Mandy Baker, MS – Executive Program Director
Mandy Baker joins the Origins Team after spending ten years at the nationally-recognized Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery at Texas Tech University. With her colleagues at Texas Tech, Mandy managed the development of multiple recovery support systems at colleges and universities across the nation. Her deep understanding and study of the 18-25 year old demographic has resulted in numerous publications in academic journals, books, curricula, and popular press outlets. In addition to her professional connections in clinical and academic settings, Mandy also draws upon her own experience as a recovered woman in her work with alcoholics and addicts. In her spare time, Mandy is completing her doctoral dissertation using data from MAP Accountability Services and spending time with her family.
Dr. Frank Lawlis, Ph.D. – Director of Psychological and
Neurological Plasticity Programs
Dr. Lawlis has focused on clinical and research methods of the mind-body relationship since 1968 when he received his Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in medical psychology and rehabilitation. He has written and co-authored over 100 published articles as well as several New York Times bestselling books. He was awarded Diplomate by the American Board of Professional Psychology in both Counseling Psychology and Clinical Psychology. Lawlis also received the status of Fellow from the American Psychological Association for his scientific contributions to the field of clinical psychology and behavioral medicine, as well as other awards for his pioneering research in the field. Dr. Lawlis cofounded the Lawlis and Peavey PsychoNeuroPlasticity Center in Lewisville, Texas (http://www.lawlispeavey.com) as a new innovation for psychological assessment wherein an individual can be given a thorough medical-psychological-neurological-sociological-family dynamics evaluation during the same week. Through this process, great steps have been taken to understand an individual’s problems and to address all the issues during a finite time period. Dr. Frank Lawlis has been Chief Content and Oversight Adviser as well as Chairman of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board and Member of the Dr. Phil and Robin Foundation since the inception of the show. He is responsible for evaluating potential show themes and guests to determine benefit of the concepts, consulting with Dr. Phil on various guests and overseeing resources for the guests as they leave the show. Being a major force in the conception of the themes he interacts with every factor in the development with the shows.
Barbara S. Peavey, Ph.D., M.S. PsyPharm, BCIAC
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Peavey is an internationally recognized licensed psychologist, receiving her doctoral degree from the University of North Texas in Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, and continued her education to obtain a Post-Doctoral degree in Psychopharmacology. With 40 years of clinical experience she holds Senior Fellow status with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) and is a Diplomate with the Academy of Pain Management. She is a pioneer in neuroplasticity, self-regulation, biofeedback and neurofeedback, and is a respected national and international speaker and trainer in brain-based disorders, such as addiction, psychophysiology, stress management, and psychopharmacology. Dr. Peavey established the first behavioral medicine clinic at the University of Texas at Dallas in 1975, served on the graduate faculty in the doctoral program of behavioral medicine faculty at the University of North Texas, and in addition to her work here at Origins, teaches Psychopharmacology in the College of Clinical Psychophysiology at the University of Natural Medicine and is CEO and Clinical Director of the Lawlis-Peavey Psych NeuroPlasticity (PNP) Center. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) and as President of the Biofeedback Society of Texas. She is uniquely capable of helping our alcohol and drug addicted clients find their strengths and integrate heart, mind, body, and spirit for health and well-being. Origins is privileged to have her on our staff, providing a means for clients to discover themselves and escape the cycle of addiction.
Jeanie Griffin, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, BRI II – Senior Clinical Advisor
Jeanie serves as the Senior Clinical Advisor to Origins executive, medical and clinical teams as well as facilitates the Origins Alumni Group in Dallas, Texas. Jeanie has worked within the profession of addiction and recovery over twenty years. She possesses an advanced degree in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counseling and licenses in Texas and California as well as certifications in addiction counseling from both states. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Board Registered Interventionist II, and frequent conference speaker. Ms. Griffin served as a faculty member at UCLA, St Mary’s University, and San Antonio College within the addiction counselor training programs. Ms. Griffin has over twenty-four years of personal recovery through the 12-Steps. Her clinical training and knowledge as a therapist, her personal experience of recovery from alcoholism, codependency and childhood pain combine to offer holistic care to those she serves. Jeanie is Founder and CEO of “A Space for Healing” located near Dallas/Ft. Worth in Grapevine, Texas. Ms. Griffin offers private intervention services, individual, family and group therapy as well as transitional groups following treatment.
