Ventura Staff

Nancy Swanson

Clinical Direcctor, LMFT #32859 -  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), who has extensive experience working in the field of co-occurring disorders.   Prior to coming to La Ventana, her professional experience included:

Clinical Director – CAST Recovery Services, Santa Monica;  Clinical Director- Phoenix House Adolescent Program, Los Angeles;  Family Services Coordinator – The Canyon, Malibu;  Group Facilitator for Weekly “Unlocking Your Family Patterns” Group – Harmony Place for Women, West Hills

Nancy works to improve clinical programs in a variety of treatment settings.  She contracts with residential programs and out-patient programs throughout Southern California to design, implement, and facilitate innovative programming, engaging workshops and intensive family weekends. With her authentic personality and unique sense of humor, Nancy’s presentations and groups are entertaining, engaging and informational.  In her private practice, Nancy specializes in working with families in crisis, offering help and hope during times of trauma, grief  and loss, and when families are devastated by addiction and mental illness.

Combining her love of animals and  strong dedication to sobriety,  Nancy started NARC WITH A BARK – a narcotic detection service which searches sober livings and treatment centers with her specially trained drug dog XANAX.  Together Nancy and Xanax are doing their part to ensure that treatment environments remain safe and drug-free.  Nancy attributes her success to her ability to connect with clients, families, and colleagues in a lighthearted, charismatic fashion.

Heather Edney

Executive Director  –  Over her career of more than two decades, Heather Edney has established herself as an innovative leader in behavioral healthcare, leveraging breakthroughs in the harm reduction and addiction treatment fields. Her knowledge and experience has enhanced the performance and efficiency of a wide range of successful enterprises, including the operation of a groundbreaking nonprofit in Northern California, launching and developing treatment programs, with a focus on populations with specific needs, including the GLBT communities and those with histories of trauma. Ms. Edney has earned her reputation for her ability to drive marketing and branding strategies for profit and nonprofit treatment programs. Throughout her career, she has generously shared her knowledge and experience through lectures and training activities designed to improve the performance outcomes of health care providers across the mental health and social services fields.  She has also dedicated both her personal and professional time providing technical assistance and training propelling the movement to de-stigmatize addiction coupled with mental illness. Moreover, Ms. Edney is recognized for consistently channeling her drive and enthusiasm to make the treatment system a more responsive, accessible resource, ready to deliver the specific treatment solution for the complex challenges presented by people afflicted by co-occurring disorders, and the collateral health challenges they bring. As Executive Director of La Ventana, Ms. Edney will leverage her knowledge and experience to develop and deliver advanced, evidence-based approaches throughout La Ventana’s treatment care continuum, leading the La Ventana team to realize La Ventana’s mission for the future.

Raya Hayes-Mora

M.S. Assistant Clinical Director, Drug & Alcohol Program – Raya  has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2009. She earned her master’s degree from Cal Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 2006.  Raya’s passion lies in working with a diverse clientele, offering support for those individuals who are seeking balance, emotional well-being and looking for more positive, adaptive ways of coping with daily life stressors. She has an eclectic approach, however primarily uses clinical techniques and intervention associated with cognitive-behavioral therapy and existential humanistic therapy. She is strength based, believes people can choose what they become, and can grow tremendously with self exploration and awareness. Her goal is to help her clients live in the here and now, increase capacity for trust and intimacy in relationships and personal acceptance.

Raya has experience in Inpatient, Residential, PHP, IOP, in-home and outpatient settings. Specialties include trauma, dual diagnosis, substance abuse and addiction, autism spectrum disorder, mild to severe anxiety, depression, mood disorders and crisis intervention.

At La Ventana, Raya is the Assistant Clinical Director for the Drug and Alcohol Program, provides supervision for Marriage and family Therapist Interns, and facilitates group and individual psychotherapy with emphasis on addiction and  drug and alcohol abuse.  In addition,  Raya is employed at Vista Del Mar Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital in Ventura, specializing in Case Management and has a Private Practice in Oxnard Ca.

Dr. Laura Calnan

PSY 24626 - is a psychotherapist currently treating adolescent and adult clients. Dr. Laura specializes in treating depression, anxiety and addictive disorders.  Dr. Calnan holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Her training includes three years of post-doctoral training as part of the Insight Treatment Program clinical staff. In this position Laura saw clients for individual, group, and family therapy for the treatment of various disorders including addiction, anxiety, mood, and co-occurring disorders such as personality, body image, and self-harming behavior.  Her doctoral internship and masters traineeship included three years with Brotman Hospital and Exodus Recovery in Los Angeles. In her practicum training, Laura provided both individual and group therapy for a diverse population of patients with acute diagnostic presentations including dual-diagnosis and severe mental illness. She has specifically been trained to understand the client from a biopsycosocial perspective, identifying developmental impingements, and addressing relational issues that propel a client to re-enact destructive experiences and childhood trauma in current relational dynamics.Laura also has a comprehensive understanding of addiction and the recovery process. Her post-doctoral training has been with Insight Treatment Programs, a dual-diagnosis, intensive outpatient facility serving adolescents and their families. She has effectively treated such disorders as addiction, depression, anxiety, co-dependency, family conflict and self-esteem. She also has specific experience with self-harm behaviors and borderline personality traits.

