About The Seven Challenges

^{Robert Schwebel, Ph.D. 
Author & Developer}

Robert has worked in the field of mental health and drug counseling for more than 50 years and wrote several books, including Saying No Is Not Enough, Keep Your Kids Tobacco-Free, and Who’s on Top, Who’s on Bottom: How Couples Can Learn to Share Power. He also wrote and developed The Seven Challenges program for adolescents and young adults, and more recently, a version for adults of all ages, which includes his most recent book, Leap of Power: Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Your Life. Robert has facilitated hundreds of trainings for professionals and has appeared on The Oprah Show, The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, CNN interviews, and other national media. He regularly contributes articles to thefix.com and Psychology Today. In addition to his work, Robert most enjoys spending time with his wife, their two adult sons, and close friends. He has a wide variety of interests and activities, including travel, hiking, running, playing sports, music, and activism pertaining to peace and social justice. He is the captain of a small inflatable fleet of kayaks.

^{Frank Schwebel, Ph.D.
Clinical Director}

Frank completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions at the University of New Mexico in 2022 and is now a Research Assistant Professor at UNM CASAA. His research focuses on designing, developing, and implementing digital health interventions to improve treatment outcomes for people struggling with addictive behaviors. This includes a focus on harm reduction approaches, mindfulness-based interventions, and machine learning. As part of The Seven Challenges, Frank supports the training team, creates new and updates existing program materials, and helps develop new aspects of the program. Outside of work, Frank enjoys getting outside — hiking, biking, camping — and playing lots and lots of soccer. Frank is Robert's son, and he loves getting to work alongside his dad!

^{Richard Barr, LMHC
Program Specialist}

Rick is our senior trainer and was an “early-comer” to The Seven Challenges. In 2002, Rick was the clinical director of a juvenile justice facility where they implemented The Seven Challenges. During the training process, Robert Schwebel became impressed by Rick’s counseling philosophy (holistic, not dictating behaviors, empowering clients) and the leadership and training abilities he had with his clinical team. In 2005, Rick started facilitating occasional Initial Trainings for new agencies, and by 2007, he was providing training and support continuously. He also worked with Robert and Sharon to develop the support and monitoring measures currently used. Rick is often referred to as a “road warrior” because he is constantly traveling to agencies all over the US and Canada, and as such, he is credited with inspiring and teaching thousands of counselors. In addition to Seven Challenges work, Rick enjoys being an adjunct psychology professor. Rick currently lives in Florida, but as a Pittsburgh native, he’s a Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates fan (even in sad times). He used to race dirt motorcycles and loves automobile racing, especially drag racing. Those in California know the first place he goes after landing is In ‘N Out — nothing like their hamburgers. Rick most enjoys time with his father, adult children, and his two granddaughters.

^{Mike Panico, MS, LPC
Program Specialist}

Mike first became familiar with The Seven Challenges in the 1990s and recognized it as being in concert with his thinking about counseling, based on many years in the field. (Mike also says he appreciated Robert’s Tucson newspaper columns from the ’80s, which were “so much better than the usual parenting advice columns.”) Currently, Mike is the Associate Clinical Director of an agency in Arizona that employs The Seven Challenges for both adults and adolescents, and Brief Challenges for young people. In this capacity, Mike has used each of those versions with clients, plus he has been a member of The Seven Challenges training team since 2011. Mike loves the benefits of using the program and considers his agency to be one of the “test kitchens” for The Seven Challenges. He and Robert have collaborated to pilot many aspects of the program and training. Mike is active as a musician, playing in a surf band, an old-school punk rock band, a group that does folky acoustic versions of punk rock songs, and as a solo artist. Plus, he writes and records original material, and back in the old days when MTV played music videos, he was in one! Mike’s two kids would tell you he is not shy about being an incredible cook, and he has mixed feelings about having four cats.

^{Cassie Russell, CACD 
Program Specialist}

Cassie first learned about The Seven Challenges in 2005, while working for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, where she retired after 28 years. As a member of our training team, she loves helping people make progress in their work and finds the dedication counselors possess to be inspiring and energizing. In addition to her Seven Challenges training work, she also works full time as a professional artist, running her own gallery and studio, House of Bleu, in Louisville. She is a gifted oil painter with a focus on horses, but she also paints dogs, cats, and sometimes, people. Cassie and her husband enjoy their family, especially their young grandchild. Her other hobbies include being owned by a couple of Tonkinese cats and remodeling her 130-year-old commercial building that also houses her studio/gallery.

^{John Izzo, LPC 
Program Specialist}

John first heard about The Seven Challenges in 2007, when the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) implemented the program statewide. Rick Barr was the trainer in 2007, and John knew after the first ten minutes that The Seven Challenges was a program that matched his personal and professional beliefs about how counseling should be done. After using the program as a counselor and providing clinical supervision for his team at DJJ, John joined our training team in 2014. John enjoys supporting organizations around the country that are implementing The Seven Challenges and Brief Challenges, while he continues his full-time job as the Statewide Substance Use Treatment Administrator for Georgia DJJ. John lives just outside Augusta, Georgia, with his wife and teenage daughter. He loves traveling and spending time with his family. He also loves to BBQ and cycle on the weekends. John grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, but wound up down South at the University of South Carolina, where he did his undergraduate work and became a diehard Gamecock fan!  

