Zoe Bentyne

Zoe Bentyne

Zoe Bentyne

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Outreach Coordinator

Zoe Bentyne

Zoe Bentyne began her work in the behavioral health field in 2015 and immediately she developed a deep desire to further her clinical understanding as means to further assist clients in their individual journeys on the path to recovery. Zoe attended sober college school of addiction studies and began her work as a counselor soon after, applying clinical insights along with her innate warmth and compassion to help all who are struggling directly. Zoe continued to broaden her scope of how she could help those who were suffering and cofounded an all-women’s sober living creating a program based on the core principles derived from what she has seen work for so many others which included unity, accountability, and love for one another. These principles are the foundation and essence of the work Zoe embodies, and make her current role in business development a natural fit Unifying an industry through connection and commonality of helping others, accountability to ethical client care, and love for her coworkers, other professionals, and those who are currently suffering.

Zoe Bentyne

Kinnzie Taylor

Kinnzie Taylor

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Case Manager

Kinnzie Taylor

As the Case Manager at the Valley Recovery Treatment Center, I take great pride in helping maintain a safe and supportive environment to assist clients in their treatment. I engage with clients on a daily basis, assisting clients with work arrangements, financial responsibilities, and or advocacy on the client’s behalf, if necessary, in order to achieve wellness and autonomy for each individual. In return, clients can focus on recovery and self-care. Clients are genuinely encouraged to be mindful and to embrace the steps they are taking, nevertheless, successfully promoting the goal of long-lasting recovery. My very own journey through sobriety as well as my diverse understanding and experience has allowed me to compassionately help our clients in recovery. This being one of the hardest times of their lives, enhances my passion and has become my greatest mission and ultimate personal gratification.
 
Luxury Drug Rehab

Jason Harper, Lead Technician

Jason Harper, Lead Technician

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Lead Technician

Jason Harper

Jason Harper came to us in 2016 with 12+ years of experience working in the alcohol and drug dependency profession. Jason’s passion is working with individuals beginning their journey with recovery. He shows empathy and compassion to all he comes in contact with his goal to make our clients feel safe and welcomed. Jason has the ability to calm all around him, especially in the time of need or in a crisis situation. Jason continues his education in Addiction Studies at Glendale and he himself has 16+ years of sobriety. 

Screen Shot 2020 12 14 at 4.29.53 PM Jason Harper

Rhonda Sloan, Daring Way

Rhonda Sloan, Daring Way

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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Rhonda Sloan

Rhonda Sloan, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, was a graduate of Phillips Graduate University with a Masters in Psychology and a specialty in Post Modern Therapy.  Throughout her career as a therapist, she has worked with diverse populations in a wide variety of settings.  These include her own private practice, group private practice, residential treatment centers, intensive outpatient programs, community clinics, school settings, juvenile probation camps, HIV clinics and working with the entertainment industry.  

She feels very fortunate to have trained with researcher and Ph.D., Brene Brown’s executive team and has been a Certified Daring Way Specialist for over six years. She incorporates the Daring Way and Rising Strong Curriculum in groups at various inpatient and outpatient treatment centers as well as with her clients in individual sessions.  Rhonda has worked with an array of various diagnoses, including: Anxiety, Depression, P.T.S.D., Bipolar, Codependency, Couples and Family work.  Her passion is working with clients and families struggling with the disease of addiction and helping them lead their lives in a healthy, happy and supported way. She takes a collaborative approach with her clients always building the therapeutic relationship based on mutual respect and trust and working on identifying and changing their maladaptive coping skills and learning to manage their mental health challenges.

Rhonda Sloan Jason Harper

Akira Funahashi, Breathwork

Akira Funahashi, Breathwork

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Breathwork Therapy

Akira Funahashi, Breathwork

Dr. Akira Funahashi, OTD, OTR/L, is a breathwork facilitator on the Breathwork for Recovery team, an occupational therapist, turntablist, and healer. Breathwork is instrumental in Akira’s healing journey. Grateful for what breathwork provides her, Akira is inspired to share the power of breathwork with others who are open and ready to heal. As a transgender female, Akira has particular interests in helping others in the LGBTQ community, as well as individuals who struggle with childhood and sexual abuse trauma. Akira earned an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Cal Poly Pomona and a Master’s and Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. She has over a decade of experience as a clinical and school-based occupational therapist, specializing in pediatrics.

