OUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE ADDICTION CARE
THAT FACILITATES SUSTAINED HEALING.
Unlike other addiction recovery residential programs, The Prairie was founded by a group of individuals who are deeply passionate about patient care delivered with integrity, by a team of highly-skilled professionals.
MISSION:
LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND WELLNESS
The Prairie’s mission is to serve individuals and their families in achieving healing and long-term wellness from the devastating effects of addiction and mental health issues.
VISION:
NEW STANDARD OF PATIENT CARE
Our vision is to create a new standard for patient care in the behavioral health industry through innovation and integrative practices.
Values:
PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIP AND PURPOSE

PEOPLE
our people-first, principle-driven approach puts patients and team-members above all else, always

PARTNERSHIP
we work collaboratively with patients to create meaningful connections that positively impact their lives

PURPOSE
everything from the design of our spaces to our clinical programming is created with a specific intention
our team
CO-FOUNDERS AND MANAGING PARTNERS
(click profile to read full bios)
- ROBERT HILLIKER, LCSW- S, LCDCCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERROBERT HILLIKER, LCSW- S, LCDCCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Robert is driven by a deep commitment to serve others, and is passionate about the subject of hope and despair in clinical treatment. His 17 years in the field of addiction and mental health encompass private practice, clinical supervision, the creation and management of clinical programming, the co-founding of The Lovett Center in 2014 and the co-founding of Ethos in 2018.
Throughout his educational and professional careers, Robert has gained valuable experience and impactful recognitions. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, which went on to honor him as a 50 for 50 Alumni in 2019 for embodying the college’s social justice vision. Robert’s education includes a fellowship at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and a Postgraduate Social Work Fellowship at The Menninger Clinic, while his resume includes long standing leadership positions at The Daring Way, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston and The Menninger Clinic. At the latter, he earned a Menninger Clinic Pillar Award for Integrity for his work in the Professionals in Crisis Program, an honor meant to recognize those who best exemplify Menninger’s core values: excellence, teamwork, hope, integrity and caring. The Houston Business Journal named Robert a 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 Honoree.
- CECI HUDSON TORN, DSW, LPC-ACHIEF OPERATING OFFICERCECI HUDSON TORN, DSW, LPC-ACHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
An exemplary, long-spanning career in mental health and finance has put person-centered-care at the heart of Ceci’s work. She has gathered a wealth of experience at one of the nation’s largest residential summer camps, which provides her with a unique lens to approach treatment in a residential setting. Ceci received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Wake Forest University, as well as her Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus on building behavioral health in adolescents and young adults. Since co-founding Ethos Behavioral Health Group in 2018, Ceci now spends her time providing clinical services and business leadership across all Ethos healing centers as a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Ethos’ Chief Operations Officer. She and her husband Chris are continuing to serve children and families with the launch of Camp OTX in the Texas Hill Country, all while raising 5 children of their own.
- WILL DAVISCHIEF BUSINESS OFFICERWILL DAVISCHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER
Will’s passion for functional, welcoming spaces to serve a variety of industries led him to a career in commercial real estate spanning over 15 years, parallel to a decade of business development and management. In 2014, he co-founded The Lovett Center with Robert Hilliker, and then went on to co-found Ethos. The driving force behind his professional journey is a passion for connecting people for a shared, greater good. His thoughtful hiring and leadership style has helped build countless strong, creative and united teams that produce positive results.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(click profile to read full bio)
- LESLIE DOWNING, LCDC, NCIP, CGRSEXECUTIVE DIRECTORLESLIE DOWNING, LCDC, NCIP, CGRSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leslie Downing graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston – Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Nationally Certified Intervention Professional, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist who has worked in the addiction treatment field for fifteen years. Leslie’s background in operations management, clinical work and business development offer a well-rounded outlook in her Executive Director role.
