How did you get your start at Pinnacle? Walk me through your first job title here, to the one you hold now. 

“I first started with Pinnacle as a residential aid in 2008. My role then was very direct patient facing care. I focused on facilitating groups, monitoring our patients and transporting them to off-site meetings.  During this time, I was given the opportunity to speak with patients during the “down time” between groups or after meals, to get the hear their stories and hopefully help them see better times where on the way for them. I later moved into the admissions department, then became the Admissions Lead at Recovery Works Georgetown. I really enjoyed my time in the admissions department, I felt I was given a very special role and opportunity to be one of the first staff that patients met when they were coming to our facilities. I always want our patients to be met with compassion and warmth. My current role with Pinnacle Treatment Centers is the Community Relations Coordinator for the State of Kentucky. Now I have the opportunity to work alongside other community partners to help patients find the help they need for substance use disorder. I get to work alongside State legislators, Local Police and EMS to identify needs in our State and hopefully reduce stigma towards individuals that suffer from Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders.”

What is your favorite thing about working at Pinnacle?

“There are so many things I love about working at Pinnacle Treatments Centers. The most important thing will always be our patients.  I love and truly believe in our Mission Statement, of working to better the lives of our patients, their families and the communities in our state. I believe and trust in our leadership from our CEO to my supervisor, and my coworkers. I appreciate the trust that has been given to me to represent Pinnacle. ”

If you could go back and give advice to the younger Sheena walking through the doors on her first day at Pinnacle, what would you say?

“Looking back to when I first started working in the field, some advice I would have told my younger self would be to “take care of yourself too”. You cannot pour from an empty cup. There will be hard days, but there will be more beautiful days.”

 “The most important thing we get to do while we are on this earth is help one another.  I hope and look forward to being able to do that for Pinnacle and in all areas of my life for many more years to come. “

The post Sheena Craiger on 15 Years at Pinnacle: Celebrating Service, Recovery, and Dedication appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

 What was your role prior to becoming the new executive director for the Truxtun Avenue location?

I started as a counselor at our center on 21st Street in Bakersfield and was later promoted to executive director when we opened our 2nd Bakersfield location on Columbus Street. I then moved back to 21st Street as the executive director there.  I spent time as acting executive director at our Delano clinic as well, so I’ve gotten to be a part of all the facilities in our county. It is an honor to be able to open our 3rd Bakersfield location on Truxtun Avenue.

My hope for our Truxtun clinic is to take all of the special components of our other Kern County facilities and wrap them into one. I want to improve the services we deliver in order to positively impact our patients’ recovery process. I want our community to recognize the great work we do, and for Aegis to be the preferred medication-assisted treatment (MAT) provider of choice.

How long have you been in the addiction treatment field? What is your work history before coming to Aegis? When did you join Aegis?

I’ve been in the addiction treatment field for 10 years, starting with Aegis in 2011. Prior to working with Aegis, I spent two years in applied behavioral analysis, working with autistic children in their homes, and eight years in retail, working at Home Depot as a department supervisor.

What do you love most about this field, about the work you do?

What I love most about the work I do in this field, is getting to see change take place in the lives of so many. Seeing people go from rock bottom to mountain top is a beautiful thing, and an absolute gift to be a part of. This is the most humbling experience I have ever had.

What is your hope for our patients?

That they see their unique beauty, worth, and capabilities. That they make the changes they desire to live a happy and healthy life. 

What is your education?

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State University Bakersfield. I am also a certified alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselor.

What are your primary responsibilities at Truxtun?

Opening and maintaining a successful new location that increases access to care to the members of our community who need it. I ensure a safe and therapeutic treatment environment for the lives that come to us.

Why should someone come for treatment there? What makes Truxtun special?

It is a special thing to open a new location “from scratch.” Our team is small but mighty, and we are anxious to welcome new and transferred patients into our doors. We offer a family feel when you are here, and have a beautiful and inviting location inside and out. Our patients will be pleased with this new and improved environment and can expect quality care and kindness from our team.

Where are you from? Tell us a little about your personal life. 

I am originally from Iowa and am a small-town girl at heart. I am married to my best friend, and we have the happiest baby boy on the planet. I love to spend time with my family and friends, to go outdoors, travel to new places, and take dance cardio classes at the gym. I’m a terrible dancer but I love it anyway.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I am so excited to be a part of this new opportunity for our patients!