With over 20 years of professional and competitive DJ experience, Akira is deeply passionate about turntablism and devotes her life to the DJ arts. She is driven to fuse her love for DJing and her experience as an occupational therapist to develop new forms of expression and healing. Akira is currently completing David Elliot’s, Healer Trainings, certification program. Her core values are education, awareness, and empowerment.

Akira Funahasi

Kaijah Box, Chef

Kaijah Box, Chef

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Chef

Kaijah Box

With over 7 years experience in the world of Culinary Arts, Chef Kajiah Box is no stranger to delicious, hearty food, and just how important it is for our mental health. From cooking and curating menus for some of Los Angeles’ notable restaurants and hotels, then serving as head Chef for a non-profit organization for abused young women, Kajiah finally found her footing in the gift of recovery earlier this year, joining the passionate staff at Valley Recovery Center. With everyone aboard, the nutritional goals she has for clients when they arrive at VRC are a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner, weekly menu with your specific restrictions in mind, Nutrition Class taught to understand the role of a proper diet in sobriety, stressing how conducive it is to sober living, & easy meal prep exercises designed to give clients the confidence of hands-on cooking as well, revamping the way patients perceive “healthy food”, highlighting the importance of a conscious diet to complement sober living. 

Kaijah, Chef

A’Kia Benbo, Case Manager

A’Kia Benbo, Case Manager

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Case Management

A’Kia Benbo, Case Manager

I lead with compassion, consciousness, and hard work. My diverse knowledge and experience in social/human services, psychology, and interpersonal relations enhances my passion and outcomes. Case Management is about making sure that clients achieve wellness and autonomy through advocacy, communication, and useful resources. This is done by creating a detailed and effective case plan that identifies their individual needs. My experience in case management has taught me how to effectively assist clients by identifying appropriate providers and facilities throughout the continuum of services. My dedicated case management and fully integrated approach has helped me be successful in helping clients create long term sustainability.  Helping our clients into recovery is my greatest mission and an unspeakable personal gratification. 

Akia Benbo Jason Harper

Julio Munoz, Counselor

Julio Munoz, Counselor

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Counselor

Julio Munoz

Julio Munoz has been with the VRC team for the last two years and in this time, he has been able to provide quality counseling services to clients with an array of difficulties. Mr. Munoz’s success stems from an understanding of providing individualized care which allows him to address underlying causes for addiction. The passion he has for substance abuse stems from personal and professional experience; thus, fostering rapport which lasts beyond treatment. These qualities make him an incredible asset to our team.

Julio Munoz Jason Harper

Vivian Dungan, RN

vivian dungan registered nurse consultant

Vivian Dungan, RN

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Detox Specialist

Vivian Dungan, RN

My name is Vivian Dungan. I am a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in addiction. The past 16 years I have worked as the Head Detox Specialist at Promises Treatment Center in Malibu and a Behavioral Health Consultant with the start-up program in West LA.

I continue to have passion for the work and for the ability to be a part the journey of recovery that I see on a daily basis. I have seen the tears and the laughter of people who can start to believe in a chance for a better tomorrow. I know I am the face they often see first and always show a face of concern and compassion. I know I have made a difference in many lives.

I love going to our family ranch in Central California where I hike the Sequoia’s and run through the orange groves and also love to travel to new places it rejuvenates me to give back to others a sense of serenity and peace.

vivian dungan registered nurse consultant

Marlee Simon, MT-BC

Marlee Simon, MT-BC

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Music Therapist

Marlee Simon, MT-BC

Marlee Simon, MT-BC is a Board-Certified Music Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. She has been with us at Valley Recovery Center since we opened our Newhall residential care facility in 2015. Music therapy allows clients to explore their recovery process in fun, safe, noninvasive, and motivating ways through music. At Valley Recovery Center, clients participate in therapeutic, music interventions—such as receptive music listening, songwriting, lyric analysis and discussion, instrumental improvisation, and music and meditation—to express themselves, connect with peers, and develop coping techniques and transferable skills for recovery. Music therapy is an accessible modality of treatment for all ages and abilities; no prior music experience or skill is necessary to participate. “Music is a universal language that be used purposefully to motive, connect, heal, and inspire people. I am passionate about helping people to discover and actualize their fullest potential. It is my passion and purpose in life to provide opportunities for people to explore their sense of self and to enhance their quality of life with music.” Marlee received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and received her Associate’s Degree in Psychology from College of the Canyons in Valencia, California. For more information about Music Therapy, visit melimusicllc.com (Meli Music LLC – Los Angeles-based music therapy services) and musictherapy.org (American Music Therapy Assocation).

marlee Jason Harper