About me

Addiction and recovery

I entered recovery in 2013 following a hospital visit and treatment episode. For most of my adolescence, I had struggled with severe substance use and mental health problems. In the end, I had an almost constant feeling of dread and hopelessness and truly believed that I would never get out of the cycle of addiction. I heard a message of recovery in treatment and threw myself into the recovery community in my hometown. My first few years of recovery were immensely challenging, despite the vast external improvements that occurred in my life as time went on. I was 17 when I got sober, and I subsequently lacked many life skills, experience, and coping strategies essential to sustaining long-term recovery. Getting sober at a young age poses several unique challenges. The recovery process demands a level of personal responsibility, self-awareness, and life skills that many younger people do not yet possess. I had to learn these lessons while also navigating the inherent challenges of early recovery. I attribute my sobriety to the immense amount of support that I received and my own willingness to participate and engage in a new life for myself. I have had many amazing mentors who have walked with me through each step. I have also had many talented therapists and helping professionals of various kinds.

Today, I have a life that I would not have considered possible. It has been a long, joyful, and at times arduous, journey of healing and growth, and it certainly has not been easy. It is my hope that my experience can be uniquely beneficial to others in similar situations.

Recovery has provided me with relationships, tools, meaning, and purpose, and I consider my recovery to be an immense gift. I have learned that it is possible for anyone willing to do the work to achieve it and that we never do it alone.

I currently live in Carbondale, Colorado, a place that I am glad to call home. In my free time, I enjoy creating art, exercising, reading, and spending time with the love of my life Naomi and our dog. I try to dedicate as much time as I can to my own program of recovery, as I believe that my competence as an addiction professional is directly tied to my own emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Professional Experience

I began working in the field when I was a year sober as a technician for a community mental health detox center. I quickly fell in love with the work and found that I could use my experience to help others in a professional capacity. I pursued my credential in addiction counseling while working there, and went on to work in several different phases of the treatment continuum. My experience working in several different treatment settings has helped me to learn how the entire process works and has enabled me to develop competency in a variety of different skills.  Prior to venturing out to start my own company, I worked as an addiction counselor in a men’s treatment program in Carbondale, Colorado.

  • Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, With Distinction, Magna Cum Laude, member of Psi Chi International Honors Society of Psychology

  • Undergraduate Certification in Mediation, University of Colorado, Denver.

  • Credentialed as a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) through the department of regulatory agencies. 
You can look up my credential on the DORA website here:

    ~[https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx](https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx)~

    my credential number is: ACC.0998228.

  • Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), trained in recovery coaching and sober companion/ safe passage work through the International Recovery Institute.

  • Certified ARISE Interventionist (CAI) trained in substance use intervention and family support services.

  • Certified Professional Coach (CPC) trained in life coaching through the IAPRC.

  • Trained in Adult First Aid/ CPR/ AED & First Aid for Opiate Overdose through the Red Cross. These trainings include proper adult first aid/CPR/ AED implementation and the proper administration of Narcan, and related procedures.

  • Trained in Adult First Aid/ CPR/ AED & First Aid for Opiate Overdose through the Red Cross. These trainings include proper adult first aid/CPR/ AED implementation and the proper administration of Narcan, and related procedures.