Laura can be reached at laura.love@pinnacletreatment.com.

The post Aegis Bakersfield Truxtun ED Profile appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into treatment?

My leadership philosophy has been shaped over the years by my many experiences, as well as my personal beliefs and values. Having worked in healthcare my entire career, service to others has been an essential element – not just in the organizations I join, but also how I interact across those organizations. As a leader, self-awareness, humility, the ability to listen – truly listen – has been effective in forming some of the best teams across healthcare.

What is your own personal healing philosophy?

This quote from Mahatma Gandhi sums up my healing philosophy perfectly:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”

I have been very intrigued with the recent work around the power of the mind and the ability to change more than just your outlook. The work in mindfulness, neuroplasticity and the power of habits has been life-altering for me.

Based on your experience, what will you focus on during the next year at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is unique in that we provide a myriad of services to those with addiction issues – one of the most comprehensive continua of care in the industry. In order to do this effectively, we need to create an environment and culture that supports and engages our team members in a truly differentiated and meaningful way.

As we strive to become the employer of choice for experts in our field, we will be focused on listening to feedback, the growth and development of our team members and our company culture. Our culture will become a strong differentiator for Pinnacle. Many organizations focus only on ‘what’ will be accomplished – the operational, financial and clinical outcomes. In addition to the ‘what’, we will also focus on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ we do what we do. We’re an organization with both head and heart that cares about how we get there.

Tell us how you approach change.

If you’re not changing, you’re standing still. Change (and growth) is an essential part of progress – working to improve and get better. Change is inevitable and an important aspect in both our professional and personal worlds. The power is in affecting our own positive change rather than becoming a victim to it.

What does success look like in your position at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?

Success in my role is when Pinnacle becomes the employer of choice in our field. When the majority of service providers in a specific geography view Pinnacle as the industry leader and want to work with us.

Treatment Philosophy

How would you describe treatment in one word?

Support. When individuals feel support from their family, friends, treatment team and community, they begin to have hope. That hope then becomes recovery.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest advancement in treatment right now?

I think the biggest advancement in addiction services is the move to a medical model. Addiction is a disease of the brain that is best treated through evidence-based methodologies and a cross-disciplinary treatment team. While this focus has had a positive impact on clinical outcomes, it has also helped to reduce the stigma associated with this chronic disease allowing many to come out of the shadows and seek effective treatment. Every day, I am impressed with the professionalism and clinical expertise our physicians, nurses, counselors and others bring to fighting this disease.

Personal

Why is the treatment industry important to you?

We are in the midst of a national crisis. I have learned that addiction discriminates against no one – everyone, every family and every community is at risk. It is a disease that impacts every corner of our country regardless of socio-economic class, age, race, gender, political persuasion, upbringing, lifestyle, etc. The good news is that this is being recognized through availability of services, funding and support.

What keeps you motivated?

I am motivated by working with some of the best leaders in our industry. I have been so impressed with the caliber of talent that Pinnacle has been able to attract across multiple functional lanes, including compliance, clinical, finance, operations to just name a few. I look forward to working with these teams as we become the industry leader serving more and more patients.

If you could work on solving one problem in the world, what one problem would it be?

I had the wonderful opportunity of working abroad for a number of years. This experience taught me the power of connectedness through our same humanity. Having exposure to people, ideas, customs and traditions unlike your own can lead to powerful growth and greater acceptance. So many barriers have been removed by these shared experiences with different cultures. I leave you with this quote:

“As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart – are beautiful…” 

– Anthony Bourdain

The post Leadership Spotlight Q&A: Dave Long, Chief Talent Officer appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

At Pinnacle Treatment, we treat every community we serve like it’s our home. Our patients become family and our neighbors become friends. We offer residents a safe, non-judgmental space where they can get the treatment they need, delivered with the compassion and respect they deserve. We’re committed to their success as individuals, and we’re committed to the well-being of our communities as a whole.

Our mission is to restore balance and healing – to individuals, families, and communities suffering with alcohol and substance use disorders.

This week, we put the spotlight on our opioid treatment program (OTP) Covedale Treatment Services in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Covedale’s Executive Director, Shanae Allen, spoke with us recently about the center, opioid addiction in general, and how she and the Covedale staff work every day to help the community they know and love.

Hi Shanae. Thanks for your time today. Could you tell us a little about your background?

Hello. You’re welcome. Yes, I’d be happy to. What would you like to know?

