Facility Staff

CLINICAL STAFF

Daniel Gatlin, PhD, CADC II
Executive Director

Dr. Gatlin has specialized in addiction treatment for over 20 years. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and brings a high level of expertise to the treatment of chemically dependent, dually-diagnosed clients and those experiencing major life transitions. Dr. Gatlin received both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Chemical Dependency.  Dr. Gatlin is also an instructor in the UCLA Alcohol and Drug Studies Program and has appeared numerous times on television, radio, in  print and conducts workshops nationally.

• Recent article published by Dr. Gatlin in National Psychologist 
• Link to Internet Educational Series featuring Dr. Gatlin

Nicole Karman Gilbert, PhD
Primary Therapist

Dr. Gilbert is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience.  Besides her knowledge of addiction, Dr. Gilbert brings her expertise in co-occurring disorders, PTSD and trauma, as well as family and couple dynamics.  Raised in Africa, France and Switzerland, Dr. Gilbert is bilingual (French and English) and competent to conduct therapy in both languages.

Leila Mesghali, MA, LMFT
Primary Therapist

Leila is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. She earned her degrees from UCLA and Pepperdine University and brings a wealth of experience to her work at Renaissance.  Areas of specialty include anxiety and depressive disorders, family work, couples therapy, and dual-diagnosis.

Cynthia Horacek, MS, MFT
EMDR Therapist

Cynthia specializes in trauma recovery, depression, anxiety and chronic pain.  She provides EMDR, Brainspotting, and hypnosis (specialization in chronic pain management) for clients at Renaissance in addition to having a private practice.

Patricia Waldo, LMFT, ATR-BC
Therapist

Patricia has over 18 years in the recovery field. She is a licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Board Certified Art Therapist. Her use of Visual Art to explore issues of treatment is of great enjoyment and benefit to clients. Art Therapy has been effective in exploring most aspects of addiction such as; environmental or internal triggers, and layers of defenses, losses and shame. Her specialty in addictions as well as mood disorders, which often co-occur, provide clients the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral interventions along with the traditional recovery methods. For more information visit PatriciaWaldo.com

Sherry Gaba, LCSW
Therapist

Sherry is a seasoned Psychotherapist and Life Coach with extensive experience in the fields of addiction, eating disorders, grief & loss therapy, parenting & family dynamics.  Graduating from the University of Southern California in 1999 with a Masters Degree in Social Work, Ms. Gaba has worked in the field of recovery for over 13 years, the last 10 in numerous psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers and private practice.  She is a frequent guest speaker at National Conferences and can regularly be heard on “Dr. Drew Live” radio program with Dr. Drew Pinsky as well as “Celebrity Rehab 2” and “Sober House”.  Ms Gaba is a contributing author of the book “Conscious Entrepreneurs.

Beth Pinc, MA, RCAS
Director of Outpatient Services

After many years in the corporate world, Beth 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. With over 20 years of personal sobriety, a Registered Addiction Specialist, former Program Director and Counselor for a major Southern California Recovery Center and active in the Recovery and Mental Health Community for over 15 years, Beth brings a unique blend of experience and education to the Intensive Outpatient process.

Scott Gaba, CDS
Counselor

Scott is the recipient of Time Warner's Heiskell Humanitarian Award for 2006.  Scott brings over 20 years of recovery experience to Renaissance Malibu. Founder of Fresh Start Sober Living in Reseda, California, Scott utilizes his hands-on approach and conviction of the power of recovery to each of our clients.

Walter Thomas, M.D.
Addictionologist/ Internist
 
Dr. Thomas was born in South Africa and graduated from Stellenborsch Medical School in 1973. He is board certified in Family Medicine and certified by ASAM in Addiction Medicine, #001859, California licensure A345360. Dr. Thomas has had his own private practice in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Formerly the Medical Director of Addiction Services at Simi Valley Hospital and Charter Hospital of Thousand Oaks, he also successfully passed the first certification offered in the United States in Addiction Medicine.

