Candy Bartole M.S., L.M.F.T., Clinical Director and Program Coordinator for La Ventana Eating Disorder Programs in Ventura County. Candy is an experienced licensed professional and eating disorder specialist who has dedicated her career to helping people recover from their eating disorders. She has been in private practice in Ventura County for sometime. Candy developed and operated "A New Journey Eating Disorder Center" in Santa Monica, an intensive outpatient program treating Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder. She was both the clinical director and program coordinator. Candy was the Assistant Vice President of "Eating Disorder Enterprises of California". She has been involved with the treatment of eating disorders for over 15 years, first at Anacapa/Steps residential facility, then developed the counseling program for Pacific Shores Hospital, an acute eating disorder hospital. She was the clinical director of Pathways Family Counseling Center in Thousand Oaks and now is bringing her expertise to the development of La Ventana Eating Disorder Programs in Thousand Oaks, CA. Her goal is to bring to Ventura County support for many kinds of eating disorder sufferers. Candy is an active speaker and presenter at such conferences as the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She does educating and consulting regularly at local colleges, high schools and professional groups. As a person recovering from an eating disorder herself she understands the eating disorder personally as well as professionally.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, M.D., Medical Director/Psychiatrist.

Dr. Lee Mendiola, Consulting Psychiatrist.

Dr. Julie Stark, D.O., Internist/ History & Physicals:

Dr. Michelle LeChau, Consulting Psychologist.

Jacque Sierad, L.C.S.W., Licensed Professional. Jacque Sierad, L.C.S.W. graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California and is currently studying at the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis. She has been in recovery from her own eating disorder for over 22 years and brings a deep, personal understanding of this process to her work with clients as well as an awareness of how eating disorders affect families and friends. In addition to her focus on eating disorders, she has worked in many different areas including chemical dependency, domestic violence and women's' issues. She has practiced in a variety of hospital and social service settings and, most recently, was the lead therapist at Pathways Family Counseling Center. In addition to her work at La Ventana, she maintains a private practice in Westlake Village.

Amanda Jennings, L.M.F.T., Licensed Professional. Amanda Jennings is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She earned her Masters of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Californian Lutheran University.  Her specialty is working with people to overcome challenges that are common among women with eating disorders.  These include feelings of unworthiness, obsessive thinking or just not being “enough.”  Her personal journey through her own eating disorder over 20 years ago is part of her reason for pursuing a career as a therapist.  Her goal is to assist others in recognizing their own value in order to allow the wholeness, personal strength and wisdom that they already possess shine through.  In addition to her work as a primary therapist and group facilitator at La Ventana, Amanda maintains a full time private practice in Westlake Village, CA. 

Mickie Schlimgen, Manager - Intake and UR Review. Mickie has been in the mental health profession for over 28 years with a wide variety of specialties that include Executive Director, Nursing Supervisor and Utilization Review. She brings all of this experience and dedication to La Ventana’s Intake Department as the first line of communication with our future clients. Mickie’s heartfelt interest in clients’ rights provides her with the determination and resolve needed to head our Utilization Review Department, facilitating the insurance companies to meet all clinical treatment needs.

Anne Khalifeh, M.A., Psy.D., Intern. Anne Khalifeh obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. She has just finished the coursework for her Doctorate of Psychology and is currently in the process of writing her dissertation. Her areas of interest include eating disorders and neuropsychology. Anne has presented original research at the American Psychological Association as well as the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. Anne is in recovery from her own eating disorder and her personal journey has inspired her to pursue a career in psychology and in working with eating disorders.  Anne also has an undergraduate degree in music and enjoys teaching music, performing in piano concerts, and singing in her spare time.

Vanessa May, R.D., Dietitian. Vanessa May, R.D. is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association. She is also registered in Europe and Canada and has trained in South Africa. She specializes in disordered eating and has over twenty years of experience in the field. Vanessa worked for ten years in Santa Monica at Saint John's Hospital and Health Center. Thereafter at Creative Care in Malibu for 3 years managing eating disorders. Vanessa runs nutrition groups, sees client's individually for weekly consults and is part of the treatment team at La Ventana.

Shera Rozenfeld, R.D., Dietitian. Shera Rozenfeld has been working in the eating disorder field as a nutrition therapist for 15 years. She specializes in the behavioral treatment of anorexia, bulimia, weight control, and binge eating. Shera studied at the University of Jerusalem in Israel.  Shera was affiliated with the Wilkins Center in Greenwich CT for 10 years, one of the nation’s foremost outpatient centers for state of the art treatment of eating disorders under the direction of Dr. Diane Mickley, a world renowned specialist in eating disorders.  In 2004, Shera moved her private practice to Woodland Hills, California where she treats patients with eating disorders as well as patients with various medical conditions. Shera is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).  Shera speaks English, French, Hebrew, and Dutch.

Lisette Fraser, Outreach Coordinator. Lisette joins La Ventana with over 15 years of experience in marketing and business development. She has an extensive background in community relations and Senior Account Management, combined with an education and special interest in food science. Lisette also brings a personal experience with the family dynamics surrounding eating disorders and has a passion for the education and treatment of this illness.

Amber Van Gieson, Administrative Assistant. Amber has always had a passion for psychology and the mental health field with a goal of becoming a therapist. Like others on the La Ventana staff, she has struggled with an Eating Disorder and has now been in recovery for 6 years. It was through this struggle that Amber developed a desire to help others who are struggling with an eating disorder, and to help them see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel - just as her therapists and mentors showed her. Amber has worked with Eating Disorders for three years, starting out at Pathways Family Counseling Center and now with La Ventana Eating Disorder Programs. At La Ventana, she is the Administrative Assistant as well as the Mental Health Worker, supporting clients every day at meals and breaks. Amber is a student at California State University of Channel Islands working on her BA degree in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to pursue her MA to become a LMFT specializing in Eating Disorders.

Steve Zamarripa, CEO. Steve has lived around eating disorders all his life and has battled with binge eating and night eating for many years. The disease affected his family when he was growing up and he has always wanted to assist others in their struggle with the disease. He decided to open La Ventana as a venue to help adolescents and adults confront the issues facing their eating disorders and move into a healthier life style. Steve was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from USC .