Our Team

Samson Motavassel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the Program Director at CAST Centers. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California Los Angeles and obtained his Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Southern California. He has worked in the field of mental health and wellness in a variety of capacities since 2009 with an emphasis on treating substance use disorders and mental health issues along with a multifaceted experience in management. Samson has extensive experience in the treatment of anxiety, addiction, depression, bipolar, and other mental health disorders. His therapeutic approach is solution-focused, strengths-based, and individualized, with a passion to support clients in creating lasting change and achieving goals for wellness. As the Program Director, Samson works closely with the clinical and administrative team to foster an effective and safe environment for healing.

Sarah Leitz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the Clinical Manager at CAST Centers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies at the University of Arizona, and received her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. Sarah has worked in the mental health field since 2016, providing comprehensive therapeutic services to individuals and families in community, school, and outpatient settings. She has experience treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and a variety of mental health disorders using psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy interventions. Sarah has a collaborative, strengths based approach that focuses on concrete solutions, personal growth, and building resiliency. She is passionate about helping individuals identify their internal resources and teaching skills to promote meaningful progress towards their wellness goals. In her role as Clinical Manager, Sarah provides support to the clinical and administrative teams, and facilitates the intake and assessment process for clients entering treatment.

Jackie O’Brien, AMFT, CADC-III is a Clinical Therapist, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She received her drug and alcohol counseling certification from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Jackie is a trained and experienced coach and case manager who specializes in supporting her clients to achieve goals and strategies toward wellness.  Jackie takes pride in assisting clients in developing their road map to recovery and success. 

Patrick O’Neil, CADC-I, MFA, is the Manager of the Next Step Coaching Program, a Cast Centers Group facilitator, and an experienced Addiction Drug and Alcohol counselor (CDAC-I). Patrick has worked in the recovery field in various capacities since 2003. He is a published author of two memoirs and a creative writing teacher who believes in the power of story as a life-saving tool in recovery. Through embracing his own creative process, he has recognized that nurturing and cultivating one’s passion and purpose is an integral and essential part of the recovery process.

Amanda Ebersberger, AMFT, APCC is a clinical therapist at CAST Centers. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Working with individuals and families of all ages, Amanda has provided therapeutic services within private practice, school settings, and community mental health agencies. She is passionate about providing a safe space for her clients to explore their personal experiences, working together on developing strategies to support the client’s goals on their journey while at Cast Centers. Amanda treats anxiety and depression utilizing various approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance, commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, and psychodynamic modalities.

Dr. William D. Stanley received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. He has worked in Internal Medicine for the majority of his professional life both inpatient and outpatient. He started Parkside Medical Assoc, PA in Trenton, NJ, employing 4 physicians.

Dr. Craig V. Smith, M.D. is a former organ transplant surgeon, who now dedicates his
practice to addiction medicine. He received his M.D. degree from the UCLA School of
Medicine. Dr. Smith then completed his general surgical residency at Harbor-UCLA
medical center and his multi-organ transplant surgical fellowship at the University of
Pittsburgh medical center. He returned to UCLA medical center to start his career in
academic transplant surgery, performing transplants, and teaching students and residents
while also conducting research on transplantation for the treatment of diabetes. During
his academic career as an associate professor of surgery, Dr. Smith performed more than
500 organ transplants at UCLA, UC Irvine, and the City of Hope National Medical
Center.

Since alcohol and drug use are leading causes of organ damage leading to the need for a
transplant, Dr. Smith learned about addiction by listening to his patients. More
importantly, since a requirement to receive an organ transplant is abstinence from using
alcohol and drugs, Dr. Smith learned about recovery from listening to his patients. After
listening over the years, pursuing self-study, and continuing medical education in the field
of addiction, in 2009 Dr. Smith decided to dedicate his career to addiction medicine.

Dr. Smith is board certified in Addiction Medicine by both the American Board of
Preventive Medicine and the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Cecelia Mylett, Clinical Consultant, has extensive experience and skills in the development, delivery, and administration of outpatient Behavioral Health Care Services. Dr. Mylett is the former Executive/Clinical Director of Cast Centers, an outpatient IOP and PHP Addiction/Mental Health organization, and previous Director of Kaiser Permanente’s Outpatient Psychiatry Department for Los Angeles Sunset and Pasadena Outpatient Clinics. Dr. Mylett also provides clinical services/consultation to adults, couples, families, counselors, groups, and organizations using her extensive training in evidence-based treatment practices along with executive coaching skills based in cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, positive psychology, crisis intervention, organizational dynamics, and the clinical application of mindfulness meditation. Her teaching experience includes the UCLA Family Dynamics Counseling Skills Extension course for the Alcohol and Drug Certificate program in addition to UCLA’s Co-occurring Disorders course for Addiction Professionals for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Dr. Mylett has been a clinical field instructor for the MSW USC and UCLA graduate internship program for the past 13 years. She received her MSW graduate degree from the University of Southern California in clinical social work, doctorate of Psychology from Ryokan College, postgraduate training at the Tavistock Institute, and completed Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government Leadership program, and is a recipient of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Leadership Award.

Jorge E. Rodriguez M.D (“Dr. Jorge”), Medical Consultant for CAST Centers, is a medical doctor with a specialization in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterologist. He is the proud author of two best-selling books: The Acid Reflux Solution and The Diabetes Solution. Dr. Jorge can often be found as a medical expert on various media outlets including CNN, The Doctors, The View, The Today Show and many others.