Our treatment team is committed to the idea that better outcomes result from integrating traditional treatment with science-based care. Our professional treatment team combines the best of both worlds, and includes many of the leaders in the field of addiction treatment and substance abuse rehabilitation.

To speak confidentially with a member of our team,
call our 24-hour information line at 888-777-9672 .

Advisors

World class addiction treatment doctors. Our alcohol rehab and drug rehab treatment process contracts several of the leading addiction physicians and medical doctors in the United States. Each of our proven clinical team is licensed (or retired from practice and devoted to teaching and advising) in California and many hold board certifications. Combining leading psychiatry and contracted addiction medicine doctors allows Summit Malibu to provide you or your loved one with highly respected and cutting edge treatment for drug addiction and/or alcoholism.

Professional Treatment Staff

Summit Malibu's treatment staff and affiliated specialists are some of the best people in the field of addiction treatment. Our experienced and licensed (or credentialed) professionals include psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapist counselors and mental health experts. Additionally, we are affiliated with independently contracted physicians who specialize in detoxification. Please look over our staff bios below.

William Oswald, Founder

Since the day Mr. Oswald achieved sobriety for himself, he has dedicated his life and career to helping others beat addiction, one day at a time. Through Lumax Mental Healthcare and later New Seasons Behavioral Health Center, Mr. Oswald has provided addiction treatment services to clients across all socioeconomic levels and has developed a unique approach to treatment that led him to develop the Summit Malibu treatment program.

Shahla Modir, M.D, Independently Affiliated Physician

Shahla Modir, M.D completed residency training in Psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and sub-specialty training in Addiction Psychiatry at the UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Modir is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for Psychiatry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Modir has extensive training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Dr. Modir is a licensed buprenorphine provider.

Dr. Olga Kharitidi

Dr. Olga Kharitidi is a world renowned psychiatrist and researcher from Siberia who specializes in trauma.  She devotes her life work to understanding the nature of human suffering and finding new ways to become liberated from it.  In her private and public work, she teaches people how to recognize the roots of trauma and how to then transform it into a powerful resource for healing.  Dr. Kharitidi has developed a new system of healing psychological trauma.  She is the author of Entering the Circle: Ancient Secrets of Siberian Wisdom Discovered by a Russian Psychiatrist and The Master of Lucid Dreaming.

Jackson Sousa, M.A., C.A.S, Program Coordinator

Jackson Souza has helped treating addicts and their families for over ten years. Drawing on a 30+ year history of physiotherapy for individuals with special needs, Mr. Souza brings an understanding of the unique needs and demands involved in treating substance abuse and addiction. Mr. Souza has been recognized for his accomplishments by Men's Fitness Magazine and the Sumati Institute.

Karen Hylen , Ph.D, Primary Therapist

Karen Hylen has joined the staff of Avalon Ranch/ Summit Malibu as a therapist and facilitator of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training program. She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, with a depth perspective, from Pacifica Graduate Institute, focusing her internship training on working with persons diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Karen has over 13 years experience providing therapy to individuals dually diagnosed with symptoms of both addiction and mental illness. She is adept at creating a validating environment that conveys acceptance, while aligning with the client in working toward the effective changes needed for sustained healing and recover.

Andrea McGovern , MS LMFT Primary Therapist

Andrea McGovern, MS LMFT, has an extensive background counseling individuals and their families who have suffered from many of life’s challenging issues. Specifically, her focus has been on depression, early childhood trauma, addiction, and various other mental health issues. Additionally, she has served as a part-time faculty member at Cal State University Los Angeles in the Department of Psychology. She earned her Master’s degree in counseling psychology at Cal State University Northridge.Andrea comes to Summit Malibu after years of working with our nations soldiers and their unique set of trauma and issues

Andrea Ellis, Clinical Assistant Supervisor

Andrea attended and graduated from Los Angeles Southwest College, with her ADN, Associate Degree in Register Nursing. Her number one priority at Summit Malibu is the clients and their recovery. She works closely with admissions and independently affiliated physicians to insure that the clients receive a thorough and safe admission, as well as, discharge. Her experience includes clinical out-patient care, acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, and detox treatment. Her passion is to assure that the clients at Summit Malibu understand that she is their advocate for recovery during treatment.

Marilyn O’Malley, CPCC , Certified Passion and Life Coach

Marilyn is a graduate of The Coaches Training Institute.  In her pursuit to remain on the cutting edge of understanding successful behavior, she has mentored with John Assaraf of OneCoach and Bill Harris of Centerpointe Research Institute.  The emphasis is creating a rich, meaningful and joy filled life with the understanding and knowledge of quantum physics and the power of the brain.  She is constantly learning and growing from various mentors, both for herself, and her clients’ benefit. She is a member of the Recovery coaches International.

Tony Bevacqua , Life Coach

Tony Bevacqua is a psychological consultant in private practice. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California San Diego in Sociology and his Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. He is certified in Rapid Change Therapy which is a solution focused form of counseling based on mind, body and spirit principles and from which he discovered his working theory about behavioral change. His web site can be seen here: Tony Bevacqua.

Allen Buhay, Executive Chef

Allen attended The California School of Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, CA and graduated with High Honors and shortly thereafter started his professional career working for The Jean Georges restaurant at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York. Since then, he has returned to Los Angeles to work with local eateries and serve as an executive chef for various residential facilities in Southern California.

Clinical Staff and Advisors

The most caring clinical staff in the industry. Summit Malibu has assembled a highly qualified and experienced team of clinical professionals to provide treatment and therapy during the course of you or your loved one's involvement in our drug rehab or alcohol rehab treatment program. Each professional is licensed and/or credentialed by the State of California; several having firsthand knowledge of addiction and recovery. This combination of knowledge, experience and sympathy provides our clinical staff with the specific understanding to give us a clear edge when it comes to treatment for you or your loved one.

To speak confidentially with a member of our team,
call our 24-hour information line at 888-777-9672 .

Disclaimer
To ensure the highest quality, individualized treatment services, and as required by the State of California's Residential Treatment Licensing Regulations, Summit Malibu clients individually contract with physicians for medical services.