Scope of Practice

Mark Lefebvre, author of the book "Healing A Village: A Practical Guide for Building Recovery Ready Communities" joins us to talk about the message of his book and what a recovery-ready community looks like.

Nikki Soda, Executive Director of Sodas Consulting in South Florida joins us to discuss the unethical and often illegal act of patient brokering, and to compel us to act in order to protects people with SUDs, our communities and our industry. Additional useful information can be found at https://www.naatp.org/programs/ethics.

Retired Federal Judge, author and recovery advocate Mary Beth O'Connor joins the podcast to chat about secular recovery and a discussion on privilege. Join us!

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Liggins Chambers joins the program to talk about the dearth of educated and trained Black professionals in behavioral health identifying some of the root causes and opportunities for the industry to do better. If you've listened to our program before, you will appreciate her directness and honesty - a staple of our guests.

It's commonly thought and said that incidents of domestic violence rise sharply on Super Bowl Sunday - but it is really accurate? We talk with Rachel Boucher, Clinical Director of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence to get the facts.

Season 6 begins with a discussion with Regina LaBelle of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health at the Georgetown University Law Center. A policy expert with significant experience in practice at the municipal and federal levels, we talk about potential changes in the new administration.

For many, the consumption of pornography has created intra- and interpersonal conflicts. Although never an easy topic to discuss, having some basic awareness of the issue can help to challenge assumptions and to better serve our clients. Joel Wallis, LCSW, a clinician who specializes in helping clients with compulsive sexual behaviors joins to program to better understand.

Ronna Brier, MS, LPC, LADC, Ph.D. Candidate is a clinician, educator and Consulting Hypnotist of the National Guild of Hypnotists. She joins the podcast to talk about using hypnosis as a tool in wholistic care of mental health and substance use disorders. Join us as we cover the basic information about the practice to eliminate any misconceptions.

Authors of the latest title in the "for Dummies" brand, Lane Kennedy and Tamar Saunders join the program to talk about their book "Sobriety for Dummies" including its development, some of the content and what message they wish to impart to the readers.

Researcher, educator and subject matter expert, Dr. Juline Koken joins the podcast to address some of the barriers to mental health and substance use care for one of the most maligned and stigmatized groups of people in society: sex workers. How do we maintain our ethical requirement of unconditional positive regard and avoid value imposition?

In early 2024, "The Harm Reduction Gap" was published. The book teaches how harm reduction can be a safety net for people with substance use disorders that our current addiction treatment rejects, abandons, and leaves behind.

Author, essayist and multiple-time TedX speaker LeRon Barton joins the podcast a second time to talk about microaggressions and their impact on marginalized communities. Join us and hear him talk about his experiences, as well as share his knowledge and insights on this (often) taboo subject.

Join us for a much needed and difficult discussion about structural racism, its impacts and how it can play out in the mental health and SUD needs of Black and Brown Americans. Dr. Ayana Jodan of NYU, one of the country's pre-eminent experts in this area, joins us to share her knowledge and experience.

We speak with Melanie Alvarez, Director of Programs at the Friendship Service Center in New Britain to help identify some of the problems faced by those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in our state. She offers her insight into the many concerns as well as sharing some information on new approaches to help those in need.

For this episode, we step a bit outside of our usual topics and pay homage to the upcoming Olympic Summer Games. Join us as we talk with Margaux Farrell, Chief of Staff of the Root Center for Advanced Recovery and Olympic Bronze Medalist, and Dr. Shane Murphy, Professor of Psychology at Western Connecticut State University and former sport psychologist for Team USA.

"Silence in the Streets" is a documentary film that focuses on the challenges for those individuals who live in our urban environments, the social determinants of health for those in our cities, and the barriers people face when seeking health care. New England HIDTA Investigator Robert Lawlor and Public Health expert Anna Gasinski join us to talk about this project.

The SUD industry is no stranger to competing perspectives and contentious viewpoints, and abstinence-based vs moderation models are the latest combatants in the philosophical sparring we have grown accustomed to. We welcome Alexandra Plante, author of the SUDTerrainian Newsletter to the program to discuss what her investigation into the research has discovered. You can read the original article on her LinkedIn page.

