Meet Our Professional Staff

A Powerful Combination of Education and Experience

Send us a confidential email and ask us any question about our program or the admission's process. We will reply to you within a short amount of time. Malibu Horizon offers a dedicated and qualified team of professionals. 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. 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 & CEO - Malibu Horizon Treatment Center

As founder of Malibu Horizon, Dr Mohammad has a total commitment to his patients. 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. Dr. Mohammad is long standing member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine ( ASAM). "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.

Neda Javaherian, MD, Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Javaherian completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Southern California Medical Center. After graduating she joined faculty at USC and is currently on staff teaching medical students and residents. She also works in private practice seeing psychiatric and dual diagnosis patients. She has special interests in treating mood disorders, addiction, as well as eating disorders. She is member of the American College of Psychiatrists, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology and American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Sara Mangat, Psy.D., Clinical Director

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-occurring disorders like PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

Jennifer Mather, M.S, Psy.D, Program Director

Dr. Mather started her educational career at the London University in London, England. After completing her undergraduate requirements, she returned home to the United States to complete her Bachelors of Psychology with an emphasis in Law and Criminal Behavior at California Lutheran University. Dr. Mather then continued on to earn her Master's of Science in Clinical Psychology. While earning her Masters she was awarded the opportunity to intern for Ventura County Sheriff's Department. During this time Dr. Mather received government clearance to work with many different populations including violent offenders. She also co facilitated many therapy groups ranging from substance abuse, domestic violence, and anger management. During her doctoral training Dr. Mather completed an extensive internship at Aurora 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, mood disorders, abuse, and trauma. Dr. Mather is one of the founding therapists of Malibu Horizon and has been a part of our 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. Mather is a Psychological Assistant working towards licensure under the Supervision of Dr. Mangat our Clinical Director.

Clinton Ellis Weyand, Psy.D., Director of Education & Research

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.

Dr. Urvi Natha, Psy.D.

Dr. Natha began her undergraduate education at Baylor University in Texas, where she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology. Dr. Natha moved to the Los Angeles area to begin her doctorate at an APA accredited program in clinical psychology at Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology. While receiving her doctorate, Dr. Natha interned in various settings such as an outpatient mental health center, medical center, and college campus. Dr. Natha also began to contribute to research endeavors at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Natha continues to serve on staff as an on-call research associate for Los Angeles Biomedical Institute at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, where she conducts neuropsychological testing with HIV patients for research purposes. Dr. Natha will be receiving authorship on the publication of research findings. Dr. Natha's clinical experience includes individual and group therapy with a wide range of diagnoses such as addiction, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Dr. Natha provides evidenced based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Dr. Natha also enjoys practicing mindfulness techniques and incorporates mindfulness in the therapeutic process. Other specialties include developmental testing of infants and young children and ADHD evaluations. Dr. Natha's approach to therapy is goal oriented in which she works in collaboration with her clients to help restore functioning and relieve emotional distress. Dr. Natha achieves this through teaching effective skills to manage life's difficulties. Dr. Natha takes a warm and compassionate approach to therapy while encouraging learning and change. Dr. Natha is currently working toward licensure, and she is receiving supervised post-doctoral experience from Dr. Mohammad and Dr. Mangat.

MS. Mona Burt, CATC II

MS. Mona Burt is a certified addictions treatment counselor (CATC II) and is accredited through CAADE (California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators), and is recognized nationally by NCCA. In addition to being a CATC II, MS. Burt is also a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) for substance abuse facilities. MS. Burt has many hours of working in the addiction field and has worked in many different settings, such as intensive outpatient treatment, residential treatment and treatment in the criminal justice system. MS. Burt has special training working with women and women's issues such as domestic violence, self-esteem, and parenting. Her goal is to help teach the tools needed to maintain the path of recovery.

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.

Laura Kurz-Rambo, RAS, 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 best options.

Rebecca Ninah Shub, Marketing, Aftercare Coordinator

Rebecca Ninah Shub has Clinical Research experience in the Psychiatric Emergency Room at the University of Southern California. Rebecca has been published for various Schizophrenia related Psychiatric studies in the ER and the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic. She graduated from California State University Northridge and is a Registered Addiction Specialist Intern. She continues to do Research at USC and looks forward to many more publications. As the Aftercare Coordinator, Rebecca provides the extra level of resources, support and confidence that is valuable and necessary in the transitional period to help maintain a strong and supported recovery plan once a client leaves Malibu Horizon. Rebecca follows the success of clients and their sobriety maintenance. Rebecca devotes much of her time to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She enjoys baking and on the top of her to do list is to learn how to cook.

Carol Sorrenti, Yoga Therapist, Meditation Instructor

Carol 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.

Lisa Krasnoff, Activities Director

Lisa is a nationally certified fitness trainer. She obtained her certification in 2008 from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Lisa has been a trainer and coach locally since 2007 and has had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clientele from beginners to seasoned athletes. She has also worked with teenagers and teaches senior fitness. Lisa's goal is to develop a fun, creative and efficient approach to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She feels it is all about setting realistic goals and making exercise fun and challenging for all fitness levels. Lisa's passion as a personal trainer and coach is to help people discover the power that comes from finding the "athlete" inside and to gain self-esteem from reaching their personal goals. She also desires to help others combat the emotional stress and strain of everyday life with regular exercise.

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.

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 Industry'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.

Robert Mauer, Marketing

For all marketing related questions, please call Robert at 310-975-5552. Robert handles all the internet website marketing for Malibu Horizon. Robert has worked for Malibu Horizon since 2008. He has worked in the marketing treatment field since 1999. Prior to joining Malibu Horizon, he worked for several treatment centers in Florida.

PCT's - " Patient Care Technicians "