The Center for Success and Independence Team
The uniqueness of The Center is the strong, experienced, nurturing team that is the heart of our organization. Using sound and proven clinical methods of treatment, confidence building and social skills programs our committed professional team prepares adolescents to reintegrate successfully into the community and to achieve their highest potential.
Robert Woods, M.Ed., Executive Director
Robert Woods has 20 years of experience in the mental health field including specialties in child and adolescent psychotherapy; parenting of attention deficit hyperactivity disordered (ADHD) children and behavior problem children; as well as treatment of individuals with substance abuse problems. His private practice and very diverse clientele provides a broad perspective which is beneficial to both individual patients and in his role as Executive Director. Mr. Woods received his graduate degree in Counseling from Texas Southern University, and his undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Grambling State University. He is also well known for the three years he played with the Houston Oilers. Playing football, including his four years in the NFL, taught Robert Woods that teamwork and a great coaching staff leads to success on and off the field.
Marylou Erbland, Ph.D., Clinical Director
Marylou Erbland, Ph.D., Clinical Director is an intensively trained Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) psychotherapist specializing in clinical neuropsychology, including testing and cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Erbland has worked extensively with children and adolescents, as well with their families, who are struggling with oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder. She has also developed a program of group therapy and education for attention deficit disordered students and their parents. A licensed psychologist with 25 years of private practice experience, Dr. Erbland is a graduate of Akron University in Akron, Ohio, where she received her Ph.D. in psychology, as well as two Masters Degrees in Special Education and School Psychology. Her post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology was completed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Marylou gets a sense of peace and enjoyment in touring art galleries, events and openings, especially for local and regional artists. Supporting historic homes and their neighborhoods through local organizations and events is also a passion of hers.
Karl Webster, Ed.S., Administrative Director
Karl Webster, Ed.S., Administrative Director, is a Licensed Child-Care Administrator with over 35 years of experience in the field of counseling and treatment. Mr. Webster’s experience ranges from direct client care to program design and management. He has worked in such varied areas as child abuse and neglect; substance abuse counseling; career counseling and testing; and vocational rehabilitation. Mr. Webster completed his graduate studies in Counselor Education at the University of Florida. As one of the founders of TCSI, Karl has played an integral role in making a difference in the lives of teenagers and their families for 12 years.
Elsa-Iris S. Davis, MA
Elsa Davis’ fluency in Spanish complements her background in Marriage & Family Therapy. Her recent addition to the Clinical Therapy team allows TCSI to conduct individual, family and multi-family group therapy sessions in Spanish. Ms. Davis graduated with Honors from the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus in 2011 where she was awarded UHCL’s Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Ms. Davis brings over 3 years experience working with individuals, couples, and families to TCSI. Previously, she worked as a therapist at Texas Child & Family Institute in Baytown, Texas, plus has 2 years experience working at a residential treatment center in San Antonio, Texas.
Marcie Dinkin, LMSW Psychotherapist
Marcie Dinkin, LMSW, is skilled in a wide range of techniques including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic and experiential education. Residential treatment facilities (such as TCSI), homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools and community mental health centers are just an example of the environments in which Ms. Dinkins is experienced in working with children and adolescents. A graduate of the University of Houston School of Social Work, Ms. Dinkin’s graduate studies focused on children and adolescents in relation to substance abuse and mental illness. Marcie enjoys her book club, being involved in a kickball league and being a member of the child advocates young professionals group. One of her favorite things about Houston is the barbeque and rodeo season.
Kelly Guynes, LMSW Psychotherapist
Kelly Guynes’, LMSW, experience in cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, motivational enhancement, narrative and Dialectical Behavior Therapy came from her work with children and adolescents locally and abroad in hospitals, residential treatment facilities, community mental health centers, homeless shelters, schools and private practice. As a graduate of the University of Texas School of Social Work, Ms. Guynes graduate research focused on post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment, neurobiology and the mental health treatment of children and adolescents. Kelly is a classically trained cellist and in her spare time enjoys biking, cooking and playing with her dog Jack.
Rebecca Whitson, LCSW
At TCSI, Rebecca Whitson, is our residential psychotherapist, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Team Leader, Senior Social Worker, and Student Supervisor. Ms. Whitson is TCSI’s Clinical Supervisor on a substance-use grant as well as Clinical Coordinator on a trauma-focused grant. She has completed the Intensive Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy including adolescents, trauma, substance-use, emotional regulation, skills training, mindfulness, and multi-disordered clients. Ms. Whitson frequently presents on topics such as self-injury, crisis interventions, boundaries and care for homeless and high-risk youth, and DBT in community agencies and local workshops. Her concentrations include but are not limited to: emotional dysregulation disorders, addictive disorders, trauma, shame, grief/loss issues, personality disorders, and relational therapies. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Smith College, studied Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and has had extensive trauma training through Houston Galveston Trauma Institute. Ms. Whitson completed a post graduate fellowship at The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas, focusing on personality disorders, addiction, interpersonal issues, and DBT. Prior to graduate school, Ms. Whitson spent five years working in an adolescent residential long term trauma clinic, focusing on relational interventions and DBT. Her undergraduate degree is a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Denver. She holds certification in the state of Texas as a licensed board certified social work supervisor.
