Leadership
Deena Manion PsyD, LCSW
Executive Director / Chief Clinical Officer
Dr. Deena Manion joined the Westwind team in 2019. She is a Doctor of Psychology and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1993. Dr. Deena is the Executive Director and Chief Clinical Officer for the Westwind clinical and administrative staff. She provides her clinical expertise and guidance for top-notch clinical programming, as well as to the staff and clients for the best treatment outcome. Dr. Deena has worked in the field of addiction and mental health since 1991. Prior to Westwind, she held the position as Chief Clinical Officer for a well-known recovery center in Los Angeles and she was the Clinical Director of a Malibu dual diagnosis treatment center from 2000 to 2018. She has worked as a psychotherapist in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, homeless clinics, and public and private schools in both California and New York. Dr. Deena has a private practice in Los Angeles and Agoura Hills, CA where she sees a variety of clients with mental health and addiction issues. Dr. Deena has a broad range of clinical skills and has a stellar reputation in the mental health and addiction field.
Dr. Deena has extensive experience in the entertainment field. She has appeared as an expert on Dr. Phil since 2003 as well as on his podcast Phil in the Blanks. She has also been an expert guest on Dr. Drew’s Life Changers, Face the Truth with Vivica Fox, Ricki Lake, as well as on Intervention on A&E. She has also appeared on various documentaries on Fox11 and local public and cable television shows. She has contributed to many publications as well as been on multiple podcasts educating the public about various addiction and mental health issues. Dr. Deena’s ultimate goal has always been to combine her clinical background with the entertainment industry to help people on a bigger scale. Dr. Deena is personable, direct, charismatic and overall has a unique approach to helping people. Westwind always strives to better our program, so we feel very fortunate to have Dr. Deena as a part of this process.
Deena Manion PsyD, LCSW
Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer
Justin White
Justin White
Chief Executive Officer
Dave BiFulco
Chief Operating Officer
Dave has been with Westwind since 2018. Beginning his tenure with Westwind Recovery® as Director of Admissions, Dave worked individually with every client that came through the door. Later transitioning to Director of Business Development, Dave’s role became one focused on connecting with other like- minded professionals and providers in order to further collaborate with the ever- growing Behavioral Health community. In his latest role as Chief Operating Officer, Dave has taken a new focus on quality of care, company growth, and strategic planning. Continuing to oversee the Admissions, Business Development, and Alumni departments, Dave works to create policies and procedures that are client-centric and indicative of Westwind’s core values. Community, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence. Originally from New York, Dave began his career journey in the field of Behavioral Health in 2015. Knowing all too well the struggles that an individual faces when seeking treatment, his goal has always been to make the process as seamless, attentive, and straightforward as possible. A passion derived from seeing an individual achieve recovery has allowed him to remain and thrive in this field.
Dave BiFulco
Chief Operating Officer
Clinical
Alexandra DeCleene, LMFT
Clinical Director
Alexandra joined Westwind in 2022 after working with Dr. Deena Manion since 2004 at other centers. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has been a licensed therapist since 2014. She provides her clinical expertise to our clinicians as well as guidance and additional support to our clients. Alex has worked in the field of mental health and addiction since 2002. Her experience includes UCLA studies on the effects of drugs on the brain under Dr. London at the NPI UCLA campus. She worked in collaboration with Harvard, Yale and UCLA in the development, training and implementation of resiliency skills with NAVY Seabee’s and their families on two prominent California naval bases. Alex has extensive work in residential treatment centers starting from a technician developing as a lead therapist from 2004-2018. Before Westwind Alex held a clinical director position at an acute mental health residential treatment center. Her clinical expertise includes extensive trauma informed care with EMDR, attachment trauma along with multi modal theoretical applications.
Alexandra DeCleene, LMFT
Clinical Director
Jennifer Talbot, CADC I
Program Director
Coming soon
Jennifer Talbot, CADC I
Program Director
Ildar Kurt, AMFT
Primary Therapist
Ildar joined Westwind in June 2025 as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Born in the U.S.S.R. in 1989 and raised in New York City, he brings a rich multicultural perspective to his work. He earned his B.S. in Botany and Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later completed his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles. With a background as a performer and writer, Ildar developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, emotional expression, and the exploration of the human condition. His spiritual journey has strengthened his belief in trust, surrender, and connection to a higher power—principles that continue to inform his therapeutic approach. Humbled to be of service, Ildar values the opportunity to witness the growth, differentiation, and unfolding of those in his care. His goal is to identify and nurture each person’s unique strengths while fostering healthy interdependence, resilience, and a deeper sense of self.