Let’s start with your education and professional credentials.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. I’m also a licensed drug addiction and substance abuse counselor in Ohio and Kentucky.

How long have you been working in the addiction field?

Almost 10 years – since 2010.

How long have you been at Covedale Treatment?

I’ve worked with Pinnacle, our parent company – since 2013. I’ve been here at Covedale Treatment Services since 2018.

Could you tell us more about your clinic? What happens there? What services do you offer the community?

We’re a fully licensed opioid treatment program with approximately 25 staff members including therapists, nurses and doctors. Our purpose is to help people who are addicted to opioids, whether that means misused prescription pills like Vicodin, black market-produced drugs like Fentanyl, or street drugs like heroin. We offer the latest, evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder. The most effective way to treat opioid addiction is with a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including methadone and bupenorphine, counseling, and social support – so that’s what we do here at Covedale.

Would you explain Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is a type of addiction treatment that uses medication to alleviate uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms, reduce drug cravings, and manage some of the difficult and sometimes very painful emotional symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Two big factors that keep people hooked on opioids are the awful withdrawal symptoms and the intense cravings – people get blinded by the pain they’re in and the drive to make it go away. All they can think about is the drug, because they feel so horrible. With the medication we use, the worst of that goes away. People start to return to reality, come out of the fog of addiction, and learn how to live a life that’s not dominated by getting that next fix by any means necessary.

What medications do you use?

Methadone, buprenorphine and Vivitrol

There’s a lot of misinformation about methadone out there. Could you address some of the common misunderstandings for us?

The first misunderstanding is that MAT programs are for heroin addicts only – that’s not true. MAT works for any type of opioid addiction. The second misunderstanding is that using medication to treat an addiction is simply exchanging one addiction for another. That’s not true either. What these medications do is stabilize individuals physically, psychologically, and emotionally, so they can then start participating in psychotherapy.

So the medications are not the treatment?

The medications are part of the treatment – but only a part. They take care of the withdrawal and the cravings. An interesting fact is that time-wise, the medication is actually a miniscule part of the treatment services we offer here at Covedale. The vast majority of the time our patients spend with us is in individual counseling sessions and group therapy.

I bet people in the community don’t know that.

They probably don’t – and we want them to. We want them to understand we don’t just dispense medication and then forget about our patients. We have some really fantastic groups here where we do good work. And our patients work hard at getting better. We’re focused on helping people get their lives back on track.

That sounds different than what most people think methadone clinics are. Is that what you want the people of Covedale to understand about Covedale Treatment?

Yes, because we are not just a methadone clinic, we are a substance abuse treatment center, there’s a difference. I can’t speak for other programs, but what we do here is entirely focused on helping all aspects of our patients’ lives – mind, body, and soul. We treat the whole person. We do that with groups, counseling sessions, community events, family events, and yes, with medication. So yes, we may be different than other opioid treatment centers. I know that everyone on my team cares about the people we work with and the community we work in. We want to connect with the community we serve. We want to bridge the gap. We want to be part of the community, and we want the community to be part of us.

What do you see as Covedale Treatment’s role in the community?

We work to help our patients gain control of their lives and not be controlled by addiction. We’re here to show people that there’s more to life than suffering from drug addiction. That’s our role with our patients. For the community, our role is to educate. We want them to know what we’re trying to do is get these people back on track, which ultimately helps the entire community. We’re all in this together.

What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered in treating people in this community?

On a community level, it’s been acceptance, which comes down to a combination of knowledge and understanding. Once people know about and understand what we do, the obstacles fade: they accept us and welcome us. At the individual level – meaning with our patients – the main thing we work to overcome is the shame of addiction. We devote a lot of energy to getting our patients to take pride in themselves, take pride in their recovery, and see the value of the treatment they’re getting. Their biggest obstacle is believing in themselves, and believing they can do it. We instill that belief in them, even when they don’t think they deserve it.

What’s the key to that?

It all comes back to education. Forever – well it seems like forever – people thought of addiction as a moral failure, some kind of character flaw, or a lack of willpower. People battling addiction thought this, their families thought this, and even most of the mental health professionals working in addiction thought this. However, that idea – which is entirely incorrect, by the way – is slowly fading. When we teach people they have a chronic, relapsing disease, like diabetes, then they stop beating themselves up about it. And when they understand they need treatment for their disease, like people need treatment for diabetes, they start to turn the corner. They begin healing.

