Meet our dedicated staff members.
Our team at Clear Behavioral Health consists of clinicians, case managers, group facilitators and professionals that genuinely care and connect with our community. Each staff member works collaboratively as a team to create a supportive environment for change and growth.
Clinical Team
Dr. Martha Koo, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Martha B. Koo, M.D., is the Medical Director and Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Koo completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and her medical training at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where she earned membership to the AOA and Sigma Xi Society for academic excellence. Dr. Koo obtained her psychiatry residency training at the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA and her subsequent psychoanalytic training at the New Center for Psychoanalysis.
She is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. For over twenty years Dr. Koo has enjoyed her private practice, providing outpatient psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and pharmacological treatment for individuals, couples and families. She is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association, the New Center for Psychoanalysis, the Clinical TMS Society, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, the California Psychiatric Society and the Southern California Psychiatric Society.
Dr. Jason Giles, M.D., Board Certified Addictionologist
Attending Physician
Dr. Haiyan Wang, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Wang completed the first three years of her adult psychiatry residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. She completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at New York University. NYU is one of the nation’s leading institutes in children’s mental health. She has also received psychoanalytical training from Washington Baltimore Psychoanalytic Institute. Dr. Wang also holds a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Physiology and Neurobiology. Prior to her residency and fellowship, she invested years in psychiatric and neuroscience research and published journal articles.
Dr. Haiyan Wang is particularly passionate about diagnosing and practicing evidence-based treatments in children, adolescents and young adults who have anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, mood disorder, PTSD, ADHD, disruptive behavior, and psychosis as well as providing parenting and behavioral strategies.
She has extensive experiences working with OCD and anxiety patients and has been severed as an expert in such areas by providing care to patients throughout US due to their severe OCD and anxiety symptoms. She provides routine complex medication managements and provide guidance for behavioral intervention such as ERP and CBT.
Dr. Haiyan Wang has been actively involved in mentoring next generations of mental health providers and provide peer consults for OCD and anxiety treatment for children, adolescents and adults.
She has a thorough knowledge of the neuroscience related to psychiatric illnesses. She stays up to date with current research on those topics.
Brittany Skinner, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Brittany is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She was born and raised in a small town in Missouri before she came to California as a travel nurse. Brittany has an extensive critical care background as well as a background in psychiatry and addiction medicine, and she believes in staying up-to-date with all the newest technology and medications to find what truly works best for her patients. Having trained in large metropolitan areas as well as rural communities, it is her passion to provide affordable, quality mental health care to those in all areas. Brittany is active in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and American Nurses Association of California as well the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In her free time, Brittany can be found traveling, enjoying the outdoors or with her dog at the dog park.
Paula Martin, PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Paula Martin is a compassionate Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with experience spanning diverse settings with a solid foundation in trauma-informed practices.
She initiated her professional journey in the field of Behavioral and Mental Health in an acute inpatient setting where she gained experience in caring for adult individuals suffering from psychiatric and substance use disorders. She furthered her expertise and practical skills and subsequently joined a team at a children’s hospital in an inpatient mental health unit specializing in delivering trauma-informed care to children and adolescents grappling with psychiatric disorders and/or adverse childhood experiences. In addition, she gained experience in a crisis stabilization unit working with adults and adolescents. The experience gained at these facilities served as her primary motivation to pursue graduate studies and become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to better care and advocate for those with mental health disorders. Afterwards, she then proceeded to work as a PMHNP with adults in detox, residential, PHP/IOP, and outpatient settings helping those with mental health and substance use disorders.
Paula believes that collaborative treatment with psychiatrists and other mental health care providers is critical to a holistic treatment strategy. She also believes that it is very vital to serve every client and their loved ones with the utmost respect and dignity.
Caitlin Artiaga, LMFT
Adult & Teen Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Director
Caitlin Artiaga (she/her) is an LMFT with a master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. She is currently working on her doctorate at Alliant, focusing her research on the experiences of the biracial community and their families. Her previous work involves working with marginalized communities, where her passion for social justice was ignited. Caitlin works from an intersectional and culturally sensitive lens that aims to empower the clients at Clear and provide space for healing. In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys film photography, fashion, and traveling to new places.
China Brezner, LMFT
Detox/Residential and Dual Diagnosis Outpatient Clinical Director
China earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and has extensive experience working with teens, adults, couples and families. She began her career helping juvenile inmates and has worked with clients challenged by PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, depression, disordered eating, sexual orientation, and gender identification.