Currently Leslie is working on a Master of Science in Leadership, which is driven by her desire to cultivate and sustain healthy treatment cultures. Leslie believes the best way to ensure employees are providing the best care possible is to provide and encourage a healthy work environment for them. In addition to focusing on culture, Leslie recognizes the importance of developing organizational structure that supports optimal client care and coordination for long-term recovery.
MEDICAL TEAM
- GREGG WORKMAN, MDMEDICAL DIRECTORGREGG WORKMAN, MDMEDICAL DIRECTOR
- CHAD LEMAIRE, MD, DFAPAPSYCHIATRISTCHAD LEMAIRE, MD, DFAPAPSYCHIATRIST
Dr. Lemaire is a psychiatrist with over a decade of experience who is passionate about treating people with diverse needs in a compassionate and holistic way. He employs a biopsychosocial approach, incorporating existential and spiritual components as desired by the person seeking help. He believes in involving his patients in collaborative treatment decisions. The richness of working with people wanting to improve their lives is very rewarding and fulfilling to Dr. Lemaire. One of the many reasons Dr. Lemaire felt psychiatry was a calling is his belief that the shared human experience is such a large part of working with people who seek mental health care. He feels that making a deep connection with someone in a trusting environment has the power to heal. Dr. Lemaire strives to treat others as he would want his own loved ones to be treated.
Before becoming a physician, Dr. Lemaire worked as a nurse. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors and was Outstanding Graduate of the College of Nursing. While working as a pediatric nurse with a focus in oncology, he was inspired to go to medical school. He attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, where he graduated in 2006 with Highest Honors, ranked #1 in his class, and was given the Eugen Kahn Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. He then completed a psychiatry residency at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, where he was named Outstanding Resident of his graduating class.
Dr. Lemaire has worked in various clinical and leadership roles. He has also done advocacy work around mental health and other issues that are important to him. Dr. Lemaire served as President of the Houston Psychiatric Society in 2017-18 and has served as a Board Member for the Network of Behavioral Health Providers and Doctors for Change, respectively. He has authored or co-authored over 40 peer reviewed journal articles in mental health, and he authored a book chapter on grief and resilience. Dr. Lemaire is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, the Houston Psychiatric Society, the Texas Medical Association and the Harris County Medical Society.
- JENNIFER MEADERS, APRN, FNP-CNURSE PRACTITIONERJENNIFER MEADERS, APRN, FNP-CNURSE PRACTITIONER
A Nurse Practitioner at The Prairie Recovery Center, Jennifer utilizes a holistic, functional-medicine approach to healing, taking into consideration mind, body and soul. She feels that a physical diagnosis is often merely a symptom of other issues and believes in taking the whole person into account, including many evidence-based lifestyle factors like sleep, stress and nutrition.
Jennifer began her nursing career at M.D. Anderson before going back to graduate school and earning her Master’s at the University of Texas in Houston. Afterwards, she returned to M.D. Anderson and started their first mid-level practitioner clinic in cancer prevention. While there. She received the DAISY Award due to her competence and compassion.
Her path to holistic and functional medicine began partially with her own health problems. When a colleague introduced her to the concept, she began digging deeper into the factors that could be contributing to her illness. She had two young children and a demanding job, and her nutrition and stress-levels were not what they should have been. After struggling for more than a year, focusing on restoring health through these areas led to her feeling better within a month, and this transformational experience inspired her to define her practice more clearly.
Jennifer went on to work for the Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine in Houston before beginning her own holistic practice, which she maintained until she and her husband made the move to Round Top in order to live and raise their children away from the traffic, stress and stimulation of the city, hoping to grow their own food, have access to the outdoors and enjoy a quiet, low-stress environment.
Around this time, Jennifer came to work at The Prairie–a perfect match and a wonderful opportunity to utilize her holistic approach to help those recovering from addiction and substance abuse issues.
