Our Staff
Executive Director- Denise Klein, MSW
Denise Klein, MSW, Executive Director of Milestones Ranch Malibu, one of the nation’s premier dual diagnosis treatment centers, graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1992. Prior to graduation, Denise was awarded Social Worker of the Year 1990 by Minot State University for her “commitment, enthusiasm and contributions to[…]
Consulting Board Certified Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist – Dr. Judy Ho
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, and published author, penning “Stop Self-Sabotage,” published by HarperCollins in August 2019; a book detailing a scientifically driven six-step program which has been translated into 7 additional languages around the world.[…]
Primary Therapist- Justin Leitstein, LMFT
Justin Leitstein is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He has an established reputation amongst many treatment professionals for providing instrumental therapeutic results for a wide range of challenges. He draws upon his refined therapeutic resources to deliver customized treatment programs for individuals and families. Justin specializes in: Crisis Intervention, Conflict Resolution, Addiction Treatment, Recovery[…]
Primary Therapist- Debbie Briem, LMFT
Debbie Briem, MA, LMFT holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is licensed by the state of California as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has training in chemical dependency counseling through UCLA. She is EMDR trained and is currently completing a doctoral degree. Debbie has over 26 years of experience working in dual[…]
Cognitive Rehabilitation Counselor- Celeste Racicot M.Ed.,CRC,CVE
Celeste Racicot was the 2011 recipient of The Stork Award, Brain Injury Center of Ventura County, for commitment to going above and beyond to better the lives of brain injury survivors. She was also the 2010 recipient of California Brain Injury Association’s award for professionalism in the field of brain injury. Celeste holds an undergraduate[…]
Certified Hypnotherapist- Joe Tabbanella, C.HT
Joe Tabbanella is a Certified Hypnotherapist and Motivational Speaker. He is certified as an instructor of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and MER (Mental and Emotional Release). Joe graduated with honors from Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI), the first accredited college for hypnotherapy, and was awarded The HMI Clinical Achievement Award for Outstanding Accomplishment During Clinical Residency. He[…]
EMDR Therapist- Debbie Cohen, LMFT
Debbie Cohen has a double master’s degree in psychology and art therapy. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working both in private practice and in residential treatment. Her long history of working in residential treatment settings has led to her specialization in trauma and addiction work. She blends traditional psychotherapy with Art Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and EMDR.[…]
EMDR Therapist- Anita Kaplan, LCSW
Anita Kaplan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been licensed since 2005. After graduating with Honors from The University of Arizona, she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Southern California in 2002. She is a Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist and also a Licensed Alcohol[…]
Group Facilitator- Ron Borczon, MT-BC
Ron Borczon, MT-BC, founded the Music Therapy Department at Cal State Northridge in 1984. After more than 20 years, Ron remains Director of the program, one of only three in the State of California. He is also the founder and Director of the Music Therapy Wellness Clinic at Cal State Northridge. Ron has been awarded[…]
Group Facilitator- Seth Hall
Seth T. Hall is a certified life coach and founder of Transformational Solutions, who helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break[…]
Group Facilitator- Mikke Pierson
Mikke Pierson is the owner of Pierson Business Growth Solutions, which focuses on helping America’s small businesses define and achieve their goals. Mikke has been an entrepreneur since graduating UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Psychology. He is most known for founding ZJ Boarding House, an Internationally known surf, skate & snowboard business, which[…]
Group Facilitator- Jessica Martindale, AMFT
For over 15 years, Jessica Martindale has been studying, researching, and helping humans find emotional freedom, through working to increase their connection to themselves and others. After receiving her Bachelors in Cognitive Sciences from UC Irvine, Jessica used her clinical knowledge to write and sing songs in Nashville, TN for over seven years. Her job[…]
Group Facilitator- Sara Daoud, M.A., CHWC
Sara has a sincere passion and gift for listening and providing healing to those suffering from all walks of life. She is a Wellcoaches certified Personal Health and Wellness coach as well as a graduate from Stanford University earning her B.A in Human Biology and an M.A. in Religious Studies. She is a certified Yoga[…]
Group Facilitator- Angela McCorkle, ATR, RADT
Angela is an Art Therapist registered with the Art Therapy Credentials Board as an ATR. She received her Master’s degree in Art Therapy from New York University in 2016, and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University in Northridge in 2013. Angela lives life with a zest to spread knowledge of the healing[…]
Certified Nutritional Consultant- Jennifer Katz, CNC
Jennifer is a Certified Nutrition Consultant (and RADT) working in Recovery for over 15 years. Her background is in Nursing and Psychology and her focus is Functional Nutritional care for patients varying from those with Diabetes to those with Mental illness. Jennifer’s focus remains on using food as medicine and optimizing health via balance, variety,[…]
Director of Admissions- Savannah Ganje, LCSW
Savannah Ganje completed her Bachelor’s degree in social work at Colorado State University. While completing her Bachelor’s degree, Savannah worked with pre-school aged children in the head start system as well as volunteering at the local nursing home. Immediately after completing her Bachelor’s degree, Savannah entered the Master’s of Social Work program at the University[…]
Admissions Coordinator- Carolyn Hamilton
Carolyn Hamilton has over 25 years of experience in the insurance and healthcare field. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She managed a radiology group and a surgery center before working for Blue Cross as a manager. In 2000 Carolyn started her own independent insurance billing company, Millennium Medical Billing.[…]
Director of Health & Wellness- Randy Heuser
Randy grew up hiking in the hills of Malibu. He attended California State Polytechnic University School of Architecture. After spending a number of years in architecture, he transitioned into the health and wellness field. He worked for a number of years as the general manager of the Biggest Loser Resort in Malibu, as well as[…]
Personal Trainer- Kareen Oliveri
Kareen is passionate about helping people effectively achieve their individual fitness goals; whether it is with one-on-one training or in a group setting. She is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is an instructor for Fit Body Boot Camp, teaching two early morning classes five days a week. Her training style allows[…]
Executive Chef- Heather Campi
Originally from Bucks County Pennsylvania, Heather grew up in a large family with full time working parents. ‘I would come home from school and comb through our cookbook collection and make dinner as often as possible for our family. I loved when my parents would take us to restaurants because I would get to try[…]
Housekeeping Manager- Vilma Gomez
Vilma Gomez has been with Calamigos Ranch for almost 30 years. She began working at Milestones 17 years ago and is the manager of housekeeping. She enjoys working and she likes helping clients. She likes working at Milestones because she feels that Milestones staff has a family atmosphere that feels very caring. She states that[…]
