About Adapt

35+ Years of Recovery-Based Care

With the mission to provide support to traditionally under-served individuals living with mental illness, founder and CEO, Bill Harris, opened the doors to Adapt’s flagship location in Missouri in 1985. Prior to becoming active in social work, Bill worked as an engineer for 11 years with companies such as General Dynamics, Texas Instruments and Westinghouse. He became involved in a group home providing parental guidance for adolescents living with mental illness. Moved by this experience, Bill identified a significant gap for client care within the mental health environment and after completing a Master’s degree in Social Work, he developed an alternative, community-driven behavioral health care model to address the unmet needs in the industry. Bill has since expanded Adapt’s services in Illinois (since 1992) and Texas (since 2006).

William E. Harris

Our Values

Our philosophy is simple, yet paramount to our operational success. We believe that most individuals living with mental illness can live successfully and independently within their community with the right support and services in place. Our clinical care team believes that empowerment, self-esteem, self-determination and mutual support are keystones to a clients’ health, as well as their ability to live successfully and confidently in society.

Adapt’s mission is to provide the highest quality recovery-based services to persons for whom traditional methods of mental health treatment have not been sufficient.

We constantly strive to improve our quality of services to build on the strengths of each client and facilitate the process of recovery and integration into community life. Our services follow these guiding principles:

  • All clients have the capacity to learn and grow.
  • All clients are treated with respect and dignity.
  • No one is labeled or discriminated against.
  • Clients have the right to choose and direct their own affairs.
  • Assessments and services are designed to address the unique needs of each client in everyday community life.
  • Adapt services respect the values and diversity of each client.
  • Access to Adapt services is available as long as needed.
  • Adapt works in partnership with clients, families, and support networks.

Meet Our Team

William E. Harris

William E. Harris

Founder & CEO

Debbie Schaeffer copy

Debbie Schaeffer

Vice President of Finance & Operations

Dia Morgan copy

Dia Morgan

General Counsel

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Bill Cameron

Director of Information Technology

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Alyssa Aldrich

Executive Director – Adapt Community Solutions, LLC

Lyz Surber copy

Lyzbeth Surber, MA, LCPC

Executive Director – Adapt of Illinois, Inc.

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Maria Kooistra, MS, LCPC

Director of Quality Improvement – Adapt of Illinois, Inc.

Mary Knolhoff Jackson

Mary Knolhoff-Jackson MA, LCPC

Director of Nursing Home-Based Operations – Adapt of Illinois, Inc.

Erica Dieu Smith 2

Erica Dieu-Smith

Director of Community Services – Adapt of Illinois, Inc.

Join A Community Of Change-Makers

Together, we can profoundly impact the lives of those affected by mental illness. Empower individuals to reclaim their lives, foster resilience, and create a brighter future. Be part of our compassionate and innovative community. Start your rewarding career and make a lasting difference today.