Our Addiction Treatment Team in Los Angeles, California

Leadership

JD Kalmenson

JD Kalmenson

CEO, Founder

JD Kalmenson is the Founder and CEO of multiple behavioral healthcare companies in Southern California and Arizona.

Among these is Renewal Health Group, a family of comprehensive addiction treatment centers, Montare Behavioral Health, a dynamic brand of mental health treatment centers, and Zenith Behavioral Health, a collection of high-quality psychiatric hospitals and adolescent treatment facilities.

In addition to these responsibilities, Kalmenson hosts a bi-monthly podcast for Montare Media called Discover U, which highlights complex mental health and chemical dependency issues in interviews with industry professionals, experts, and renowned authorities in various behavioral health fields. The podcast is available on all platforms.

Always interested in broadening and deepening the industry standard, Kalmenson is the creator of a cutting-edge diagnostic tool for chemical dependency issues called “Discovery Model.” He is partnering with Yale University to assess its efficacy.

Kalmenson is a Yale Chabad Scholar, a skilled facilitator, teacher, counselor, and speaker, who has previously provided chaplain services to prisons, local groups and remote villages throughout the world. His diverse experience as a rabbi, chaplain, and CEO has inspired his passion and deep understanding of the necessity for effective mental health treatment and long-term sobriety.

Elliott Liebhard Renewal Health Group

Elliott Liebhard

CFO, Founder

Elliott Liebhard is one of the founders and chief financial officer of a family of behavioral healthcare companies that includes Renewal Behavioral Health Group, Montare Behavioral Health Group, Zenith Behavioral Health, Trellis Recovery, and Conscious Health and Wellness Centers. Elliott provides leadership and oversight for building financial infrastructure, and strategic financial planning. With his vision, these organizations have achieved a high level of care, infused with values of empathy, authenticity, and purpose. 

Stephanie Rosten

Stephanie Rosten

VP of Admissions

Stephanie Rosten is the Vice President of Admissions at Montare Behavioral Health and Renewal Health Group. Her personal journey of recovering led her to find her calling in the field of behavioral health treatment.

Stephanie’s passion for helping others began as a dependency technician while she was attending College of the Desert. Her role as a case manager inspired her clients to return to school and seek gainful employment through her own actions. Stephanie received her CADAC credentials from The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.

As a leader, Stephanie encourages her team of 15 admissions counselors to meet clients where they are and provide the support they need to begin their journey towards recovery.

Stephanie Rosten also oversees the community Veteran departments for the RSVP program, Resilient Star Veterans Program. Through this program, Stephanie is committed to providing comprehensive mental health treatment to veterans struggling with a variety of mental health disorders. Her leadership and dedication to this program have helped to create a safe and comforting atmosphere for veterans seeking mental health treatment.

Dr Heather Wong

Dr. Heather Wong

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Heather Wong, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych is a Doctorate level Physician Associate who has been working in Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry for more than five years. Prior to her work in Addiction and Psychiatry, she worked in Family Medicine at a local FQHC clinic. Heather initially worked as a Biomedical Engineer developing medical devices, but found her passion in working directly with patients. She transitioned to practicing medicine in 2017. She has specialty certifications in Psychiatry, as well as being fluent in Spanish.

She enjoys working with all clientele, but does specialize in working with POC and the LGBTQAI+ community. Her passion lies in helping patients find their reasons for being, renewing their health, and honoring their path and who they want to be.

Faridah Gonzalez LVN

Faridah Gonzalez, LVN

Regional Director of Nursing

Faridah A. Gonzalez has been practicing as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for the past 13 years. Initially, Faridah worked for a Non-Profit Community Health Center, where she provided community outreach and chronic health education to patients. Her first hand experiences at the Community Health Center made her realize she had a passion for helping those struggling with addiction, so she decided to help in a more direct manner. In 2014 she focused her career on working in Substance abuse and dual diagnosis recovery treatment. It wasn’t until 2017 that she found her home with the Sanctuary Treatment Center. Faridah started with the company as a Lead Nurse and though hard work, determination and commitment to the betterment of patients and staff, she rose to become the Executive Director for Renewal Health group. Today, she leads a team of clinical, medical, and patient support staff. Faridah promotes a vibrant culture of growth and support, ensuring that all staff members are set up to succeed. She is a fierce advocate for ensuring that the medical and mental health needs of her clients are met.

