise in dual diagnosis treatment and a specialty in grief therapy as well as family therapy.

Corinne Barthell, MFT Creative Care Malibu

Corinne Barthell, MFT

Therapist

Corinne is a licensed therapist and is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing). Corinne has been with Creative Care since 2000 and specializes in addiction and recovery.

Anne Rose, MFTI, Therapist, Creative Care Malibu

Anne Rose, MFTI

Therapist

Anne holds a Master’s degree in clinical psychology, with a concentration in co-occurring disorders. She specializes in helping individuals with a history of trauma and PTSD. Anne has dedicated herself to working in the field of addiction and recovery since beginning her own personal journey in sobriety.

Natasha C. Filippides, MS, MFTI, Equine Therapist

Natasha C. Filippides, MS, MFTI

Equine Therapist

Natasha is a certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).  She received her Bachelors Degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Irvine and a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of La Verne.

Counselors

Particularly important are the interactions between our counselors and our clients.
Many of our counselors are in recovery themselves, offering a profoundly effective mirror as they walk the walk.

Joey Rodriguez CAARR Program Coordinator, Creative Care Malibu

Joey Rodriguez CAARR

Program Coordinator

Joey has been with Creative Care since 2006 and is the Program Coordinator. He is a state certified drug and alcohol counselor through CAARR. Joey is currently working towards his Chemical Dependency Specialist Degree from Pierce College and preparing to get certified through CAADE.

Michael Dulman, Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Michael Dulman

Counselor

Michael has been a certified chemical addictions trained specialist since 2002. Michael brings a personal and professional passion and energy to helping clients find their way to recovery.

Nicole Duran, CAADE, Counselor Creative Care Malibu

Nicole Duran, CAADE

Counselor

Nicole has been with Creative Care since 2008 and working in the field of recovery since 2006 and registered with CAADE. She is working toward obtaining her chemical dependency specialist certification at the Addiction Studies Program at Pierce College.

Elizabeth Kassel, Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Elizabeth Kassel

Counselor

Elizabeth came to Creative Care with many years of experience in the field of chemical dependency. She is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Social Work. Elizabeth began her own personal journey through recovery in 1992. It was this experience that made Elizabeth realize that her passion in life was helping others who are struggling.

Joe Duran Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Joe Duran

Counselor

Joe has been with Creative Care since 2008 and is a bi-lingual Staff Counselor. He 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, Counselor

Allen Wolfkill

Counselor

Allen has worked in the recovery field since 2004 and has been at Creative Care since 2007. He is extremely passionate about working with others who have a history of substance abuse. He holds a special interest in meditation and spiritual psychology. Allen runs the spirituality group with a Native American perspective.

Michelle Castro, CAADE, Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Michelle Castro, CAADE

Counselor

Michelle specializes in co-dependency and runs the in-house CODA groups at Creative Care. She is registered with CAADE, has her BA in psychology, and will be pursuing her Master's degree in psychology starting fall of 2011.

Laurel Robertson, CAADEI Expressive Arts Therapy Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Laurel Robertson CAADEI

Counselor and Group Facilitator

Laurel has been a recovery counselor and group facilitator with Creative Care since 2008. She specializes in relapse prevention and runs an Expressive Arts Group.

Wendy Joy, Counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Wendy Joy, MA Psychology

Counselor

Wendy has been a counselor specializing in adolescent and young adult recovery for over 20 years. Her particular interests are in the process and dynamics of Group Therapy and the use of Movement, Guided Imagery and Relaxation Techniques in her work.

Natalie Martin

Counselor

Natalie is currently registered with CAADE and is working toward her Chemical Dependency Specialist Degree from Pierce College, while also continuing her education; majoring in Psychology. Natalie brings a special dedication to Creative Care in regards to addiction and recovery. Although she has never struggled with addiction, members of her immediate and extended family have. This life experience drives her desire to help others and see them recover.

Cyrus Gandhi, counselor, Creative Care Malibu

Cyrus Gandhi

Counselor

Cyrus holds a degree in Sociology from Ohio Wesleyan University, as well as a Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling from UCLA. He is registered with CADAAC and facilitates recovery groups at Creative Care. He provides a compassionate, professional approach to helping others explore the profound benefits of recovery. 

Nutrition

Lynn Tumpa, Registered Dietician, Creative Care Malibu

Lynn Tumpa, Registered Dietician

Lynn Tumpa is known throughout the country for her inspiring speeches about nutrition. She is an active member of the American Dietetic Association and has practiced nutrition counseling for more than 19 years. Lynn is a graduate of Hood College, served an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor. Her innovative approach to nutritional treatment includes the integration of meditation and yogic philosophies.

Alumni

Kim Murphy, Alumni Coordinator Creative Care Rehab Treatment Center

Kim Murphy

Alumni Coordinator

Kim is a people person and an avid student of human behavior, a passion that served her well during her tenure as a successful actress in TV, film and theater. She has since turned that interest toward the field of Psychology and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree toward licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Having emerged from her own dark journey to one of discovery and recovery, Kim is very excited to facilitate the connection between alumni and the healing community of Creative Care.

Yoga Instruction

Rob Wollard, Yoga Instructor, Creative Care Malibu

Rob Woollard

Yoga Instructor and Personal Training

Rob is a Creative Care alumnus who carries a strong message of optimism, hope and recovery into his work. Rob is an AFAA certified personal trainer with 20 years of experience. He has taught yoga for nearly 14 years both locally and nationally. Rob specializes in working with dual-diagnosis clients, encouraging them to build positive, healthy minds and bodies.

Admissions Counselors

Dia Parsons, CADAAC II

Admissions

Dia has worked in the area of recovery since 2007, providing practical and emotional support and guidance to clients as they return to a fully functional life. She completed and received her drug and alcohol counseling certification from UCLA in 2010 and her CADAAC II certification in 2011. Previously, her work in recovery included supervision of a staff of 24, which included intakes, scheduling, and training. Through her own experience and struggles, she discovered her passion for helping others transform their lives.

Marketing

Jo Coen, Director of Marketing, Creative Care Malibu

Jo Coen

Director of Marketing

Jo Coen has been working in the field of addiction treatment and recovery for over 30 years. She's both owned and operated her own facility as well as having worked for the premier adult treatment programs in the country. As evidenced by her leadership role in our industry, Jo's extensive background and knowledge of core treatment objectives and techniques, marketing proficiency, and exceptional human relations skills have made her a powerful force in overcoming common and complex barriers to treatment for people in need.

Operations

Scott Spence, Operations, Creative Care Malibu

Scott Spence

Operations

Scott is the Operations Manager of Creative Care Malibu. He has previously worked with the Department of Defense and Jet Propulsion Lab for more than 25 years as a purchasing agent and engineering liaison. In addition to Operations Manager, he is also a counselor intern and a full time student - fulfilling his required hours en route to obtaining his MFT. He also does volunteer work with groups such as Parents of Murdered Children, and the Yes I Can Foundation. Scott feels he has a special gift for communicating with children and young adults, as well as senior citizens.

Erika Byers, Executive Assistant, Creative Care Malibu

Erika Byers

Executive Assistant

Erika is responsible for supporting Dr. Khaleghi and the Creative Care team. She began with a degree in Biology and sought a career in the medical research field. But, after one summer of working as a personal assistant, she found that the fast-paced, people oriented life was for her; biology would only be used for late night Jeopardy trivia. For the past 15 years Erika has managed the lives and estates of top CEOs in the entertainment, sports and real estate industries. In her spare time, Erika enjoys playing the saxophone and is a diehard (and hopeful) Cubs fan. She is excited to be part of the gifted team at Creative Care.