What’s your personal healing philosophy?

In the context of addiction treatment, my golden rule is respect. I operate from the principle we’re all human, first and foremost. Like Maya Angelou said – we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. It may seem obvious, but I start there, with respect. That means I don’t see my patients as bad people. I see them as sick people. They’re broken. They’re hurting almost all day every day. They’ve lost touch with reality. For them, drugs have become their everything: their significant other, their security blanket, their coping mechanism, their release, their comfort – it’s the entire lens through which they view their lives.

And you help them change all that?

Yes. It takes time, though. Our patients learn that healing is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it might not happen in a straight line. Patients might take three steps forward and one step back. Or one step forward and three steps back – just being real here. My job, no matter where they are in their process, is to listen to what’s going on with them, hold them accountable, and give them the services they need so they can continue healing. My patients understand that even though I see them as family, I’m not necessarily there to be their friend. I’m a professional, and my area of expertise is helping them beat addiction.

How did you end up working in addiction?

It wasn’t planned. I started off on more of a social work-related path. When I was an undergraduate, I did an internship working in a diversion program for juvenile offenders. That was around 2005 or 2006, when methamphetamine was the biggest problem. I worked in a homeless shelter, and I saw kids coming in addicted. Adolescents and pre-adolescents in middle school, already smoking weed. Some had been sold or pimped by their parents as prostitutes to get money for drugs.

I’d spend time with these kids, but I realized that every day, they were going back to an environment that was undoing all the work we were doing.

These kids lived in a broken system. The environment was the real cause of their issues. The home environment. I realized that to help the kids, I needed to get to the adults. I needed to change the home environment.

And that’s why you switched?

It’s more personal than that. I was on the cusp of making that change, then one day – while I was working my afternoon program with the teenagers – I got a phone call that changed everything. It certainly changed my mind for me. This was in 2009. I was sitting there working with juvenile offenders, and I got the news that my little brother – a juvenile himself – had been shot in a violent, drug-related altercation. That’s another thing I want the people in the community of Covedale to know. The suffering and pain caused by drugs and addiction is not theoretical or abstract to me. It’s very real. I’ve felt the pain myself, in my own heart. I’m not trying to swoop in, solve things, and leave. I’m all about showing up, rolling up my sleeves, and staying until the job is done. And that’s not just me: all the people I work with at Pinnacle have the same attitude.

That brings us to our next question: Why did you choose Pinnacle?

I had two criteria in my job search: I wanted to work with a company who put their patients and staff first, and I wanted to work with a company where there was room for personal and professional growth and development. Pinnacle ticked both those boxes, so I applied.

What was your first job with Pinnacle?

I was a counselor. I’m still a counselor at heart.

But you’ve been promoted several times, is that correct?

Yes. After 90 days, I was promoted to Training Coordinator. In November of 2015, I was promoted to Clinical Supervisor at Northern Kentucky Med Clinic. Then in January of 2018, I moved to Ohio to become Clinical Supervisor at Covedale. Now I’m the Executive Director of Covedale Treatment Services.

Is there anything you want the people of Covedale to know about you we haven’t covered?

I want them to know that I genuinely care and want to help. As the leader of this clinic, I come last. It’s not about what I want, it’s about what my team needs, what my patients need. I work to make sure that my patients and staff are taken care of. In order to treat that whole person, not just the addiction, my staff, the counselors, have to feel supported as well. I’m big on self-care. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to help someone. I love to laugh and have fun.  Let’s have some fun because this can be a very stressful field.

Is there anything else you’d like the people of Covedale to know about your clinic? What do you see in the future?

I want them to know we’re expanding! Soon we’ll have more space. Which means more community events, more therapy, and more counseling. It means more treatment for more people, basically. What I’m most excited about is having more space for our group counseling sessions.

You mentioned you have some fantastic groups. Could you tell us more about them?

Yes – our groups are where all the action is around here. We have the standard types of groups you’ll find at most treatment centers. Groups such as “The Psychology of Addiction,” “Relapse Prevention,” and “How to Identify and Manage Triggers.” But the groups I’m most proud of, and the groups I most want our community to know about, are the groups we created and tailored to meet the needs of this specific population.

Such as?

You’re ready for my big list?

Yes, we’re ready!

Okay. Here goes.

We have a pregnancy group for expecting mothers struggling with addiction.

