A New Journey Eating Disorder Center – Santa Monica, California

A New Journey is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of leaders in the field of eating disorders. Our employees are empowered to make their fullest contributions to our eating disorder treatment programs, and find joy and satisfaction in their work.

Diahann Klein, MA
Executive Director

Diahann brings both her personal and professional experience to A New Journey Eating Disorder Center as executive director. She serves the community at large as an advocate, therapist, treatment consultant, and speaker. Diahann graduated cum laude from Middlebury College in Vermont, with a major in Political Science and a concentration in Music performance as a classical clarinetist & jazz saxophonist. Her personal experience with eating disorders and ensuing recovery gave Diahann the impetus to get her Master’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Prior to joining A New Journey Diahann worked extensively in politics and theater. Diahann founded and acted as President of D.J. Klein Mgmt Co., a NYC based company with an Entertainment Management Division in New York representing over 150 entertainers and a Real Estate Development Division in Connecticut. After receiving her master’s degree, she worked in various mental health settings as a therapist working with children and families. Diahann is an active member of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), and is currently the President of the Los Angeles Chapter. She is a member of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment (WAAT). Diahann currently resides in Woodland Hills, CA with her husband Tom and their daughter Piper Nicole.

Anna Schick, M.A., MFTI
Clinical Outreach Coordinator
Anna.Schick@anewjourney.net

Anna raises awareness about eating disorders specifically in the adolescent and young adult community by going into upper and middle schools as well as colleges and universities of Los Angeles and speaking with school psychologists. She also does outreach at mental health agencies as well as meeting with doctors, psychiatrists and clinicians in order to have open communication and discussions about ED. She brings with her education from Antioch University in Los Angeles where she completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Anna has experience working with adults, couples, adolescents and families from the Antioch Counseling Center. At A New Journey Anna will be utilizing her therapeutic skills in addition to her experience and her passion for treatment of eating disorders as the clinical outreach coordinator. Anna is a member of the California Association of Marriage Family Therapists (CAMFT) and also treats adults and families in a private practice in Culver City.

Prior to joining the staff Anna received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Music and Theatre from the University of Kansas, where she received a voice scholarship to study opera. She previously worked creatively at Sony Pictures Entertainment in the Motion Pictures division.

Douglas W. Brown, MA, MFT
Clinical Director, MFC #50134

As a Primary Therapist for the Partial Day Treatment Program at A New Journey, Doug works with individuals, families, and groups in a collaborative setting focusing on the psychological, emotional, and relational difficulties associated with eating disorders. Working with his clients, he strives to challenge the forces that lead them into isolation and empower them to remember forgotten aspects of their identity, bringing them closer to restoring their true self.

He holds his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a focus on Addictive Disorders from Alliant International University in Scripps Ranch. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University Of Washington in Seattle and holds certificates in the treatment of Chemical Dependency and Sex Therapy.

Prior to joining the team at A New Journey, Doug worked in a holistic medical practice in San Diego, The Center for Health and Wellbeing. Working in conjunction with physicians, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and massage therapists, he focused his attention on individuals and families struggling with the influence of substance issues and with members and the LGBT community.

Danielle Dumani, M.S., MFTI
Primary Therapist 

Working as both as lead day therapist for the Partial Day Treatment program (PDT) at A New Journey, as well as the center’s yoga teacher, Danielle (Dani) is passionate about working with clients so that they may become more aware of the link between the mind and body as they work toward recovery.  Dani is a certified yoga teacher (RYT, Yoga Alliance), with a special certificate in teaching yoga to those with eating disorders.  Dani works with clients to cultivate awareness of stagnant emotions, and believes it is vital to explore the client’s strengths and passions, so that the client may begin to catch a glimpse of life beyond his or her eating disorder.  Currently, Danielle is responsible for leading group therapy, working with individuals and families, and teaching yoga to all clients within programming.  Dani also works as a yoga teacher in several Los Angeles yoga studios.  Dani holds a B.A. from the University of San Diego in Communication Studies, where she worked for seven years in advertising, marketing and commercial real estate.  Dani left the corporate world to pursue her dream of integrating yoga and therapy, and holds an M.S. in Counseling from California State University, Northridge.  Previous to A New Journey, Dani worked in a community mental health setting, seeing court -mandated clients, individuals, children, couples, and families.

