Our Team
Howard E. Butt, IV
Owner | Innovation360 Austin
Howard has a deep belief in the effectiveness of Innovation360’s treatment approach, as well as the people who work and coordinate client care at i360. Howard established the Austin team in order to build on the company’s successful business model.
After graduating from Southern Methodist University, Howard helped start Students in Recovery Peer Support groups for SMU and Texas Christian University (TCU). Prior to forming the Innovation360 Austin team, Howard was an essential member of the Life Development team in Dallas. His dedication to mental health and recovery stems from a personal conviction to fine-tune quality treatment for clients and their families.
FUN FACTS ABOUT HOWARD:
- Favorite quote: “Loyalty is a two-way street. If I’m asking for it from you, then you’re getting it from me.”
- Craziest college job: College. That was my craziest job.
- Show & Tell item: Freeboard – snowboard the streets
- Biggest fear: Great white sharks
- Greatest achievement: Establishing and being a part of Innovation360 Austin
Elizabeth Devine, M.Ed., LPC-S
Executive Director, Therapist & Family Consultant
Elizabeth Devine is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and provides therapy and consultation for a wide range of individual and family issues to include confidence and motivation deficits, parenting challenges, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders. She also provides organizational leadership in support of the mission and values of Innovation360 and engages in assessments, counseling, coaching and advocacy for clients and families. Elizabeth offers clinical supervision to the treatment team and speaks regularly in the community on issues related to wellness and mental health.
Elizabeth served as the Clinical Coordinator for the Betty Ford Center’s Children Program, offering support to children and families affected by addiction. She was also the Director of Treatment Services for a non-profit organization that provided both residential and outpatient services for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. She has facilitated specialized work with child and adult victims of abuse as well as delivered intervention and education services to the perpetrators of violence. Elizabeth spent many years providing play therapy and family support to children and teens in the foster system.
FUN FACTS ABOUT ELIZABETH:
- Favorite quote: “When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.” – Shel Silverstein and “He who has a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how’.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
- Craziest college job: Organizing Mary Kay cosmetics for a lady with a pink car
- Show & Tell item: Travel photos
- Biggest fear: The girl in The Exorcist
- Greatest achievement: Motherhood, followed closely by successfully installing the light fixture in her room
- Favorite workout song: Whatever the yoga instructor is playing
SPECIALTIES:
- Mental health disorders
- Substance abuse
- Family & parenting challenges
- Deficits in confidence and motivation
- Domestic violence
- Child & young adult issues
- Trauma recovery support
- Eating disorders
POPULATION:
- Individuals
- Families
- Children
- Young Adults
EDUCATION:
- Masters degree in Counseling
Contact Elizabeth at connect@i360austin.com
Read more about Elizabeth by clicking here: https://i360austin.com/qa-with-i360-austins-executive-director-elizabeth-devine/
Marvella Boggs, M.A.
Client Liason
In the role of Client Liaison, Marvella has the privilege of navigating families through the initial steps of care. Marvella has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has spent the majority of her professional career helping individuals and families both in the mental health and medical fields. Her experience includes counseling children and families in crisis as well as coordinating care within the fast-paced medical environment for patients seeking chronic pain relief without the use of opioid medications.
Marvella’s organizational experience includes admissions, client relations, community relationship building, and program implementation. In her free time, she loves spending quality time with her family, practicing yoga and cooking.
FUN FACTS ABOUT MARVELLA:
- Favorite quote: “Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” John Lennon
- Craziest college job: Tutoring college athletes
- Show & Tell item: I’m a lefty.
- Biggest fear: Heights
- Greatest Accomplishment: Moving to Austin and creating a new life adventure!
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s in Psychology
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Contact Marvella at connect@i360austin.com or call 512-387-4222
Jenna Opperman, LCSW
Clinical Manager, Advocate & Therapist
Jenna offers organizational support and leadership to the Clinical Team of Innovation360 in addition to providing therapy to individuals, couples and families. Jenna believes in the dignity of all people and is driven to facilitate powerful conversations in order to enrich the lives of her clients.
