Meet the Staff
Jeremy Cassius, Executive Director,
LPC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), administers the agency, supervises the professional staff and welcomes new clients. Jeremy graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and History and obtained a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University.
Rob Novick, Director of Clinical Services,
LCSW, full-time social worker/therapist and Director of Clinical Services with over 10 years psychiatric social work experience. Rob has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Texas at Austin and a MSSW from University of Texas at Arlington. He has worked at several hospitals in the Dallas area, including most recently Zale Lipshy University Hospital. Rob has a registered therapy dog, Skyy, who is often a welcome addition to his therapy.
Sarah Aberg,
LCSW, full-time social worker/therapist with 20 years mental health and psychiatric social work experience. Sarah graduated with a B.S. in Visual Arts from the University of Texas at Dallas and obtained an MSSW from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Julie Bangle,
LCSW, full-time social worker/therapist with 10 years psychiatric social work experience and 15 years as a public school teacher. Julie graduated with a B.A. in Education from Trinity University, San Antonio and obtained an MSSW in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington.
John Lurkins,
LCSW, Director of CET, full-time social worker/therapist with seven years psychiatric social work experience. John has a BSW and a MSW from Southern Illinois University and he is pursuing a Masters degree in public administration. John directs the Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) program as well as providing counseling and care management services.
Rita Smith,
LCSW, full-time social worker/therapist with 19 years experience in counseling clients with psychiatric and developmental disabilities. Rita has a BSW and an MSSW from the University of Texas at Arlington and she is pursuing a Ph.D. in counseling.
Janis Brunworth,
Interim Development Director, has a background in fund-raising from The Family Place and experience in marketing in the restaurant industry. Janis has a degree in Sociology from Texas Women's University with a minor in Social Work. She also has personal family experience with serious mental illness.
Pam Cohen,
Director of Education, has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Texas Tech and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College. Pam uses her personal experience with mental illness to relate to clients and to serve as a role model. Pam sets the recovery curriculum and the calendar for all of the activities at Iris Place. She teaches many of the classes and recruits volunteers to teach other activities.
Melissa Remy,
Volunteer Coordinator/Assistant Education Director, has a BSW and an MSW from Iowa State University and over 10 years providing psychiatric social work services. Melissa is responsible for recruiting, training and recording hours for all PLAN volunteers. She also teaches classes and recruits volunteers to teach other activities.
PLAN's Consulting Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist Michael J. Downing, M.D., consults with the PLAN staff focusing on developing solutions to client problems with the goal of leading clients to recovery and integration into society. For more than 15 years, Dr. Downing worked with psychiatric patients at Zale Lipshy Hospital and at Parkland Hospital's Emergency Room. Dr. Downing now practices in North Dallas, is very knowledgeable about serious mental illness and is well respected in the community of psychiatrists.
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