Born in Steubenville, Ohio, Alan moved more than 30 times, living in 8 states and 2 countries. The challenge of adapting to new geographic settings and a variety of communities fostered his curiosity about human relationships and the dynamics of individual behavior.

Alan received a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion and Philosophy, with a minor in History, from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. His unquenched curiosity led him to pursue a Doctorate of Ministry from Claremont School of Theology, where he received a Master of Divinity degree, focusing on Pastoral Counseling. In 1978, Alan moved to Westlake Village to work with the Westlake United Methodist Church. There, he established a thriving youth ministry program, developed youth curriculum and deepened his love for pastoral counseling.

In 1981, Alan left the church to found Conejo Counseling Center, a multidisciplinary counseling center, offering psychological services to individuals and families throughout the greater Los Angeles area. As managing partner, he navigated the practice through 15 years of community service. Two years into his counseling practice, he perceived a gap in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse. Alan and one of his partners created Be Free—a revolutionary and comprehensive outpatient program for teens and their families. Under his direction, Be Free grew to 5 offices in 4 cities, and provided services to more than 2000 people.

To fortify and update his education in psychology, Alan returned to California Lutheran University to earn a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family in 1991, and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. By 1993, his commitment to the efficacy of integrated comprehensive treatment led him to establish the Ludington Institute for Family Enrichment (LIFE). He now specializes in providing services to couples and families.

Alan is a member of American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, American Psychotherapy Association, as well as several local organizations. He has received honors and awards from California for Drug Free Youth, Rotary International Foundation, Who’s Who Among American Professionals, various school boards, and Ventura County Drug and Alcohol Commission. He has published magazine articles, appeared on local television and radio, and consulted with corporations and major universities in the Los Angeles area. He has also recorded a series of CDs focused on marriage and family management issues.

Alan has been married to Peggy for over 22 years. They have two sons, both university students.

Born in San Fernando, California, the youngest of four brothers, Ron Sharpshair lived out his childhood in the same family home. At the age of 8, he lost his father to a sudden heart attack. Ron’s desire to become a veterinarian carried him through the turbulence. Ultimately, his interests shifted. He secured a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge and went on to obtain his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University.

With schooling complete, Ron relocated to Florida to advance his specialized training in substance abuse and addiction. Prior to joining LIFE, he worked at and managed adolescent inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, as well as adult inpatient chemical dependency and dual diagnosis treatment units. Subsequently, Ron accepted a position with one of the nation’s largest behavioral health care companies. His responsibilities included the management, credentialing, training and direction of thousands of licensed professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed LCSWs and MFTs), hospitals, and health care facilities in the five western states. After 7 years as the director of network management, Ron left corporate America. He rejoined his friend and mentor, Al Ludington, with whom he had previously trained. Ron has been working with LIFE for 12 years and became a Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist in 1990.

Ron specializes in addiction treatment intervention, family and couples counseling, and individual therapy. He has extensive experience in crisis intervention, critical incident stress debriefing and emergency psychiatric treatment. His expertise and training in trauma, acute stress disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder protocols include state-of-the-art trauma modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), hypnosis and mind-body integration work. He also conducts management and employee trainings.

Ron has been married to Carrie for over 22 years. They have two sons, both planning to attend college and pursue their dreams.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Risa Gruberger comes from a close-knit family. A career in education was her earliest dream. Graduating from California State University, Northridge, Risa spent over 20 years working as a teacher and administrator. Her continuing interest in education, along with work experience as a teacher and youth group advisor, propelled her into a Master’s program at the University of Judaism. She went on to become a school principal and joined the educational staff at the University of Judaism, Fingerhut School of Education.

At the University, Risa developed a graduate-level course in teacher training, classroom management and problem solving. She served as Director of the Whizin Institute for Jewish Family Life, where she led a team of nationally recognized Jewish family educators that formalized the field of Family education. Risa then became the Dean of the University of Judaism’s graduate school in Education. While at the University, Risa’s fascination with psychology grew; she earned a post-graduate certificate in Family Systems Theory.