Janet Goldstein-Ball, M.S., IMFT
Primary Therapist
Janet@anewjourney.net

Janet Goldstein-Ball is a Primary Therapist who utilizes a combination of cognitive-behavioral, family systems and psychodynamic modalities in order to motivate clients to change their eating disorder behaviors and also gain insight into the deeper issues that caused them to form a maladaptive relationship with food, and often affect other areas of their lives as well. Janet holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Theater Arts/Film and previously worked in the entertainment industry before going back to school and earning a M.S. in Counseling/Marriage & Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge. She enjoys bringing her creative background into treatment by utilizing art therapy and writing assignments to help clients gain more access to their inner lives and develop the tools necessary to overcome their challenges.

Before joining A New Journey Janet worked at a couple of non-profit community clinics, an Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder program, and a non-public school for adolescents with severe emotional disorders and learning disabilities. Eating Disorders is her main area of interest as a clinician.

Angela Monette, MSW
Primary Therapist

Angela joined our team in 2011 to communicate A New Journey’s innovative treatment program at a national level. She has a background in individual and group addictions counseling, specifically with the young adult population. She received her MSW from New York University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has a passion & deep understanding when working with those who suffer from addiction, personality disorders and dual diagnosis.

Before joining A New Journey, Angela served as a Marketing Chair on the Board of Georgia School of Addiction Studies and was a case manager for Talbott Recovery Campus for 5 years. Angela is qualified to educate professionals on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and worked at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Addictive Diseases for almost three years. Adding to her expertise, she was a regional representative for Women’s Service Network for Georgia & for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.

Lauren Gasparo Anton, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian
Lauren.Anton@anewjourney.net

Lauren Gasparo Anton, MS, RD is a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders and sports nutrition. She is an active part in the community, speaking at high schools about eating disorders/ disordered eating and nutrition. She also serves on the board of the Los Angeles chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp). Lauren presented her own research as a poster board session at the 2011 Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition 2011 Symposium and the California Dietetic Association 2011 Annual Meeting. Her research involved examining the effects of intuitive/ mindful eating – based nutrition education on adolescent female cross country runners, attempting to decrease disordered eating and increase intuitive/ mindful eating. Lauren is passionate about normalizing and enhancing the eating experience and works to encourage each of her clients to “taste their food with all five senses.” Lauren also teaches the cooking classes at ANJ, where she strives to create a fun, community atmosphere while empowering each client to truly experience the food as they create meals for themselves and each other.

 

Kacy Grossman
Dietitian

Kacy currently works as a Dietitian at A New Journey. As a Dietitian she support clients at meal times and answer any dietary questions during Saturday programming. Kacy completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Davis and earned a B.S. in clinical nutrition with a minor in psychology. She completed her Masters degree at California State University Northridge. She is an active member of the American Dietetic Association.

 

Robyn Caruso, M.A., IMF
Program Coordinator
Robyn@anewjourney.net

Robyn works to communicate and coordinate all activities with each member of the treatment team. She is also responsible for communication to clients’ family members and engages them, as needed, to facilitate and strengthen recovery for the client. Robyn is instrumental in providing clients with solid aftercare plans allowing for continuity of care. She earned her B.A. in Business Economics from UCSB and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles.

Melissa Reilly, BS
Utilization Review

Melissa has worked in addictions, recovery and the behavioral health field for over 7 years. Prior to joining A New Journey she worked at Visions in human resources and operations and at Action Family Counseling in utilization review, intake and as a counselor. She has a passion for the industry and brings dependability and precision to her role at A New Journey. Melissa works directly with the insurance companies as an advocate for the clients allowing them to stay focused on their recovery. She is consistent and strong willed when dealing with insurance companies. Melissa fights hard for our clients because she believes the longer a client remains in treatment the better their chances are for recovery. She received her bachelor’s degree from Antioch University in 2009 and graduated on the dean’s list. She is working towards her master’s of Psychology.