Meet Our Professional Staff

The Powerful Combination of Education and Experience

Malibu Horizon offers a dedicated and qualified team of professionals who provide the hope and the help you need through your alcohol and drug rehab center in Los Angeles. From the moment you first contact us, you'll be impressed with our patient-centered approach. Our team will always serve you in a professional manner. We will demonstrate high standards of care and a personal concern with your long-term success.

All clinical staff members who work in the alcohol and drug rehab program at Malibu Horizon hold master's level degrees or above in the fields of psychology, nursing and/or education. Our trained and qualified support staff members are also available at any time to ensure that your stay at our Malibu rehab center is comfortable. Collectively, our Malibu Horizon professional doctors and staff have worked with thousands of alcoholism and drug addiction treatment patients all across the United States, and in many other areas of the world.

Akikur Mohammad MD - Founder of Malibu Horizon

As founder of Malibu Horizon, Dr. Mohammad has a total commitment to his patients.

"Addiction is a brain disease as well as a chronic medical illness, and it therefore should be treated as such." says Dr. Mohammad. Many people use substances to self-medicate, but they end up doing further damage to their brains and bodies. This invariably affects their whole lives -- their family, friends, work and general well-being."

Dr. Mohammad focuses his professional talents on treating patients with addictions and co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis), providing them with comfortable detox in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

With over a decade of general medicine and psychiatry experience, Dr. Mohammad is an Addiction Specialist and Board Certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). He is the Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), where he is active in research and in teaching and training of residents and students.

Lynn Gellerman, MSN, NP-C, Executive Director

Lynn is a board certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Psychiatry. She began her career in St. Louis Missouri at Barnes Jewish Hospital in the Psychiatric Patient Care Units. Upon moving to Florida, she received a Master of Science in Nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Lynn's emphasis has always been on the family and issues relating to their mental health.

Lynn spent the last ten years as a Professor of Psychiatric Nursing at Edison State College in Fort Myers, FL. In addition, Lynn worked as a Psychiatric Forensic Nurse Practitioner for Abuse Counseling Treatment (ACT) Center, working with survivors of abuse, domestic violence, and trauma. Her private practice at JBH Behavioral Health Systems allowed her to assist clients with dual diagnoses of substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her clients ranged in age from five to ninety-three.

Lynn's background in teaching, leadership, clinical skills and knowledge of evidence based practice in the addiction field make her a valuable contribution to the Malibu Horizon team. The complexity of client issues necessitates knowledge in all these areas. Her balance of compassion and professional expertise lends itself to the appreciation of staff and clients alike.

Clinton Ellis Weyand, Ph.D., Clinical Director

Dr. Clinton Weyand has over 20 years experience working in behavioral health care. His philosophical orientation is Humanistic-Existential, supplemented by intensive training in Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalytic Self-Psychology, and Expressive Art Therapies. He attended Cal State Northridge and USC. Dr. Weyand is the author of eight books including "Surviving Popular Psychology," and "Soul Doctors - The First Dictionary of Psychology Quotations." At Malibu Horizon, he creates a group process around the following themes: Impulse Control, Family Conflicts, Co-dependency, Personality Traits and Addictions, Relapse Prevention, Unresolved Grief, Couple Conflicts and Treatment Resistance. Dr. Weyand has a private professional psychology library of over 10,000 volumes. His on-going research explores the relationship between borderline personality, addiction and eating disorders. Dr. Weyand is also the president of Being Books, Inc., a book-publishing forum specializing in inspirational, self-help, and academic psychology titles.

 

Jennifer Mather, M.S, Psy.D

Dr. Mather started her educational career at the London University in London, England. She then returned home to the United States to complete her Bachelors of Science in psychology with emphasis in law and criminal behavior. Dr. Mather was an intern for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department while pursuing her Masters' degree. During her time with the Sheriff's Department Dr. Mather provided counseling to inmates serving time for substance abuse charges and violent charges such as battery, assault, and rape. She led and co-facilitates anger management groups mandated for violent offenders and also worked with survivors of domestic violence and rape. Dr. Mather then completed her Master's of Science in clinical psychology from California Lutheran University. While obtaining her doctorate in clinical psychology, she interned at Agoura Vista Del Mar private psychiatric hospital. This training allowed Dr. Mather to treat many different types of clients with different issues ranging from substance abuse issues, schizophrenia, and trauma.

Dr. Mather is one of the founding therapists of Malibu Horizon and has been a part of their treatment team since June, 2005. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, a nationally accredited professional school. Dr. Mather is an expert in impulsivity and its role in substance abuse. For her dissertation, A Manual Based Approach to Addressing Impulsivity in Substance Abuse Treatment for Mental Health Professionals, she developed a treatment manual that addressed impulsivity and its role in substance abuse, which Dr. Mather is looking forward to publishing.

Dr. Mather's treatment approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems, and motivational interviewing. Her focus is on irrational thoughts or distortions that drive or "fuel" impulsive behavior. "Understanding what purpose the behavior serves, even as unhealthy it may be, is a big part of the process." Changing distorted thoughts, thought stopping, and reframing, are just some of the interventions implemented in her treatment.

