The Summit Malibu Team

Steven Booth, Finance Director and Founder

Steven earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Economics. Before helping to co-found Summit Malibu Steven worked in both private and public accounting. Like many others, Steven has seen first hand the destruction that addiction can inflict on family and friends. He has also witnessed the extraordinary changes that can be made when addicts receive the necessary treatment.

Shahla Modir, M.D., Independently Affiliated Physician

Dr. Modir is one of the most recognized and respected physicians in the addiction recovery field, and is known for the effectiveness of her holistic approach to treatment. he 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 also a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for Addiction Psychiatry, and has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Modir is also a licensed buprenorphine provider.

Karen Hylen, Ph.D., Program Director

Dr. Hylen is a Primary Therapist at Summit Malibu and the facilitator of Summit's Dialectical Behavioral 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. Dr. Hylen has over 15 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 recovery.

Lisa Powell, Ph.D., CADC II, Clinical Director

Dr. Lisa Powell is a Primary Therapist at Summit Malibu and the facilitator of Summit's Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills training program and Summit's Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) program. She received her Doctorate degree in psychology from Capella University with a focus on family and addiction. She went on to receive additional training in Brief Strategic Family Therapy at the University of Miami's Family Studies Program, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavior Therapy 5 (MET/CBT5) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Having witnessed the struggles of addicts seeking recovery, particularly with feelings of guilt and shame with respect to their families, Dr. Powell made the decision to specialize in understanding family dynamics and helping all family members heal from the massive affects of addiction and alcoholism.

Nicole Karman Gilbert, Ph.D., Primary Therapist

Dr. Gilbert is a licensed clinical psychologist who has practiced in Los Angeles, California, for 20 years. Her specializations include the treatment of trauma and addiction disorders as well as family issues in the context of divorce or relocation. Dr. Gilbert has worked as a primary therapist, group leader and Clinical Director in several drug and alcohol treatment centers in Los Angeles and Malibu, where she also organized family weekends for patients and their families. She is past and current President of the Los Angeles Society of Clinical Psychologists and a member of the California Psychological Association as well as of the California Brain Injury Association.

Dr. Gilbert was educated in Switzerland, France and the United States. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington, and her doctorate at the California Graduate Institute (now The Chicago School). She did her dissertation in cooperation with the Yale Psychiatric Institute on generational patterns of attachment. Dr. Gilbert interned at the Human Sexuality Clinic of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and proceeded to become a psychological assistant to one of the founders for 3 years prior to establishing her independent practice.

Su Lim, Primary Therapist

Su graduated from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles with an MA in Clinical Psychology, and will soon become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). Su is the facilitator of Summit's Schema therapy program, and also offers expertise in cross addiction issues, including the treatment of sex addiction. Su's breadth of experience includes facilitating men's anger management groups in domestic violence programs, and runs regular groups at Summit on handling difficult emotions and anger management. In her early training, Su has been a primary therapist at a community center in Westwood working with both groups and individual clients in the court mandated Prop 36 substance abuse program. She is passionate about helping recovering addicts find success in sobriety by working with them sensitively and empathetically, using a variety of therapeutic modalities. She brings diverse life and professional experiences to her work, including a background in law in London and working in the LA entertainment field, as well as her international background, having lived and worked on three continents.

Wendy Roehr, Therapist

Wendy graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in Sociology in 2005. Over the years, Wendy has gained a variety of experience in her counseling career. She spent her early master's program years working in the area of rehabilitation, where she worked with clients in individual and group setting for their entire length of the program. She was also trained and headed up the after care program of treatment, working with clients to gain success in their transition to their return to life outside of the environment of rehabilitation center. Additionally, she gained a year of experience with counseling families in distress in addition to working hand in hand with state agency to meet court ordered requirements. Wendy's diverse experience and passion for the growth and development involved in therapeutic process makes her a strong member of the clinical team at Summit Malibu Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center.

Sherri Lewis, Therapist

Sherri first exposure to working in the field of addiction was as a counselor and group facilitator at a Harvard research project called Project Outreach. For the next several years Sherri continued as a counselor for addicts and alcoholics with a specialty in HIV and Hep C. Since moving to California in 2000, Sherri has expanded her work into dual diagnosis, the state of the art treatment for alcoholism and addiction, and continues her work as a counselor, life coach, public speaker and sober companion. Sherri is 27 years sober and is a vibrant advocate for a healthy and happy sober lifestyle. “There are no more excuses to picking up and drink or a drug. Just a life worth living no matter what!”