^{Theresa De Armond, LPC, NCC
Program Specialist}

Tessa began facilitating Seven Challenges sessions in 2008, while working in a juvenile justice facility with both boys and girls. She has completed all nine of the Journals with hundreds of young people over the years! Tessa participated in various Seven Challenges trainings with both Rick and Robert over the years, and in 2017, she joined The Seven Challenges training team while staying active with her private practice in Phoenix. Fun fact: Tessa developed and implemented the only women’s anger management group in Phoenix. In addition to being a great trainer and counselor, Tessa has also worked as an amateur magician and clowned around at parties! That's where her talent for face painting and making balloon animals came in handy. Tessa enjoys swimming, sunblock, and spending time with her large family.

^{Brittany Simmons, MSW, LCSW
Program Specialist}

Brittany Simmons became familiar with the Seven Challenges in 2014, when providing the Program in an outpatient clinic for adolescents and young adults. Prior to that, she developed a strong background in providing both substance abuse and mental health counseling to adults and adolescents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition to her current work as a Seven Challenges trainer, Brittany works with veterans to ensure their psychiatric stabilization and suicide prevention. Brittany was born and raised in North Carolina, where she currently lives with her husband. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, makeup artistry, and exploring new music and foods.

^{Lauren Greenwald, LCSW-C
Program Specialist}

Brittany became familiar with The Seven Challenges in 2014, when providing the program in an outpatient clinic for adolescents and young adults. Prior to that, she developed a strong background in providing both substance abuse and mental health counseling to adults and adolescents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Outside of her current work as a Seven Challenges trainer, Brittany works with veterans to ensure their psychiatric stabilization and suicide prevention. Brittany was born and raised in North Carolina, where she currently lives with her husband. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, makeup artistry, and exploring new music and food.

^{Roy Eiermann, MA, LCPC
Program Specialist}

Roy was first introduced to The Seven Challenges in 2008 and has experience as a counselor and leader, supporting his team with implementation. In his more recent role as Program Director for a community mental health agency in the suburbs of Chicago, he has been involved with both the adolescent and adult versions of The Seven Challenges. Roy is excited to be a member of The Seven Challenges training team because he enjoys providing training and support for other professionals who are using the program to empower clients. Roy has been a foster parent for eight children over the last 10 years, along with his partner. He enjoys working out at home with iFit — his go-to stress reliever after a tough day with clients or parenting. You will find him in his Jeep Wrangler during the summers, with the top down and doors off, exploring the Midwest and, hopefully soon, a road trip out West. 

^{Jessica Schwebel
Executive Director}

Jessica oversees all company operations — from accounting and marketing to licensing and materials — and she is always looking for ways to improve processes for our customers and our team. Before joining The Seven Challenges, she spent a decade working in marketing, helping young tech companies grow. When she's not working, Jessica enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and dog, Rey. Jessica is married to Frank — and loves being part of the family business!

^{Taylar Kregness
Director of Program Services}

Taylar supports the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of The Seven Challenges by guiding organizations through every stage of the process — from initial exploration to ongoing success. This includes working with organizations to assess program fit, coordinating licensing and training, and providing ongoing support. Taylar helps ensure smooth internal communication and contributes to a variety of other initiatives behind the scenes. Outside of work, Taylar is a passionate advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and community-based change. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and being with her partner and three cats.

^{Sharon Conner
Program Services}

Sharon was first introduced to The Seven Challenges while working at the same organization where Robert Schwebel piloted the program. She officially joined the team in 2005 to help expand and sustain program implementation across organizations. Today, Sharon supports The Seven Challenges on many levels — keeping a close eye on program fidelity, assisting the team, and helping connect the dots across various efforts to ensure everything runs smoothly. Sharon has always gotten a kick out of kids of all ages and is thoroughly enjoying her fairly new grandmother role. She also loves being in the water — whether it's a pool, ocean, lake, or creek — as well as hiking, camping, motorcycling, and the fun travel that accompanies these activities.

^{Trish Thayer
Administrative Coordinator}

Trish has been an important member of The Seven Challenges team since 2010, providing vital support to both internal operations and work with organizations. Trish manages the shipment of program materials (Manuals, Journals, and related resources), coordinates annual Support/Fidelity Visits, oversees general training registration, and assists with key accounting processes.  Trish is a true appreciator of the arts and often contributes her time and expertise to a variety of theatre and music production companies. She enjoys baseball games (Go D-backs!), attending live theater shows, and relaxing with her kitties: Rosie, Cosmo, and Scout.

^{Claudia Schwebel
Accounting & Administration}

Claudia is a founding member of The Seven Challenges, along with her husband, Robert. She has been involved in printing, publishing, and shipping program materials from the beginning. Claudia also developed and oversees business and accounting practices for The Seven Challenges. Claudia is originally from Hermosillo, Mexico, and is a native Spanish speaker. She worked with Robert to create a quality translation of Seven Challenges materials from English to Spanish. Apart from her work with The Seven Challenges, Claudia enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, exercising, and spending time with her friends and family, who often benefit from her adventurous and talented cooking spirit!