Dr. Mather is an avid equestrian and was once an Olympic hopeful for show jumping. She enjoys facilitating and participating in the equine therapy offered at Malibu Horizon.

Dr. Sara Mangat, Psy.D.

Dr. Sara Mangat completed her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited professional school. She has a broad clinical background working with adults, couples, children and families. She received her professional training at UCLA and community mental health clinics. Dr. Mangat conducted professional presentations at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute on stress reduction techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy. Sara also has experience as a business manager at a large psychiatric clinic working with adults coping with addictions and emotional problems. Sara is also involved in volunteer work and received the United International Volunteers of United States Award for her contribution to parent training programs in LAUSD.

Dr. Mangat has clinical expertise in ADHD and family therapy, having completed her clinical dissertation on family therapy for ADHD. Sara consulted with Dr. Barkley, a leading world expert in this field. Dr. Mangat' s theoretical orientation is eclectic and she uses a combination of MET, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation training and family therapy approaches tailored to the specific needs of her clients. Sara has an appreciation for cultural issues having lived in Africa, India and England. Overall, Dr. Mangat emphasizes client strengths to foster growth and change in her clients. Dr. Mangat has worked at Malibu Horizon for over 2 years and has developed an expertise in addictions and co-occuring disorders like PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

Dr. Jean Kallie, Ph.D.

Jean Kallie, Ph.D. received her undergraduate bachelor of science degree in Public Affairs at USC. After graduating in 1980, she enrolled in an advanced program at the California Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology, working toward a combined Master's and Ph.D. in Marital and Family Therapy which she received in 1998. One of the focal points of her work and research is family of origin, and how our original family influences our choices for future intimate relationships. Current intimates, one's spouse, children, are often, in part, stand-ins for old images, thereby hoping to replicate, master, control, live through, or heal what could not be settled internally in the home. There is a saying in family work which is: "Its not that you can't go home again, it's that you never left".

Dr. Kallie gained her experience working at Vista Del Mar Family Services/Reiss Davis Child Services in West Los Angeles, working exclusively with severely abused children ages ranging from 2 to 12 years of age.

Adult experience was gained at the The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, counseling people of all ages with personality disorders, psychosis, anxiety and depression, addictions of all types, and holocaust survivors and their children. The Maple Counseling Center was founded solely on the basis for teenagers with drug abuse and severe addiction problems to receive a "safe ride" home.

Dr. Kallie went on to work at the prestigious Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where she worked with teenagers who were in severe crisis. Some of her responsibilities included supervising the national hotline, which addressed suicide, incest, pregnancy, violence, addiction across the board, partner and family abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and neglect.

Dr. Kallie has donated her time for 9 years to people of all walks of life who could not otherwise afford quality therapy. She continues to feel this is an important part of her life. She feels strongly toward converting some of her experiences to the highest advantage of others. Another area of expertise for Dr. Kallie is deep empathy work. Meeting people in the therapeutic space where they are instead of where you want them to be, or where you think they should be. The deep empathy combined with early family of origin work can often provide an individual with the ability to newly understand the nature and dynamics of a complex family system, normalizing one's conflicted view of these irreplaceable figures, and actually seeing their parents and siblings as "real people" with real problems, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

She has been associated with Malibu Horizon since it's opening. Dr. Kallie has stated that she is truly honored to be working with the highly trained staff who are extremely caring and compassionate.

Dr. Kallie has a small private practice in Agoura Hills and Beverly Hills. She contributes time and funding to some of the charities close to her heart. PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) is a support system for very ill people who cannot walk their dogs, take them to the Vet, buy their food etc. She also volunteers for ASPCA and PETA, as well as St.Jude's Children's Hospital.

Dr. Kallie lives in Malibu with her 5 year old twin boys, and Sparky "The King" beagle.

Sherry Gaba, MSW LCSW

Sherry Gaba is a licensed psychotherapist and life coach who has helped hundreds of people cope with lifelong addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, single parenting and divorce. Sherry specializes in individuals, couples, family, and group therapy.
Sherry made the choice to go back to school and entered a master's program and received her Masters of Social Work from the prestigious University of Southern California. She has worked in many areas of social work including hospice, child custody mediation, and in various dual diagnosis programs working with patients struggling with PTSD, Bipolar disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

Sherry is a member of the Women's Association of Addiction Treatment, Conejo Valley Mental Health Professional's Association, and Program Chairperson of the San Fernando Valley Employee Assistance Professionals Association.

In addition to her monthly gig as a guest expert on Dr. Drew Pinksy's radio show, Sherry was also seen in action on VH1's Celebrity Rehab 2 and will be on its subsequent show, Celebrity Rehab 3. She also facilitated life coaching on their subsequent spin off Sober House. Sherry has shared her expertise of addictions on Leeza Gibbon's "Hollywood Confidential" and Dr. Drew Pinsky's "Dr Drew Live Radio". She has been quoted in Cosmopolitan Magazine, the New York Daily News, and seen on Fox News in San Diego.