We have a parenting group to teach those same moms basic parenting skills, since some of them are very young. The parenting group is for young fathers struggling with addiction, as well.

We have what’s called a “Seeking Safety” group, designed specifically for people with PTSD, or people who’ve experienced some type of trauma – that group helps teach them how to find and create physical and mental spaces where they feel safe and comfortable.

We have a Grief and Loss group run by a former pastor.

We have a Stage II Recovery group, designed to prepare patients who are stable on their medication to move from maintenance to abstinence to total independence.

We have a mindfulness group that’s amazing for teaching our patients techniques to control stress, manage anxiety, and to recognize the things they can control – themselves – and the things they can’t – the rest of the world.

Those groups sound important.

They are – and that’s not nearly all.

We have our family participation group, which is called Recovery Together. That group is exactly what it sounds like: loved ones and family members come in, learn about addiction and recovery, and learn how they can best help the person they’re there for. They learn how to “recover together” with their loved one. Most importantly, this group is where family members learn the critical distinction between supporting their loved one and enabling their addiction.

We also have a group we call Table Talk, which is my personal favorite. It’s a patient-driven process group, where our patients decide what recovery topic they want to focus on. This group gives patients ownership over their recovery and agency in what constitutes their treatment, which is important, as ownership and agency are two things addiction often steals from people.

Finally, we have our Intensive Substance Abuse Treatment Group (ISAT), which meets for 8 hours per week for 16 weeks. This group is for people who need more intensive treatment than medication and 2-4 hours of group therapy a week, but less treatment than say, a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient program.

And that’s all! I think I covered the most important ones.

Thank you.

Wait – I should also let everyone know about our next open house. It’s happening on August 22^nd. We’re inviting anyone and everyone the community to come by and meet us face-to-face.

Shanae, thank you again for taking the time to talk to us today. We have one final question to ask, in closing.

Ask away!

In your opinion, what do people struggling with addiction need most right now, from our culture and society?

They need our support. Recovery is hard. Going through it alone is rough. I’ve seen this myself countless times: the people who have support are more successful than those who don’t. Support can come from anywhere, but it’s best if it comes from everywhere. By that I mean from family, from friends, from co-workers, from bosses – everybody. From society. And if you really want to support someone who’s in treatment or recovery from addiction, I have two pieces of advice.

The first is to imagine how you’d feel if you lost the one thing in the world that gave you the most comfort – that’s how people who quit drugs feel. They’re lost, alone, and without their go-to coping mechanism. I think if people understood that, there would be far less judgment about addiction.

The second piece of advice is to participate in as much of the treatment as you can. Go sit in meetings. Go to the family group therapy sessions. Learn if you’ve been an enabler, and if you have, learn how to stop enabling. At our clinic, we invite family members to come to the actual Admission appointment with their loved one, as well as Patient Orientation, which is an all-day experience that happens every Thursday. Family members learn about the treatment program alongside patients, which prepares them to offer the support that’s so crucial to successful, long-term recovery.

Thank you, Shanae.

You’re welcome – and don’t forget to come to our open house!

About Covedale Treatment Services

Covedale Treatment Services is located at 5122 Glencrossing Way in Cincinnati, Ohio. Medicating hours are 5:30 a.m. – Noon, Monday-Friday, and 5:30 – 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Counseling is available 5 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 5:30 – 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 513-827-9044.

The post Program Spotlight: Covedale Treatment Services Provides Motivation, Encouragement and Healing appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

Experience/ Leadership Philosophy

What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into treatment?
Staff want to know what is expected and how to be successful in meetings goals in the organization.  People seeking treatment also want to know how to be successful in the program.  Having clear, consistent expectations and positive feedback when staff or patients are on the right track supports a positive, compassionate, and respectful culture.

What is your own personal healing philosophy?
As treatment professionals, part of our role is to help those we treat become more engaged in their overall health care.  Individuals who are taking care of their physical health as well as their mental health by keeping appointments and collaborating in the development and implementation of their treatment plans have the best outcomes.

Based on your experience, what will you focus on this year at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
Treatment teams at the facility level are already providing excellent care and meeting the needs of those we treat.  The goal of this year is to structure the consistency of the clinical model to support the treatment teams and the programs.  Outcomes will help guide the treatment process and assist with identification of what is working well in a treatment plan and what requires a new approach.

