Prominence Treatment Center Professional Staff
Ronald D. Sager M.D
Medical Director &Psychiatrist 
Dr. Sager studied at UCLA in General Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry where he did research studies in child development and attachment disorders in infancy. He remains an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA. He started his private practice in 1967 in General and Child Psychiatry and after five years returned to the LA Psychoanalytic Institute to receive special training in intensive psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
His practice branched out to inpatient work with adults, children and adolescents. In 1997 he obtained certification in addiction psychiatry with specialization in detoxification and treatment of drug addictions especially with adolescents. In 2007 he was recertified in Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Sager also the Service Director for the Adult ICU Unit at Aurora Vista del Mar Hospital.
Certifications:
Board Certified in Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis Specialties: Adult and Child Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Adult and Child Psychoanalysis, Psychopharmacology
Terry E. Podell, M.D.
Medical Doctor
Dr.Podell received his B.A. at USC and continued on to study medicine at Chicago Medical School. Dr.Podell did his internship, residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA. Dr.Podell is board certified and has been in private practice since 1980, practicing Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Along with being Prominence Treatment Centers Internist Physician, Dr.Podell is an attending Physician and teacher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Evelyn Kagan, Psy.D., LMFT
Clinical Director of Prominence Treatment Center
Dr. Evelyn Kagan has been in the field of addiction and mental health for 20 years and received her Doctorate in Psychology in 2001. Her passion is for those who are struggling with chemical dependency and /or mental health issues and she has dedicated herself to helping them in different treatment settings. She was an instructor at Mission Community College in the Addiction Studies Program for several years and has a successful private practice.
Evelyn brings a vast amount of experience to Prominence in treating co-occurring disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses. She believes in a holistic model of treatment in that we are the guides to help clients in healing the mind, body and spirit that suffers so much damage when the person is using drugs and alcohol. Evelyn is a dedicated clinician who says that she is one of the lucky ones who gets to do what she loves every day of her life.
Arielle Penn M.S.W, LCSW
Clinical Director of Day Treatment / Director of Admissions
Arielle Penn has been treating patients with substance abuse and mental health problems for 20 years. She received a master of social work, MSW, from the prestigious University of Southern California, USC and is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW.
Since then Arielle has worked with an array of populations, form young to old, using her theoretical knowledge to pave the way to the most successful treatment, individualized to meet each person’s needs. She has worked with individuals facing chronic mental illness that is often accompanied by a co-occurring disorder of substance abuse. She received much of her training from world-renowned Bellevue Hospital in the city of New York. She worked on a resident teaching unit in which many forefathers of psychiatry were present to offer their knowledge and training. Moreover, she worked on the pilot program of Outpatient Commitment legislation, which has now become law.
She has worked with young adults in a residential setting, where most of the client’s were suffering from substance abuse and mental illness. She has also worked for the CARE program as an assessor, diagnosing and offering individuals with free treatment services for their substance abuse problem. She has also worked in the dependency court system as an investigator/ social worker helping to facilitate the treatment of all those involved in the breakdown of the family. Arielle uses a systems based approach to therapy as well as other theoretical orientations (cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and object relations) found to be the most effective with addictive populations.
Lastly, she has continued to maintain a small private practice and primarily serves those with mental health and substance abuse related problems. She believes strongly in self-determination and facilitating a person’s journey from dejection of self to a person who engages and makes up their life of healthy components geared for the highest level of functioning and renewed sense of self.
Dr. Christine Olney, Psy.D.,
Therapist
Dr. Christine Olney, graduated from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
Christine brings a wide variety of clinical experience to our treatment team. She has worked with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the juvenile diversion program providing therapy to adolescents and their families. She has also worked in the Covina Valley School District providing individual therapy for adolescents.
Christine worked in the Pepperdine counseling centers at both Encino and Malibu campuses working with graduate and undergraduate students, couples, and families, as well as community referrals on a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, eating disorder, substance abuse, personality disorder, and relational difficulties.
She has also worked in an inpatient psychiatric hospital working with patients with a wide range of diagnoses. While at the hospital she conducted a full battery of psychological tests including cognitive and personality assessment tests. Christine worked primarily on the dual diagnosis unit, helping patients focus on their stability, recovery, relapse prevention, treatment planning, and discharge planning. This involved a full treatment team as well as coordination of care with family and outside resources.
Christine has done research in the area of evidence based treatment techniques for relapse prevention at residential treatment centers in California. She particularly enjoys working with dually diagnosed clients. Christine states she looks forward to being a part of the team at Prominence Treatment Center.
Dr. Jean Kallie, Psy.D.,
Therapist
Dr. Jean Kallie is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT) with an extensive background in family dynamics and substance abuse related issues. Dr Kallie’s educational background is both remarkable and extensive. After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California, she went on to complete a rigorous dual degree program at the California Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. Following the attainment of both her masters and Ph.D in marriage and family therapy, Dr Kallie began on a professional and life changing journey that has turned her into the kind, sympathetic and effective therapist that she is today.
