Meet the Texas Helps Team
Corporate
Nicholas Dean, LADC I, LMHC
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Byron
Business Development
Kurt Holt
Director of Operations
David Humphries, LMHC
Lead Clinician
Meet the Texas Helps at San Marcos Team
At Texashelp at San Marcos, our team of well-trained, licensed professionals is dedicated to our patients and their journey to recovery. Our primary mission is to evoke healing and wellness through proven therapy and treatment for you or your loved one undergoing an addiction treatment program.
Our licensed physicians and nurses are crucial in fulfilling our mission at texashelps at San Marcos—they are just a part of our team’s efforts. We have a diverse group of behavioral health professionals on our team who are dedicated to helping patients in their recovery. Our team comprises psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and other medical professionals who work together with our patients to construct a plan that meets their unique needs. Our team includes individuals who have personally gone through the recovery process and are now committed to supporting you on your own journey.
Megan Kowalski
Executive Director
Megan Kowalski is a behavioral health executive with over 12 years of experience in addiction and mental health treatment and more than 14 years in long-term recovery. Her leadership is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience, allowing her to guide programs with empathy, integrity, and clinical excellence.
Megan has held progressive leadership roles across clinical services, program development, operations, and executive management. For the past six years, she has served in senior leadership positions overseeing multidisciplinary teams, clinical programming, compliance, and day-to-day operations across multiple levels of care.
She is deeply committed to delivering evidence-based treatment in safe, supportive environments where individuals and families feel respected, understood, and empowered in their recovery journey. Megan is passionate about building strong teams, maintaining high clinical standards, and creating programs that support long-term, sustainable recovery.
Outside of her professional work, Megan enjoys spending time in nature, crafting, and cooking, valuing balance and wellness both personally and professionally.
Alexandra Luna
Director of Human Resources
With over five years of experience in substance use treatment serving both adolescent and adult populations, Alley brings a people-first approach to Human Resources at Texas Helps, grounded in compassion, integrity, and lived experience. As a long-standing member of the facility, she understands firsthand how ethical, supportive HR practices strengthen both staff engagement and client care.
Alley is a trusted pillar within the organization, balancing staff satisfaction with client satisfaction while consistently going above and beyond in everything she does. She is passionate about training and developing staff to do meaningful, purpose-driven work and actively supports clients whenever she has the opportunity. Committed to redefining Human Resources, Alley fosters a culture of trust, transparency, and advocacy—ensuring both employees and clients feel valued, respected, and never treated as just a number.
Aakash Patel
Director of Operations
Aakash Patel is the Director of Operations at Texas Helps Treatment Center, where he brings seven years of lived experience in recovery and a deep commitment to meeting clients exactly where they are. Beginning his career as a Behavioral Health Technician, Aakash worked his way into leadership through dedication, empathy, and a proven ability to motivate individuals toward long-term recovery.
Aakash leads with a team-oriented mindset, emphasizing clear communication, strong collaboration, and a positive organizational culture. Known as a natural problem solver, he excels at creating efficient systems, strengthening operational workflows, and supporting high-performing teams.
With a diverse background spanning advertising, big tech, and behavioral health—Aakash has successfully guided operations teams across multiple industries and scales. His passion lies in helping people grow, supporting staff development, and building environments where clients and teams can thrive.
Pamela Lambert
Clinical Director
Elizabeth Fowler- RN
Director of Nursing
Liz has been a registered nurse since 2008, bringing over 18 years of clinical experience to her role as Director of Nursing at Texas Helps. Her passion for addiction nursing is rooted not only in professional practice, but in personal experience. She has witnessed substance use disorder from many angles, and tragically, lost her son to his own struggle with heroin. That loss has shaped her commitment to this work on a profoundly deeper level.
Because of this, her approach to leadership and care is grounded in compassion, accountability, and unwavering advocacy for our clients. Liz believes meaningful recovery is achieved when nursing, clinical, and operations teams work together as a unified force to ensure patient safety, continuity of care, and high-quality, evidence-based treatment.
Liz says the most meaningful part of her work is watching individuals reconnect with themselves and reclaim their lives. “At Texas Helps, we are fortunate to have a highly collaborative environment where nursing, clinical, and operations leadership partners seamlessly support survival, stability, and long-term recovery. This alignment allows us to deliver consistent, coordinated care while maintaining a strong foundation of safety, respect, and accountability. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and remain dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they navigate the journey of sobriety and healing.”
Shana Santistevan- MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Shana Santistevan is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 16 years of experience in the field of medicine and 7 years specializing in addiction medicine. Her clinical background includes work in emergency medical services (EMS), public health, and nursing, giving her a broad and grounded perspective on patient care across diverse settings. Shana is a passionate Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) provider who strongly believes in harm reduction and evidence-based approaches to recovery. She recognizes that meaningful steps toward sobriety can—and often do—begin with tools such as Suboxone or Sublocade, and she is committed to meeting patients where they are in their individual journeys.
Known for her compassionate and supportive approach, Shana values the opportunity to walk alongside patients as they build confidence, resilience, and a sense of personal accomplishment. She takes pride in cheering her patients on as they discover their own strengths and define recovery on their own terms.
In addition to her professional expertise, Shana brings a personal understanding of the devastating impact addiction can have on individuals and their families. This dual perspective informs her practice and deepens her commitment to providing empathetic, respectful, and nonjudgmental care to those affected by substance use disorders.
Gina Terrell- LCDC
Therapist
Gina Terrell is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with decades of experience supporting individuals in substance use disorder treatment across multiple levels of care. Her clinical approach blends evidence-based practices with seasoned clinical judgment and a grounded, client-centered philosophy.
