Kim Arrington LPC, has served on the Board of Directors for Houston TAAP since 2020, and in Fall of 2023 she began her role as President. She has been a member of NAADAC/Houston TAAP since 2014. She has been an active part of TAAP advocacy work throughout the state for the last 4 years. Over the past 12 Years, Ms Arrington has also served on advocacy committees at Lamar University Education/Clinical Mental Health Department, Faculty Senate at Lamar State College Port Arthur, and is active in her local community events to raise awareness and support for Addiction and Mental Health issues

Kim serves as the Co-Founder, CEO & Clinical Director for Connected Path Recovery (formerly Woodlands Recovery Centers) in Beaumont, Texas. The Agency has a strong clinical team of master’s Clinicians, LCDC’s and Recovery Coaches. The agency was opened in March of 2018 and serves Southeast Texas as its only State Licensed and Joint Commission accredited Outpatient addiction clinic in the private sector serving adults and adolescents.

She has a deep passion for teaching and education of counseling students. Her passion of educating counseling students started in 2009 in Botswana. Since 2012, she has taught in the graduate education/counseling department at Lamar University, is adjunct for the SUD Counseling program at University of St Thomas -Houston and in August of 2021 she accepted a position as the Program Coordinator for the Substance Use Counselor education program at Lamar State College Port Arthur, where she had been an adjunct instructor since 2012.

Kim has held positions in clinical supervision, Clinical Director, and program development for Dual Diagnosis and SUD treatment programs since 2006. Ms Arrington holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Master’s degree in Education Counseling and Development and has been fully licensed LPC since 2001.

She began her career in mental health in 1992 at Jefferson county MHMR serving a population of adult chronic mentally ill as a case manager. She continued into Dual Diagnosis counseling and program development, several years of Neuropsychological Testing and Research at UTMB Galveston, as well as working in private counseling agencies. In 2009, while living in Gaborone, Botswana, she developed the country’s first substance abuse counselor certification curriculum and trained the first cohort of 15 substance abuse counselors. During this time, she assisted BOSASNet in developing and opening the country’s’ first SUD treatment outpatient clinic and served as Clinic Director from 2009-2011 when she returned to Texas. She has been presenting and teaching locally and at international conferences on a myriad of topics related to SUD and MH issues. She is a person in long term recovery and celebrated 31 years of sobriety in 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys nature photography, travel hanging out with her family, especially her niece and nephews.

Dalanna Burris has worked at The Menninger Clinic since 2017 as an addictions and recovery professional. Additionally, I have worked locally at Luna Recovery, Memorial Hermann’s The Prevention and Recovery Center and The Right Step (when owned by Elements Behavioral) as a counselor. Prior to relocating to the Houston area, I worked for the county of El Paso, a non-profit treatment program and the Texas correctional system as a counselor.

My philosophy about the role and future of Houston TAAP : I believe the role and future of the Houston Chapter of TAAP should be to focus on providing education, resources and support to those working in the field of addiction and recovery services. I believe it is important to provide space to network and learn about different programs that our local community has to offer. Additionally, Houston TAAP should be a space to encourage and lead future generations of professionals as they cultivate the knowledge and skills to provide hope for recovery.

Helena Washington, M.Ed., LCDC, ICADC, MAC, is a licensed addiction specialist, mental wellness, and behavioral health diversity authority, with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and preserving family systems. Due to Helena’s clinical rooting in mental health, her passion is working with a holistic and collaborative approach to mental wellness, as well as educating communities, organizations, and corporations. She has worked for treatment programs, in corrections, acute care settings, as a clinician, program manager, and many years in private practice. She obtained her Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Grambling State University, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling in 2001, from Bowling Green State University, with a focus on brain trauma, addiction, mental and emotional health, physical wellness, diversity, adolescent, and women’s concerns. As a CBT/DBT trained practitioner, Helena is also trained in Trauma & Grief Component Therapy-Adolescents and Adults, a part of the Texas Children’s Collaborative Group for Trauma Care, and Trauma Informed Care. Presently, she runs her private practice and behavioral health consulting firm, BraveBird Recovery and Wellness, PLLC, in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Helena is the current President, Houston Chapter Texas Association of Addiction Professionals Board ( State of Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, governed by NAADAC); on the Houston Harris County Office of Drug Policy Committee; NAADAC’s Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee, former Board of Directors, Liberian Association of Greater Houston, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

This dedicated mother of three, grandmother of one, immigrated to the United States from Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, as a child. She describes her greatest professional success as being an integral partner in the process of healing that takes place in those living with disruptive behavioral health challenges and promoting family preservation.

