La Ventana Staff

Candy Bartole M.S., L.M.F.T., Clinical Director, Thousand Oaks and Calabasas. 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. 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. Michael Vivian - Medical Director. Dr. Michael Vivian is a board certified psychiatrist who attended UCLA for his undergraduate studies in psycho-biology before graduating from the UCLA School of Medicine.  He then completed his psychiatry residency at UC San Francisco.  He has been in private practice in Ventura, California since 1999, including having served as medical director of Pacific Shores Hospital (an inpatient and partial hospitalization level eating disorder facility) in Oxnard, California from 2000-2009.  Throughout his time in Ventura he has also maintained an outpatient office, and La Ventana is excited to partner with him in the ongoing treatment of eating disorders.

Jean Erickson, MA, LPC. Jean earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the past twenty years she has worked as a therapist both in the United States and abroad, helping people that suffer from dual disorders and addictions. Most recently Jean has provided individual and group therapy to clients with eating disorders, both on an outpatient basis at Pathways Family Counseling Center and on an in-patient basis at Rader Programs. In particular, Jean hopes to help families and friends that are supporting their loved ones in their recovery from an eating disorder, and understands firsthand the unique challenges they face.

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, Vice President of Operations 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.

John Dowling. John received his master's degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in May of 2008. He is also a board certified medical and clinical hypnotherapist. John worked as a substance abuse counselor in the Ventura County Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program for two years, providing individual, group, and family therapy to those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. He later worked with people recovering from eating disorders in an inpatient setting with The Rader Program. He continues to emphasize working with people in recovery from eating disorders and substance abuse in his private practice. He is in recovery himself, and has worked with others suffering from substance abuse since 1988. He is currently working toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist with the Borad of Behavioral Sciences and maintains a private practice in Ventura , CA.

Deborah Bayer, M.A., MFTI. Deborah has more than 23 years experience in the field of substance abuse and recovery. She has post-graduate training in psychiatric disorders and addiction. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and mood disorders. Deborah also consults with and assists the family and friends of those in psychiatric crisis. Finally, as a parent of a daughter with an eating disorder, Deborah has a unique perspective on the dynamics of treatment both for the client and the family.

Sarah Nicholson Flores, M.F.T. Sarah Nicholson Flores is a marriage family therapist intern preparing to take her licensing exam. She earned her Masters degree at California State University Northridge in 2004. Her specialty is joining with people who want to feel better about themselves and improve their relationship with food and their body. She has a strong faith that recovery is possible and available to all of us. In her work she uses the sacred space of the therapeutic relationship to create a safe and loving environment in which to heal old wounds. Her passion is empowering people to identify and communicate their needs and desires and to make conscious choices about their relationships with themselves and others. Sarah is also maintaining a private practice in Camarillo at New Beginnings Counseling Center.

Beth Tiras, M.A., M.F.T. Intern. Beth obtained her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She has provided individual and family therapy to foster and adoptive children and adolescents, many who suffered numerous traumas, both in school and home settings. Beth has provided therapy to adults with persistent and severe mental illnesses, including those with dual diagnoses. She also worked with adults and children with developmental disabilities in group homes and in the community. Beth's passion is to help everyone realize their full potential, and to help them empower themselves to fulfill that potential, no matter what their situation might be.

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, Binge Eating and weight control. 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.

Rachel Sherwyn, MFTI. Rachel received her Masters of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Chapman University. She has interned at several locations and worked with many different populations on varying psychological issues. Rachel interned as a counselor at the Chapman Community Clinic, was a high school counselor at Mater Dei High School, worked with children of divorce through Kids First, and was a counselor at Josephine House where she worked with female prison inmates struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. Rachel has been in recovery from Anorexia Nervosa and self-injurious behaviors for several years, and is grateful to be able to help others find the solace she has in recovery. She loves working with adolescents, and specializes in substance abuse, eating disorders, self-injurious behavior, sexual assault, and other trauma-related areas of mental health work.

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 human service management, and is skilled in effective communication for the field of recovery. Lisette also brings a personal experience with the family dynamics surrounding eating disorders and has a passion for the education and awareness of this devastating disease.

Ashley Schlimgen, Administrative Assistant. Ashley rejoins La Ventana from the substance abuse program were she was also an administrative assistant. While attending school for her licenses in vocational nursing, she worked part time for Channel Islands Social Services taking care of children with special needs. She enjoys helping people and helping them succeed in their recovery. Outside of work Ashley´s passion is playing volleyball; she has been playing competitively since she was 15.

Steve Zamarripa, CEO. Steve opened La Ventana as a personal journey to help others with eating disorders.  His mother was affected by the disease and left this world too young from complications of living years with an eating disorder. Steve wanted to open a treatment center that was affordable with excellent treatment and long term care for recovery. He has found in La Ventana a way to give back to the world and help others live a long and healthy life. Steve was born and raised in Southern California and earned his BA from USC, and his MBA from Columbia University.

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.