Poiab Vue, a social worker from Minneapolis, MN joins the podcast to talk about some of the problematic views and behaviors many in therapeutic roles exhibit that limit our ability to be true changemakers. Tune in and listen to some examples that she recently listed in an eyebrow-raising LinkedIn posting.

We start the new season with an interview with Jason Clawson, CMHC, whose own exposure to great loss, and with a child struggling with a difficult emotional experiences led to the development of two products designed to help those suffering find their own hope. We talk with Jason about both the Hope Kits and the Pretherapy Kit.

We finish our 4th season with a talk with Iran Nazario, Founder of the Peace Center of Connecticut, about his life, his work, and his book "Rage To Peace." You can learn more at Nazariomotivation.com

William Stauffer, recovery historian and Executive Director of Pro-A in Pennsylvania, joins the podcast to talk about the messaging of the SUD industry.

The great American icon Maya Angelou once stated "do the best you can until you know better"...does this apply to people working in MMTP environments? Dr. Kathleen Eggert joins the show to talk about her research measuring counselor attitudes about MMTP programming and patients that may be stigmatizing or even discriminatory. While we know these attitudes can exist, are they simply an outgrowth of the restrictive system itself?

We talk with clinical psychologist Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter about her new book, Aftershock and about clinical topics related to an individual's experience of trauma ad meeting people where they are at. Talking about the personal and professional aspects of trauma as only she can, you'll be informed and entertained.

Our guest today advocates for systems change in the behavioral health space, not only to provide those individuals served with the best care possible, but to also promote the well being of those providing clinical services. Join me as I speak with Licensed Mental Health Counselor and change advocate Brittainy Lindsey as we discuss the crisis the workforce faces every day.

We talk with Peter Grayson, LCDP, Director of Addiction and Recovery at Nushama, a network of psychedelic wellness centers based in New York City, who gives us an introduction and overview into psychedelic assisted treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. It is paramount to note that this recording is not meant to be medical advice, strictly informational to those in the field with an interest in learning more.

We speak with Dr. Bob Lynn, national and international expert on trauma about the field's focus on past experiences and events, rather than on providing care for what the client presents in the session. Are we losing sight of treating clients "where they are at"?

We discuss SMART Recovery with Pete Rubinas, the organization's Executive Director. In addition, we talk about other empowering options and how to change the narrative to include the whole person.

We speak with Chaz Franke about bringing the authentic self to both professional relationships to ensure the positive use of countertransference as both a clinical and supervisory tool.

Andrew Bordt, M.Ed. of the Institute for the Advancement of Group Therapy joins the podcast to talk about the state of group therapy in the SUD treatment industry, offering insight into improving the client experience.

Despite many efforts from the prevention and public health communities to deter or reject marijuana legalization, many states have passed legalization of use and of retail sales. We speak with noted preventionist and trainer Shannon Spurlock of Rhode Island about how the field has changed/needs to change in a time of increased access.

Journalist and person in long-term recovery Maia Szalavitz joins the podcast to talk about her op-ed piece in the New York Times on Sunday, March 11 where she discussed the prevalence of 12 Step programming and requirements in treatment facilities despite the courts ruling that it violates the First Amendment rights of those clients who object.

We discuss some of the issues that NFL players face in the wake of the Damar Hamlin incident, including facing one's own vulnerability, mortality and vicarious trauma. L.A. Rams Team Psychologist Dr. Carrie Hastings joins the podcast to shed light on the seismic culture shift in the league where mental health is part of the focus on overall well-being.

LeRon Barton, author, artist, and 3x TedX speaker joins us to talk about institutionalized racism and SUD care.

We talk with Sober AF (stands for "and fun" of course!) Duke Rumely about tailgate parties at music festivals, sporting events and other activities that allow for individuals to enjoy recreational opportunities without alcohol or drugs, with the hope of inspiring others to follow suit.

Jamelia Hand (Chicago, IL) and Kapil Nayar (Philadelphia), two professionals with the courage to speak for change, join the podcast to discuss some of the challenges presented by the field and what needs to occur to address them.