Recovering from the disease of addiction since 2012. When in the grip of substance use disorders, severe consequence were suffered by my family, businesses, and me, culminating in admission to treatment on 2/6/2012.

I’ve been clean from all mood and mind altering substances since 2/7/2012, the day I woke up on the Professionals inpatient unit at Menninger.

I am employed since 6/6/2016 by The Menninger Clinic as a certified addiction recovery specialist. This is a peer recovery support specialist role.

I mentor our patients individually, in support of our clinical staff; our MDs, PhDs, LCSWs, LCDCs, and our LPCs. These clinicians refer patients to work with me when appropriate.

Seeing private clients unrelated to the Clinic is a privilege and a joy. I am building a private practice and understand the challenges faced by sole practitioners; I am one of us.

Addictions Professionals are the gateway to restoring precious families, rebuilding lives worth living, and the key to prevention.

Sarah Bolton works in Business Development for The Last Resort Recovery. With 5 years of experience in the addiction recovery industry, she has worked in business development for both local and national treatment centers. She also has facilitated Mindful Art Programs for residential treatment centers.

A 2005 graduate of the University of Arkansas, Sarah started her career in Hotel Management and has worked as a Sales Manager and Event Planner. Ultimately, her passion to be a resource to a struggling population is what led her to healthcare.

Sarah is the founder of Sober Eve, Houston’s only alcohol-free, pop-up nightclub for New Year’s Eve.

She is a proud mother to a teenaged son, Jack, who attends the Marine Military Academy. In her free time, she enjoys painting, modern calligraphy, floral design, event planning and working out.

I have worked for the past 30 years in the mental health and substance use treatment world.  I am passionate about helping others struggling with both mental health concerns and substance use needs or concerns.  This passion has driven me to consistently seek out opportunities to highlight the work we all do to groups, organizations and leadership both within and outside of Texas.

Crystal Collier, PhD, herself a person in long-term recovery, is a therapist and educator who has been working with adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness, behavioral problems and substance use disorders since 1991. Dr. Collier’s comprehensive prevention model, which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to children, teens, teachers and parents, was selected for the 2015 Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. In 2018, she received the Torch Bearer Award for her work in the field of addiction from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.

Dr. Collier’s area of expertise includes adolescent brain development, prevention programming, parent coaching, addiction, family-of-origin work, and training new clinicians. From 2007 to 2018, she served as the Clinical Director for adolescent services at The Council on Recovery. In 2018, The Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, TX, granted Dr. Collier a research fellowship to support the completion of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide. In 2019, she received the Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups and was acknowledged as Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.

My philosophy about the role and future of Houston TAAP : Houston TAAP has been my ‘go to’ for referrals, education, and collegiate fellowship as professional in Houston. The annual conference has offered a wonderful, connective experiences to addiction meet and learn from professionals in my community. It would be an honor to serve Houston TAAP.

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 and future of Houston TAAP

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.

Hillary Wylie is a dedicated mental health advocate and leader, inspired by her personal journey. This experience drives her passion for ensuring accessible mental health and substance use disorder care.

As Territory Account Director at Charlie Health, the largest intensive outpatient program in the nation, Hillary has played a pivotal role in launching Charlie Health in Texas in 2021.

Hillary mentors new team members at Charlie Health. She also facilitates Charlie Health’s Suicide Survivor Support Group, providing vital support to individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Active in her community, Hillary has participated in numerous initiatives to combat the mental health and substance use crisis. She has personally helped friends and loved ones find treatment, exemplifying her dedication to making a difference.

Hillary is committed to creating lasting impact through advocacy, connection, and ensuring individuals receive the care they need.