Dr Kallie has worked at length with individuals of all ages and from all backgrounds. Specifically Dr Kallie has excelled in her experiences dealing with family of origin, substance abuse and other psychological issues. Starting early in her professional career Dr Kallie held a major role at the Vista Del Mar Family Services facility acting as a lead therapist for children suffering from abuse. In addition, she was a major figure at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, where she counseled individuals of all ages suffering from personality disorders, psychosis, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, Dr Kallie worked at the world renowned Cedar Sinai Medical Center where she achieved great success acting as the head supervisor of the crisis prevention hotline as well as working directly with and treating teenagers in severe crisis.
Perhaps there is no better way to describe Dr Kallie than to mention her pro-bono work. For over 10 years, Dr Kallie has volunteered her time to individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford a therapist or receive quality care. She believes that this is one of her most important duties as a therapist. This generous attribute along with her caring, compassionate and engaging personality make Dr. Kallie one of a kind.
Matthew Brennan
CADCA Addiction Counselor
Matthew received his education in addiction counseling from Loyola Marymount University and is certified with the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC).
He currently studies Gestalt Therapy at the Institute for Effective Psychotherapy under the supervision of Dr. Allen Berger, as well as Reality Therapy/Choice Theory at the William Glasser Institute in Los Angeles. Before joining the Prominence treatment team he worked extensively with troubled adolescents and young adults struggling to overcome addictive behaviors. Matthew brings to Prominence a here-and-now approach to counseling that focuses on helping clients experience integration through increased self-awareness in the present moment.
Originally from New York, Matthew chose to enter the field of counseling after 17 successful years of music production and independent record label management in the electronic music industry. Moving forward, Matthew plans on expanding his passion for counseling psychology by someday becoming a marriage and family therapist.
Lisa Cefalu
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Client-focused Clinical Hypnotherapist/Recovery Group Facilitator/Spiritual Counselor/Behavior Modification Specialist/Master Imagery Facilitator/ Neurofeedback Facilitator/NLP Practitioner with 10+ years of providing body-mind solutions to clientele. Incorporates Spiritual Concepts through coaching to reach a mind-body-spirit balance.
"I believe it is within each one of us to find our magnificent brilliance and to take responsibility for our life and choose a path of healing. The path that leads you to your 'True-Self'. Your 'True Self' contains abundant resources beyond your conscious awareness, and holds infinite goodness and peace within. When you ‘choose’ to acknowledge and live from your 'True Self’’ everything in your life will change for the better, everything."
In addition to her private practice Lisa also conducts recovery groups for Prominence Treatment Center in Malibu for patients who are struggling with addiction. She also does Reiki healing sessions and Therapeutic Groups at WeSpark Cancer Center in Sherman Oaks to help cancer patients and their families deal with the emotional and physical side effects of the dis-ease.
For several years Lisa was part of the faculty at The Hypnosis Motivation Institute where she attended school and quickly transitioned to teaching workshops and core classes earning state teaching credentials in the area of hypnosis and behavior modification.
Kyle Markt
Chef
Kyle received culinary education from Johnson and Wales University and has been in the private catering industry for 6 years. He learned different cuisines through his travels in the South Pacific and Europe. Recently contracted for designing menus for health conscious restaurants his focus is in providing nutritious and delicious food for his patrons.
"California has provided an amazing opportunity through its beauty and abundance of natural and fresh foods to help me provide memorable dining experiences for all who dine at my table. It has been my pleasure providing wholesome food to people in treatment as I myself am also in recovery."
Jesse
Chef
Born and Raised in Northern California, Jesse became interested in the world of food at a young age. The region's forests, streams and orchards cultivated his appreciation of wholesome cuisine into a passion by providing fresh game, fish and produce straight from the source. At age 16, Jesse began cooking at a local resturant, further fueling his admiration for fresh ingredients. At age 17 turned his passionate into a proffesion by relocating and attending The Art Institute of California - Orange County and earning a degree in Culinary Arts. He has since stayed in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas working as a private and catering chef as well as leaving his foot print in the world of gourmet food trucks. In 2011, Jesse competed cross-country in a televised food truck competition and he and his teammates were successful in eliminating the competition and became the most recognized food truck in the nation. Jesse now spends his weekends happily serving up fresh, wholesome food to the residents of Prominence Treatment.
Rufus Dorsey
Trainer
Rufus is a certified personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. Rufus is committed to motivating and inspiring people live healthier and active lifestyles. Rufus has been a type II diabetic for over twenty years. His work ethic have helped him achieve a great physique healthy lifestyle.
Rufus also volunteers his time and services to the American, Canadian Diabetes Association and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
Andrea Paskal
Massage Therapist
Andrea has been a licensed Massage Therapist for over 15 years. Her range of study varies from basic Swedish & Deep Tissue to Reflexology, Reiki and other forms of energy & detoxifing work.
Andrea's quest for health has lead her to experience a number of educational settings within the fields of mind, spirit and body work. With her strong intuition and tender touch her mixed modalities offer a soothing healing quality to the overall restorative work that she provides.