 Audrey Slaugh

 M.A., MFT Intern -  Audrey received her Master’s Degree from Antioch University, Santa Barbara, in 2009 and is currently preparing for her licensing exams. She is also completing coursework in Addictive Disorders Studies in order to be certified with CAADE.By using PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy) Audrey assists others to explore their emotional narrative, build on their strengths, embrace growth opportunities, and re-define their personal success by overcoming obstacles in order to experience their life with strength, courage and wisdom.Audrey brings extensive experience, including 15 years at a Residential Treatment Center, to the Chemical Dependency Treatment Program working with families, couples, individuals, adolescents and children. Areas of emphasis include chemical and process addictions, trauma work, anxiety, depression, family dynamics, loss and grief, and relationship issues.Creating a safe, nurturing and empathic environment so that the journey to recovery can begin is part of what Audrey values in her work with others. It is what made a difference in her journey to be prepared for where she is today

Deborah Grisham

CADC II – Deborah is an Internationally Certified Addiction specialist with extensive experience in group and family counseling. She has worked in several outpatient and inpatient treatment facilities where she provided individual and family services, including crisis intervention. She is a member of both the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, and the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. Deborah brings over 25 years of experience to La Ventana and has a passion for working in the field of addiction.

 Arin Weiss

MA, MFTI – Arin received her Master’s, with a concentration in Somatic Psychology, from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, May 2012.  She strongly believes that everyone has unique gifts to offer the world, and that for numerous and unfortunate reasons, many people’s gifts have been dismissed, gone unseen or lacked acknowledgement. Arin strives to see people for who they truly are, drawing out, witnessing and encouraging their unique expressions. She brings insight, awareness, critical thinking, challenge, depth, honesty, authenticity, curiosity and an ability to understand things from many perspectives to her work. Last but not least, Arin is always considering context and our interplay with the greater environments in which we are in constant and changing relationship to.

 Berkeley Dains

CATC, CSAC  -  Berkeley Dains (the detox guy) is a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.  Berkeley is a full-time student working towards his ultimate educational goal of Phd. in Clinical Psychology at Grand Canyon University.  He has been involved with his personal recovery for over 20 years and has been working in the Treatment field for over 4 years.   Berkeley has worked as an addiction counselor, intake counselor, and currently is working as our Community Outreach Coordinator and Business Development Representative. Berkeley sits on the Board of Directors with a local non-profit organization that provides continuing care services for individuals recovering from legal liquid dope (alcohol) and other drugs.   Along with his clinical background, Berkeley has a vast knowledge of various 12-step programs and has committed his life to helping others help themselves out of active addiction. Berkeley knows what has to be done to get sober and he knows what needs to be done to stay sober. Berkeley’s commanding presence helps even the most at-risk addicts and alcoholics to achieve sobriety. All are welcome to call Berkeley directly to explore the variety of treatment options that are available at La Ventana Treatment Programs and to schedule tours of our Southern California locations.

Alexis Grenner

Alexis Grenner started working at La Ventana driven by her passion help people achieve recovery. She has a BA in Psychology and is currently working on attaining her drug and alcohol counseling certification through the CAADAC program. Using her own recovery from eating disorders as well as experience with family members in recovery for chemical dependency and eating disorder issues, Ms. Grenner loves being able to create a safe and welcoming environment for clients and their families.

Marcelina Corredera

Admissions Specialist – Marcelina Corredera is the admissions specialist at La Ventana, who is currently working towards her CADC at Oxnard College.  She has been involved in recovery over 7 years, and has been working in treatment over the last year. Marcelina is a single parent raising her son in Thousand Oaks. During her free time Marcelina enjoys volunteering her time at her son’s school. Marcelina knows what it takes to live life without drugs and alcohol and the first step towards freedom is treatment. Marcelina feels very blessed to have a job where she can help people with drug and alcohol addiction live clean and sober lives. Marcelina hopes to one day be working with pregnant and single mothers working towards recovery.

 Victoria Hines

CATCi, Housing Supervisor – Victoria joins La Ventana as a graduate of Oxnard College and a member of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE). She holds certificates in Addictive Disorders Studies, Domestic Violence, and Alcohol & Drug Addiction. Victoria has been in recovery herself for 13 years and has found passion and dedication working in the treatment industry. Victoria believes that where there is love, there is hope, and where there is hope…miracles in recovery can happen.

Jennifer Hermes

M.A. MFTI – Jennifer is a graduate of Antioch University, 2006. She began her career at the Assistance League of Southern California working in tandem with probation departments and Child Protective Services to work with at risk youth and families. She created a program called “Positive Resolutions” for young men who were dealing with anger issues. She was able to transition to a clinic in Riverside, California where she continued similar services. Chemical dependancy work became part of treatment. Jennifer strives to expand and learn as many modalities as she can.

Lisette Fraser

B.S. – Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Lisette “CJ” Fraser has worked at La Ventana over the past six years in several strategic positions and has an extensive background in the treatment of Eating Disorders and Drug & Alcohol addiction.  She holds a degree in Human Service Management and is currently working toward her license in alcohol and drug counseling. She has a depth of knowledge in relationship building within the industry and is skilled in effective communication for the field of recovery. Lisette also carries a personal experience with the family dynamics surrounding addiction and has a passion for the education and awareness of this devastating disease. As COO Lisette is responsible for the day to day operations of all La Ventana locations and reports directly to the CEO.

Steve Zamarripa

CEO – Steve has worked in the Eating Disorder and Addiction field for the past six years. He has as a personal journey to help others with eating disorders and drug and alcohol addiction. His mother was affected by the disease and left this world too young from complications of living years with an eating disorder and his father suffered from the disease of alcoholism. Steve wanted to work at a treatment center that was affordable with excellent treatment and long term care for recovery. He has found in La Ventana a way to give back to the world and help others live a long and healthy life. Steve was born and raised in Southern California and earned his BA from USC and his MBA from Columbia University.