Spending over 13 years in the addiction field, she has immense experience with the 12-step recovery model. She has been a clinical director for multiple treatment centers, at the detox, residential, and PHP/IOP level of care. It is her belief that through the identification and retelling of individual stories, problems can be transformed. When insight is gained through therapy, people can begin to change their thinking and behavior.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” Maya Angelou
Lily Shariat, LMFT
Mental Health Residential and Virtual IOP Clinical Director
Lily is a clinically trained and licensed marriage and family therapist, with 15+ years of experience as a dedicated, & versatile senior executive. Leading large accounts & programs has provided her with the expertise to consult and advise on business and clinical matters.
With an excellent reputation & high customer satisfaction record, she has been fortunate to work with leaders in the mental healthcare industry. She is highly collaborative, creative, and organized. And able to anticipate, conceptualize & articulate end to end project challenges & opportunities, and lead initiatives to completion in a highly matrixed environment.
Quin’c’allen Jones, ACSW
Mental Health Residential Program Director
Quin’c earned his Master’s of Social Work Degree with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Use from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is an Associate Clinical Social Worker. Quin’c brings with him 6 years of experience working with both adults and adolescents learning to manage both substance use and mental health challenges. His approach to treatment is eclectic and utilizes modalities such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), and strength-based therapy.
Quin’c’s passion for mental health and substance use stems from seeing disparities faced by those of his own community. He saw a need and determined he would equip himself with the tools needed to serve these populations. Empathy and compassion are always at the forefront of the service he provides. When he is not serving these communities, Quin’c enjoys writing music, spending time with family, and basking in the sun at nearest beach.
Christine Cailler, AMFT
Adult Mental Health Program Director – South Bay
Christine Cailler is a recent graduate of Antioch University’s masters program in clinical psychology. She completed her training with Antioch Community Therapy Services, where she provided individual, couples and group therapy. In addition to Clear Behavioral Health, Christine works in private practice under supervision by Darlene Basch, LCSW. Christine is a former actor so you may see her pop up in a commercial now and then. She lives in Palos Verdes where she enjoys chasing wild peacocks around the neighborhood.
Peter Ehrenfried, AMFT
Teen Mental Health Program Director – South Bay
I have a strong passion for recovery both in my own lives experience and experience as a clinician. It is truly a gift to help others down their path to wellness and I love building relationships with people that extend beyond groups and individual sessions. I am eager to continue learning more about being a supportive, caring figure for those in need.
Ben Peck, AMFT
Adult & Teen Mental Health Program Director – Los Angeles
Ben Peck is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who received his masters’ degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Addiction and Recovery from Antioch University. Ben completed his clinical training at Clear Behavioral Health where he primarily worked with teenagers struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction and body dysmorphia.
Ben’s approach to recovery is wide-ranging and incorporates a number of theoretical modalities including narrative therapy, mindfulness, behavioral techniques, and relapse prevention. Ben believes compassion, conscious flexibility on the part of the clinician and a foundation of unconditional positive regard as tantamount to any productive treatment outcome.
Jamie Arthur, CATC, CADC-II
Detox & Residential Program Director
Jamie Arthur is a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor with five years of experience in substance abuse treatment. Prior to her time at Clear, Jamie was a counselor and program coordinator at a structured sober living for women with children.
She has also worked at an IOP facility that serves adolescents and adults.
Driven by her personal experience of getting sober with four young children at home, Jamie has dedicated the last few years of her life to guiding women to live a healthy lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs. Her personal experience, her strong belief in the 12-step model of recovery and her passion for helping others reconnect with their families make her an incredible asset to the Clear family.
Jason Bernstein, AMFT
Dual Diagnosis Outpatient Program Director
Jason is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Jason brings with him 4+ years of working in the substance use and mental health field, and is passionate about supporting others that are seeking dual diagnosis treatment on their journey toward healing, growth, and achieving their sobriety goals.
Jason’s approach to treatment is eclectic and multidimensional. He incorporates modalities such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), mindfulness-based therapy, and narrative therapy into his work with clients. Jason believes that authenticity, empathy, and compassion are the foundations of healing and he ensures they are always at the forefront of the services he provides.