Ildar Kurt, AMFT
Primary Therapist
Randy Smith, LMFT
Primary Therapist
Randy has been at Westwind in the role of primary therapist since 2019. He earned his master’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. He received his training at a counseling center in North Hollywood for both individuals and families while working closely with at-risk youth at The Teen Suicide Hotline at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills. In addition to his thriving private practice, Randy has also served as primary therapist for several dual diagnosis treatment centers in Los Angeles prior to joining the Westwind Team. Prior to his work in the recovery field, Randy Smith worked in the Entertainment Industry as a marketing executive at Sony Pictures Entertainment and, later, a Vice President of Marketing at MGM, which makes Randy uniquely qualified to help professionals, who are newly recovering to be better prepared to handle the stressors and challenges they face on a daily basis while reintegrating back into the corporate environment. Randy Smith’s therapeutic specialties include addiction and recovery as well as working with couples. His work with the LGBTQ Community is bolstered by his robust Gay Men’s Therapy Group which he facilitates in his private practice. Randy is originally from Texas where he earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Randy Smith, LMFT
Primary Therapist
Maia Fohrman, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Maia has been with Westwind since 2021. She is is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Westwind’s Night Track Clinician. She received her Master’s of Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 2016. Maia initially pursued her passion for film and film criticism before finding her way to social work, becoming one of four other social workers in her family going back three generations.
Maia has worked with a variety of populations and settings throughout her career; a rural, Housing First program for those facing chronic homelessness in the state of Vermont; a residential facility for youth with developmental disabilities on Chicago’s southside; and a community center for young adults experiencing the onset of mental illness in the affluent North Shore of Chicago, to name a few. Maia’s interest in the field of addiction recovery began when she got clean over a decade ago. Looking for community with other young and recovering people, Maia became a founding member of The University of Vermont’s Collegiate Recovery Program in 2010. In doing so, Maia experienced the profound power of community and belonging, and with that inspiration began a career in the field of mental health. Maia became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in July 2022, after gaining broad experience with many populations and positions within the field of addiction and mental health treatment in Chicago and Los Angeles. Maia approaches her clients with the goal of empowerment through emotional insight and psychoeducation based on relevant evidence-based interventions. Despite her love of reading and sharing all things informational (and rather dry to most), Maia thrives in finding ways to creatively apply information in support her client’s
Maia Fohrman, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Eliza Cypers, AMFT
Primary Therapist
Eliza Cypers, AMFT
Primary Therapist
Luis Lopez, CADC I
Case Management Coordinator
Luis has been an integral part of Westwind since April 2022, starting as a House Manager and progressing through roles as a Housing Technician, IOP Technician, and Intake Coordinator. Now serving as a Case Manager, he continues to demonstrate dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of Westwind. Luis plays a vital role in supporting individuals seeking assistance, ensuring they receive the guidance and care they need to succeed. He is excited to share his experience, strength, and hope with the Westwind clientele.
Luis Lopez, CADC I
Case Management Coordinator
Billy Hall, AMFT
Night Track Therapist
Bio coming soon
Billy Hall, AMFT
Night Track Therapist
Stephen Verduzco, CADC II
Counselor
Bio coming soon
Stephen Verduzco, CADC II
Counselor
Carli Buxbaum, CADC II
Counselor
Carli Buxbaum, CADC II
Counselor
Sean Feig, CADC II
Case Manager
Sean joined the Westwind team in 2019 as a case manager and has been promoted to program director. Sean oversees the programming for clients and meets with clients to ensure they are getting what they need while in the program. Sean is a certified alcohol and drug counselor. Sean has been working in the field of addiction and mental health since 2015. Sean received his CADC through CCAPP with an advanced certification CADC II. He remains a formidable agent for transformation here at Westwind. Specializing in walking our clients through the transitional phases of their recovery, Sean’s ability to guide his wards is couched in a belief that every one of them steps into his office trailing wisps of glory. His penchant for preparing them for true independent living while helping them implement 12-step models to ensure long-term emotional and chemical sobriety is born from his own eclectic background. After getting sober, Sean chose to help others who were struggling with addiction. He began working as a technician at a dual diagnosis treatment center in Los Angeles, then quickly worked his way up to Case Manager. His past experiences having rendered him uniquely qualified to avail clients to resources they’d hereto for never considered. Life goals are the focus in every session Sean has with clients, mostly because he believes with every fiber of his being that everyone can build the life they want so long as they have someone who believes in them.
