Professional Staff

Founders

Morteza Khaleghi, PhD, LMFT

Renowned 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...

Karen Khaleghi, PhD

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...

Leadership

Farrah Khaleghi, Psy.D.

Dr. Khaleghi began working with Creative Care in 2018 after training at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Harbor-UCLA, and the Union Rescue...

Alexandra Edwards, Psy.D, LMFT

Dr. Edwards began working with Creative Care in 1997 at its original mental health facility in Northridge, CA. Dr. Edwards holds her doctorate in psychology and is a licensed...

Rebecca Heins, Psy.D.

Dr. Heins joined Creative Care's Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program as Clinical Program Director in 2018. She holds her doctorate in clinical psychology and is a licensed clinical...

Justin Huft, LMFT

Justin holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and a master’s degree in sociology. He is certified in substance abuse disorders and LGBT-affirmative...

Kelly Jackson, RRW

Kelly is responsible for overseeing general daily operations from an administrative perspective as our Program Coordinator. She has worked in various treatment centers with dual...

Cathy Holley, RRW

Cathy began working in the treatment field in 2008. She worked closely with clients in the LGBT community and also assisted clients in navigating their legal issues. In 2010,...

Annie L. Newman, AMFT

Annie received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Her work integrates therapeutic modalities including Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR...

Medical

Daniel Son, M.D.

Dr. Daniel Son came to Creative Care with an extensive background and training in many different psychotherapies, including Psychodynamic, CBT, Family Therapy and Recovery...

Danna Engelberg, PMHNP-BC, LMFT

Danna began working at Creative Care in 2006 at its original Northridge mental health facility. In 2008, she graduated from Pepperdine University with her Master's Degree in...

Arielle Dorismond, LVN

Arielle began her journey in mental health in 2011, when she began working with developmentally disabled adults at Queens Center for Progress, based in New York. She earned her...

Minh Ann Lee, RN

Minh earned her Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) from Valley School of Allied Health. She completed her Registered Nurse (RN) degree in 2018 and has an active license in...

Amy Sekhon, RN

Clinical

Katya Techentin, Psy.D.

Katya is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in PTSD, complex trauma, substance abuse, eating disorders, sex addiction, and psychosomatic illness. Dr. Techentin has...

Samantha Wood, LMFT

Samantha Wood began her journey as a therapist in 2006 when she worked as a Behavioral Therapist with children who suffer from autism spectrum disorders. In 2013, Samantha...

Britton Derby, LMFT

Britton earned a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Ryokan College and trained for two years at the Southern California Counseling Center. He has worked in the addiction...

Jessica Borboa, AMFT

Jessica graduated with her Master’s Degree in Psychology with an Emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She is currently a registered AMFT with the...

Jessica Rappaport, AMFT

Jessica Rappaport AMFT joined Creative Care earlier this year as a member of the clinical team. Jessica holds her Master's degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and...

Alexandra DeCleene, LMFT

Alexandra DeCleene has held her masters in clinical psychology since 2001. Her areas of expertise are in abnormal psychology, addiction and family systems. Alexandra’s training...

Gabrielle Mouton, AMFT

Jess Perez, AMFT

Counselors & Direct Care Staff

Kathleen Pitt

Kat began her career in the recovery field in 2016; working with women and children at a non-profit Christian organization. She joined the Creative Care team in 2019 with a...

Chad Houfek, RRW

Chad has been working in the field of addiction since 2005 and has been with Creative Care since 2016. Chad is a graduate of the UCLA drug and alcohol program and is certified...

Leon Perec

Leon Perec has worked in the mental health field since 1995. He worked at Creative Care’s original mental health facility in Northridge for 10 years as a shift counselor. Leon...

Jill Williams

Jill’s passion lies in serving the mental health community. In 2013, she earned her certification as peer counselor from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Jill...

Janet Moran, CADC-II, ICADC

Janet has over 19 years of experience working in the field of mental health and substance use disorders. She obtained her first job in recovery working for a non-profit...

Ozzie Medina

Monique Valdez

Melissa Arce

Mary Gonzalez

Admissions

Jennifer Winchester, CADC II

Jennifer began working in substance use treatment in 2011; joining the Creative Care family in 2013. She was drawn to Creative Care for its dual diagnosis philosophy due to her...

David Vazquez, RRW

David has been with Creative Care since 2014 and believes our clients and their families deserve to be treated with respect and dignity at this most stressful time. He...

Katy Eyer, CADC II

Katy is a San Fernando Valley native and recovering alcoholic who fostered a passion for recovery from her experience and journey to seek a better life free from the grips of...

Insurance & Billing

Carlos Cruz

Carlos began his employment at Creative Care in 2018. After working for different corporations, gaining insight and knowledge of the inner workings of insurance companies, Carlos...

Amanda Hackney

Amanda has been fulfilling her passion by working in the addiction field since 2012. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is devoted to helping others obtain...