When he is not serving his clients, Jason enjoys playing golf, hiking, watching sports, and spending time with family, friends, and his dog Kaia. Jason is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Alicia Molina, CADC-1
Young Adult Dual-Diagnosis Program Director
Alicia Molina was one of the original team members of Clear Behavioral Health. She is a certified counselor that is passionate about recovery. She is currently the program director for the young adult dual-diagnosis track. Alicia has worked with teens, men, women and mental health clients and found that the Clear model of recovery works for everyone who is interested in living a healthy lifestyle. She takes a real interest in learning about a clients background, building rapport, assessing their immediate needs, building a relationship with them and their family, all while meeting the client where they are at. She believes that identifying the problem and living in the solution is key.
Kelli Rae, AMFT
Mental Health Virtual IOP Program Co-Director
Kelli Rae is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist and Primary Mental Health Residential Program Director. She earned her Masters of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in 2022. Kelli previously worked as a volunteer and then a Counselor in the Primary Mental Health PHP/IOP for over two years. Her experience includes working with teens, adults, and individuals with primary mental health and substance use disorders. She is currently working towards full licensure.
With a personal journey of mental wellness, Kelli is passionate and driven to pass on what she has learned to those that are struggling. She is a human being human amongst other humans – making mistakes, failing forward, and learning to love herself in the process.
Kelli enjoys staying involved in her children’s school and extracurricular activities. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and children, attending concerts and music festivals, and gardening in her backyard.
Diane Bagatourian, LMFT
Therapist
Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Marital and Family Therapy from California State University, Dominquez Hills.
She is a member of the California Association of Marital and Family Therapists. Diane has over 14 years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, couples and children in the South Bay.
Diane is passionate about her work and feels proud to work for an outpatient facility that is dedicated to recovery, integrity and family. In her spare time, Diane enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending theater and music events and broadening her cultural experience.
Kelsey Bettis Trujillo, LCSW
Therapist
As a Clinical Social Worker, the philosophy that Kelsey chooses to operate from is one of hope, optimism, and positivity. Throughout her entire practice, she believes that it is her duty to help others by helping them reframe their negative thoughts into more positive ones, help them achieve more productive and positive behaviors, and continually maintain an aspect of hope that they can get better and thrive in their lives.
Samantha Polansky, AMFT
Therapist
Allysha Arora, AMFT
Therapist
Penn Shelton, ACSW, CADC-II
Therapist
Penn Shelton is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and a CADC-II Certified Addictions Counselor with over 10 years of experience in the treatment field. Penn’s experience is varied – he has worked as clinical support staff, operations manager, clinical case manager, and as a therapist, as well as having his own personal experiences in treatment and in addiction recovery. This gives him a broad perspective of client experience and the elements of professional and therapeutic support. Penn has worked at several agencies including non-profit and community support sector as well as luxury individualized concierge care, with experience at all levels of care.
Penn believes in a holistic approach to treating addictions, trauma, and mental health disorders. His theoretical framework integrates cognitive-behavioral, relational humanistic, existential, and narrative frames, and the development of Mindfulness based coping skills. He utilizes a comprehensive mind-body-spirit perspective with an emphasis on evidence-based practices.
Penn completed his BA in Psychology at California State University Northridge in 2015 and his Master’s in Social Work at Widener University in 2021.
Kelli Rea, AMFT
Therapist
Kelli Rea is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist and Primary Mental Health Residential Program Director. She earned her Masters of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in 2022. Kelli previously worked as a volunteer and then a Counselor in the Primary Mental Health PHP/IOP for over two years. Her experience includes working with teens, adults, and individuals with primary mental health and substance use disorders. She is currently working towards full licensure.
With a personal journey of mental wellness, Kelli is passionate and driven to pass on what she has learned to those that are struggling. She is a human being human amongst other humans – making mistakes, failing forward, and learning to love herself in the process.
Kelli enjoys staying involved in her children’s school and extracurricular activities. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and children, attending concerts and music festivals, and gardening in her backyard.
Rodman Walsh, LMFT
Group Facilitator
Rodman holds a masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. He previously worked at the Antioch University Counseling Center for Mental Health. He is passionate about treating those seeking dual diagnosis care to best support clients grow and work through their mental health considerations while achieving their sobriety goals. His training and education includes psychodynamic theory, trauma, and spiritual and depth psychology. He is originally from Philadelphia, PA.
