Staff

Beau Christianson

D.O.

Dr. Warren Christianson works with Inspire Malibu as the Associate Medical Director. He is also the Co-Director of the Chemical Dependence-Briar Program at Aurora Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, CA and is an Associate with San Marino Psychiatric Associates. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Christianson completed his Psychiatric Residency at the University of Southern California and attended the Baylor College of Medicine, where he completed his Addiction Psychiatry fellowship in Houston, Texas. Although Dr. Christianson has many responsibilities, he is a Life Member of LIGA, the Flying Doctors of Mexico and makes every effort to ride his dirt bike and snowboard whenever he is finished with his duties at the hospital and clinic.

Bob Howland

Director of Intake

Bob Howland comes to Inspire Malibu with over a decade of medical industry experience.  Bob has dedicated his life to helping others in the transition to recovery.  “The secret to true happiness comes in serving others.”  Bob suffered a back injury when he was 18 years old playing sports and over a 20 year period it became more and more debilitating until the pain was so severe that he had no choice but to seek surgical intervention.  This was not the only intervention Bob had to face as he had become almost hopelessly dependent on pain medication until he received treatment from Dr. Mohammad at Inspire Malibu.  Bob understands the struggle attached to addiction, to drugs or alcohol and stands ready to help you through the treatment process from your initial phone call through the start of your lasting recovery.

Danielle LaRoche

Program Director, MSW, ASW

Danielle LaRoche earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University and completed her master’s degree at University of Southern California. Danielle received her clinical training at Twin Towers Correctional Facility and in outpatient mental health settings, where she primarily worked with individuals with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression, and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Danielle has over 7 years of experience working in the addiction field and specializes in dual diagnosis, anger management, and many evidence-based practices including Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Jennifer Walker

M.A., MFTI

Jennifer is a primary therapist specializing in dual diagnosis; substance abuse with a co-occurring condition. Her range of specialization includes substance abuse with bipolar, clinical depression, anxiety and personality disorders.
Jennifer graduated from Pepperdine University, where she received a research scholarship for her work in the field of Personality Psychology. She had extensive clinical training in a private psychiatric hospital setting, and holds certifications for crisis counseling in the areas of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Jennifer’s therapeutic approach emphasizes both compassion and empathy. Through the therapeutic process she helps clients to gain self-awareness to improve interpersonal relationships and to navigate crisis situations. Jennifer utilizes Psychodynamic, Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution Focused and Jungian frameworks in her work. Jennifer has completed of all of her state licensing hours and works under the supervision of Dr. Mohammad.

Charlene Simpson

Neurofeedback Technician

Charlene Simpson brings her unique gifts and skill set to Inspire Malibu where she serves as the Neurofeedback Technician.  Charlene received her BA degree from Hollins University with a double major in Economics and Spanish.  As she was pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, she gave birth to her son who was later diagnosed with Autism.
In her quest to find help for him, she discovered Neurofeedback. 

Svetlana Akoyeva

Registered Dietitian (R.D.)

Svetlana Akoyeva is a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) who came to USA from Moscow, Russia where she graduated from Medical School with a specialty in Physician of Exercise Therapy. Svetlana Akoyeva has more than 5 years experience of medical supervision the patients with heart diseases in Moscow’s hospital. She provided medically controlled physical training and diet related guideline to patients during their long term recovery after infarct myocardium and aorto-coronary bypass surgery. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences in Kansas State University. She completed her dietetic internship through Iowa State University and has passed the national dietetics registration exam. She is getting her master’s in nutrition and dietetics degree at California State University, Northridge. What she brings to our clients at Malibu Horizons is her medical background, clinical experience and advanced nutrition education of useful nutrition information that is omnipotent to recovery and carries over to life style at home.

Ronald M. Borczon

Music Therapist, MT-BC

Ron Borczon founded the music therapy department at Cal State Northridge in 1984. He is also the Director of the CSUN Prestigious honor was given in recognition of Music Therapy work done following the 1994 Northridge, California. Earthquake. In 1995, Borczon conducted a special workshop on Music Therapy and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for therapists in Oklahoma City after the Oklahoma City bombing. While in Oklahoma, Borczon worked not only with the therapists who were treating family members and survivors, but he also worked directly with a survivor from the bombing. With clinical experience in music therapy spanning 30 years and encompassing numerous populations including psychiatric, developmental disability and substance abuse, Ron Borczon has presented numerous papers at national and regional conferences, as well as given many public service presentations.

