Our Team
We’re a team of board certified doctors, psychologists, and counselors. But most importantly, we’re comprised of a solid support system that will walk side by side with you on your journey to recovery.
On our team, you’re never alone. We want to help. We’re here to help.
Kevin Gilliland
Executive Director
After working more than two decades in healthcare, Kevin came to Innovation 360 to better address the gaps that exist in drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of Innovation 360, which includes staff management and program development, as well as coordination of outside therapists and physicians, he also works with individuals and couples seeking to improve their family and marriage relationships.
Prior to Innovation 360, Kevin worked in the Medical Affairs departments of Johnson & Johnson, a multi-national manufacturer of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, as well as Cephalon, an international biopharmaceutical company. During his time with these companies, Kevin worked closely with leading researchers across the country and played an integral part in bringing breakthrough addiction medication to market.
Kevin earned his bachelors degree from Baylor University in 1986 and Psychology degree from Rosmead School of Psychology in 1992. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary for almost 20 years. His interest in addiction treatment and research has taken him across the country to train, work and learn. He is a frequent lecturer, presenter and guest speaker at various seminars and forums nationwide.
In his free time, Kevin is an avid athlete and outdoorsman. He regularly competes in triathlons and recently completed his first Ironman race in Arizona.
Joa Braga, MA, LPC
Manager of Clinical Services
Joa is a Texas-licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and serves as the Manager of Clinical Services at Innovation 360. Before joining the i360 team in February 2008, Joa worked with underprivileged individuals struggling with chemical dependence. That experience, along with his work at Innovation 360, has taught him that addictions impact individuals and families alike, no matter their social economic status, ethnic, cultural, or religious backgrounds.
As part of his work at Innovation 360, Joa works extensively with families and individuals struggling with chemical dependence and other chronic problems (depression, anxiety, intergenerational family conflict, etc.). As a therapist, he seeks to help individuals, couples and families experience and maintain a greater sense of freedom, intimacy, purpose and meaning in their lives. Joa is committed to giving his clients the utmost respect and acceptance, meeting them where they are at in life and coming alongside them and their loved ones to help them move toward a place of greater health and well being.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies and counseling and a Masters of Divinity degree in pastoral studies, Joa graduated with a Masters of Arts in Biblical counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently finishing a Ph.D in Family Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. Joa also presents frequently at Dallas-area counseling conferences and teaches counseling courses at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Ken Van Swearingen
Life Development Manager
Ken holds Master’s degrees in both Theological and Cross-Cultural studies and provides services as a spiritual director for those seeking to explore a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. As an avid reader, Ken shares this perspective expressed by Henri Nouwen: “Without a question, an answer is experienced as manipulation or control. Without a struggle, the help offered is considered interference. And without a desire to learn, direction is easily felt as oppression.”
Pam Newton, M.S., LCDC
Counselor/Educator
For over a year, Pam has served as an Educator and Counselor for Innovation 360. In her role, she provides individual and group counseling with a focus on addiction and recovery for families. Pam also spearheads educational groups for clients, families and community members focusing on the unique challenges often paired with addiction and recovery.
Pam has an extensive background in Counseling and has worked in key worked in key positions including: Director of Betty Ford Center Five Star Kids Program; Director of Pediatric AIDS Network of Dallas-UT Southwestern Medical Center; Director of Family Connection Program for Homeless Children; Owner of Criminal Justice Treatment Consultants; Director of Bowling Green Adolescent Treatment Hospital; Director of Youth Crossing Adolescents Treatment Program and Dallas County Adult Probation Officer.
Pam earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Texas – Arlington and her Masters in Human Relations and Communications from Abilene Christian University. Pam is also a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and believes in Frederick Douglas’ quote, “Its easier to build a child, than to repair a broken man.”
Chris Epstein
Licensed Counselor
Chris Epstein is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in therapeutic services for mental health issues including depression/anxiety, dual diagnosis, spiritual issues, substance abuse/dependency, boundary issues, conflict resolution, interpersonal skill-building and bipolar disorder. In addition to his work with i360, Chris also manages addiction and psychiatric cases for a collaborative clinical plan that’s been tailored to meet specific client needs.
