Dalanna Burris is the Behavioral Addictions Specialist at The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas, where she specializes in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders and problematic behaviors. Her clinical focus includes problematic sexual behavior, gambling disorder, excessive internet, gaming, and technology use, compulsive shopping and buying, hoarding disorder, and disordered eating. In addition to her work at Menninger, Dalanna is the owner of Journey Forward Therapy, a private practice in Houston dedicated to the treatment of complex trauma in both adult and adolescent clients. She has worked in the fields of addiction, recovery, and mental health treatment for more than 20 years.

Dalanna is currently completing a PhD in Clinical Sexology, with additional doctoral study in behavioral and substance addictions. She holds a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), and holds multiple advanced professional certifications, including Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Provider (CCATP).

Dalanna serves as the President of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) and holds the Legislative Chair position on the TAAP State Board of Directors, where she advocates for policy reform and improved access to quality addiction and mental health services across Texas. She is also a member of NAADAC, the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), and the American Psychological Association (APA), and is a regular contributor and guest across The Menninger Clinic’s blog, podcast, YouTube channel, and social media platforms. Dalanna’s commitment to the field of addiction and recovery is deeply personal and rooted in her family’s history of addiction and mental health challenges. This lived experience continues to inform her clinical work, leadership, and advocacy, driving her dedication to advancing effective treatment, ethical practice, and compassionate policy reform for individuals and families impacted by addiction.

Sondra Smith, LCDC serves as the President-Elect of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP), bringing a values-driven, future-focused approach to leadership in the addiction and behavioral health field.

With over a decade of experience in substance use disorder treatment, Sondra currently works as the Clinical Manager at Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Houston. In this role, she supports integrated outpatient treatment, SBIRT implementation, and multiple state and federally funded initiatives, helping bridge direct service delivery with systems-level strategy.

Sondra has also served as the Chair of the San Jacinto College Addiction Studies Advisory Board for nearly a decade, where she has helped guide workforce development, curriculum alignment, and sustained collaboration between academic institutions and the addiction treatment community.

She is deeply committed to cultivating ethical, compassionate, and sustainable leadership within the addiction workforce, with particular passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and creating spaces where both emerging and seasoned professionals feel supported, challenged, and inspired.

As President-Elect, Sondra is honored to serve the Houston TAAP community by strengthening connection, elevating professional voices, and helping shape a chapter culture rooted in integrity, inclusion, and collective growth. She believes leadership is not a destination, but a living practice—one that requires curiosity, courage, and care.

Cullen Roth has been in recovery since August 30, 2015, a pivotal moment when he sought help and committed to meaningful change. Since 2018, he has worked in the behavioral health field as a Registered and Mental Health Peer Specialist, beginning his career at the Palmer Drug Abuse Program and later joining The Menninger Clinic, where he continues to serve.

In 2022, Cullen was promoted to Peer Recovery Coordinator under his Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification. In this role, he provides one-on-one peer mentorship and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary clinical teams, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, licensed chemical dependency counselors, and professional counselors. Clinicians regularly refer patients to Cullen for peer support when appropriate, recognizing the value of lived experience in the recovery process.

Cullen takes great pride in supporting individuals as they navigate recovery, noting that witnessing personal insight, growth, and transformation is one of the most meaningful aspects of his work. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with plans to graduate in 2026. Cullen serves as the Financial Officer on the Board of Directors for the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys cooking foods from different cultures, snowboarding, rock climbing, restoring vintage bicycles, and caring for his two reptiles.

Hillary Wylie is a dedicated mental health advocate and healthcare leader whose work is deeply informed by her personal journey. These experiences drive her passion for expanding access to high-quality mental health and substance use disorder care.

As Director of Healthcare System Partnerships at Charlie Health, the nation’s largest intensive outpatient program, Hillary played a pivotal role in launching Charlie Health in Texas in 2021 and continues to lead strategic partnerships with health systems across the country.

Hillary serves on the Board of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP),Houston Chapter, mentors new team members at Charlie Health, and facilitates Charlie Health’s Suicide Survivor Support Group, providing critical support to individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide. She is also a board member of Students Stopping Stigma, a Houston-based student initiative she helped launch to promote mental health education and reduce stigma among youth.

Active in her community, Hillary has participated in numerous initiatives aimed at addressing the mental health and substance use crisis. She has personally supported friends and loved ones in finding treatment, reflecting her deep commitment to advocacy, connection, and ensuring individuals receive the care they need.

Kary Leight is a Houston native with a longstanding academic and clinical focus on addiction, neuropharmacology, and recovery. She developed an early interest in drugs of abuse and their effects on the brain while studying at The University of Texas at Austin, where she participated in the Psychology Honors Program and conducted research on animal learning and behavior.

Kary went on to complete addiction-focused research at UTMB–Galveston, examining the genetic relationships between cocaine, learning, and memory, while also completing doctoral-level coursework. She later matriculated at UT Health San Antonio (formerly UTHSCSA), completing several years of medical training alongside extensive research on substances of abuse, including GHB, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. Over more than a decade, her work consistently centered on neurochemistry, neurobiology, learning, and memory.

Her professional interests later expanded to clinical research and holistic well-being, including work with the National Cancer Institute and training in self-care practices. Kary is a certified yoga instructor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, currently working in the addiction recovery field. She remains deeply committed to integrating neuroscience, evidence-based addiction treatment, and self-care practices to better support individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders. Kary is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.

In terms of my service of NAADAC I have served and currently serve on the membership and awards committee on the national level. I have been on these committees for 2 years now and enjoy the contribution and engagement with the members.  It is my pleasure to serve on the TAAP Board as I currently serve on other boards that include Diverseworks and BACODA so I have experience in this area and look forward to contributing to the growth and development of the Houston Chapter of TAAP.

Dr. Abimbola Farinde is a clinical pharmacist specialist in psychiatry and geriatrics who graduated from Texas Southern University. She has gained a wealth of knowledge and training with the completion of residency training programs and being in practice for more than five years. She is interested in sharing her knowledge with other professionals engaged in clinical practice in a variety of settings. She has experience working in a methadone clinic, veterans administration, juvenile detention center, and jail setting to name a few. She looks forward to contributing to the healthcare field in any capacity when given the opportunity.

 My philosophy about the role of Houston Chapter TAAP is that is serves to bring great awareness to the community about substance use/abuse and interventions that can be applied to aid in the management of these issues among Houstonians. In the future the Houston Chapter TAAP will continue to serve as a pillar of support to the community when it comes to tackling the important issue of substance use and how to improve people’s quality of life.

Lyndee works in Luna’s Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), engaging in heartfelt one-on-one sessions, offering unwavering support to families, and infusing creativity into transformative group activities.

Currently pursuing a master’s in marriage and family therapy at Houston Christian University, Lyndee has a license in chemical dependency counseling. Her approach to therapy blends creative elements and evidence-based practices such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and positive psychology.

To guide adolescents to a brighter, more empowered future, Lyndee helps them recognize patterns and find reasons for recovery that resonate with them. Her strengths include finding the brilliance in everyone and giving clients the validation and support they need to give up coping mechanisms tied to substance use.

Lyndee’s past experiences include the Menninger Clinic and the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, where she coordinated a family program that ignited creativity as a means of resilience. Outside of work, Lyndee runs a vintage clothing business alongside her family.