THE HEALING JOURNEY AT THE PRAIRIE

STEP 1: INTRODUCTORY PHONE CALL

Through an initial, confidential phone screening, we aim to learn about how you or your loved one is struggling, and how we may be able to help. We know making that phone call may be one of the most difficult actions to take to break free from addiction, so we want to ensure that everyone is met with kindness, love and support. Once we learn about each patient’s unique situation, we recommend an appropriate level of care. During this time, payment options—including self-pay and insurance eligibility—may be explored. In instances when we determine that The Prairie may not be the best fit for the patient, our team will provide a list of helpful resources. Visit us and learn more about rehab in Austin, TX today!

STEP 2: DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

Based on our evaluation and the patient’s stage of life, we craft a holistic, integrative treatment plan for each individual. We do not use terms like “holistic” and “integrative” loosely; these words are guiding principles for how we approach care at The Prairie. We connect the dots between mental health issues and physical well-being, which are influenced by everything from a person’s environment, to their diet, to the number of supportive relationships they have available to them. Our treatment plans incorporate the expertise of a well-rounded clinical care team, which includes master’s and doctoral-level clinicians, psychiatrists and medical doctors, nurses, and a functional medicine nurse practitioner.

STEP 3: TREATMENT PLAN

We provide treatment using clinical frameworks built around the client. Through curated experiences, we work to illustrate that living in a new way, free from substances, is both possible and enjoyable. Call us to learn more about our rehab in Austin, TX today!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLINICAL APPROACH INCLUDING DETOX AND STABILIZATION

MEET THE ADMISSIONS TEAM

Our admissions team is comprised of a compassionate team of individuals passionate about helping others in their healing journey. Upon contacting The Prairie, patients and their loved ones can expect to speak with:

ASHLEY O’BRIEN, LMSW
VICE PRESIDENT OF CLIENT SERVICES
ASHLEY O’BRIEN, LMSW

VICE PRESIDENT OF CLIENT SERVICES

As Director of Admissions for all Ethos Behavioral Health Group healing centers, Ashley works to connect both clients and the community as a whole with quality treatment, meeting them with empathy, compassion and understanding, and building relationships as they begin their journey towards healing and wellness.

While Ashley knew at a young age that she wanted to help people, her path became clear during a psychology class in high school, where she fell in love with mental health. In college, an internship with an adolescent outpatient center only helped solidify her goals, and she has been working in the mental health field as a Licensed Master of Social Work for 20 years now.

While she spent time as a therapist and adoption specialist, most of Ashley’s experience has been in admissions and intake, and she has gained a true passion for helping clients during the start of their journey, when they are in a vulnerable place and have decided to seek support. She worked in the intake department of a state-funded clinic in Arizona and spent more than five years in the Menninger Clinic admissions department, moving up to manager of admissions and earning the clinic’s pillar award in 2018 for exemplifying their core value of teamwork. She notes that it is truly rewarding to provide clients with hope and guidance, from that first phone call to starting their path towards healing and wellness.

At home, Ashley is married with two children, son Jack and daughter Charlie, and her family places a high importance on time and experience rather than material items. They love to travel and experience new things, new places and new people. She hopes to impart upon her children that as long as they have each other and spend time together, nothing else matters.
MAKAYLA NAPIER, M.ED, LPC-A
INTAKE CLINICIAN/POST GRADUATE FELLOW
MAKAYLA NAPIER, M.ED, LPC-A

INTAKE CLINICIAN/POST GRADUATE FELLOW
Makayla has always been passionate about helping others, and through her roles as an intake clinician and postgraduate fellow, she is able to create a nurturing and empathic environment to support others as they navigate through mental health challenges. Makayla graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology before furthering her studies, then obtaining a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Houston. During her final year of graduate school, Makayla completed a yearlong internship with Ethos Wellness.

As an intake clinician, Makayla is honored to be a part of one of the first steps of an individual’s healing journey. She recognizes that it takes courage for individuals to seek counseling and she is committed to walking alongside them on their path to healing. While working with clients individually, Makayla utilizes an integrative client-centered approach by tailoring her therapeutic process to suit each individual’s unique needs and fostering a trustingtherapeutic relationship.

In her free time, Makayla enjoys traveling, watching classic tv shows and movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)

Education: Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of
Houston, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Oklahoma

Supervisor: Laura Bowen, LPC-S
MEGAN HEATH, LPC-A
INTAKE CLINICIAN
MEGAN HEATH, LPC-A

INTAKE CLINICIAN
As an Intake Clinician for Ethos Behavioral Health’s Prairie Recovery Center, Megan’s role is to support clients beginning their therapeutic journey. By first gaining an understanding of the specific needs of each client via an intake assessment, Megan creates a respectful, safe and empathetic environment to set the foundation for the therapeutic process to begin. She then works with the client(s) to determine a path of treatment that is the best fit for them.

During her undergraduate studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, Megan participated in an internship at the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, where she worked with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Through this experience, she walked alongside her clients as they rebuilt their lives following their traumatic experiences. She also played a key role in providing her clients with the resources and support needed. It was in this position that her passion for mental health support flourished.

Following her time at the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, Megan worked at the Fort Bend Women’s Center, continuing her work with domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. She also gained experience supporting victims of human trafficking. She then transitioned to working with individuals who had experienced homelessness while also battling co-occurring mental illnesses at the Salvation Army. Prior to joining Ethos Behavioral Health Group, Megan worked as a therapist at The Alliance where she conducted individual and group sessions with refugees from various countries.

In her spare time, Megan enjoys traveling, exploring nature, cooking new recipes or visiting restaurants in the Houston area. She is also learning Spanish as a second language.

Megan looks forward to working with you and helping you begin your therapeutic journey.

Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)

Education: Bachelor of Art, Texas State University, College of Liberal Arts, Master of Education, University of Houston, College of Education

Supervisor: Angela Hesselbrock, LPC-S
JOSUE LUNA, LMSW
INTAKE CLINICIAN
JOSUE LUNA, LMSW

INTAKE CLINICIAN
Before becoming an Intake Clinician, Josué interned at Ethos Wellness - Bellaire for one year. While there, he helped facilitate group and individual sessions in our PRISM Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and gained experience working with patients struggling with personality, depressive and anxiety disorders.

Upon earning his Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, Josué went on to earn his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston College of Social Work in 2021, graduating from the advanced standing program, which means he was able to complete the master’s program within a single year.

Josué is most passionate about building a strong therapeutic relationship with clients during their first session. One of his responsibilities as Intake Clinician is to complete the initial diagnostic assessment for both adults and adolescents. His top priority is making sure each client feels welcome, safe and comfortable, and that there is a clean transition from assessment to individual therapist.

In his free time, Josué enjoys going to the gym, indoor rock climbing, playing video games (for far too long) and watching movies and shows ranging from horror, science fiction, action and more. Above all, he enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones.

Credentials: Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW)

Education: Master of Social Work, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Supervisor: Leigha Ortega, LCSW

Robert Hilliker, PhD, LCSW‑S, LCDC (Medical Reviewer)

Robert is deeply committed to serving others and is passionate about hope and despair in clinical treatment. With over 20 years in addiction and mental health, he has experience in private practice, clinical supervision, and program management, co-founding The Lovett Center and Ethos. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, which honored him as a 50 for 50 Alumni in 2019. His education includes fellowships at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and The Menninger Clinic, where he held leadership roles and received the Menninger Clinic Pillar Award for Integrity. The Houston Business Journal recognized him as a 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 Honoree.