Amy Crichton

Amy Crichton

Regional Executive Director

Amy Crichton is the Executive Director and founder of Phoenix Rising Recovery Center. Amy brings 20 years of experience in the field of addiction and recovery to this position. During her recovery from her own addictions, she developed a passion for working with other addicts. She worked in non-profit-criminal justice therapeutic community style treatment for over 10 years and in the private industry since. Amy has helped set up and design many programs in the recovery field as well as helps guide compliance for facilities in California. Designing Phoenix Rising was not only a vision but an accumulation of experience in multiple modalities and treatment styles to form a unique environment to start the journey to choosing life. Amy believes that every single person truly has the ability to not only recover but create a fulfilling and productive life. She believes that providing an environment that is authentic, compassionate, and innovative creates a foundation of healing, strength, and growth.

Joann Zuniga

Joann Zuniga

VP of Strategic Planning, Provider Relations, and Utilization Review

Operation Directors

Melissa Sidnam, MA, SHRM-SCP

Melissa Sidnam, MA, SHRM-SCP

Director of Human Resources and Operations

Since joining Renewal in 2016, Melissa has held positions in admissions, counseling, and program management. In her current role as Director of Human Resources and Operations, Melissa’s emphasis is on alignment of the human resources function with the strategic goals of the organization. She specializes in employee management and relations, policy/procedure development, regulatory and legal compliance, management training and coaching. A native Californian who grew up in the Bay Area, Melissa received both her BA and MA in Psychology from Humboldt State University and Certificate in Addiction Studies from Diablo Valley College. In 2021 she achieved the SHRM Senior Certified Professional Certification. Melissa is a firm believer that our employees are our greatest assets and a workplace can only flourish when everyone feels valued, respected and accepted.

Karl Kirsch, LMFT, LAADC

Karl Kirsch, LMFT, LAADC

Clinical Director Phoenix Rising

Karl Kirsch is an LMFT and LAADC with 20 years experience in the helping professions. He specializes in treating individuals with mental health and addiction issues. Mr. Kirsch is the Clinical Director at Phoenix Rising Recovery. In this role, he directs program content and implementation, along with the supervision of clinical staff. Karl maintains a strong working relationship with educational institutions and provides a stable platform for the practical training of student interns. Karl has held counselor, therapist, and management positions throughout his career. He is an active member of CAMFT. He is grateful whenever a client has a positive shift in behavior and achieves a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction with their own lives and relationships. Karl has supervised many interns and associates who have gone on to licensure themselves. Mr. Kirsch is a family man with a wife and two young daughters. He is an active community member, an avid runner and cyclist, and when not with his family, he can be found hitting the trails or pavement.
Denise Cooney

Denise Cooney

Clinical Director for Sanctuary Treatment Centers

Denise Cooney is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 22 years of experience working in mental health, dual diagnosis, and addiction and recovery treatment. She is the Clinical Director for Sanctuary Treatment Centers, the Los Angeles based SUD program within Renewal Health Group. Denise found her calling in the field of addiction and recovery in 2014 after spending the first part of her career working with children in the foster care system as a Clinical Director for a community-based organization. Having the benefit of bringing forth her own recovery as a once active member of Alanon, Denise offers compassion for the families as well as the addicts. Denise leads a team of clinicians, case managers and counselors. She has had the joy of watching over half of her AMFTs complete their hours and become licensed under her supervision. She brings forth not only a vast amount of clinical knowledge, but a leadership style that encourages her staff to grow, process deeper the needs of the client and provides a positive and relationally based supervision style.
Madlen Pashinian Foroughmand

Madlen Pashinian Foroughmand

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Clinical Director for Renewal Sobriety IOP EMDR and Trauma Focused Therapist

Madlen Pashinian Foroughmand is a Licensed Marriage, EMDR Therapist and Family Therapist, who has been working in the Mental Health field since 2012. Madlen has a broad range of training and experience with Anger Management, Emotional Focused Therapy, Grief Focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy and Domestic Violence Advocacy.