She derives joy from working with people from all walks of life and has a special affinity for those experiencing the effects of various life transitions. Her clinical focus is grounded in Imago Relationship Therapy, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, attachment theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. On the weekends she’s usually exploring Austin-area trails with her rescue pup or watching international crime dramas.
FUN FACTS ABOUT JENNA:
Favorite quote: “Go down any road far enough and you’ll come to a slaughterhouse, but keep going and you’ll reach the sea.” ~Dean Young
Craziest college job: I worked at a health food co-op in the student union and volunteered to take the 6am shift almost every morning. The crazy part: I made coffee that early, but I never drank it.
Show & Tell item: My seven siblings
Biggest fear: Being thrown a surprise birthday party
Greatest achievement: Resilience
Favorite workout song: Tie between “Son of a Preacher Man” by Aretha Franklin and “We Belong” by Pat Benatar
SPECIALTIES:
- Mental Health
- Family & Parenting
- Relationships
- Life Transitions
- Gender & Sexuality
POPULATION:
- Individuals
- Families
- Couples/Partners
EDUCATION:
- BA in English, University of Texas at Austin
- MFA in Poetry, New England College
- MSW in Children & Families, University of Texas at Arlington
- Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
Contact Jenna at connect@i360austin.com
Laura Geddes, MS, LPC Associate
Under the supervision of Britney Watson, LPC-S
Client Advocate and Therapist
In Laura’s role at Innovation360, she coordinates client care and provides therapy to individuals and families. Her work is largely grounded in the tenets of trauma-informed theories while integrating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and attachment-based therapy with a person-centered, whole-body somatic approach.
She believes that each person is an expression of their life experiences. From this perspective, regardless of how it may appear to others, everything a person does is reasonable (although not always beneficial). From that non-judgmental approach, Laura engages with her clients holistically, in an effort to support clients in gaining further insight into themselves, find balance and, ultimately, achieve long-term wellness.
FUN FACTS ABOUT LAURA:
- Favorite quote: “The axe forgets what the tree remembers” – African proverb
- Craziest college job: Being a mom to three tiny humans
- Show & Tell item: My music collection
- Biggest fear: Being stuck in an elevator
- Greatest achievement: Courage and determination in the face of adversity
- Favorite workout song: “The Fear” by Ben Howard
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:
- BA in Psychology, Pennsylvania State University
- MS in Clinical Mental Health, Texas A&M University – Central Texas
Contact Laura at connect@i360austin.com
Brittany Link, MS
Client Advocate
Brittany provides clinical advocacy utilizing her background in Clinical Mental Health Counseling combined with her graduate specialization in Expressive Arts Therapies. As an artist and avid believer in the power of therapy, she loves to incorporate play, movement, humor, and visual expression into her work.
In her career, she has had the honor of witnessing great dynamic growth and healing through the combination of cathartic expressive modalities and mindful therapeutic alliances. In her work, she is also a proponent of trauma-informed care and holistic interventions that support lasting wellness and empowerment.
FUN FACTS ABOUT BRITTANY:
- Favorite quote: “Somewhere there’s a place for us.” – West Side Story
- Craziest college job: An undercover secret shopper!
- Show & Tell item: A very cute pup named Havana
- Biggest fear: Alligators!
- Greatest achievement: Finding a career that sparks joy every day
EDUCATION:
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Prescott College
- BFA in Studio Art, The University of Texas at Austin
Contact Brittany at connect@i360austin.com
Life Development Manager
Kelly has worked in the Life Development department since the first year Innovation360 opened its doors. He now provides direction, training and mentorship to its team members. Kelly began his career in the helping field at Young Life, a program that supports young men navigating their launch into adulthood.