Tell us how your approach change.
Change is inevitable and a catalyst for personal growth.  Rather than dreading or trying to avoid change, it can be helpful to look for the opportunities to improve and grow.

What does success look like in your position at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
Having had experience as an operator of a facility, I understand how much time and attention goes into providing care at the facility level.  Part of my role will be to provide additional support in maintaining quality clinical treatment and consultation support for Pinnacle services.

Treatment Philosophy

How would you describe treatment in one word?
Life-saving or Life-changing.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest advancement in treatment right now?
Addiction treatment that is demonstrating the best outcomes utilize clinical models that are “best practice” or “evidence-based.”  In other words, they are clinical models that have already been demonstrated to be effective for those struggling with addiction.  Evidence-based and best practice treatments may include cognitive behavioral treatments, behavioral strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, to name a few.  There is currently an increase in awareness of the need for treatment, particularly in the area of medication-assisted treatment.  It is inspiring to see that societal views based upon stigma (that addiction is a “moral failing”) is changing.

What aspect do you believe is the most important in a person’s recovery?
It is very important to remember that a successful recovery path can look different for one person vs. another.  In addition, individualized treatment goals can change over time.  As treatment providers, it is important to remember that everyone is entitled to the right care regardless of his/her situation or what his/her recovery journey may look like.  It may include medication-assisted treatment for one person or a twelve-step program for another.  Being versatile and nonjudgement as a treatment professional provides the best opportunity to partner with the person served in reaching the best outcomes.

 Personal

Why is the treatment industry important to you?
Working in the addiction field provides not only an opportunity to have an impact in saving lives, but also contributing to the efforts to reduce stigma associated with addictive disorders.  Helping an individual find recovery does not only affect that person, but also their family and can result in a healthier outcome in the next generation.

What keeps you motivated?
Seeing the positive result of the work we do keeps me motivated.  It is particularly motivating to see positive change for those who overcame a lot of adversity in his/her recovery journey.

What leader or leaders do you look up to and why?
I am inspired by leaders who are brave enough to be authentic, honest, and genuine.  I have a great appreciation for “direct” and “real.”

If you could work on solving one problem in the world, what one problem would it be?
This is a difficult question since there are many societal issues I wish I could impact directly.  One that is most relevant (and where I have been involved in public policy work) is in the area of deinstitutionalization and decriminalization of behavioral health disorders including addiction.  Incarceration of an individual directly due to issues related to his/her personal addiction issues such as substance use is ineffective and costly to taxpayers.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
I’ve been told that my “farm girl” side is unexpected.  I love to take care of my chickens, grow and process vegetables, and make cheese from scratch.

The post Meet Pinnacle Treatment Center’s New Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Lori Ryland appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

Why is the treatment industry important to you?
Treatment saves lives—lives of people who can be productive and contribute in a positive way to society. These are people I understand, I feel their pain. I want to assist them in starting a new life in any way I can because I know they can succeed given a chance.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
I’ve been sober for 31 years. Ever since I went to treatment at the Betty Ford Center in ’87, I have not had a drink or a drug. And yes, it’s been an incredible life so far!

Describe your role at Pinnacle:
As Community Relations Coordinator for Recovery Works Merrillville, I collaborate with professionals and clinicians in the Chicagoland area in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field to assist those suffering with substance use and behavioral disorders. My role is to offer our services in detox, residential addiction treatment and IOP to these professionals so we can continue their clients on the road to recovery. I also work to ensure that we return these freshly sober clients to continue their treatment with their therapists, or in other outpatient and sober living programs to strengthen their chances for success with quality aftercare. Treatment isn’t over when someone leaves Recovery Works, it’s just the beginning.

What do you value most about your job?
I have made so many good friends in this industry. These professionals are all people who just want to help other people who are suffering—assisting people with addictions and behavioral issues.  What an honor to work with such an incredible, dedicated community on a daily basis!  This job is a blessing.