Bruce Cooper LCDC, CCS ADCIII, AAC, CCJP, NCACII – Weekend
Clinical Supervisor
Bruce has worked in the field of chemical dependency for over 25 years both in outpatient and inpatient settings. He has been sober in 12-Step Programs for 27 years. Bruce is a member of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) Board of Directors, and is active with the testing process of new counselors coming into the field. He began working in Longview, Texas with the Palmer Drug Abuse Program and has continued to work for or with that program for the last 25 years. Bruce is active with the lobbying process for the field of chemical dependency and works to improve and maintain the quality of service provided to individuals needing help to recovery from the effects of all drugs. He frequently speaks on the dangers of drug use and abuse in our society. Bruce personally believes in the need to ‘carry the message’, and that there is recovery from chemical dependency and hope for all.
Connie Motley, M.Ed., LPC – Adult Case Manager
Connie has taken the long road to realize her dream of becoming the first person in her family to ever get a college degree. Following more then 20 years as a successful business woman, she returned to school at the University of Oklahoma where she earned a BA in Psychology and subsequently a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology. During this time she found a way to work full time on a federal SAMHSA grant in Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Prevention, creating a Statewide Strategic Prevention Plan for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) for Oklahoma adolescents, co-authoring an award-winning publication of programs using evidence based programs with SAMHSA, and worked as a Trainer of Trainers to the state prevention network and community coalitions, all while completing her education and internship in Child Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Not one to be idle, she followed this by becoming a Director with Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, overseeing operations at one of their satellite offices offering mental health and substance abuse service for Oklahoma’s largest Community Health Center, additionally working as a Licensed Professional Counselor with a local psychiatrist providing psychotherapy in coordination with psychotropic medications. Being a grateful recovered alcoholic herself for over 20 years, her education, extensive training and life experience combine to make Connie a perfect fit for Origins’ dedication to providing the best recovery care possible. She understands and appreciates all of the therapies used at Origins, including EMDR, cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy and psychodrama, among others, and knows how to integrate them with our other therapies to help patients achieve a thorough and lasting recovery. Originally from Oklahoma City, it is only recently that she decided to move to Texas and pursue her passion for helping people heal. She remains an active participant within the 12-step community and takes great pride in her daughter, who has followed Connie’s example and is now working as a PA in Neurosurgery.
Kito Holtzman, LCDC, LPC – Adult Case Manager
From his beginnings in Caracas, Venezuela, to repeated false-starts at a degree from the University of Hawaii, to getting his life back together and earn both a B.A. in History and an M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Texas, Brownsville, Kito has always enjoyed exploring and new experiences no matter what the undertaking may be. A chronic relapser for many years, Kito likes nothing better than watching his patients mature, recover and rejoin society just as he did. He has had a variety of experience working with adolescents, adults and their families, providing comprehensive counseling and teaching substance abuse prevention techniques in individual, family and group sessions. Kito is particularly proud of the work he did while at the Lighthouse Counseling Center, where the primary focus was on substance abuse and dual diagnoses. He is a fierce advocate of those under his care, and loves watching the transformation of individuals as they move from desperation to recovered. Although he had an active private practice in Brownsville for many years, he finds his work here at Origins a much more rewarding and fulfilling experience. His enthusiasm for this work is evident in everything Kito does, and his zest for life is infectious for everyone around him. He has spent his entire life enjoying the beach and especially surfing, an activity he incorporates into his therapy.