Cody Gauthier, LCSW
Group Facilitator
As a proud Clinical Social Worker/Therapist (LCSW), I am working towards specialization in Eating Disorders, as well as currently specializing in Child and Adolescent Trauma and substance abuse issues. My hope is to assist you with transforming old habits and voices that stem from trauma and hurt (substance abuse, disordered eating, self harm, externalized anger). My approach is in the “here and now” processing, as well as through the attachment lens. This means that I am always looking for how parts of self come into the therapy space. I am never afraid to share my own experience with you when relevant. I am trained in EMDR trauma processing, as well as gestalt therapy and use somatic techniques (brain/body) work.
Ron White, RADT
Group Facilitator
Ronald White has been working in recovery since 1986 and has created his own workshop that he’s been running since 1986, called the “Never Too Early Big Book Workshop”. He has been a circuit speaker spreading his experience strength and hope and helping people in recovery has been Ron’s passion for many years. Ron also runs a support group for individuals who have been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Alexander McBean, MA
Tutor
Alexander has two valid teaching credentials in the state of California, his B.S in Communications from Butler University and has his M.A in special education K-12 from Cal State Dominguez Hills. He has experience with the youth due to his 25 years of teaching in Torrance USD, working with middle school, high school, and alternative school students. He enjoys helping students stay organized to achieve their potential in school while focusing on desired post-secondary objectives. When he’s not helping his students he’s enjoying family time at home and he can ride a unicycle and juggle.
Jamie Horgan, RADT
Yoga Instructor
Jamie is Clear Behavioral Health’s in-house Yoga + Mindfulness teacher. Jamie started practicing Yoga just out of high school to help relieve anxiety and has been in love with Yoga ever since.
Yoga has been an instrumental part of Jamie’s own recovery and she is passionate about sharing the benefits of this ancient practice. She truly believes that if you bring about mindful attention to your Yoga practice, you can fully receive all of its benefits.
Jamie has been teaching since 2006, and has since accumulated thousands of hours of certifications in different areas of Yoga including: Vinyasa, Hatha, Iyengar, Yoga Therapy, Yoga for athletes, pre + post natal, Yoga for the spine, Yoga biomechanics, Yoga for injuries, meditation, Yin, restorative, Yoga for trauma + recovery, and many other mindfulness courses. Jamie has also led many Yoga teacher trainings that certify people to teach Yoga, has traveled internationally teaching Yoga, held international Yoga retreats and Yoga workshops.
In Jamie’s free time, she is very active in the animal rescue industry. She fosters kittens, cats, puppies and dogs year round. Jamie is a devout vegan, and very passionate about exercise, mindfulness, and nutrition as all being a part of ones’ overall health; not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Administrative Team
Michael Joly
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Joly is the CEO of Clear Behavioral Health, with over 25 years of experience in addiction and mental health recovery. Mike has devoted his entire career to helping individuals and their families heal and recover from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.
His passion for recovery is unparalleled. He has built a wealth of knowledge and experience that translates across many disciplines.
Mike spends his days educating and helping others create systems and programs within Clear Behavioral Health and outside in order to deliver more effective, efficient, and compassionate substance abuse and mental health treatment. He is a Redondo Beach resident, his children attend Tulita Elementary in Redondo Beach, and he is actively involved with the Education Fund, giving back to the community that he is a part of.
Jennifer Carvalho
Chief Operating Officer
Jen Carvalho brings 20+ years of industry leadership to the table, namely as a Market and Hospital CEO, focusing on successful operations of diverse treatment programs.
Patient access to care, stigma reduction and workforce development are of particular focus for Jen and guide her advocacy efforts. To that end, she has served on the Executive Committee of CA Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals for many years and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
Jen’s passion expands to professional mentorship, and she is proud to inspire her teams to lead with integrity. A speaker on Visionary & Empowered Leadership, Jen is comfortable sharing her experience, strength and hope with others. As a woman in long term recovery, her focus on providing options for care is both personal and priority.
Chris Mijares
Chief Financial Officer
Lindsey Rae Ackerman, LMFT, CHHC
Executive Director of Operations
Lindsey Rae is a Certified Health and Life Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition to her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, she has also completed a specialized study in Addiction and Eating Disorders at The Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies.
An ever-evolving student and teacher who’s compassionately driven journey to healing her own trauma led to a dynamic career in the pursuit of helping others. Combining years of interpersonal-organizational management and creative visual merchandising experience with personal therapeutic endeavors, spiritual studies, and professional training in a number of healing modalities, Lindsey Rae creates a unique environment for her client’s transformational healing.
She is committed to gently challenging individuals to drop beneath the surface level chaos of the self-help and wellness world to focus on the real (inner) work. Guiding them along the path and encouraging them to cultivate more depth and beauty in their life while reminding them of their collective responsibility and connection to one another.