The knowledge and experience he gained there has expanded into meaningful engagement with clients of all ages. Kelly is an avid learner and approaches the world with curiosity and contemplation. However, he believes that it is in the follow through of practical exercises that we truly find ourselves and create a life of meaning.
FUN FACTS ABOUT KELLY:
- Favorite quote: ” We are far too easily pleased…I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”- C.S. Lewis
- Craziest college job: Worked at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the Lemur and Butterfly exhibits
- Show & Tell item: A Book on Marine Mammals
- Biggest fear: Cockroaches…..and subduing the adventurer within
- Greatest achievement: I have a published Bioinformatics report on a fly gene, and a technical report published for Western Bluebird nestling development.
- Favorite workout song: Layers by NF
SPECIALTIES:
- Spiritual Pursuits
POPULATION:
- Teenage and young adult males
- Individuals
- Groups
EDUCATION:
- B.S. In Evolutionary Biology at the University of New Mexico
- One year graduate work at Southern California Seminary
Contact Kelly at connect@i360austin.com
Brittany Biangone, A.S., LCDC Intern
Life Development Team Lead
Brittany has been a member of the Life Development team for several years and utilizes her previous experience working in residential treatment to support clients in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Having served clients firsthand as a Recovery Care Technician and Admissions Counselor, Brittany has a thorough understanding of the challenges that can make progress difficult.
She partners the tasks required for healing with patience for the process. In her current role as a Team Lead, Brittany not only facilitates many Life Development sessions but also offers mentorship and support to the Life Development team. Brittany’s passion for this work motivates her to further pursue her career in the recovery and mental health field.
FUN FACTS ABOUT BRITTANY:
- Favorite quote: “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t. ” Thomas Edison
- Craziest college job: Body Piercer
- Show & Tell item: My sneaker collection
- Biggest fear: Being buried alive
- Greatest achievement: Sobriety
SPECIALTIES:
- Mental health disorders
- Substance abuse
POPULATION:
- Individuals
- Young Adults
EDUCATION:
- AS in Human Services Addiction Counseling, Austin Community College
Contact Brittany at Biangone@i360Austin.com
Matthew Vallone
Life Development Staff Member
Matt moved to the Austin area from Connecticut and now facilitates Life Development sessions full time. Matt combines directness with a compassionate and empathetic approach to recovery, social skills and life improvement. He considers himself “in the trenches with his clients” as they do their best to create optimal solutions to obstacles.
Working in multiple diverse settings has allowed him to appreciate the differences in everyone while equipping him to make connections with (almost) anyone. Matt’s priority in his work is cultivating relationships, the place where progress towards well being begins.
FUN FACTS ABOUT MATTHEW:
- Favorite quote: “Once more into the fray” – from the movie The Grey.
- Craziest college job: Filling jelly donuts at a donut shop
- Show & Tell item: A Derek Jeter signed baseball card that I got from him (he signed out the window of his hummer in Tampa Bay) when I was 9.
- Biggest fear: Jurassic Park being real and the raptors eating me.
- Greatest achievement: Moving to Austin alone during the pandemic.
- Favorite workout song: “All I know” by Machine Gun Kelly.
EDUCATION:
- BA in Communications and English, University of Connecticut
- Graduate Work in Counseling, Central Connecticut State University
Contact Matt at connect@i360austin.com
Hailey Welch
Life Development Staff Member
Hailey moved to Austin from Kansas City in the early stages of the pandemic and joined the Life Development team in August of 2020. Hailey is now a full-time Life Development staff member while simultaneously pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, where she has a long-term goal of becoming a Licenced Therapist.
Her previous work experience as a Behavioral Technician as well as her ability to empathize have led her to successfully help others in some of the most challenging times of their lives. Hailey is fully committed to supporting any and every person who walks through the doors of i360 to transform concepts learned in therapy into healthy behaviors and daily habits.