Steven Norris, Operations Manager

Steve Norris comes to Summit Malibu with an extensive background in the chemical dependency field. A native of Chicago, Steve brings a good sense of humor, hard work and dedication to the Summit Malibu team. He makes sure that all of our clients have a comfortable stay while they are in recovery, making sure all of their needs are met. "I feel extremely honored to be a part of such a compassionate and caring team here at Summit Malibu. Everyone here genuinely enjoys what they do, and all of the staff are committed to helping our clients heal and have a successful recovery."

Danielle Mansur, Clinicians' Assistant Supervisor

Danielle arrived at Summit Malibu with an already extensive background in the field of chemical dependency, and wears many hats at Summit Malibu. While overseeing client medication administration and coordinating with the medical and clinical teams, Danielle also works as Summit's Supervisor to the Clinical Assistants. Danielle, along with an amazing team of professionals, has helped all of our clients feel safe and supported through their various stages of recovery at Summit Malibu.

David Jones, Life Coach/Counselor

David has served as a certified life coach, specializing in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and spiritual recovery, for ten years. The developer and facilitator of the, "My Creator Workshop," David's program has successfully guided those who suffer from addiction and Spiritual sickness toward sound mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Clients residing at Summit Malibu have gained stability, confidence, and control of their lives through David's easy-to-grasp philosophy of living a purposeful life. www.sowerliferecoverycoaching.com.

Elizabeth Pinc, Therapist

After many years in the corporate world, Elizabeth left a successful career as a stockbroker and business owner to follow her passion of working with those who suffer from Alcoholism and Addiction find a new way to live. As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 28 years of recovery experience, a Registered Addiction Specialist, a Certified Master Neuro-Linguistics practitioner, Emotional Freedom Therapist and active in the Recovery and Mental Health Community for over 15 years, Elizabeth brings a unique blend of experience, education and dedication to the Summit experience.

Charlene Simpson, Clinicians' Assistant

Charlene received her BA degree from Hollins University with a double major in Economics and Spanish.Charlene is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. In her "spare time", she is the mother of a 3 1/2 year old boy, and is working to find a cure for his diagnosis of Autism. Charlene brings her unique gifts and skill set to Summit Malibu where she serves as a Clinical Assistant.

Jeff Boxhorn, Clinicians' Assistant

Jeff Boxhorn has worked in the recovery field since 2003 as a clinical assistant, a counselor, and a sober companion. Since getting sober in 1984 Jeff has been active in the LGBTQ community. He loves to eat, exercise (in that order!) and has been known to dote upon his cat Concepcion.

Amanda Ferrara, Clinicians' Assistant

Amanda's background knowledge in medicine originates out of her experience working at a Veterinarian's office. After witnessing a loved-one destroy his life with drugs and alcohol, Amanda was compelled to switch fields. Amanda has therefore carried over her medical knowledge that she acquired through working with animals, to her work here at Summit Malibu. Currently, Amanda is working to attain her degree in journalism.

Ashley Oswald, Executive Chef

Ashley studied culinary arts at College of the Redwoods in Northern California. She has worked as a professional caterer out of Santa Barbara for the last eight years, and has a special interest in Asian, Indian, and South East Asian cuisine. She has been with Summit Malibu since the beginning of 2011, and continues her culinary journey; preparing meals from around the world filled with festive flavor and color.

Kody Lincecum, Executive Chef

Kody attended Cordon Bleu Culinary College. Since then, Kody has attained knowledge on many different ethnic cuisines and desserts through his experience at an exclusive country club. Kody specializes in creating not only delicious entrees, but healthy ones as well.

Satya, Yoga Instructor

Satya has studied the sacred science of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, since 1990, healing a serious personal injury through this ancient tradition. She is an internationally certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, a certified healer in the Sat Nam Rasayan Tradition, and holds a Masters degree in Psychology. She draws on these qualities and on her background as a professional athlete to make her classes reach the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. Satya's Yoga classes are very meditative in nature, designed to gain strength, increase flexibility, promote healing, and deepen your spiritual practice. The gong and crystal bowl meditation at the end of each class takes you into a state of deep relaxation. Visit Satya at http://www.soulyoga.net.