When not at work, Jennifer enjoys gardening, cooking and spending time with her husband and two children
- ANNE MCALLISTER, LVNNURSE MANAGERANNE MCALLISTER, LVNNURSE MANAGER
- JILL VANWOERT, RNNURSING TEAM
- KACIE SOLIS, LVNNURSING TEAM
- JESSICA RODRIGUEZ, LVNNURSING TEAM
- ANGELICA TELEFORD, LVNNURSING TEAM
- MICHELLE EMERSON, LVNNURSING TEAM
CLINICAL TEAM
(click profile to view full bios)
- ROBERT HILLIKER, LCSW- S, LCDCCLINCIAL DIRECTORROBERT HILLIKER, LCSW- S, LCDCCLINCIAL DIRECTOR
Robert is driven by a deep commitment to serve others, and is passionate about the subject of hope and despair in clinical treatment. His 17 years in the field of addiction and mental health encompass private practice, clinical supervision, the creation and management of clinical programming, the co-founding of The Lovett Center in 2014 and the co-founding of Ethos in 2018.
Throughout his educational and professional careers, Robert has gained valuable experience and impactful recognitions. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, which went on to honor him as a 50 for 50 Alumni in 2019 for embodying the college’s social justice vision. Robert’s education includes a fellowship at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and a Postgraduate Social Work Fellowship at The Menninger Clinic, while his resume includes long standing leadership positions at The Daring Way, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston and The Menninger Clinic. At the latter, he earned a Menninger Clinic Pillar Award for Integrity for his work in the Professionals in Crisis Program, an honor meant to recognize those who best exemplify Menninger’s core values: excellence, teamwork, hope, integrity and caring. The Houston Business Journal named Robert a 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 Honoree.
- CECI HUDSON TORN, DSW, LPC-ALEAD THERAPISTCECI HUDSON TORN, DSW, LPC-ALEAD THERAPIST
An exemplary, long-spanning career in mental health and finance has put person-centered-care at the heart of Ceci’s work. She has gathered a wealth of experience at one of the nation’s largest residential summer camps, which provides her with a unique lens to approach treatment in a residential setting. Ceci received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Wake Forest University, as well as her Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus on building behavioral health in adolescents and young adults. Since co-founding Ethos Behavioral Health Group in 2018, Ceci now spends her time providing clinical services and business leadership across all Ethos healing centers as a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Ethos’ Chief Operations Officer. She and her husband Chris are continuing to serve children and families with the launch of Camp OTX in the Texas Hill Country, all while raising 5 children of their own.
- CHAD LEMAIRE, MD, DFAPAPSYCHIATRISTCHAD LEMAIRE, MD, DFAPAPSYCHIATRIST
Dr. Lemaire is a psychiatrist with over a decade of experience who is passionate about treating people with diverse needs in a compassionate and holistic way. He employs a biopsychosocial approach, incorporating existential and spiritual components as desired by the person seeking help. He believes in involving his patients in collaborative treatment decisions. The richness of working with people wanting to improve their lives is very rewarding and fulfilling to Dr. Lemaire. One of the many reasons Dr. Lemaire felt psychiatry was a calling is his belief that the shared human experience is such a large part of working with people who seek mental health care. He feels that making a deep connection with someone in a trusting environment has the power to heal. Dr. Lemaire strives to treat others as he would want his own loved ones to be treated.
Before becoming a physician, Dr. Lemaire worked as a nurse. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors and was Outstanding Graduate of the College of Nursing. While working as a pediatric nurse with a focus in oncology, he was inspired to go to medical school. He attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, where he graduated in 2006 with Highest Honors, ranked #1 in his class, and was given the Eugen Kahn Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. He then completed a psychiatry residency at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, where he was named Outstanding Resident of his graduating class.
Dr. Lemaire has worked in various clinical and leadership roles. He has also done advocacy work around mental health and other issues that are important to him. Dr. Lemaire served as President of the Houston Psychiatric Society in 2017-18 and has served as a Board Member for the Network of Behavioral Health Providers and Doctors for Change, respectively. He has authored or co-authored over 40 peer reviewed journal articles in mental health, and he authored a book chapter on grief and resilience. Dr. Lemaire is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, the Houston Psychiatric Society, the Texas Medical Association and the Harris County Medical Society.