Chris joined the i360 team in 2008 and has been an integral part of the organization’s Life Development, Client Advocate and Therapist services. Prior to his work at Innovation 360, Chris was a student at Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned his master’s degree.
It was during his coursework and subsequent career that Chris began to fully appreciate the behavioral application that occurs outside of the therapy room, in addition to the psycho-education that occurs in sessions. In fact, he was drawn to the concept behind i360 – treatment in the midst of life – which allows him to fulfill his desire to helps clients through clinical sessions, as well as life development outside the clinic.
Chris is an avid tennis player and also enjoys jogging and swimming. In 2005, he earned his bachelor’s from Texas A&M University and his Master’s of (insert) from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2008. He believes in the saying, “It’s okay to not be okay; but it’s not okay to stay that way.”
Doug Chisholm
Licensed Professional Counselor
Doug, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has been a member of the Innovation 360 team for several years and helps adolescents and adults reclaim the joy and vitality in life that often falls out of reach. He is passionate about providing a safe, open environment to process issues that cause discomfort. He also helps clients learn and implement new ways to interact with their environment and grow holistically in their relationships with others.
Doug holds special interest in parent-teen conflict, substance abuse, mindfulness therapy, depression/anxiety, spiritual issues and premarital counseling.
John Wilson
Client Liaison
As Client Liaison for Innovation 360, John works closely with clients and their families throughout the entire experience from admission to discharge and aftercare.
He also has extensive background in marketing and sales and has been building relationships with people for over 30 years. John is passionate about people and his heart beats for helping others.
Murphy Foster
Licensed Professional Counselor – Intern, Client Advocate
Murphy Foster recently joined the Innovation 360 Clinical Team as a LPCIntern/ Advocate after working as a Life Development staff member since
2008. As a Client Advocate, he is responsible for providing individual therapy, assessing a client’s treatment needs and subsequently designing
and supervising an optimal treatment plan. Murphy also serves as the point of contact between the client, the client’s family and Innovation 360. He
also facilitates communication and collaboration with other clinicians/ practitioners on behalf of his clients.
Murphy received his Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University in 2006 where he double-majored in Psychology and Sociology.
He later obtained his Master of Arts degree in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2011. His academic and professional
training has enabled him to implement as little or as much of a spiritual component to his therapeutic work as the client desires. Murphy has
worked with children, adolescents and adults while addressing issues involving chemical dependency, sex addiction, depression, anxiety, social
skills and grief. Murphy operates under the belief that the human race was designed for an intimate community rather than lives of isolation. He
believes change ultimately occurs in the context of transparency and vulnerability within trustworthy relationships.
Danielle Fermier
Client Advocate
Danielle Fermier joined the i360 team in 2010 and currently serves as a Client Advocate, which includes managing cases, creating and implementing treatment plans and acting as a liaison between clients and their families, as well as other providers.
Before joining the i360 team, Danielle worked with college students as a College Ministry Associate at Highland Park Presbyterian Church for more than three years. She joined students on the journey of growth and exploration of their spiritual, emotional and educational development. This experience has given her greater motivation and insight into working with those who are on a similar journey, regardless of their stage of life.
Danielle also has experience helping individuals and groups work through addiction, shame, depression, anxiety and relationship issues. Her philosophy rests on the belief that lives can be positively and enduringly transformed by hope.
Danielle graduated from Samford University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and continued her education at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling in 2011.
Jenny Chisholm MA
Licensed Professional Counselor, Intern
Jenny is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern under the supervision of Joa Braga. Jenny has worked as a Innovation 360 therapist and Life Development since 2011. She provides group and individual therapy for both adults and adolescents on the road to recovery. Jenny has also provided services for patients suffering from depression, eating disorders and trauma at Timberlawn Mental Health System.
Jenny graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of North Texas in 2007. Jenny then spent three years at Dallas Theological Seminary earning a Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling in 2011.
One of Jenny’s favorite quotes is from Viktor Frankl who wrote, “When we are no longer able to change our situations, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