Gina has worked extensively in both residential and outpatient settings, providing individual and group counseling, treatment planning, and clinical documentation. She is especially known for her ability to help individuals take meaningful accountability for their recovery—offering direct, compassionate guidance while walking alongside clients as they navigate change, growth, and long-term stability.
Respected for her clarity, ethical practice, and steady presence, Gina is a trusted collaborator within multidisciplinary treatment teams. Her work reflects a balance of structure and empathy, empowering clients to take ownership of their recovery while feeling supported every step of the way. Outside of work, Gina enjoys time outdoors and practices that promote balance, resilience, and long-term well-being.
Ashley Baldwin- MA, LPC
Therapist
Ashley earned her master’s degree in professional counseling from Texas State University and has a strong background in group therapy, having spent two years facilitating ACT, DBT, and CBT-based groups. Her clinical experience has allowed her to work with individuals navigating emotional regulation, life transitions, substance use, and identity-related challenges.
She takes an eclectic and collaborative approach to therapy, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs. Her work draws from Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Gestalt techniques to promote insight, resilience, and meaningful change.
Her passion for this work is deeply personal. Through close relationships with friends in the military, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges many face during transitions, including struggles with substance use and reintegration into civilian life. These experiences have shaped her commitment to providing compassionate, nonjudgmental support to those seeking healing, growth, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Dara Musick- BA, LCDCi (Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student)
Case Manager
Dara Musick is a dedicated behavioral health clinician at Texas Helps with nearly a decade of experience in the recovery and mental health field. Originally from Houston, Texas, and having lived in Dallas and Austin, Dara brings a deep appreciation for the diverse communities she serves.
She holds an Associate of Applied Science in General Human Services, a bachelor’s degree in social psychology, and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor–Intern (LCDC-I). Dara is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Since entering the field in 2016, she has combined professional training with lived experience, allowing her to meet clients where they are with empathy, authenticity, and hope.
Rooted in her passions for God, recovery, and helping others, Dara believes healing happens through connection and shared experience, living by the principle “Each one, teach one.” She is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. The most meaningful part of her work is witnessing transformation—watching clients rediscover their strength, gain insight, and begin to believe in themselves again.
Outside of work, Dara is the proud parent of three grown children and the devoted pet parent of two fur babies, Sullie and Lil Bit.
Dawn Hurley- MAC Intern, LCDCi
Case Manager
Dawn is a Case Manager and Group Facilitator at TX Helps with over two and a half years of experience in the treatment field. She has served in multiple roles, including Behavioral Health Technician, Intake Coordinator, Case Manager, and Discharge Coordinator, giving her insightful understanding of the challenges clients face at each stage of treatment. This experience allows her to provide thoughtful, individualized support that honors each client’s needs from entry into care through successful transition into ongoing recovery.
Drawing from lived experience in overcoming addiction, including treatment episodes and relapse, Dawn brings a deep level of empathy, insight, and authenticity to her work. She is an LCDC Intern and is completing a Master of Arts in Counseling toward LPC licensure, including the completion of internship hours at TX Helps through individual counseling and group facilitation. Dawn is passionate about helping clients identify their strengths, reconnect with their values, and move through recovery with a sense of liberation and renewed inspiration.
Lonnie Cooper
Executive Chef
Lonnie Cooper brings more than 40 years of experience in the food service industry and a lifelong commitment to using nutrition to support health and recovery. His background includes managing and training military personnel and serving as a chef during overseas deployments, where he prepared nutritious, home-cooked meals for more than 2,500 individuals in high-demand environments.
As the Executive Chef at Texas Helps, Lonnie is dedicated to developing and preparing healthy, balanced meals that support the unique needs of individuals in healthcare and recovery settings. He believes that quality nutrition plays a vital role in healing, stability, and overall well-being.
Lonnie has been a Certified Dietary Manager for over 30 years and remains actively engaged in the field. In addition to his work at Texas Helps, he owns and operates A Touch of Class Catering, creating thoughtfully prepared meals for a wide range of clients. His passion for service also extends into the community, where he served as Director of Food Service at his church for more than 20 years.
Rebekah Hamlette
Admissions/Discharge Coordinator
Rebekah has more than five years of experience in the behavioral health field, supporting individuals in long-term psychiatric and inpatient treatment settings. She was drawn to this work through hands-on experience with individuals living with mental health disorders, where she developed a deep appreciation for compassionate, person-centered care.
Rebekah is passionate about helping individuals connect with meaningful resources that support sobriety, stability, and long-term recovery. She values collaboration, continuity of care, and meeting people where they are in their recovery journey. Her approach is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and a genuine commitment to helping others build a healthier, more sustainable future.
Shauna Dorrell
Business Development Representative
Shauna Dorrell works in Business Development at Texas Helps and is proud to be part of a compassionate, collaborative team dedicated to supporting individuals and families throughout their recovery journey. She values Texas Helps’ client-centered approach and is grateful to contribute to an organization that prioritizes quality care, meaningful connection, and ethical treatment.
Shauna brings six years of experience in the substance use treatment field, along with six years of personal recovery. Her lived experience allows her to connect authentically with individuals seeking help and to approach her work with empathy, integrity, and hope. She is deeply passionate about helping others discover their own path to recovery and finds purpose in witnessing growth, healing, and transformation.
Committed to building strong relationships and expanding access to care, Shauna remains dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they take steps toward lasting recovery.
Recovery From Addiction Is Within Your Grasp
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