Howard Barker, B.S.
Director of Business Development
Howard Barker works to engage, educate, and support the South Bay community for Clear Behavioral Health. He is focused on spreading education and awareness on issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse as well as helping families navigate the difficult waters of getting a loved one help. Howard has spent the past 7 years working with young adults and their families, being a support during times of crisis.
Rob Juhasz
Director of Admissions
Rob serves as the Director of Admissions for Clear Behavioral Health. His personal experience in the field of mental health and recovery is what drives his passion towards helping others succeed in their own recovery process. Rob has worked in the mental health and recovery field for over 4 years where he gained the knowledge and experience to be effective in connecting with others in the field. In his free time he enjoys golfing and hanging out with his dog noodle!
Sara Ghassemy, M.A., LAADC, ICAADC
Community Relations Manager
Sara is the Community Relations Manager at Clear Behavioral Health and has over 10 years of experience working with individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. Sara is a graduate from Pepperdine University with her Masters in Clinical Psychology and Licensed as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Sara has extensive work experience in all levels of behavioral healthcare including psychiatric hospitals, inpatient residential, and outpatient treatment programs for adults and teens. Her clinical knowledge and work experience has allowed her to be key in building in provider relations and navigating clients into clinically appropriate treatment.
Sara is from the South Bay and she’s extremely passionate about helping the people in the community she was born and raised in. In her time-off, Sara enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, surfing, rock-climbing, running, and hanging out with friends and family.
Taylor Sorensen
Community Relations Manager
Native to the South Bay, Taylor is passionate about serving others and creating connections & community in the field of mental health and addiction. The first 6 years of his career was spent as a clinician in the county-funded /
non-profit sector. Taylor’s work has since shifted to clinical outreach.
His aim is to bring forth resources when needed for anyone struggling with mental health or addiction, and help connect those in need to resources most suitable to their struggle.
Pamela Corey
Community Relations Manager
Pamela Corey earned her degree in Communications from USC, after which she took four years to travel and work around the world with a total of over 40 countries visited to date. She has a rich and diverse background in business spanning from domestic and international marketing at 20th Century Fox to owning her own photography business for 14 years.
Pamela is new to the clinical world, and finds great satisfaction working with the Southbay community. She brings to the position her passion, attention to detail, and belief in providing outstanding service no matter what the circumstances are. She thrives on helping people on their journey in life, and has referred to herself as a “serendipity facilitator” for many years.
Daisy Lengkong
Community Relations Manager
Daisy Lengkong has nearly two decades of extensive experience in the medical field. Her background encompasses various specialties in the healthcare arena–from Cedars-Sinai, Sollis Health, Glendale Adventist, among many others. From orthopedic spine, bone cancer surgery, bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal diseases to urgent care/ER clinics, she possesses wide-ranging knowledge of diseases and care. In addition, she has managed operations for various specialty offices. Her commitment to high-touch customer service combined with her experience in managing operations has given her a broader view of the comprehensive plan and quality of care necessary for patients from all walks of life.
She shares the same beliefs of Jay Shetty in which he says, “Your passion becomes a purpose when you use it to serve others.”
Daisy loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. Anywhere with a warm climate-like the Caribbean-are her favorite places to visit. She also enjoys trying new restaurants, hiking Runyon Canyon, and touring museums and galleries whenever she can.
Kelli Easley
Community Relations Manager
Kelli Easley comes to Clear Behavioral Health bringing with her over twenty-one years of experience in the field of addiction and mental health. Her unwavering passion to help others stems from her commitment to give back after overcoming her own 17-year addiction.
Kelli had the good fortune of training under a well-respected interventionist and pillars in the industry, which has only strengthened her expertise in working with both individuals and families. Kelli holds a certificate in Family Development and is currently working towards a degree in Business Administration. Kelli has an amazing relationship with her husband of seventeen years and a loving mother to her two sons. In her free time, Kelli is active in the recovery community and enjoys time at the beach and hiking the hills of Southern California.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny” – C.S. Lewis
Kirsten Uppercue
Payor Relations Manager
Kirsten has worked in the field of mental health and recovery for the past 6 years. She found her passion in the field by watching those closest to her struggle as well as her own recovery.
Kirsten is dedicated to sharing her love of spirituality with others, and she hopes to help them find their own path. In her free time, Kirsten enjoys yoga, surfing, meditation, and anything outside in the sun.