Sherry is an expert and published author on the subjects of parenting, single parenting, divorce, and relationships. Most recently, she is a contributing author to the book "Conscious Entrepreneur" which highlights how a person can follow their dreams and succeed. Most recently she was a contributing author to the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People" which highlights her struggles going from a single parent to becoming a successful media expert, psychotherapist, and life coach.

Not only is Sherry a Clinician at Malibu Horizons, she also dedicates her time to her private practice in Agoura, CA. Sherry is passionate about helping her clients with a supportive approach to help them resolve problems and change long-standing patterns. For More information about Sherry Gaba go to www.sgabatherapy.com or contact her at sherry@sgabatherapy.com.

Gail Sloan MS, MAC

Gail has been an art therapist for over 15 years. She studied alcohol and drug dependency at Oxnard and Ventura Colleges. Gail has her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on marriage, family and child counseling, from California State University, Northridge. She also has an Associates Degree in Sociology, Counseling and Interviewing from CSU as well.

As a therapist, Gail specializes in dual diagnosis and addiction treatment. She has a gift for working with alcoholics and addicts and loves her work. As an art therapist, Gail uses multi media expression to help her clients get in touch with parts of their unconscious. Gail takes great pleasure in using various forms of art therapy to help her clients gain confidence in themselves and discover the joy of expressing new aspects of their creative nature.

 

Harlen Austin, MA, CAC

 

Laura Kurz-Rambo, Director of Intake

Laura Kurz-Rambo received her Registered Addiction Specialist certification from the nationally-accredited Briening Institute in Sacramento, California. She has over twenty-five thousand hours of experience in the field of addiction with an emphasis in Crisis Intervention, Intake Counseling, and Referral Coordination. Laura earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business and has a certificate in Mediation. She has background in nursing as well as experience in marketing. She has been in recovery since she was twenty-two years old, and is celebrating her fourteenth consecutive year of sobriety. Laura is a responsible, ethical professional who quickly establishes and maintains an empathetic rapport with patients, family members, and clinicians. More than just a job, addiction recovery is Laura's passion. Perspective clients calling the toll free intake number, day or night, will immediately perceive this passion as Laura helps them determine their options in order to obtain the best possible treatment.

 

 

Carol Sorrenti, Yoga Therapist

Yoga
Carol Sorrenti has taught yoga since 1980 using a diverse program designed towards well-being of mind and body. Ms. Sorrenti's background includes employment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center and numerous drug treatment centers, where she utilized yoga therapy for physical and emotional rehabilitation. She uses simple, effective, calming exercises, breath control and meditation techniques for achieving balance of mind and body. Carol has been a master teacher of Hatha Yoga for 30 years. She has been a student of Yoga since she was 8 years old. Carol has been working in the drug treatment industry since 1988. Carol also worked with Dr. Marshall Urist as an orthopedic yoga rehabilitation instructor. Carol has been on a cable TV show about Yoga and trained many professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, olympic skiers and tennis players.

Equine
Carol has loved horses since she was very young. Her experience includes being an owner for over 20 years. She's an experiences instructor and an expert at western pleasure riding. Other background includes team penning, dressage, quarter horses, Tennessee Walkers, Peruvian Pasos, Thoroughbreds, Shetland ponies, Arabians, Appaloosas and Paint horses.

Carol Sorrenti has taught yoga since 1980 using a diverse program designed towards well-being of mind and body. Ms. Sorrenti's background includes employment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center and numerous drug treatment centers, where she utilized yoga therapy for physical and emotional rehabilitation. She uses simple, effective, calming exercises, breath control and meditation techniques for achieving balance of mind and body.

Gustavo Mego, Executive Chef

Gustavo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He came to the United States in 1984 and been a resident of California ever since.

He began his career as a chef at Victorio's Restaurant, North Hollywood, in 1987. He worked as head chef and catering manager at Victorio's for ten years.

Victorio's was the launching pad for Gustavo to start his own business, "Chef For You", where he would cook for private clientele. He has been in the food industry for the past 10 years. In 2007, while working for his private clients, he also worked as a chef for the television crew of the cable series "Disorderly Conduct." Unfortunately, in 2008 the show was cancelled.

In 2008, Gustavo joined forces with Sandy Hecht, owner of the well-known catering company "Marjolaine Catering Extraordinaire, Inc.". Together they made fabulous dishes for several major entertainment events including premiere parties, wrap parties and events taking place during The Entertainment Industy's Award Season. In addition they also did private events such as anniversary and birthday parties.

Gustavo works as the Executive Chef for "Malibu Horizons," a residential treatment facility in Malibu providing healthy flavorful dishes. He works with the Nutritionist to ensure nutritional value and proper proportions to each and every meal. His ability to individualize his dishes to meet the needs of every client provides a healthy, balanced and enjoyable dinning experience.

 

Non Liability for Professional Services:

All doctors of medicine furnishings services to the client at Malibu Horizon are independent contractors and are not employee or agents. Malibu Horizon does not employ any type of doctors, all patients and doctors have individual treatment agreements.

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