Sean Feig, CADC II
Case Manager
Medical
Mark Jaffe, MD
Consulting Psychiatrist
Dr. Mark Jaffe has been a consulting psychiatrist for Westwind since 2019. Dr. Jaffe graduated from UCLA cum laude in 1987. He attended the University of Southern California medical school and completed his internship and residency in psychiatry at the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. He also completed two years of fellowship training at the USC Institute of Psychiatry and Law, where he is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry. He is board certified in general and forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Jaffe is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine with a Certification in Addiction Medicine. During his residency and fellowship training at the LAC+USC Medical Center, Dr. Jaffe was responsible for triage, evaluation, treatment, admission and disposition of emergent psychiatric patients in a 2000-bed facility. The medical center comprised the pediatric, women’s and general hospital departments and served the greater Los Angeles area. Dr. Jaffe currently consults for the Los Angeles County Superior and Municipal Courts and is a member of the Expert witness panel. He has provided consultations to various agencies including the Medical Board of California, the United Sates Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons, the United States Postal Service, The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Long Beach Rapid Transit, and the Los Angeles County Mental Health Court. He has also performed evaluations for many various agencies, courts and attorneys on cases involving the use of drugs and alcohol during the commission of crimes or during employment. Dr. Jaffe’s level of expertise, when coupled with both his empathy and ineffable charm render him a preeminent choice in the field, especially when running the gauntlet of psychiatric affairs both emotional and litigious.
Mark Jaffe, MD
Consulting Psychiatrist
Dr. Raffi Ghurabi
Consulting Medical Doctor
Dr. Raffi J. Ghurabi, DO, MS, FACOI, is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine who serves as Medical Director at Westwind Recovery® Center. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago, his Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ghurabi brings extensive experience in addiction treatment, urgent care, and outpatient medical leadership, with a clinical focus on comprehensive patient care that includes management of substance use disorders, co-occurring chronic medical conditions, and laboratory monitoring. He is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that supports each patient’s long-term recovery and overall health.
Dr. Raffi Ghurabi
Consulting Medical Doctor
Manny Alvano, MHA, MSN, RN-BC
Consulting Nurse
Manny has been with Westwind since 2021. He works as a consultant to staff and clients regarding medical/ nursing issues as they arise. He began his career in mental health, addiction, and trauma at the age of 21 at an adolescent unit in an acute care hospital. Upon earning his registered nursing degree at Chapman University, he became the charge nurse of that very same unit. Three decades later, he maintains the same passion to help others. Manny’s vocation has expanded to top notch facilities including Cedars-Sinai and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA as a clinical nurse and educator. He has received excellent supervision from outstanding psychiatrists, addictionologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatric registered nurses which has translated to excellent patient care. Manny’s high standards brought him to Westwind Recovery® where personalized treatment and quality care are paramount. As a lifelong learner, he obtained master’s degrees in both healthcare administration and nursing (USF). He is also board certified by ANCC (American Nursing Credentialing Center) as a Psychiatric Mental Health/Addictions Nurse. His experience and education have led him to another one of his true loves which is teaching. Manny is currently a theory and clinical instructor at Mount Saint Mary’s University in mental health nursing and integrative theory and practice. Whether it is the clients he works with or students he teaches, he is committed to touching other’s lives in a way that is meaningful and uplifting.
Manny Alvano, MHA, MSN, RN-BC
Consulting Nurse
Buffi Hatfield, LVN
Nursing
Coming soon
Buffi Hatfield, LVN
Nursing
Operations
Anna James, CADC II
Director of Operations/Housing
Anna has been with Westwind since 2021. Anna oversees the operations in Westwind’s supportive housing program. Anna received her CADC II in 2004 from University of California, Los Angeles where she was awarded a Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate from UCLA (CADC-1 & CADC-II) and has been trained in and co-facilitates Process Groups. She worked for ten years successfully supporting a well- known Malibu treatment center developing from 6 to 36 treatment beds with four locations. Anna’s greatest role and contribution was to create, establish and oversee Continuing Care & Alumni Services, internationally, for eight years prior to becoming the Administrator of the facility. She then managed clinical and administrative staff, as well as handled all client needs as they focused on healing and transforming their lives.
Anna was then recruited to assist other facilities in the licensing and expansion of their programs for the next two years. Her specialty in organizational restructuring, assisting operations and supporting clinical services then landed her a role as a Program Director for 5 years at one of the nations most recognized co-occurring treatment programs in Malibu. This vast experience and working knowledge of dual-diagnosis treatment makes her the best candidate to serve as the Director of Operations for IOP and Housing at Westwind Recovery® and to help support both management and residents in their care.
As a woman in long term recovery herself for over two decades, Anna finds her greatest
satisfaction in managing her staff to change their lives for the better.
Anna James, CADC II
Director of Operations/Housing
Ryan Ogden
Housing Operations Coordinator
Ryan Ogden, RADT
Housing Operations Coordinator
Priya Martindale, MBA
Director of Human Resources
Priya was born in the Fiji Islands and relocated to the United States at the age of 12. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Accounting and an MBA in Healthcare Administration. Priya began her career in healthcare as a Contracts Manager before transitioning to Human Resources, where she now has over five years of experience. She is deeply passionate about her work and is dedicated to cultivating a positive, supportive, and empowering work environment.
