Clinical & Therapeutic Staff
Jim Powell, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
As Clinical Director, Dr. Powell is responsible for clinical assessment, therapy and crisis management. He is directly involved in the admissions process and participates in referral relations and parent communications. Dr. Powell works closely with Benchmark’s Primary Coaching staff throughout the course of all students’ master treatment plans. Dr. Powell has been licensed as a psychotherapist to practice in the state of California since 1979 and is also licensed to practice in the state of Idaho. From 1977-1987, Dr. Powell had a private practice, specializing in adolescents, located in Orange, California. He also served as Clinical Director of Brea Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in Brea, California, during that time. From 1988-2003 he served as Clinical Director of CEDU Mountain Schools, in Running Springs, California. In 2004, Dr. Powell established Powell & Elliott Collaborative, an independent company focused on supporting therapeutic schools and programs. Most recently, Dr. Powell served as Clinical Director for an outdoor wilderness program in Northern Idaho.
Romana Zvereva, M.D.
Addictions Psychiatrist
Dr. Zvereva is an Addiction Psychiatrist, Board-Certified in general and addiction psychiatry, as well as ASAM Certified in Addiction Medicine with a private practice in Los Angeles. Dr. Zvereva specializes in performing comprehensive psychiatric consultations of dually diagnosed patients and developing treatment strategies based on evidence-based practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapies, motivational interviewing, utilizing 12-step involvement and pharmacological management.
William Nelson, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. William Nelson is a licensed Psychologist with 30 years of experience in working with adolescents and young adults. After being the clinical director at a large residential facility for abused children, he has been in private practice in Redlands for 28 years. He specializes in adolescent and young adult problems, including addiction, ADHD, learning disabilities, psychiatric and mood disorders. University of California trained, he has published articles in the areas of developmental Psychology, cross cultural Psychology, abuse and treatment. His orientation is Cognitive Behavioral and he has taken advanced workshops with Dr. David Burns (author of "Feeling Good" and the leading practitioner of Cognitive therapy) as well as extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Addictions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other current, evidence-based therapeutics. He has been recognized as an expert witness in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties and has done evaluations for The California Youth Authority, Riverside County, San Bernardino Child Protective Services, San Bernardino and Riverside County District Attorney’s offices, Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center, San Bernardino State University, The University of Redlands, and other public and private agencies. Dr. Nelson has worked with Benchmark Transitions for twelve years providing therapy and evaluations. Dr. Nelson will provide neuropsychological testing as needed for Benchmark Transitions students.
Linda Lucas, LMFT
Therapist
Linda has 23 years experience in working with adolescents and young adults in residential settings. She has delivered private, therapeutic services to Benchmark students for over two years. She is the mother of a 14 year old son. Linda enjoys gardening, scrap-booking and reading mystery novels.
Daniel F. Casella, M.A., M.F.T., C.H.T.
Therapist
Daniel F. Casella, MA, MFT, CHT, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California at Riverside, March, 1980. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology, July, 1984, from International College, Los Angeles, California. Mr. Casella was granted a Marriage and Family Therapist license by the State of California, July, 1986. In June, 1987, Dan obtained Board of Behavioral Sciences certification as a Clinical Hypnotherapist. He has thirty years of childcare, social work and outpatient psychotherapy experience in the Inland Empire. He specializes in the elimination of habit disorders, e.g., addictions, as well as parent-effectiveness and enrichment/enhancement of relationships. Mr. Casella assists the young adults at Benchmark Transitions in enhancing their relationships with family, peers, and business associates in order to maximize life potential.
Jon Stiansen, M.S., LMFT
Therapist
Jon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has experience providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and their families in the following settings: psychiatric hospital, boarding school, church, foster care, group homes, and private practice. Jon has specialized in the treatment of child abuse and substance abuse and has worked extensively with referrals from the Department of Children Services and Probation. Currently he also coordinates and administers mental health services for a medical clinic providing care to over 800 HIV positive patients.
Leslie Bloom, M.A., Clinical Psychology
LMFT Intern
Leslie holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from California Polytechnic University Pomona. Leslie began her work providing mental health services to school based children with behavioral issues. She moved on to provide mental health services to incarcerated youth, youth who are placed on probation for various offenses and children and youth who are placed in various foster family agencies. Leslie has worked in the field as a social worker monitoring the progress of children placed within the foster family setting. Leslie's supervisory experience includes working as a Clinical director for a 144 bed probation placement, supervising social workers at various foster family agencies and being an administrator of a group home for at risk youth. Leslie has raised three children and currently lives with her youngest daughter in Alta Loma. On her days off, Leslie enjoys riding horses, going to the beach and gardening.
Susan Griffin, M.A., MFT-Intern
Therapist/Intern
Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. Susan is currently a MFT-Intern, working at Benchmark to complete hours for licensure. Susan has worked with adolescent girls at an eating disorders treatment center. While there, Susan attained a position of Body Image Specialist. In this position she managed groups, individual sessions and family sessions around body image. Susan also has experience working with a family service agency providing therapy for individuals, couples, families and children dealing with a wide range of issues. While working at Benchmark, Susan will be facilitating the body image group and practicing individual therapy. Susan is married and lives with her husband and young daughter in Lake Arrowhead, California. Susan enjoys the opportunity to be a part-time stay at home mom and also enjoys baking.