- MAREN EBERHARD, LCSWCLINICAL MANAGERMAREN EBERHARD, LCSWCLINICAL MANAGER
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Ethos’ The Prairie Recovery Center, Maren Eberhard has spent the past 15 years working in the mental health field.
Maren began her work with children and adolescents who were victims of sexual abuse or witnesses of domestic violence. She then moved to England, where she had the opportunity to practice international social work in a hospital setting. Back in Texas, Maren applied this experience as the clinical director at a partial hospitalization program for clients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illnesses.
In 2010, Maren transitioned into private practice and had the opportunity to serve children, adolescents and adults living in rural areas. In 2018, she joined a family practice clinic as an employee of a large hospital system and continued her work as a psychotherapist.
Maren is passionate about and dedicated to helping others who are struggling due to trauma,
addictions, low self-worth and mental illness. She believes there is often a connection between addiction and trauma, and once that connection is made and understood, it can lead to hope, healing and recovery. Maren uses the therapeutic relationship to help her clients connect to their authentic selves with grace, self-compassion and integrity.
Education
- Master of Social Work, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (Recipient of The Mary Richmond Award, a peer-nominated award for integrity in social work)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Utah
Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor (LCSW-S) in Texas
- Certified Daring Way Facilitator (CDWF)
- Member of the Applied Association of Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
- Member of The International Society of Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR)
- Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCIA)
- PAUL CALUSCOS, LMSWSTAFF THERAPISTPAUL CALUSCOS, LMSWSTAFF THERAPIST
An alumni of the Ethos Behavioral Health Group internship program and the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, Paul is a Licensed Master Social Worker who serves clients at Ethos’ The Lovett Center and The Prairie Recovery Center at both the inpatient and outpatient levels, in both group and individual therapy sessions. In his practice, where he specializes in substance use with co-occurring mental health issues, he employs a variety of therapy modalities including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
Paul works with his clients to help identify unconscious patterns and themes that may be affecting their daily lives and relationships and bring them to the conscious mind, helping them to heal and move forward—past any recurring thoughts and behaviors causing distress or holding them back—towards increased self-awareness and a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.
Years of experience working with communities affected by addiction and mental health issues sparked Paul’s passion and led him towards a career in behavioral health and substance use treatment. As a GLOBE Fellow with the Global Leaders of Behavioral Health and Education, Paul focused on promoting therapy in diverse communities; with the Alliance for Multicultural Community Services, he helped to establish mentoring and counseling programs for immigrant and refugee students in HISD schools; as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist at a local sober living organization, he collaborated with residents to establish wellness and recovery plans; and much more.
In his spare time, Paul especially enjoys networking with resource agencies in the local community, gathering tools to further help his clients and other individuals in-need. This can be financial, medical or even something as simple as transportation; one of the organizations he works with, Free Wheels Houston, donates bikes to diverse populations. Finally, in addition to his role as a clinician, Paul also serves as a facilitator for all Ethos meetings of the worldwide SMART Recovery program, a no-cost, non-denominational community for all types of recovery that is based in CBT and REBT.
- ALANA SMITH, LCSW, LCDCFAMILY THERAPIST/PRAIRIE FAMILY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTALANA SMITH, LCSW, LCDCFAMILY THERAPIST/PRAIRIE FAMILY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
COMING SOON
- SHAWN SLOBE, LMSWSTAFF THERAPISTSHAWN SLOBE, LMSWSTAFF THERAPIST
BIO COMING SOON
- OLIVIA BERKLEY, LMSWSTAFF THERAPISTOLIVIA BERKLEY, LMSWSTAFF THERAPIST
Bio Coming Soon
- BENJAMIN CARNES, LCDCCOMPLIANCE COORDINATORBENJAMIN CARNES, LCDCCOMPLIANCE COORDINATOR
As Clinical Case Manager for Ethos’ The Prairie Recovery Center, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Benjamin Carnes wears many hats. Upon intake, Ben performs a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to understand clients’ unique challenges and strengths. As the patients progress through treatment, Ben works in conjunction with the client and the rest of the treatment team to develop and arrange an individualized treatment and aftercare plan. In between, he meets with clients regularly to ensure they are meeting their treatment objectives and getting what they need from their time at the Prairie.
