Our Staff
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Dr. Reef Karim
Executive Director |
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Dr. Reef Karim is a board certified psychiatrist and board certified addiction medicine specialist. He is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and conducts research at UCLA on diagnostic criteria and treatment modalities for impulse control disorders and chemical addictions. Dr Reef is also the founder and medical director of “The Control Center” also known as “The Beverly Hills Center for Self Control & Lifestyle Addictions” which is a new, cutting edge, integrated outpatient treatment center for behavioral addictions, relationship therapy and prescription drug abuse utilizing specialty therapy, spiritual practice, nutritional therapy and medical management. Dr. Reef has also served as a medical consultant to many rehab facilities specializing in addiction including “Wonderland” and “Summit Centers”.
Dr. Reef has lectured on the subjects of addiction, dating & relationships and mental health both nationally and internationally and, in utilizing the media as a form of community outreach, he’s been a guest on many television shows including: “Oprah”, “Larry King Live”, “Anderson Cooper 360”, “The Today Show”, “O’Reilly Factor”, “CNN Headline News”, “Chelsea Lately” and many others. Dr. Reef is also active in several community outreach programs working with the Red Cross after 9/11; working with physicians in India after the Tsunami and he’s currently working with the “Depression is Real Coalition”, “Entertainment Industry Council” and “Mental Health America”. |
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Jill Vermeire
Sex & Love Addiction Director |
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Jill Vermeire is an experienced, licensed, sex and love addiction therapist who recently completed production of the new show “Sex Rehab” with Dr. Drew. Jill was the primary treatment provider, on the show, to help sex and love addicts understand their illness and ultimately begin the healing process. After receiving her Masters in Clinical Psychology (Pepperdine University) she began her practice and gained licensure. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC #41255) she can treat a diverse clientele, ranging across socio-economic, ethnic, and gender lines. Her specialties include sexual desire & intimacy, addictions (sex & love, drug & alcohol, eating, shopping, etc.), grief & loss, depression, trauma, women’s issues, and life transitions.
Currently, Jill Vermeire is working as the Director of Sex & Love Addiction at the Beverly Hills Center for Self Control & Lifestyle Addictions also known as “The Control Center” led by Psychiatrist & Addiction Specialist, Dr. Reef Karim.
Jill’s clinical background stems from her work at various treatment centers and organizations in Southern California and Arizona, including Promises, The Meadows, Clearview, The Sexual Recovery Institute, and Visions Adolescent Treatment Programs. She has had the honor to study and train with some of the best clinicians in the field including: Patrick Carnes, Pia Mellody, David Schnarch and Esther Perel. |
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Deborah Sweet, Psy.D.
Shopping Addiction Therapist
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Deborah Sweet is a therapist who has helped individuals and business owners with their issues around spending and financial recovery since 1997. As a compulsive shopping expert, Dr. Sweet offers a gentle yet direct approach regarding resistance and motivation around money, saving and shopping. She understands what it is like to be out of control with money. In addition to psychological help, she offers practical tools on how to deal with money, shopping and financial resources. She is an active member of the American Psychological Association, CPA, LACPA, and the Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment. Deborah’s theoretical orientation blends Cognitive Behavioral, Somatic Experiencing and Solution-Focused modalities |
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Dr. Eric Geffner
Gambling Specialist
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Dr. Eric Geffner is a clinical psychologist and specialist in the treatment of impulse control disorders with an emphasis on pathological gambling disorders since 1998. He is a board member of the California Council on Problem Gambling and he’s directed their therapist training and certification program for many years. As a gambling treatment specialist, he was also involved in the initial phases of establishing the funding priorities for the California Office on Problem Gambling which exists within the Department of Mental Health. Dr. Geffner has treated hundreds of gamblers and their families and he utilizes a comprehensive blend of cognitive-behavioral, educational and psychodynamic approaches in assisting an individual suffering from gambling addiction. He’s published several research articles and has provided his expertise to both clinicians and the media. |
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Gauri Brienda
Spiritual Therapist
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Gauri Brienda is a certified mind-body specialist, yoga therapist, spiritual counselor and wellness advocate. Born in New Delhi, India, she is a third generation East Indian Yoga Practitioner. She brings to the profession over 10 years of experience customizing the ancient practice of yoga/meditation as a form of addressing self-control, anxiety, depression, relationship intimacy, stress/anger/weight management, eating disorders, and PTSD. Her approach integrates the body, mind and spirit, inspiring her clients to take on their healing process as a lifestyle. Gauri’s experience and training, combined with her professional, savvy, and approachable demeanor, creates an engaging bridge between the ancient Eastern philosophies and modern medical science. Gauri holds a degree in Communications with a focus in Human Development from DePaul University. In addition, she holds a variety of credentials in the Eastern and Western health and healing arts, including RYT500 Yoga Alliance and AFAA Personal Trainer. |
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Robyn L. Goldberg, R.D.
Director of Nutrition Services
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Robyn began her career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as the inpatient dietitian in the Department of Cardiology. She currently works in Beverly Hills, CA, where she specializes in medical, psychiatric and self control conditions, disordered eating, and preventative nutrition as well as athletes maximizing optimal nutrition.
Additionally, she serves as a Nutrition Consultant for the Celiac Foundation. Robyn is a contributing author and has been quoted in various publications such as Shape and Fitness, BH Weekly and Todays Dietitian. For the last eight years Robyn was the Nutritional Counselor for the Susan Krevoy Eating Disorders Program at The Wright Institute Los Angeles.. |
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Sara Barthol
Sex Addiction Therapist
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Sara Barthol is a psychotherapist with an extensive history of providing sex addiction, general addiction and mental health therapeutic services including assessment, individual, group and family therapy. She has worked as an inpatient psychotherapist at Malibu rehab centers and she trained and worked as an individual and group psychotherapist at the Sexual Recovery Institute for over 10 years. Sara’s work in sex addiction includes conducting assessments and working with couples and individuals to stabilize and control their impulses while building their coping skills. She has an Associate of Sex Education from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality and she is a licensed clinical social worker. She also has a small private practice in which see works with adults.
License # is LCS 18733. |
Additional Staff Include:
Couples & Relationship Therapist
Chinese Medicine Physician
Accupuncturist
General AddictionTherapist
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