Our Team

Group CEO

Angel Piper, MSW, LCSW

CEO

Anna Ciulla, LMHC, LCPC, LPCC, LPC, RD, LD

Anna has been in the behavioral health space for over two decades, serving as an Executive, Mental Health Counselor, and Dietitian. With a strong focus on helping clients identify and unpack traumas and core issues, she relies on experience, passion, and dedication to drive strong outcomes and a meaningful client experience.

Anna is a three-time CEO who has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Marymount College, a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and is licensed in multiple states.

DBT Trainer & Program Consultant

Charlie Swenson, MD

Dr. Charlie Swenson graduated from Harvard College and Yale Medical School. He joined the faculty of Cornell University Medical College in 1982, where for five years he directed a long-term psychoanalytically oriented inpatient program for patients with personality disorders, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Beginning in 1987, Dr. Swenson developed and directed inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment programs for patients with BPD based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In 1990 and 1993, he was voted Teacher of the Year by the psychiatric residents. While at Cornell, he served as a DBT trainer and consultant throughout the United States and Europe, coordinating statewide implementation of DBT in the public sectors of Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Dr. Swenson has published widely on the treatment of borderline patients, including the following articles: “A comparison of Kernberg’s psychoanalytic approach to that of DBT” (1989), “The inpatient application of DBT” (2001), “Identifying the factors leading to DBT’s popularity” (2001), and “The barriers and strategies for implementing DBT in community mental health centers” (2002).

From 1997 to the present, he has been associate professor of clinical psychiatry for the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and from 1997 to 2001 he served as area medical director for the western Massachusetts area of the Department of Mental Health.

Since September 2010, Dr. Swenson has had a part-time private practice and worked with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. He serves as the senior psychiatrist for the western Massachusetts and central Massachusetts areas of the Department of Mental Health, doing community-based clinical consultations and working to strengthen implementations of evidence-based practices in the community mental health system. Additionally, Dr. Swenson serves as a senior trainer and senior consultant for Behavioral Tech, LLC, Marsha Linehan’s training institute.

Dr. Swenson, along with another trainer, provided intensive training to members of Clearview’s DBT team through Behavioral Tech in Northampton, Mass. Currently, Dr. Swenson works with members of Clearview’s extensive DBT team to provide consultation in the areas of program development, staff training, and the provision of clinical services.

Medical Director

Brian Benjamin, DO

Dr. Brian Benjamin completed his psychiatry training at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Program. He trained in several specialized programs at Sheppard Pratt, including The Trauma Disorders Unit, The Center for Eating Disorders, and The Retreat. He also received extensive training in addiction medicine, including working on Sheppard Pratt’s Dual Diagnosis Unit, the University of Maryland’s Addiction Consult Service, and worked in multiple dedicated outpatient addiction programs. He had the opportunity to train at the Baltimore VA and received specialized training and certification in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, integrative behavioral couples therapy, and dynamic psychotherapy. Following residency, Dr. Benjamin worked as an attending psychiatrist at Springfield State Hospital in Maryland where he served a primarily forensic population. When the COVID-19 outbreak began Dr. Benjamin served as the sole psychiatrist running the COVID/Admissions unit for patients transferred from the jail system.

Dr. Benjamin currently does community and street medicine work with a DMH-funded non-profit in Los Angeles that focuses on treating the unhoused community. His work with this program has been featured in multiple news articles. Dr. Benjamin also serves as a supervising psychiatrist, training UCLA psychiatry residents on their community psychiatry rotation, and is on medical staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

At Clearview, Dr. Benjamin serves as a psychiatrist, treating clients across all residential programs. He utilizes his training in addiction and trauma-focused work to develop comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluations and treatment plans for clients. Dr. Benjamin works closely with clients throughout their stay, providing ongoing psychopharmacological management, supportive psychotherapy, and collaboration with the rest of the treatment team.

Director of Clinical Services | Residential Treatment Programs

Selene Cervantes, MS, LMFT

Selene is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Selene received her B.A. Degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and her M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Lutheran University. During her graduate program, she specialized in Attachment Theory, which she has used to guide her work through gaining a deeper understanding and solid foundational knowledge of the development of affect regulation, interpersonal relationships, and the emergence of ineffective coping strategies. Selene has comprehensive experience and understanding in working with individuals and their families using evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Selene comes from a background working in outpatient, private, and residential care settings where she has gained experience in working with individuals with a wide range of presenting concerns, ages, and cultural experiences. Her goal is to provide a client-centered and humanistic approach to help guide clients in building a life worth living. Selene believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship as the primary vessel for change and, therefore, is passionate about building authentic, supportive, and non-judgmental relationships.

As a California native, Selene enjoys visiting the beach, hiking, and even snowboarding. In her free time, you are likely to find her spending time with her cat, trying new restaurants, traveling, and indulging in sweets!

