wellington | health
Therapy Of Wellington’s Andrea Rusher Loves Giving Back To Her Community
Completely Purposeful STORY BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR | PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA
Andrea Rusher is a lifelong resident of Wellington. Today, her work as a therapist helps her to give back to the community she cherishes. “I love Wellington, as I am a true native, being born and raised here,” Rusher said. “It is beautiful, safe and comfortable, and truly is my home. I enjoy experiencing nature and healthy exercise, and Wellington is perfect for both. Rusher is especially fond of the people in the community. “There were several special people who have helped me during the course of my life, and I remember how extremely influential that was for me,” recalled Rusher, who experienced substance abuse challenges in her youth.“I am in recovery for 18 solid years now.” That experience led her to a career as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). “During the first portion of my life, during my teens and early 20s, I struggled with addiction. I was lost for quite a number of years and became sober at the age of 22. It was after I turned my life around and began working on myself that I decided to become a therapist,” Rusher said.“I wanted to give back to people what was given to me to help me change the course of my life. I was 24 when I knew that becoming a therapist was my destiny, and I was given an opportunity to work at the Hanley Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in West Palm Beach. I knew within days
Andrea Rusher enjoys using her therapy skills to help people in her hometown of Wellington.
of becoming employed at this facility that working with others was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” This inspired her to want to give back to people who had been instrumental in her recovery. “Those who supported, guided and
listened to me, helped me change the course of my life in a positive way,” Rusher explained. “I wanted to give back in the same capacity that was given to me. Therefore, I decided to follow my heart and become a therapist to help others.” Rusher received her master’s degree wellington the magazine | january 2020
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