Eden Treatment Team

Home » Eden Treatment Team

• 
  Mendi Baron, LCSWFounder/CEO

  Mendi is a passionate advocate for teens and young adults in the fields of mental health and addiction. Baron creates programs to bring a unique approach to the treatment of adolescents and young adults who are struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders and substance abuse issues. Clinically trained, Baron earned a BA with honors in psychology and social work at the University of Maryland and an MSW at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

  His extensive experience as a therapist includes individual and group counseling for children, adolescents, and families in various settings. Gaining insight and experience, he has worked at several treatment centers including the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Chabad Crisis Centers, and the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change.

  Before launching Eden Treatment Center, Mendi conceived and built, from the ground up, multiple successful, high end adolescent residential and outpatient programs in Los Angeles. Mendi has appeared on the Dr. Phil show, is regularly featured in mental health and addiction publications, and speaks around the country in person and on Tv/Radio on these topics. With his newest ventures, Mendi instills a rare blend of energy, creativity, and experience to the treatment of teens, young adults, and their families struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The son of a Rabbi, eldest of 11 children, is a part-time rock musician, boxer, cantor, and father of three.

• 
  Dr. Sid KhuranaMedical Director

  Dr. Khurana is board certified from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry and board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Virginia where he served as Chief Fellow for the division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He believes his training in Child and Family Psychiatry helped him understand the developmental contexts enabling him to understand, relate to and effectively treat children, youth and adults.

  He specializes in the treatment of bipolar disorder, PTSD and ADHD. He has an extensive background and experience in working with clients with a history of complex trauma, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. His research interests include autism spectrum disorders, tourette’s disorder, and ADHD. He is affiliated with Tourro University for Medical education, as well as actively involved in teaching and supervision of UNLV Psychiatry residents and Child Psychiatry fellows. Dr. Khurana practices using the bio-psychosocial model of psychiatric disorders and applies elements of the cognitive behavioral approach during his medication management visits.

• 
  Jessica Elbe, LCSWExecutive Clinical Director

  Jessica obtained her master’s degree in social work from Loyola University in Chicago, IL and is a licensed clinical social worker. She has served previously as COO and Interim Chief Executive Officer within the Acadia Healthcare system. She has a background in providing leadership and therapy in inpatient and residential treatment settings, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and non-profit organizations.

  Jessica has provided individual, family, and group therapy to all age ranges. Her specialties include treating those with co-occurring disorders, including, but not limited to those who suffer from abnormal thinking and/or perceptions, and mood, anxiety, personality, substance use, and eating disorders. She is EMDR trained and utilizes a range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused, internal family systems, 12-steps, and motivational therapy.

  Additionally, Jessica provided crisis counseling and executive coaching to those affected by 1 October, the shootings that took place at the Route 91 Music Festival, and other tragic mass casualty situations that took place within the greater Las Vegas community.

• 
  Rabbi Levi And Mrs. Nechama HarligJewish Services

  Rabbi Levi And Mrs. Nechama Harlig are part of Chabad of Southern Nevada and provide supportive spiritual and educational services for the clients in the Ignite Jewish Rehab Track. In addition to our fully kosher facility, the Harlig family provides education, guidance, family support, Shabbat goodies, a local synagogue, and general Jewish warmth for our clients.

• 
  Chelsea ClarkeRegistered Dietitian

  Chelsea is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Personal Trainer. She received her Master's in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Her interest in food and nutrition initially began in studying the relationship between agriculture and climate change, and she received her B.S. in Environmental Science and International Agriculture at Cornell University.

  Chelsea's approach to nutrition is to meet clients where they are at, guiding them forward step-by-step, and addressing obstacles and barriers to change as they come. Together, she works with clients to challenge food beliefs, build a well-rounded nutritional knowledge base, and identify long-lasting motivations to foster recovery and develop a healthy relationship with food and the body.

  Outside of her nutrition therapy work, Chelsea loves to read, travel, and tackle new skills that challenge her brain and her body, like teaching herself how to longboard, practicing self-defense techniques, or learning new skills on aerial ropes.

• 
  Tiffany BalesProgram Director

  Tiffany Bales obtained her Bachelor’s in Science degree in Psychology from Utah State
  University, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Social Work from University
  of Nevada, Reno. Tiffany has five years’ experience working in mental health and
  addictions as a case manager, with three years in a leadership role. She has been
  working within the Las Vegas community for the past four years specializing in
  community resources and outreach, and is an advocate for individuals and families.

• 
  Yoni BanayanLead Therapist

  Yoni Banayan received his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide. Yoni has worked in numerous mental health facilities, including drop-in sites, school settings, support groups and outpatient clinics as well as residential treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient centers for the treatment of eating disorders. Yoni has worked with both eating disorders and addictions nationally.

  Yoni finds it meaningful to connect with his clients in a very authentic and personal way. His approach as a therapist is eclectic, allowing him to utilize a mix of a client-centered therapeutic setting along with internal family systems, family systems, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, psychodrama and somatic experiencing. Most importantly, Yoni believe that connection, respect and healing is a natural process of life and a human value more than it is a profession.

• 
  Angela Amoia, E-RYT 500, Ph.D.Mind Body Wellness Guide

  Angela is a Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga & Meditation Leader and holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Arizona. Angela was also the founding Director of Yoga TruFusion Summerlin and is a mentor with the Africa Yoga Project Programs, including a trauma-informed Well Being Program in Rwanda.

  Originally from Upstate New York, Angela first stepped foot onto her mat in Tucson AZ in 2002 and, unknowingly that day, began a journey that would transform her life off the mat…a journey that led her out of suicidal depression and anxiety, created an empowered leader, and has given her a community and everlasting friendships…a journey that has collectively led to connection and freedom within herself and with others. And in return today, coming from openness, empathy and compassion, she holds space for you to discover the same.

  Angela is honored to share her passion of emotional awareness & regulation, body awareness, and connection of body, mind and heart with the community at Eden Treatment Center.

• 
  Diane PolonskyChef

  Chef Diane has been preparing meals for families for over 30 years, as well as gourmet catering for groups of 10 to 200 the Las Vegas valley. Originally from California, Chef Diane’s cuisine ranges from California continental, classic Jewish, Mexican, Italian, American, to Persian and Chinese. She loves using the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with embracing the flavors of international grains such as quinoa, multi-grain rice, couscous, and pasta. Being a part of the Jewish community, she prides herself on her Kosher lifestyle as well as her diversity in cultures which shows in her love for cooking, flavors, and foods.

• 
  Alexandra ReynoldsAdmissions Director

  Alexandra studied Psychology at California State University of Channel Islands, graduating with her Bachelor Degree in 2009.

  After her personal experience in treatment, Alexandra felt called to help individuals in their recovery journey in residential treatment. Believing that personal experience in recovery is unlike any other, Alexandra has a true passion for helping individuals who are struggling.

  Before moving into the field of treatment for eating disorder 5 years ago, Alexandra worked in the field of behavioral intervention for over six years and is trained in crisis intervention and prevention.
  In her free time, Alexandra has volunteered at the Mariposa, a program designed for women and children who were victims of domestic violence.