Thousand Oaks Staff

Heather Russo

Clinical Director, Eating Disorder Program – Licensed MFT  MA - Heather Russo is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a board member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP).  She received her Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She has extensive experience in treating eating disorders in inpatient hospitalization, day treatment, intensive outpatient and private practice settings. Among her areas of expertise are the intersection between anxiety disorders and eating disorders. She is an active, integrative therapist who works with her clients to promote empowerment and fulfillment. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively make strides in recovery. Heather has been the featured presenter of seminars addressing eating disorder treatment and recovery, educating both recovery groups and professionals treating mental illness.

Dr. Meghan Rudd

Ph.D. - Dr. Rudd is a psychologist working with adults and adolescents in Ventura County. She received  her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in depth psychology, from Pacifica Graduate   Institute of Carpinteria, CA. Dr. Rudd¹s dissertation was on the Archetypes of Eco-psychologists. Her training includes four years experience working at Aurora Vista del Mar Hospital in Ventura providing group and family therapy in the in-patient and partial hospitalization programs. Additionally, Dr.Rudd has provided individual, couples, and family therapy to adolescents and adults for four years in a private practice setting. She has had the opportunity to work with patients struggling with anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive, trauma, depression, bipolar, eating disorders, substance abuse, bereavement, adjustment, dementia, mental retardation, psychosis, and personality.  Currently, Dr. Rudd has a private practice in Ojai and works at La Ventana in the Eating Disorder Program. Experienced in cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and depth psychological therapeutic modalities, her particular therapeutic interests are the mind-body connection, nature¹s role in healing, and rites of passage.

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.

Marcia Newman

MA, LMFT, Clinical Supervisor - Marcia Newman, a licensed psychotherapist, received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University-Malibu in 1986 where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.  She has been in the field of Eating Disorder treatment for over 26 years and specializes in issues related to co-dependency, mind healing and life transitions.  She has facilitated workshops on body image and stress reduction as well as appearing as an expert guest, co-host and writer for a Los Angeles-based T.V. Wellness Series, The Addiction Network.

Becky Linn

MA, ATR, MFTI -  Becky earned her Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute.  Becky has over 8 years experience working in various settings including psychiatric inpatient, outpatient and residential settings.  Her experience includes working primarily with eating disorders with co-occuring chemical dependency, self-harm, mood disorders, personality disorders, and with crisis intervention.  Through the use of Art Therapy, Becky promotes her clients to increase self-awareness and self-empowerment and to build personal insight in order to both tolerate life’s challenges and learn from them.  Her goal is to assist in the exploration of the clients’ personal values and establish hope in creating the life envisioned.   She believes in using Art Therapy to empower clients by learning to access a voice that will both enlighten and empower the them to move through struggles and change with acceptance and commitment.

Anne Johnson

MA, MFTI – Anne Johnson is a marriage family therapist intern that graduated from California Lutheran University with a Masters is Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in The Recovery Model and Family Mediation. She has been working with clients in the community since 2009 and is passionate about increasing awareness about mental health issues. She volunteers in Cambodia with an organization that rescues girls from the sex trafficking industry. She has been a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program since 2007 and is enthusiastic about giving back to the community.

Mia Raymond

MA, LMFT – “I believe in working collaboratively, creating space for change and being accountable to the process…”  Mia Raymond is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University-Los Angeles.  She has received training in Applied Behavioral Analysis at The Lovaas Institute where she assisted families of those struggling with mental illness.  She has extensive experience treating those struggling with eating disorders at all levels of care including inpatient, residential and outpatient treatment.

Jocelyn Wood

LMFT, Originally from Canada, Jocelyn completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago in 2004. Since that time Jocelyn has practiced therapy in a variety of settings in Vancouver, BC and in California.  Jocelyn has worked in both inpatient and out patient facilities with clients who are challenged by eating disorders and other addictions; in academic and nonprofit settings and in private practice.  Jocelyn has completed the hours required for her California MFT license and is in the process of writing her exams.

Jocelyn works from a humanistic perspective believing that clients possess within themselves what they need to heal. She likes to collaborate with clients believing all people share similar “human” challenges and also clients are the expert on their own experience.  Jocelyn uses experiential, art and emotionally focused modalities to augment talk therapy.  Her personal journey with meditation informs her therapeutic techniques.  Jocelyn endeavors to help her clients connect with and respond from their authentic self.  She believes this will help them find contentment in their lives and their relationships.

Jacque Sierad

LCSW, Jacque is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the field of psychotherapy since 1994.  She works with individuals, couples and families and especially loves working with adolescents and young adults.  She is a specialist in eating disorders, addictions and trauma .  She is certified in TRM and is currently getting certified in EMDR.  She also works in other areas including self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, parenting/family issues and with self-destructive and self-sabotaging behaviors.  She is an eclectic practitioner.  She utilizes a variety of approaches including psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral approaches somatic work, art/experiential therapies and EMDR for deeper trauma work.  She does not believe that “one size fits all” and works collaboratively to help each client find what they need to achieve their therapy goals.   She has worked in hospitals and a variety of treatment facilities and understands the need to bring the right resources in for each individual or family.  She is very involved in the professional therapeutic community and will work with each client to bring together the psychiatric/medical/treatment/holistic resources that they need.  She is deeply committed to helping clients work on their behaviors so that they can do better in their lives and in their relationships while also working on deeper issues such as self-esteem or trauma so that the client can be and feel better.

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.

Dr. Michael Vivian

Medical Director – Dr. Vivian specializes in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry in Ventura, California.  Dr.  Michael Vivian attended the University of California, Los Angeles.

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.

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.

Rachel Sherwyn

MFTI – Rachel comes to La Ventana with a background in treating chemical dependency, self harming behavior (SHB), and eating disorders. Rachel is a speaker for RAINN (rape abuse incest national network) and helps rape survivors break the silence and reach out for help. She has worked with La Ventana in the past treating clients with eating disorders and working with the Alumni population. Rachel has worked in the recovery field for the past nine years and received her BA in psychology from Arizona State University and received her masters degree in psychology and marriage and family therapy from Chapman University in Orange County. She treats adolescents and adults in her private practice in Westlake Village. She lives in Southern California.

Heather Edney

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.

Shera Rozenfeld

R.D., Dietitian – Shera Rozenfeld has been working in the eating disorder field as a nutrition therapist for 15 years. She specializes in the behavioral treatment of Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating and weight control. Shera studied at the University of Jerusalem in Israel. Shera was affiliated with the Wilkins Center in Greenwich CT for 10 years, one of the nation’s foremost outpatient centers for state of the art treatment of eating disorders under the direction of Dr. Diane Mickley, a world renowned specialist in eating disorders. In 2004, Shera moved her private practice to Woodland Hills, California where she treats patients with eating disorders as well as patients with various medical conditions. Shera is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). Shera speaks English, French, Hebrew, and Dutch.

Lynn Tumpa

R.D. - 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.

 Arlene Diaz

Arlene has worked in the Mental Health Profession for over 20 years. She earned her Psych Tech Nurses License in 1987.  She worked at Camarillo State Hospital for 10 years and had the privilege of working as a female Firefighter for 3yrs in Ventura County. She and her husband run their own Non-Profit Organization (YAC-Young Athletes for Christ) to empower, build up and help student athletes and at-risk youth earn college scholarships. She is very passionate about helping people better themselves mentally, physically and spiritually. Arlene does a variety of duties here at La Ventana which consist of nursing, utilization review, billing and human resource. Whatever she is doing…she loves every minute of it!

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.