Donna founded Phoenix Associates 30 years ago with a vision of helping those suffering from substance use and mental health disorders. What began as a vision has grown into a place where countless individuals have found support, guidance, and a path forward. With decades of experience and a genuine love for counseling, Donna continues to lead Phoenix Associates with heart. Her commitment to building a supportive, welcoming environment is felt throughout the organization and remains at the center of everything Phoenix does.

Inspired by the long-standing mission of Phoenix Associates, Stephanie Whitaker is committed to upholding and strengthening the organization’s dedication to helping individuals reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. A native Texan and graduate of the University of Dallas, Stephanie began her career consulting for Fortune 500 companies, where she developed a strong foundation in operations and finance.

Her personal journey through recovery gives her a profound understanding of the challenges their clients face. This lived experience fuels her commitment to advancing Phoenix’s mission of providing compassionate, effective care. By combining her professional expertise with her deep personal connection to the mission, Stephanie plays a key role in supporting Phoenix Associates’ efforts to empower individuals on the path to long-term recovery.

Stefani graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in Finance. Her business career took her into the telecommunications industry and subsequently into real estate. Her vast background in finance and contract management has laid a solid foundation for her leadership at Phoenix. With a huge passion for helping others, Phoenix was a natural fit.

Amber is our dedicated Administrative Coordinator for our Federal programs at our Ft. Worth office. Additionally she is the billing specialist for all Federal programs for both Dallas and Ft. Worth locations. With 5 years of personal recovery, her journey through has given her empathy and insight on the challenges clients face on their path to sobriety. Her goal is to inspire others and give them hope that recovery is real, and sobriety is possible. She is living proof that addiction does not define you, as long as you work the program and fight for the life you want.

Lillian L. Collins Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor since 2003. She has worked in the field since 1990. Her passion and purpose are to assist others in any way possible. Her hope is that she can make a difference in as many lives as possible.

Shrie is an LCDC with 6 years experience, she has a passion for helping people in recovery. Shrie wants persons who suffer from addiction to know that their sobriety is achievable. Her goal as a clinician is to give clients the tools and education they need to live a productive life of sobriety, and to let clients know that they are greater than their set of circumstances.

Kimberly Frye, LPC Associate (supervised by Sheree Burnett LPC-S, TF-CBT Certified) is a graduate of the University of North Texas in Denton, TX and has a passion for trauma-informed care. She has experience working with individuals navigating complex life experiences, and she believes healing is always possible no matter the past. Kimberly’s approach is rooted in empathy, accountability, and the belief that every day offers a new chance to grow, choose differently, and move forward. She understands that individuals’ mental health, environment, and upbringing all play a role in how they think, feel, and act. Kimberly is here to support clients in rewriting their stories with intention and resilience.

Ben finds joy in various forms of artistic expression. With drawing, painting, and working on a graphic novel. Additionally, Ben is an accomplished bass guitarist, crafting original pieces of music. Over the past two decades, he has dedicated his career to building startup companies, specializing in inventory operations and procedural management. Outside of work, Ben cherishes the time he spends with his loved ones, prioritizing his family and friends.

Teresa has been in the substance abuse field since 1998. Her own personal recovery journey has inspired her to assist others that suffer from the disease of addiction. She specializes in the therapeutic value of substance abuse as well as co-occurring disorders. She has been instrumental in the leadership and training of interns as well as the development of various programs in the substance abuse field. Teresa attended UNT Dallas, Eastfield College and Cedar Valley.

Seasoned Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and Qualified Mental Health Professional offering 5 years of related experience. Dante has spearheaded successful therapeutic initiatives, prevention strategies and educational approaches to mitigate effects of mental health and substance abuse problems and diagnoses in vulnerable populations. He practices CBT Based Person Centered Therapy to assist individuals in taking control of their lives, thoughts, and addictions! Dante is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Amberton University.

Maggie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is passionate about supporting others and empowering them to realize their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and playing with her dog.

Shanna Pope is the Administrative Assistant at our Dallas location supporting TDCJ. With 17 years of admin experience serving in mental health and medical clinics, she uses her passion for helping people to coordinate scheduling, educate clients, and support our professional staff within the Criminal Justice Programs. In her personal life, she loves spending time with her family and her dog. She enjoys creating art through textiles, crochet, sculpting, and painting.

Suzanne graduated with a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. Suzanne specializes in trauma-informed care and evidence-based therapeutic practices. Whether supporting clients through anxiety, grief, past trauma, or major life transitions, Suzanne is dedicated to walking alongside them with care and integrity. Her goal is to help each person feel empowered, grounded, and more connected in their everyday life. In her free time, Suzanne enjoys reading, writing, spending time with friends and family, and taking care of her ferrets. 

Marion is our dedicated Administrative Assistant at our Fort Worth location with over two years of experience in the mental health field.. She is passionate about helping others and thrives in environments that supports both clients and staff. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with family, which helps her recharge and stay grounded. She brings a compassionate, organized approach to her work and always strives to create a positive and efficient environment.

Tess graduated with a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas at Dallas. She utilizes the Adlerian theoretical approach to counseling, and incorporates techniques from DBT and REBT modalities. She believes in the benefit of the arts when it comes to self expression and processing previous experiences, and loves using art therapy to help her clients gain insight into their own experiences. She strongly believes that her individual clients are unique, and should be treated as such through collaborative therapeutic practices. In her personal life, Tess enjoys creating art, spending time with her family and friends, and especially her dog Saucy.