Director of Operations | Residential Treatment Programs

Leilani Le

Leilani received a Bachelor’s in Psychology at California State Fullerton. Previously, she worked in operations servicing accounts with prominent banks. She pursued a passion for yoga and became a certified yoga instructor, where she found herself collaborating with an investor and started a yoga company. Leilani sought to integrate her operational experience and passion for helping others and started as a volunteer at Clearview. She went from volunteer to being hired as a Program Aide, then Program Manager, and ultimately Director of Residential Operations.

As the Director of Residential Operations, she oversees operations for the Women’s Center and Dual Diagnosis programs. Leilani is committed to her team and ensuring that the clients receive excellent care. Leilani continued her studies in alcohol and drug abuse counseling and still furthers her education.

If you don’t find Leilani at Clearview or in a textbook, you can find her exploring foodie spots, traveling, skydiving, bungee jumping, caving, river rafting, kayaking, or looking for another adventure.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | Residential Treatment Programs

Kate Shantar, PMHNP-BC

Kate is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, having received a Masters Degree from Drexel University specializing in Psychiatry.  Kate earned a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Johns Hopkins University, graduating with honors.  She subsequently practiced at the Johns Hopkins Hospital on the solid-organ transplant unit and practiced for 3 years on the pediatric & adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, concurrently co-directing the Johns Hopkins psychiatric partial hospitalization program.  She then practiced for 3 years at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles in Clinical Immunology and Allergy before specializing in her true passion, psychiatry.  Kate has practiced psychiatry in many settings in Los Angeles, including residential treatment centers, mental health supportive living facilities, and individualized mental health coaching.  She is currently the Director of Psychiatric Services at a supportive living facility and serves the community in private practice.  Before becoming pursuing medicine, Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University, served in the United States Peace Corps, and worked extensively with children with special needs.

Lead Therapist| Residential Treatment Programs

Lauren Crane, ACSW

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist | Residential Treatment Programs

Colby Long, MA

Colby Long, MA, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who brings a compassionate and holistic approach to mental health and addiction treatment. With a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Pepperdine University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, Colby has additional training in psychodynamic and group psychotherapy. As a former Fulbright Scholar, he offers a unique global perspective in his practice, specializing in substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Colby utilizes various modalities including attachment theory, DBT, CBT, and IFS, and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention. His extensive experience in residential treatment settings allows him to provide a calm, non-judgmental space for clients to explore integrity and self-fulfillment, tailoring his integrative approach to each individual’s needs. Colby promotes the idea that engaging with nature can significantly improve mental health. As a lifelong surfer, he finds profound joy and connection in spending his free time riding the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Behavioral Technician Program Supervisor | Residential Treatment Programs

Linda Ihesiaba, BS, HCM

Linda Ihesiaba-Oliver, started her journey into healthcare by initially pursuing a degree in nursing. During that time, she became certified as a CNA and In-home Health Care Provider. Within the course of her undergraduate education pursuit, Linda accepted a job as a program coordinator for elementary school students. Though this occupation was not in the healthcare sector, Linda learned that she had an intuitive passion to be of service to others while also gaining valuable experience with program supervision, budget management, and creation of operating procedures. Linda rerouted her education direction and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare management from Cal State Dominguez Hills, with an induction into the Alpha Eta Honor Society for her high gpa.

In 2021 after completing maternity leave Linda decided to pursue a job opportunity more aligned with her college degree. Linda began working at Clearview as a program aid and while in that position she contributed to expanding programmatic systems and staff camaraderie. After six months Linda was promoted to Shift Supervisor, and prides herself in guiding staff to understand more about emotional intelligence and uses it in conflict resolution, crises management and client engagement. Some of these skills can be attributed to Linda’s self-care journey and attending mindfulness workshops.

Linda feels coming to work at Clearview is the most fulfilling part of her days aside from being a full-time mother to her son. Linda is devoted to the notion of family and on her days off she spends it enjoying game nights with her family, karaoke with friends and watching movies with her husband and son.

Chef | Residential Treatment Programs

Johanna Lawrence

Johanna Uy Lawrence was born in Cebu, Philippines, and became interested in cooking at a very young age. Her parents own several famous restaurants in the Philippines, and she was always fascinated with the chefs in the kitchen.

After graduating from culinary school, Johanna had the opportunity to train with some of the best chefs in Cebu. Once she moved to the United States, she worked in restaurants as a chef and later for a personal chef, where she learned the ins and outs of the business.

As a personal chef, she has worked in homes and at television and movie studios. She was also a finalist on “Guy’s Grocery Games” on the Food Network.

At Clearview, Johanna cooks meals for clients in the residential treatment programs. She loves nothing more than to make clients happy through her food.

Alumni Relations Coordinator and Client Services Representative

Penelope Core