We speak with Dr. Stephanie Careiro (stephanie.carreiro@gmail.com) about her work in the development of the RAE (Realize, Analyze, Engage) system which helps track cravings and stress for individuals in recovery to inform treatment and recovery services and produce better client outcomes. Learn more at RAEhealth.com

We talk with clinician Ian Zettervall about the basics of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, a transdiagnostic behavioral therapy for SUDs and Mood Disorders, which he uses often in his practice. Tune in and hear about it!

We talk with Dr. Jaquel Patterson, nationally and internationally recognized naturopathic physician about the connection between gut health and brain health. Dr. Patterson addressed this in a keynote presentation at the CCB conference in June, and the amount of feedback on this subject demanded that we address it for a wider audience.

Texas A&M professor and researcher Dr. Brian Anderson joins the program to talk about his work on attentional biases and explains how SUDs may simply be the effects of normal cognitive functioning.

Call them overdose prevention centers, safe consumption sites, safe injection sites...whatever the terminology, they can often evoke emotional and negative responses from many SUD professionals. Sam Rivera, Executive Director of On Point NYC, which operated the first 2 OPCs in the United States, joins the program to talk their experience in Gotham: 1500 unduplicated people using he 2 sites, 27,000 separate instances of drug use, 365 overdoses reversed, ZERO lives lost.

The technology exists today where we can access a person's individual genetic makeup and biomarkers to inform treatment. We are joined by Dr. Evelyn Higgins, founder and CEO of Wired for Addiction, to discuss this modern technology and its implications. Wired for Addiction is an international DNA company that uses trademark testing & prescribing process to look at genetic variants linked to substance use and mood disorders.

Inspired by the public response to the death of a New Britain, CT Firefighter, we talk with Jeffrey Dill, Founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance in Las Vegas about the culture of those keep our communities safe and how we need to move past the "cultural brainwashing" that tells them (and the public) to deal with the terribly difficult aspects of the job on their own.

Jeffrey Johnston, founder of the Living Undeterred national tour joins the program to talk about his drive, focus and hopes for the tour as he preps for the second leg. Want to join us in Bridgeport on July 2nd? Send an email to info@ctcertboard.org.

Author, clinician, and educator Dr. Rob Weiss joins the show to talk about the problems associated with the field's long-held view of blaming the family, friends, and loved ones of those with substance use disorders for "enabling" their use while encouraging detachment for individual growth.

Donald McDonald joins the show as a follow up to his session at the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Spring Conference where he presented "Identifying & Exploring Recovery Pathway Bias in the Lived Experience Workforce." Join us as we look at the role of bias throughout the entire workforce.

Dr. Carol Falender of Pepperdine University and UCLA, co-author/editor of numerous textbooks and other publications on clinical supervision joins the program. Dr. Falender is one of the foremost experts on the topic in the industry, and shares some of her insights into the process and future of clinical supervision.

Award winning and New York Times bestselling author Koren Zailckas (Smashed, Mother Mother, Fury, The Drama Teacher" joins us to talk about the power of the written word in self-discovery. She talks about the clarity that writing has brought to her recovery process and how different forms of writing come from different places in the mind, body, and soul.

As the treatment and recovery aspects of our industry increase collaboration with shared goals, language and clarity about each other's roles, prevention is often left out of the conversation and is often misunderstood. Jane G. Clark, and expert in linking prevention efforts to other aspects of the industry, joins us to talk about developing strong relationships between all SUD/COD professionals.

Kaitlin Brown of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling joins the podcast to talk about risk factors for Gambling Disorder and about the impact on online gambling sites and advertising on the community. Kaitlin was recently the subject of an ESPN.com article that outlined her work on the gambling hotline. The article is available at https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/33237601/inside-life-gambling-help-line-worker.

We speak with St. Leo University Doctoral Candidate John Watts about some of the roots of systemic oppression and its effects on the treatment of substance use disorders for Americans of color.

We talk with Dr. Kimberly Boulden, Senior Director of SAFE Campuses at the SAFE Project, a national nonprofit whose vision is to support action that will prevent fatal drug overdoses, and to otherwise mitigate substance use disorder's impact on our society.