Sue Levy

CAADAC Counseling Intern

Officially joined the Inspire Malibu staff in September, 2012, Sue is earning clinical hours towards CAADAC (California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors) certification.

Ali Morrow

LVN, Business Development

Ali has been working in the chemical dependency field since 2007.  She is an LVN and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Ali brings positive energy and possesses a great sense of humor.  Her hard work ethic and caring nature drives her to ensure that each individual client feels safe and welcome the moment they walk through our doors

Heidi Hanson

Recovery Assistant Administrator

Heidi has worked in the healthcare/medical field for over 18 years. She has attained a vast amount of knowledge and experience and has applied it to working in various residential and outpatient drug rehabilitation centers. Heidi is hard-working, diligent and passionate about helping clients reach and maintain their goal of sobriety.

Allen Libao

Recovery Assistant

Allen was born and raised in Southern California. He attended California State University Fullerton and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Allen still has plans on pursuing a career in social work. For the past 5 years, he has worked in both residential and outpatient settings. He uses those experiences on a daily basis, while interacting with clients. Allen is compassionate, understanding and keeps a positive outlook on life. He believes that with the right help and support, positive changes are always within reach.

Nicole Riviere

Yoga Therapist

Nicole came to Los Angeles in 1997 to pursue a professional dance career in the entertainment
industry. In 2000, she took up a regular yoga practice for exercise and panic disorder,
something she suffered with for several years after a trip to China on a dance job. The practice
helped her to trust the flow and calm her racing mind. Over the years, she began to feel that
yoga was much more than physical, and the benefits of focus, softness, flexibility and strength
provided tools for life. Yoga became a spiritual practice, and in 2009, Nicole completed her Yoga
Alliance accredited teaching certification at Rising Lotus Yoga and began teaching.

In 2011, Nicole studied with Maty Ezraty, the original founder of YogaWorks; and fell in love with
Maty’s emphasis on alignment as a means to find focus, healing and strength. Then, in 2012,
while stepping away from her 13 year dance career, Nicole found her teacher and mentor, Annie
Carpenter; and completed her second teacher training and a mentorship with Annie. She
continues to train with Annie, and is deeply grateful for her discipline, love and guidance.

Nicole came to Inspire Malibu in 2011, bringing yoga with a therapeutic approach; specifically
aimed at aiding in recovery. Nicole teaches restorative yoga that relaxes the body and calms the
nervous system and mind. She also teaches breathing techniques and meditations to facilitate
self awareness, mindfulness, and healing; giving one a deep sense of peace. Her expertise also
comes from growing up in a home of alcoholism and addiction, and working her own recovery in
the process. Shanti. (Peace.)
 

Maria Rojas

Maintenance

Adrian Camacho

Executive Chef

Linda Finlayson

Chef

Glaizel Sta Ana

Recovery Assistant

Glaizel was born and raised in the Philippines and came to the U.S. at age 11 and lived in Los Angeles until the age of 22. She later ended up settling in Ventura County. In 2009, she went back to the Philippines where she studied to be an LPN (License Practical Nurse). In 2010, she came back to the U.S. and attended a Medical Assisting School. She has also worked as a caregiver for the elderly. From her time at Inspire Malibu, she would like to pursue the necessary steps to become a drug counselor. Glaizel is very passionate about helping others and maintains a positive outlook on life.

Danielle Nepus

Recovery Assistant

Priya Chaudhri

PhD, Consultant therapist, Addiction and related disorders.

Dr. Chaudhri currently serves as the Clinical Director at several rehabilitation programs and holds an adjunct faculty position at UCSD in the Department of Psychiatry. She also works as a Consultant and assists with program development, ADP licensing, and administrative operations. Dr. Chaudhri’s clinical specialty is in behavioral medicine, addictive disorders, and biofeedback. She has over 10-years of experience working at various outpatient and residential substance abuse programs and has been the director of several addiction treatment facilities. Dr. Chaudhri completed her academic training at UC Berkeley and her postdoctoral fellowship through Yale University in cardiovascular behavioral medicine. She applies a modern and multidisciplinary treatment approach by combining evidenced based treatment and alternative medicine into addiction treatment. Dr. Chaudhri is committed to providing customized care and effective treatment to help individuals achieve sustainable recovery and personal growth.