As the Clinical Director of Sanctuary Outpatient Program, she and her team have created a unique, wrap-around program for patients struggling with substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and difficulty integrating back into society.

Madlen has trained, supervised, and supported upcoming Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, along with the staff associated with the program, in order to create a cohesive, safe, and family-like environment.

Madlen is a strong believer in utilizing compassion, empathy, and ethics in everything that she does for the company, and makes client care a top priority.

Madlen is also a private practitioner who treats clients in her private practice focusing on trauma and relationships. Additionally, Madlen is an adjunct Professor at her Alma Mater, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

She also enjoys exercising, spending time with her family, and gratitude practice.

Kathy Rosales, LVN

Kathy Rosales, LVN

Director of Nursing Phoenix Rising

Business Development

Briana King

Community Liaison

Brianna King currently resides in Phoenix, AZ, where she lived for 12 years. In 2021, she moved to Atlanta to launch her career in behavioral health serving families and teens. In August of 2023, she returned to Phoenix to continue to support her previous organization.

 

Brianna has had an exciting journey to get to where she is today. Originally born in Southern Georgia, she has lived all over, including places such as Germany, Las Vegas, and the Midwest. Her adventurous spirit and her father’s service in the Unites States Army has taken her to many places, but she has found a home in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Brianna has always had a passion for sales and has been in the industry for over 12 years. Her experience spans across various industries in business development roles, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the sales world. But her thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. She holds an MBA, a bachelor’s degree in Technical Business Management, and an associate degree in laboratory sciences.

 

When Brianna is not busy helping individuals get the care that they need, she loves spending time with her partner, two toddler daughters, and her pup, Shepooh. Family is everything to her, and she cherishes every moment she gets to spend with them. In her free time, she enjoys reading, shopping, throwing events, and cooking delicious meals for her family and friends.

 

A fun fact about Brianna is that she has a set of twin sisters who are 6 ft 7 inches and 6 ft 6 inches, a brother who is 6 ft 2 inches, a dad that is 6 ft 4 inches, and that she is the shortest of all of her siblings at 5 ft 11 inches.

Admissions

Alexandra Munoz-Araiza

Alexandra Munoz-Araiza

Director of Admissions

Alexandra, our director of Admissions, brings a unique perspective to her role, having overcome personal challenges through the recovery process. She genuinely understands the journey to living a healthy life and passionately guides individuals seeking help.

Alexandra’s personal experience enhances her ability to empathize, ensuring a supportive and compassionate admissions process. Committed to breaking down barriers, she strives to make the path to recovery accessible for all, with seven years of experience in the substance abuse/behavioral health field. As the Director of Admissions, she combines a deep understanding of substance abuse issues and mental health concerns with exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills. Her commitment to excellence and client-centered care makes her a valuable leader in this field.

Jamie Hessler

Jamie Hessler

Director of Provider Relations

Jamie brings her deep commitment to Montare’s mission of empathy, authenticity, and purpose to her role as Director of Provider Relations. With personal insights from her own experiences with mental health and substance abuse recovery, she connects with clients empathetically, guiding them through their transformative journey.

Joining the behavioral health field four years ago, Jamie’s goal has been to make a real, positive difference in people’s lives. She stands as a testament to the power of resilience and brings hope and compassionate understanding to those facing similar struggles.

Now, as a key liaison for clients with Kaiser Permanente insurance, Jamie is passionate about providing steadfast support, ensuring access to care, and strengthening our ties within the Kaiser community.

Alumni

Jill Macellaro

Jill Macellaro

Manager of Alumni Services

As Alumni Coordinator for Renewal Health Group, Jill applies her experience, expertise and passion for helping people by strengthening and building community. After coming to terms with her personal struggles with addiction, she decided to enter the field of substance abuse and mental health.

Jill holds a B.A. degree in Business Management from Farmingdale State College. Her previous work and background in the field of Public Relations and Marketing has enabled her to spearhead and oversee various alumni services and events. 

Jill’s calming, caring and empathetic demeanor is a great fit for encouraging and developing fellowship among client’s who successfully completed treatment at Renewal Health Group’s many substance abuse facilities. 