Matt Winter, LMSW
Matt Winter is a Licensed Master of Social Work, soon to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Originally from New York City, Mr. Winter worked with homeless youth, counseling and case managing as well as conducted outreach and counseling with homeless men and women living in the NYC subway system. At an outpatient mental health clinic in Southeast Washington DC, Mr. Winter conducted trauma groups for men. His therapeutic interventions vary depending on his client’s individual needs, but include motivational interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and strategic family therapy. He has since found a niche at The Center for Success and Independence, where he thoroughly enjoys working with clients and their families on addictions, trauma, and relationship building. Mr. Winter graduated from Union College and earned his masters from the University of Texas at Austin.
Larry S. Swann II, LMSW
Larry S. Swann II, LMSW, is a graduate of Tulane University School of Social Work. Mr. Swann is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, ACRA, Project Respect HIV protocol, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy and Critical Incident training. He is currently the case manager on the TCE-HIV adolescent Grant and provides HIV prevention/motivational interviewing to the Harris County juvenile population and provides services as a psychotherapist in the residential program. Mr. Swann has worked with adjudicated youth in New Orleans, LA and helped to close down privatized prisons while working the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana. He has worked with schools, residential programs, faith based organizations, hospitals, drop in centers and homeless shelters.
Darlene Jones
Darlene Jones is the Senior Supervisor at The Center for Success and Independence. She is responsible for overseeing the Direct Care Supervisors, providing ongoing training, and ensuring proper staffing ratios 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Having worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse for over 30 years, Ms. Jones has been a valuable part of TCSI’s team for eleven years. Her good-natured personality yet firm standards make her a well-liked and respected member of The Center among clients, family and staff members alike.
Deborah Foe, MA
Deborah Foe, MA, is one of the most recent additions to the Clinical Therapy team at TSCI. She is a graduate of Houston Graduate School of Theology, where she graduated with Honors in Counseling. She completed her counseling practicum experience working with individuals, groups, and families here at TCSI. She is currently working towards becoming intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and receiving her license as a licensed chemical dependency counselor. Ms. Foe received a Bachelor of Science in Education from University of Houston, where she graduated with honors in 1988, and was awarded Outstanding Student of the Year. She was a teacher in the public school system serving elementary and middle school students for 18 years. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Marc Elliott, MA-LPC intern, LCCA
Marc Elliott serves as Director of Quality Management and as a psychotherapist for The Center for Success and Independence. He is a Licensed Child Care Administrator and has worked in adolescent residential treatment since beginning his professional career in 2005. With valuable administrative and clinical experience, Marc joined the TCSI team in January 2011 to further the goals and purpose of The Center for Success and Independence. Marc earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Mississippi in 2001 and moved to Texas to attend graduate school at Stephen F. Austin State University. Marc became a Licensed Professional Counselor (Intern) in 2010. He enjoys working with adolescents and their families with a variety of difficulties and backgrounds.
Rachael Chapa, MA-LPC intern
Rachael Chapa, M.A., LPC Intern holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and has been with TCSI since 2010. She has a background in education which includes leading the hands-on learning laboratory for the Psychology department at San Jacinto College as well as classroom instruction in Houston area public school special education programs. Rachael brings experience in psychological research on aggression in relationships and the use of marriage and family therapy worldwide. She has also assisted with sociological research on assimilation and changes in Mexican-American culture. Her professional interests include child and adolescent therapy, multicultural counseling, traumatic stress, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy. Rachael chose to be involved at the Center because she values the emphasis on comprehensive treatment for adolescents, the innovative use of DBT with adolescents and families, and trauma-related research and education. Outside of her time spent at The Center, Rachael volunteers for local organizations that provide school supplies, clothing, and other necessities to children. She enjoys gardening, do-it-yourself projects, and outdoor activities with her family.
Front Office Team
Stepping through the doors of The Center for Success and Independence the first time can be a challenging time. Our front office team understands that and provides genuine care during that process. They provide the same care and thorough approach to everyone who passes through our doors. Their pleasant demeanor and attention to details is key to our success.
On-site Nurse
We feel it is essential to have a registered nurse on-site to not only manage and administer medication but also to care for the various needs that may arise for our clients. It is a responsibility that Rachel takes on in earnest and relishes.
Food Services
As a residential treatment facility, our food service personnel are an important part of our team. After all, caring for adolescents is as much about nourishing their bodies as it is their minds and emotions.
Facility Maintenance
Just as important at a residential treatment facility, is the care and maintenance of our buildings and grounds. Ziggy takes pride in keeping “our house” running smoothly.
Business Office Team
Bob and Pam employ both an earnest and compassionate attitude to the business of running The Center. Their experience, diligence and knowledge coupled with their true belief in our mission is intrinsic to our success.
LMSW |
Licensed Master Social Worker |