FUN FACTS ABOUT HAILEY:
- Favorite Quote: “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.” — Rafiki, The Lion King
- Favorite Workout Song: “Heart of Glass” Miley Cyrus version, sorry Blondie
- Craziest College Job: An 8am History class
- Show and Tell Item: Picture of me sitting by Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes at a KC Royals Game
- Biggest Fear: Not living out my dream to travel the world
- Greatest Accomplishment: Overcoming an adverse childhood
EDUCATION
- Pursuing BSW, Troy University
Austin Parsons, MA, LPC-S
Affiliate Therapist
Austin is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor who works with clients in crisis- relational, emotional, physical, spiritual or, usually, some combination of it all. Austin’s goal in treatment is to come alongside clients and accompany them through struggles such as mood disorders, conflict resolution, loss/grief, trauma, boundary-setting, delayed adolescence, addiction, spirituality issues, communication challenges, identity exploration and personality disorders.
Austin has extensive experience in crisis intervention and case management performing individual, family, and group therapy as well as managing an intensive outpatient program (IOP). In addition, Austin previously served as the Clinical Director of Innovation360 Austin before going into private practice.
Austin is driven to help clients find lasting change, more fulfilling relationships, and meaningful connections. He helps clients observe how the events of their life have formed deep-rooted beliefs about who they are in relation to the world. Austin believes that change happens in the context of relationships, that the therapeutic relationship will work to ease an individual’s distress and that we are not meant to experience pain alone. A fundamental objective in Austin’s therapeutic work is equipping clients towards transformation. That process often involves unavoidable pain, but it is not meant to be experienced alone.
FUN FACTS ABOUT AUSTIN:
- Favorite quote: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt
- Craziest college job: Walking backwards and telling people about my awesome school.
- Show & Tell item: My dog, Ranger.
- Biggest fear: Creatures under the water that can attack me.
- Greatest achievement: I’ve never eaten Spam, followed by quitting hot dogs as of 2009.
- Favorite workout song: Titanium or Chandelier, or anything Sia really. (No shame)
SPECIALTIES:
- Mental health disorders
- Substance abuse
- Family & parenting challenges
- Relationships
- Spirituality
- Life Transitions
- Trauma recovery support
POPULATION:
- Individuals
- Families
- Couples
- Young Adults
- Adults
- Elders
EDUCATION:
- Bachelors degree in Communication at Texas A&M University
- Masters degree in Counseling at Dallas Theological Seminary
Contact Austin at connect@i360austin.com
Laura Jones-Swann – MEd, LCDC, EMDR, CDWF
Affiliate Therapist
Laura has been working in the field of substance abuse and dependency for 25+ years. She spent 13 years teaching and counseling with the Center for the Study of Addiction at Texas Tech University, then moved to Austin in 1999 where she started the University of Texas at Austin Center for Students in Recovery.
She currently has a private practice in counseling and is adjunct faculty at The University of Texas School of Social Work and Seminary of the Southwest. Laura is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), is certified to administer and interpret the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) and is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator (CDWF). Her counseling philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach to life and recovery from addiction.
FUN FACTS ABOUT LAURA:
- Favorite quote: Trust God and let go!
- Craziest college job: Filling jelly donuts at a donut shop
- Show & Tell item: My 40’ RV – named Clifford the Big Brown Dog
- Biggest fear: Not doing all the things I would love to do because of fear, time or money
- Greatest achievement: Raising two beautiful daughters
- Favorite workout song: I have tons of them….right now it is Unwritten.
SPECIALTIES:
- University of Texas at Austin
- Seminary of the Southwest
- St. Edward’s University
- University High School
POPULATION:
- Assessing and supporting individuals with Substance Use issues
- Adults
- Families
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:
- MEd in Education
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
- Trained in Eye Movement Destination Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator
- Texas Teacher Certification – All Level
- Certified Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) Administrator and Clinical Interpreter
Contact Laura at connect@i360austin.com