After leaving the University, Risa pursued her new calling with a second Master’s Degree in Psychology at Phillips Graduate Institute. She ultimately landed in the rich, diverse therapy practice she enjoys today, as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition, Risa offers monthly workshops for women exploring a number of topics unique to women. Along with the staff at LIFE, Risa offers comprehensive, integrative psychological treatment for individuals, couples and families. Through workshops, lectures, in-service training, television appearances and published materials, Risa has reached hundreds of families, clergy, teenagers, teachers, and graduate students, sharing her innovative ideas about parenting.

Risa is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a founding family of Heschel West Elementary School, and co-author of the book, What’s Right? What’s Wrong?, a guide to ethics for parents and children.

She enjoys the richness of an over 22 year marriage to her husband Don. They are the devoted parents of two young adult children. In her spare time, Risa also holds a black belt in karate, and is an inventive seamstress and knitter.

For more than 20 years, Jimi Magner has dedicated his life to the service of others. Through his training with the US Marine Reserve Officer Training Corps, his career in law enforcement and his current work as a mental health professional, Jimi has helped many families, teens and children through difficult and challenging times.

Born and raised in Southern California, Jimi attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. There, he served as the vice-president of his fraternity, competed in downhill ski racing and trained with the Marine Corps ROTC Unit. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, Jimi returned to California where he began his career as a peace officer.

During his years in law enforcement in south Los Angeles County, Jimi worked in the Violent Crimes and Gangs Unit, served as an undercover gang detective, tactical team leader for the search warrant entry team, crime scene investigator, and developed expertise as a licensed California Drug Recognition Expert (D.R.E.). This training lends him unique insight into today’s drug and alcohol scene. Jimi’s service earned him numerous awards and commendations.

Injured in the line of duty, Jimi retired and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. Before joining LIFE, he worked at the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) in Santa Barbara where he restructured and coordinated the parent-teen program SUPER (designed to assist families in crisis). He also created the multi-media presentation, “Marijuana and Our Children’s Future” which has been viewed by thousands of parents, educators, law enforcement and mental health workers in the Santa Barbara County. Additionally, Jimi worked at the UC Santa Barbara Student Health Center, helping to launch and lead the CASE program (aid for students navigating the complexities of college life).

At LIFE, Jimi offers services to individuals, families, teens and children to improve their lives and relationships. He has worked extensively with adolescents and families dealing with drug and alcohol, crisis and anger issues.

Married over 19 years, Jimi and his wife Heather have two very active teenage children. His family enjoys camping, mountain biking, surfing, and participating in a variety of youth sports.

Melody Hinds was born in California, and raised in Boerne, Texas, a small town near San Antonio. Growing up in a large, blended family provided her first-hand experience in sensitive family issues and dynamics, and planted the seeds for her interest in psychology.

Melody graduated from Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. While a student, Melody worked as a day care teacher for the children of professors and as a mentor at Eagle Academy, an alternative school for troubled adolescents. As she became driven to pursue her dream of becoming a psychotherapist, she interned in two different private practice therapy offices.

Earning a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara, Melody began her career as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She counseled adult clients with addiction and mental illness while working in Santa Barbara at a psychosocial rehabilitation treatment center. Melody was the counseling center coordinator and a child therapist for Girls Incorporated, and following this, she worked as the high school therapist in Carpinteria, which provided her the opportunity to hone her clinical skills with adolescents.

Now, at LIFE, Melody offers her experience and expertise in treating individuals, adolescents and children. Melody offers a supportive group for teenagers, parenting workshops, and presentations.

Melody is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and the CAMFT local chapter.

Melody values her relationship with her fiancé, Michael, and in her leisure time she enjoys singing, traveling, and participating in various outdoor activities.