The post An Interview with Carolyn Chambless appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into treatment?
My leadership philosophy is one that focuses on teaching and guiding our individual staff to be the best that they can be and capitalizing on the different strengths that each and every employee brings to the table.  Along with helping staff to grow their own potential, my leadership style is also one that focuses on systems and how systems interact internally and also with other systems in order to create a treatment program in its entirety.  I also believe that a leader jumps in with their team, helps out wherever needed and is not afraid to “get their hands dirty” or “walk in the trenches”; a real leader is the invisible foundation of a team whose affirmation that their leadership is working is based upon the team’s production as a whole.  In other words, “A dictator often confuses himself with a leader”-Jennifer Maguire

How would you describe treatment in one word?
CHANGE

What is your own personal healing philosophy?
Healing is based upon the power of human connection

What aspect do you believe is the most important in a person’s recovery?
A person’s desire to change, the belief that change is possible, and a commitment to that change; everything else flows from there

Tell us how you approach change.
First, realizing how difficult it is and acknowledging how brave someone is for even wanting to change!  Then, understanding that no one person can change another. Instead, one person can walk along someone, hold space, and teach new ways of living; connecting on a human level.

What does success look like in your position at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
My success will look like healed, happy people – staff and patients alike.  Staff who come to “work” not to work, but because they have found something they love doing.  Patients who have experienced the hope and joy along with the sorrow and pain of letting go and starting anew.   My success will be reflected in the patients we serve.

What keeps you motivated?
My passion keeps me motivated; there’s nothing else in the world I would rather do then get to be blessed to be a part of someone’s healing.  How lucky am I to get paid for doing what I love?!

If you could work on solving any problem in the world, what one problem would it be?
I would work on improving myself.  If everyone looked inwards before trying to affect outwards, many of our problems in the world would not exist.

What are you learning right now?
Life lessons everyday

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
I am a huge tattoo aficionado; I currently have 17 tattoos and am working on my thigh sleeves.  I love the artistry and the beauty of the meanings and stories my tattoos tell.

For more information about Endeavor House or New Life Counseling Center, call us today.

Jennifer Maguire
Executive & Clinical Director of Endeavor House & New Life Counseling Center

jmaguire@endeavorhouse.com
(732) 264-3824 | ext 302

The post An Interview with Jennifer Maguire appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

If you could work on solving any problem in the world, what one problem would it be?
If I could work on solving any problem in the world, it would be providing ample food, appropriate shelter, and clean drinking water to those who do not have access to something that many take for granted. I think being able to provide people simple basic needs is something that needs to be accomplished before anything else can be changed.

Why is the treatment industry important to you?
It is important to me to watch not only the individual get better, but also the entire family move forward in a positive way. As a family member of a recovering addict, I can attest to how addiction truly affects the entire family. I am proud to be part of a family that is now stronger and more understanding.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
While I was earning my undergraduate degree, I traveled to Southwater Caye, Belize and swam with a 13-foot salt-water crocodile.

What do you value most about your job?
I love getting to meet new people all the time. In the short time I have been in this position, I have had opportunities to meet many interesting people with extremely moving stories.

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What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into treatment?
I believe in leadership through radical transparency. I always appreciate when my leaders keep me informed of what is important to them and the company.  I believe that our clients and their families deserve the same transparency, and as such, I am always very clear. My number one goal is to provide the best care possible to as many people as we can help. Here at Pinnacle, our mission is to remove the barriers to treatment for our patients and their families, to meet the patient where they are in their journey, and to provide them with the best care possible. It is a privilege to be able to serve our communities.

What is your own personal healing philosophy?
I believe that every human being has the ability to recover from this disease.  I don’t believe that we should ever give up on one another, and that every day brings a new chance for recovery to everyone, no matter how bad one may feel.  Whatever it takes to get people on that road to recovery, we need to make happen.

Based on your experience, what will you focus on during the next year at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
I will focus on our team and our patients. I believe in a culture of purpose and integrity. Our team truly believes in PTC’s mission and show up every day to serve our communities. Our patients need to know that we are here for them and their families, and there is nothing more purposeful then coming to work every day knowing that we are helping people to save and dramatically improve their lives.

What does success look like in your position at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
Removing the barriers to treatment and helping as many people as we can.

Why is the treatment industry important to you?
I don’t know anyone who does not have a loss in their lives to addiction in some capacity. I have been given the privilege of being able to make a difference. I cherish that opportunity and will not let my personal losses be forgotten.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
I am not that interesting. I enjoy coaching youth football and look at leadership very much the same way that I look at coaching. Know your players, work towards their strengths, and coach their weaknesses. With respect, at all times.

To find out more about how Brian coaches the team here at Pinnacle, please reach out at brian.thorn@pinnacletreatment.com. You can also read more Q&As with our team on our blog.

The post An Interview With Brian Thorn appeared first on Pinnacle Treatment Centers.