Reverend Leo Booth
Spiritual Consultant
 
Reverend Leo Booth is a Unity minister, former Episcopal priest, an internationally-acclaimed author, lecturer, and trainer on all aspects of spirituality and recovery from depression, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and low self-esteem. He joins Renaissance Malibu as its Spiritual Consultant. Rev. Leo presents workshops, lectures, and training on spirituality, recovery, religious abuse & addiction to a wide variety of organizations and institutions every year. Rev. Leo has appeared on such television shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Geraldo, Sally Jesse Raphael and contributes to a number of publications.

Alison Aiosa, EAGALA
Equine Assisted Therapy

All of my life horses have been a source of peace and inspiration as well as a guide to my self-awareness. I started Paards Te Leifde in The Hague, a horse rescue facility which lead to creating a horsemanship program for youth and adults alike. When I returned home to the US I became a Certified EAP Horse Professional launching my own Equine-Assisted Growth & Learning program, that was nearly 5 years ago. In addition to my love of people and horses, it is important to me to play an intrinsic part in the welfare of others.  In this new ground-breaking form of therapy, uniting the treatment facility Clinical Staff and the professional EAP Treatment Team, we will strive to provide our clients with the opportunity to better understand and discover themselves through examples of the horse.

Angela Melia
Massage Therapy

During the past 30 years, Angela has maintained a private practice, interspersed with teaching Reflexology and Aromatherapy, both to doctors and nurses in hospitals in Las Vegas, and also to students at massage schools in the Los Angeles area.

Angela's unique approach to assisting each client in their detox process, consists of a unique blending of Massage, Tibetan Reflexology, and Aromatherapy. This synergy not only helps in the physical detox process, but also creates a sense of emotional well-being while assisting each person on an individual basis, in their courageous journey to sobriety.

Bridget Gardner
Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist
 
Bridget has been a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist since 1998.  She is an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and runs her private practice with fully-stocked Chinese herbal pharmacy.  Bridget brings a unique approach to accupuncture by integrating both the Eastern and Western philosophies to her practice.  Bridgit did post-graduate work in Beijing China at the Beijing Traumatology Hospital.  She is licensed nationally by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), has worked 3 years as a Qualified Medical Evaluator, and is nationally board certified in Acupuncture Orthopedics (NBAO).

Carol Sorrenti
Yoga

Carol has been practicing yoga since the age of 8 years old.  Arriving in Los Angeles from Wisconsin she began teaching yoga at the oldest yoga school in LA, the Center For Yoga on Larchmont street, under the White Lotus Foundation, Ganga White, went on the teach at Yoga Tantra Institute, alongside other senior teachers, Yogiraj Alan Finger of South Africa, Rod Stryker, and Maty Ezraty.  Carol has studied all forms of Hatha Yoga including Iyengar method, Ashtanga, Kundalini, and has passed her meditation and breathing techniques to all her students.  Teaching in Los Angeles for the past 28years she has put her yoga program into Cedar Sinai Medical Center, UCLA under Dr. Marshall Urist Orthopedics and Rehabilatation.  Her unique style is appreciated by many athletes, and novices.

Martin Mondia
Personal Trainer

Martin has 17 years of experience in the fitness industry, and holds a Future Fit Certification.  A strong believer in the proper technique, Martin makes this his high priority when working with clients.  Martin is committed to educating his clients about the importance of maintaining a proper fitness program, and motivating each client to continue their fitness program upon leaving treatment.

George Martin-Mauser
Adventure Therapy

George founded California Wilderness Trainings in 1979. From 1979 until 2000 he designed and facilitated experiential team building and leadership development programs.

In 2001 he formed “NewLife Adventures” and now works with people in recovery.George’s methodology is adventure based, interactive, experiential learning activities including high ropes course work. He uses these tools to support, encourage and empower people to go beyond their self limiting belief systems.

By creating a supportive, caring environment he invites people to step outside their comfort zone and attempt to do what they consider “impossible.” More often than not, this creates the possibility for breakthrough and transforms how the person sees him/her self.

Jim Coddington
Sweat Lodge / Adjunct Therapist

Jim earned his Master's Degree in Social Work in 2004 from New Mexico Highlands University.  Jim has provided support to diverse populations in various settings dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues.  Jim believes strongly in the need to promote the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of recovery.  He has extensive experience in the field of recovery using sacred Native American ceremonies.  Jim is a completed sun dancer and a carrier of the Sacred Pipe.  He participates in and facilitates sweat lodge ceremonies on a regular basis.