OUR TEAM

Zara Gemilyan

Director of Admissions

Zara has applied her cutting-edge supportive techniques, dedication, and years of personal experience in her role as director of admissions.

Ara Gemilyan

Chief Executive Officer

Ara leverages his entrepreneurial spirit,
diverse experience, and passion for helping people as the leader of West Valley Detox.

Nzinga Garvey, MBA

Executive Director

Nzinga’s career path is one of fearless transitions leading her to be a substantive agent of change in the behavioral health space.

Jason Hymes, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Hymes is the Medical Director of Conservative Care Specialists Medical Group, Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Neda Javaherian, MD

Psychiatrist

Dr. Javaherian specializes in the treatment of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder and addiction through medication management. Completed her training at the University of Southern California Medical Center.

Michelle King, LMFT

Clinical Director

Michelle is a dedicated psychotherapist specializing in trauma, addiction, anxiety, and relationships. EMDR Certified Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Background in education and nonprofits.  

Brittany Bell

Case Manager

Dedicated, caring, and a strong advocate for our clients; Brittany brings a wealth of experience to her role at West Valley. She is currently completing her doctorate at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

Max Chesnoff

Director of Human Resources

Max comes equipped with an extensive background in Human Resources, Operations, and Administration. He offers a tremendous amount of support and knowledge for West Valley Detox to run smoothly and effectively.

Byron Miller

Executive Chef

Byron’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen. He studied at the Los Angeles Technical Culinary Program. Career highlights include working behind the scenes on TV cooking shows, such as Cutthroat Kitchen. Byron believes in the healing power of food and uses it to help clients in their recovery journey.

Carli Keller

Alumni Coordinator & Resident Advisor

Carli is passionate about helping clients suffering from substance abuse disorders. She works closely with our clients as part of her resident advisor role. She also applies her strong communication skills to connect former clients into our vibrant alumni network.

Sarah Vick, LMT, CADC II

Group Facilitator

Sarah specializes in mindfulness, meditation, somatic trauma resolution, and creates space for her clients to access their own personal spiritually.

Greg Johnson

Licensed Spiritual Practitioner + Sober VIP Mentor

Greg speaks speaks the language of Spiritual Recovery and knows how to connect with those in need of his message. With over 1,000 hours of coaching, facilitating and speaking, his dynamic energy is both captivating and inspiring; transforming lives.

Lesleigh J. Tolin, MS

Facilitator

Lesleigh is a heart-driven entrepreneur and the owner of Healing Hearts International. Certified by the Grief Recovery Institute, she is an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist. 

Marco “Blitch” Vizioli, STB/MDiv, CRC, CIP, RADT

Spiritual Advisor

Marco “Blitch” is an interfaith substance abuse counselor, interventionist, lay chaplain, and graduate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas/ Angelicum in Rome, Italy.

Lindsay Kaye, CPT

Group Facilitator + Fitness Trainer

Lindsay is a group facilitator and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) for IOP, detox and sober living in the L.A. and Ventura areas. She has helped to keep people sober for over six years, and has been a trainer for 13+ years.

Learn more
@lindsaykayfitnesstrainer

Dustin Mesick, RDN

Dietitian + Nutritionist

Dustin is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) with clinical experience in hospitals, treatment centers, as well as community nutrition and private practice. He uses a client-centered approach based on individual lifestyle goals.