Marketing

Lara Frazier, MBA

Lara Frazier, MBA

VP of Digital Marketing

Lara Frazier is the VP of Digital Marketing at Renewal Health Group. Lara has over twelve years of experience in the behavioral health industry, and over twenty years of experience in marketing. Lara holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Pepperdine University. Lara oversees all digital marketing efforts and manages all aspects of digital marketing campaigns for Renewal Health Group. She is incredibly passionate about mental health treatment and addiction awareness and is well known in the digital recovery space for writing and speaking about these topics. Lara also Co-founded one of the number one publications and websites for addiction recovery, which Mark Zuckerberg praised “as a place for people affected by addiction to come together.” In her free time, Lara enjoys being in nature, hiking, and cuddling with her pet pig.

Renee

Renee Baribeau

Marketing & Brand Manager

Renee Baribeau is an innovative marketing leader with over 10 years of experience in delivering exceptional marketing campaigns, content, and collateral for Behavioral Health Organizations. As a results-oriented and collaborative professional, she brings expertise in brand management and social media engagement. With a keen attention to detail and a decisive leadership style, Renee has made significant contributions as a Marketing Director at Renewal Health Group, Montare Behavioral Health, as well as in her role as Regional Business Development Manager at Michael’s House Treatment Center.

Throughout her career, Renee has demonstrated her skill in brand development, particularly in the multi-facility behavioral healthcare start-up sector. She has successfully improved and enhanced brand image through focused marketing campaigns and professional networking efforts to support outreach. Renee has also played a pivotal role in coordinating well-coordinated campaigns, events, and public relations strategies, including the premiere Behavioral Health Conference, Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health at UCLA, in 2022 and 2023. She has worked closely with creative teams to generate dynamic marketing content and communication tools for promotional campaigns, contributing to the overall success of the brands she has managed.

Austin Cooper SEO Renewal Health Group Rehab Centers

Austin Cooper

Director of SEO & Web Development

Austin Cooper is a seasoned professional at the forefront of driving Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Website Development strategies for the Renewal Health Group, Montare Behavioral Health, and Conscious Health family of treatment centers. With a wealth of experience and a fervent dedication to aiding individuals in discovering the ideal behavioral health treatment, Austin has spearheaded transformative initiatives to enhance the online organic marketing presence of these esteemed organizations. Leveraging his expertise and innovative approaches, Austin has successfully optimized digital platforms to ensure maximum visibility and accessibility, ultimately facilitating easier access to vital resources for those seeking mental health support. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a commitment to delivering impactful results, Austin continues to lead initiatives that resonate with audiences and empower individuals to embark on their journey toward holistic wellness.

Bryce McGuire

Bryce McGuire

SEO Manager | WordPress Webmaster

A lifelong tech enthusiast that turned a passion for learning into a career. Experienced IT professional and dynamic leader with over 10 years of success building and maintaining enterprise level infrastructure.  Adept at driving operational excellence with a focus on accountability, team empowerment, and continuous improvement.

Proven track record in leading corporate initiatives, optimizing system performance, and enhancing business outcomes through excellence in fundamentals and expertise in growth marketing.  Through his dedication and desire to improve the lives of all those in need of mental health services he has directly contributed to the availability and quality of mental health services at a local and national level.

John Ingham

John Ingham

SEO Manager | Content Lead

A distinguished leader in the field of treatment and recovery, whose expertise and dedication have contributed significantly to the advancement of mental health and addiction services for nearly a decade. John’s work extends beyond organizational boundaries to include substantial contributions to public health initiatives and policy discussions on a local, state, and federal level.

He has collaborated with active and former members of government, including an appointment by Mayor Briley in Nashville to join the committee overseeing the city’s $2M budget for HIV prevention, outreach, and treatment (Ryan White Foundation), leading discussions with the Texas Senate (HB1486 signing and HHSC), and working alongside former executive branch presidential appointees. As well, his work has been televised multiple times, including in an Emmy Award winning journalistic documentary.

These efforts underscore John’s ability to bridge the gap between public health needs and policy, fostering environments that support recovery and mental health. John’s profound impact on the treatment industry is further highlighted by his innovative approach to telehealth, development of go-to-market strategies, and his advocacy for effective addiction and mental health services at a national level.