Stephanie J. Smith, LCDC, LPC Intern – Adult Case Manager
Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin. Since winning her own battles with alcohol and drug addiction and managing a sober house in Kerrville, Texas, as part of her recovery, she decided to make addiction Counseling her career of choice. She received her LCDC certification from the Institute for Chemical Dependency Studies in Houston, TX, continuing her educational pursuits by earning her Masters in Clinical Counseling from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX. She is also well versed and trained in the use of EMDR during the course of treatment. Leaving a career as an Investment Counselor behind was an easy choice for Stephanie, as she can now experience the daily growth of her patients as she guides them through the recovery process to gain freedom from both their life and addiction problems. She knows that her past experience together with her training allow her to relate better with her patients, providing an empathetic shoulder that the women in Hannah’s House can depend on and trust. The acuity of care Stephanie provides each patient helps each one grow at their own pace and in their own way, something she has learned to recognize after years of experience counseling women to discover themselves during recovery. She is also a great example of what recovery can bring, maintaining her lifelong interest in music and the joy she feels while exploring the great outdoors.
Jeff LaMure, LCDC – Adult Case Manager
Jeff is a 24-year veteran in the substance abuse recovery community and is well known for his compassionate approach to counseling which surely stems from his own personal battle with substance abuse. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jeff has held various positions in both psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse treatment centers since his own personal journey into recovery began in 1987. He is well known for his tremendous passion and his gift for helping reform some of the most helpless cases.
Kerri Cascio, LCDC – Adult Case Manager
Kerri Cascio has been working in the addiction treatment field for over 10 years. She came to Origins from Dallas, Tx. where she was the Assistant Executive Director managing one of the largest non-profit substance abuse facilities in the state. Kerri is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and has used her talents to help those who not only suffer from addiction and alcoholism, but clients with co-occurring mental health disorders, HIV, GLBT, and criminal justice histories. Personally, Kerri is a grateful recovered addict with over 11 years of sobriety. She continues to use her experience and passion for the 12 steps to assist others on their journey into a new life.
Orlando Montalvo, LCDC – Adult Case Manager
Orlando is a 22-year veteran in the substance abuse recovery community and is well known for his compassionate and zealous approach in working with clients and their families. Prior to joining Origins he gained comprehensive experience as the Treatment Director for two state funded programs, as well as a Trainer of Trainers for both the Cannabis Youth Treatment and Matrix Stimulant Abuse Models. As a trained Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor he is highly sought after to present his views on recovery at the State and Federal level. Orlando has been a grateful member of the 12 step fellowship for 23 years and is well respected for his spiritual insights and passion for helping others find a lasting recovery. In his spare time he enjoys reading, sharing scripture and can often be found playing golf on the weekends.
Raul Cartagena – Discharge Coordinator
Raul is a recovered addict/alcoholic from Brooklyn, New York. He moved to central Texas in 1991 where he made his home with his family. Sober since 2004, Raul joined the 12-Step community and has since made recovery the central focus of his life. Raul has five years’ experience within the field of addiction treatment and advocates strongly on behalf of those who suffer. In his spare time he enjoys being with his family, prayer and carrying ‘this message’ of hope.
Jeff Brazil, LCDC – Transitions Counselor
Jeff is the Transitions Counselor at Origins. He served for 22 years in the United States Navy where he attended US Navy Instructor School and served as an Instructor and Training Officer for 11 years. His Naval career included providing training instruction during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Strom. Jeff has a bachelors in criminal justice administration (BSCJA) and is a graduate of the Institute for Chemical Dependency Studies where he earned his LCDC. He worked as a Senior Drug and Alcohol Counselor within the TDCJ System and supervised five counselors and over 200 clients in a Pre-release Therapeutic Community at the Hamilton Unit as well as at the Substance Abuse Training Program at the LeBlanc Unit in Texas. His passion is working with those who have a history of chronic relapse and those who struggle with dual diagnosis issues. Having been an Adult Case Manager for a number of years, he knows the issues people in recovery face transitioning from treatment to a new life free of addiction, which allows him to proactively take the appropriate action to prevent relapse by spotting the warning signs before they grow into undesirable behavior. Jeff is personally in recovery, enjoys spending time at the beach with his family and traveling.