Practice is
Everything By Pax Ansley Photography and cover by Marvin Steindler
One of the hardest things to master in life is the con-
Throughout their time at CSUN, as their love for each
cept of “practice what you preach.” It is far easier to
other developed and grew, their love for the work-
give someone advice than to put the same concepts
ings of the human brain and emotional life blos-
into practice in your own life. For Liran and Dana Stark
somed into the makings of two successful therapists.
of Calabasas, both licensed marriage and family ther-
They finished their college careers hand in hand, with
apists, each day is another opportunity to integrate the
their collective sights set on a very bright future. The
life skills they teach in their practices into their own lives.
rest, as they say, is history.
Liran and Dana’s life journeys both began in
Fast forward a few decades to Liran and
Israel, though it would take 20 years—
Dana, now married for 21 years with three
and a move half way around the globe—for the pair to meet. Liran’s family moved to sunny California in the U.S. from Israel when he was just 6 years old. He quickly learned English and settled happily into western life. Seven years later, and unbeknownst to Liran, his future wife and her fam-
amazing children, happy to be living
THE STARK FAMILY OF CALABASAS
ily were beginning the journey that
right here in beautiful Calabasas. After moving from Woodland Hills seven years ago, into Mulwood Calabasas, this dynamic duo and their kids were instantly taken with their new community. “I like that there are mountains all over and open spaces,” says Dana. “I like the more rural feel of the community.”
would lead then 13-year-old Dana to her new home in Southern California. “I didn’t speak any English,” Dana remembers.
This incredible family has quickly become an irreplaceable part of the heart of Calaba-
“I was 13 years old, in 7th grade, and suddenly, I was in
sas. Both Liran and Dana have been practicing as mar-
an ESL class learning the words for chair, table, and ap-
riage and family therapists for over 20 years. Liran has
ple. I think it took me about a year to become fluent.”
worked in a variety of direct-care settings, from schools for emotionally disturbed children to individual and
The years came and went as Liran and Dana settled
couples’ therapy to therapeutic groups for children of
into their new country until it was time for these two
divorce. He is currently working as an intensive case
fresh young adults to head off to university. What was
manager for a leading behavioral health insurance
the college in both of their sights? California State Uni-
company.
versity at Northridge (CSUN)—the point where their two
46
stories became one. Dana and Liran’s love and passion
Dana’s impressive career has spanned from the L.A.
for philosophy led the two future therapists to the place
County Department of Mental Health as a responder
where they first met: a first-year philosophy class.
on the crisis response team for a local outpatient clinic
Calabasas Style
Continued on p. 48