With more than five years of experience in the field of mental health and addiction, Ben isn’t sure what he would be doing if he wasn’t working in recovery. He is grateful for the opportunity to help clients grow in their pursuit of their most authentic selves. He spent his early years in the field as a member of youth staff at Teen and Family Services and at the Palmer Drug Abuse Program as a counselor intern. Ben then transitioned to an outpatient counselor role at the Phoenix House of Texas and later, a residential counselor on the adolescent unit of Memorial Hermann’s Prevention and Recovery Center.
Ben is now pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at the University of Houston-Downtown. He cites his friends, his family, and his wife as his biggest source of inspiration and support in life. For fun, he loves to play video games, play guitar and go fishing when he isn’t helping on the family farm in Caldwell, Texas.
- SUMMER RIVERS STEELEMANAGER OF RECOVERY SERVICESSUMMER RIVERS STEELEMANAGER OF RECOVERY SERVICES
- TANNER HALERECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALISTTANNER HALERECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST
- MATT RUSSELLSPIRITUAL CAREMATT RUSSELLSPIRITUAL CARE
BIO COMING SOON
RECOVERY ADVOCATE TEAM
- LEIGH PAGERECOVERY ADVOCATELEIGH PAGERECOVERY ADVOCATE
- GARI BETH CHRISTENSENRECOVERY ADVOCATEGARI BETH CHRISTENSENRECOVERY ADVOCATE
- JAMES JOHNSONRECOVERY ADVOCATEJAMES JOHNSONRECOVERY ADVOCATE
- KRISTINA ERDEGRECOVERY ADVOCATEKRISTINA ERDEGRECOVERY ADVOCATE
- RHONDA THEISSRECOVERY ADVOCATERHONDA THEISSRECOVERY ADVOCATE
- TONYA RAINS - LOVERECOVERY ADVOCATETONYA RAINS - LOVERECOVERY ADVOCATE
- JEFF ELLISRECOVERY ADVOCATEJEFF ELLISRECOVERY ADVOCATE
- MARY NOSSAMANRECOVERY ADVOCATEMARY NOSSAMANRECOVERY ADVOCATE
FACILITIES & HOSPITALITY
- DANNY RIEBELINGFACILITIES DIRECTORDANNY RIEBELINGFACILITIES DIRECTOR
Danny learned carpentry from his father at an early age, which eventually led to his expertise in the field. Over the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to construct, remodel, reshape and transform diverse spaces in Houston’s Medical Center, the historic Houston Heights and Round Top.
Daniel currently resides at his country place in Fayette County with his wife Andrea and their dog Glory. He is involved with various fundraisers in the Round Top area, among them the Family Library. His many interests include gardening, cooking, music, social gatherings and volunteer work.
- KATHY ZINGELMANNHOSPITALITY COORDINATORKATHY ZINGELMANNHOSPITALITY COORDINATOR
Kathy says, “there are no strangers in life, only other family to connect with. If I can make someone smile or be happy, I have done something.” She loves people and feels it is her calling to help others. By way of her previous roles surrounding mental health and retardation, hospitality and retail, she feels that her work has taken her where she is needed most. Kathy’s 5 children and 4 grandchildren are her greatest joy.
- DUSTIN PACEFACILITIES
- KATIE EDENFIELDHOSPITALITY
CULINARY TEAM
- LANCE FEGENCULINARY DIRECTORLANCE FEGENCULINARY DIRECTOR
Bio coming soon
- JOSH ARNOLDCULINARY TEAM
- ALEXANDER ERDEGCULINARY TEAM
- BRIANNA KRAEMERCULINARY TEAM