Priya Martindale, MBA
Director of Human Resources
Admissions
Alexsa Dong
Director of Business Development
Alexsa joined Westwind in 2021. As Westwind’s business development representative she works collaboratively with treatment centers across the country to ensure good relationships and placements for Westwind clients. Alexsa’s goal is to develop and nourish relationships with other providers and professionals who share aligned values with Westwind Recovery®. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance, Alexsa started her new career in Behavioral Health focusing on Human Resources and Office Administration. She soon transitioned into an Admissions Counselor role where she began working directly with individuals and family members in crisis. Alexsa strives to offer compassion, empathy, and education to those who seek it. Alexsa was born and raised in New York, where she was once climbing the corporate ladder in NYC Fashion Industry. It was there that her substance abuse and mental health struggles eventually led her to seek help. As Alexsa grew personally through her own recovery, so did her wanting to work with others.
Alexsa Dong
Director of Business Development
Chase Wildermuth, RADT_i
Director of Admissions
Chase’s tenure with Westwind Recovery® began in 2023. His experience in Behavioral Health Admissions has spanned multiple organizations across several states. Chase is often the first person that an individual seeking help may speak to. Combining compassion and sincerity, Chase has a unique ability to assist in guiding individuals and families through what may be the most challenging period of their lives. As Westwind Recovery®’s® Admissions Manager, Chase works to streamline the effectiveness and cohesiveness of Westwind Recovery®’s® Admissions Department. In his free time, Chase is an avid golfer, foodie, and a regular fixture in his local gym.
Chase Wildermuth, RADT_i
Director of Admissions
Joey Estrada, RAC #16103
Admissions Counselor
Joey started with Westwind in 2022. He is an Intake Coordinator, meeting with every client who admits to Westwind to ensure a smooth transition into their treatment. He strives to focus on quality of care and program development, while continuing to collaborate with many other professionals that he has relationships with to ensure that clients receive the quality of care that Westwind promises to provide. Prior to Westwind, Joey worked for a prominent treatment center in Los Angeles. He started as a technician, then house manager then shortly after became program director. Joey has 5 plus years of experience in recovery and has been sober for 6 years. He understands the struggle that many people face and has devoted his career to seeing that others receive the treatment that they require so that they can lead a fulfilling life. During Joey’s free time he enjoys leading an active and healthy lifestyle, whether it’s going on long runs or practicing hot yoga.
Joey Estrada, RAC #16103
Admissions Counselor
Stephanie Karling
Business Development Coordinator
Stephanie has been with Westwind since 2019. Stephanie works closely with Westwind clients to ensure that their admission process goes smoothly. Once admitted Stephanie assists clients with financial coordination to ensure that they have a stable living situation while at Westwind. Growing up in Ketchikan, Alaska, Stephanie wanted a bigger and better future for herself. This was, of course, before she succumbed to addiction. Once clean and sober, Stephanie quickly chose a life path that would bring her the most joy, first by serving as house manager of Westwind’s supportive living house, and then, later, as a technician and now as an integral part of the admissions team.
Stephanie Karling
Business Development Coordinator
Danny Shaw
Admissions Counselor
Danny Shaw
Admissions Counselor
Alumni Services
Michael Shahin
Director of Alumni and Activities
Michael started at Westwind in 2015. Fondly known as “Mikey”, he is Westwind’s director of “all things fun.” Mikey leads the activities for clients including beach outings, hiking in the mountains, providing community service as well as weekend trips to fun places to snow ski, bowl, ice skate, camp in the wilderness and much more. In addition, Mikey stays in touch with clients as they transition out of Westwind back into their lives. Mikey organizes a weekly alumni BBQ and various alumni activities for clients to remain connected to Westwind for life! Having been clean and sober since 2013, he can soulfully attest that the foundations for his recovery were built during his own time spent residing at a supportive sober living home. There, his colorful career in the Entertainment Industry as a producer and production coordinator eventually gave way to a 2-year stint as a mentor at a prominent treatment in Los Angeles where he cultivated his gift for helping others find their way back to sanity and fully came into his own. He then segued into his role as technician for Westwind while juggling his duties as house manager for Westwind’s Houdini House when it first opened. His commitment to making sure that no client “fall between the cracks”, when coupled with his eye for detail, propelled him through the ranks with ridiculous ease. Mikey is currently in school earning his Nursing license while also working toward acquiring recovery credentials in case management and intervention.
Michael Shahin
Director of Alumni and Activities
Contact Westwind Recovery® to work with our experienced addiction treatment staff. Call 855.340.8832 today for an easy start to recovery and life of sobriety.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
