Ascension Recovery Services (ARS) expanded their team in 2018 to include four peer recovery coaches (PRC), one licensed marriage & family therapist, a controller and one LPC and certified trauma therapist working in program development.
The PRCs are:
- Dan McCawley
- Morgan Henson
- Stephanie Klemp
“PRCs work within the community to connect with individuals that struggle with opioid-abuse disorder to provide services they may need to live a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle,” said Doug Leech, ARS founder and CEO.
Jason Batten | MA, LPC, CTT | Program Development
Batten, a graduate of Liberty University with a master’s degree in professional counseling, is a certified trauma therapist through the ITR Training Institute and began developing recovery programs in 2012. In his clinical work, Batten specialized in treating individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
In 2017, Batten, personally trained 50 PRCs in North Center West Virginia.
Dan McCawley | Peer Recovery Coach
McCawley, a person in long-term recovery, is a PRC and manager of a 19-bed sober living home (SLH) in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“Dan’s extensive management background will be utilized in day-to-day operations and program development at ARS,” Leech said.
Morgan Henson | Peer Recovery Coach
Henson, a person in long-term recovery and PRC, served as a house manager in an all women’s facility in Dallas, Texas, and Morgantown, West Virginia. She is a native of Morgantown and pursued her studies at West Virginia University (WVU).
Stephanie Klemp | Peer Recovery Coach
Klemp, a PRC and peer mentor specialist in West Virginia, is serving as house manager at an 11-bed SLH in Morgantown, West Virginia. Klemp will be also working with community outreach at ARS.
“Stephanie successfully completed a long term, peer-driven recovery program where she served as a peer leader and polished skills in peer accountability, conflict resolution and time management,” Leech said. “She has dedicated her life to long-term recovery and is an active member in the recovery community.”
“The whole goal is that they, the PRCs, are out in the community building rapport,” said Leech. “They are there to help anyone on the spectrum from pre-contemplation of using drugs to actively using. Sometimes, the individuals that need help are homeless, they don’t have clothes, they are hungry and they can feel like it is hard to stop thinking about doing drugs. PRCs meet with these individuals, share their story and establish trust. This person can have the PRC’s contact information, and because we understand their situation, we have the ability to give them options such as housing, insurance and recovery programs.”
Anne Christoper | Controller
Christopher, a graduate of WVU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, is a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) and will be serving as a controller at ARS. She will be working with ARS’ program development clients to outline sound financials models. Christopher is a career accountant with a foundation in public accounts and has extensive experience in private-industry, owner-managed businesses.
Maureen Marko | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Marko, a graduate of Drexel University with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, is a provisionally licensed marriage and family therapist in West Virginia.
Marko worked as a therapist in community mental health and has served as part of a clinical team for an all girls therapeutic board school.
