3 minute read
THE VALUE OF THERAPY
Clients and staff benefit from Lifeline’s growing number of certified professionals
People in recovery share many issues – struggles with self-worth and identity. Many have been defined by their addiction, their mistakes and their trauma. They often express feelings of hopelessness, fear of failure and deep shame.
Helping our clients reframe their self-perception and recognize their value are vital in the therapy provided by the Lifeline clinical staff.
Since 2021, our clinical staff has grown to eight certified counselors, three case managers, a nurse and myself, the director. In addition, two employees are pursuing certification as counselors. These professionals are on our campuses full-time, compared to just four years ago, when clinical staff was here only part-time.
I joined this staff in 2022, after becoming sober in 2019 following 20 years in addiction. Since earning my first degree in 2020 from West Kentucky Community and Technical College, I have earned a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University and a master’s degree from University of the Cumberlands, and achieved two certifications – Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I became the clinical services director in March, succeeding our esteemed first director Robbie Sewell.
Our growing full-time clinical staff works hard to achieve the highest standards and provide the best care, making a difference for our clients and for our entire staff.
Recently, a 40-year-old man came to us after multiple failed attempts at sobriety. This time was going to be different, he said, because he was desperate and willing to do anything to get sober.
Not only is he celebrating two years of sobriety, but also he has built a life from which he no longer feels the need to escape. His journey demonstrates the power of surrendering to both clinical structure and faith – an incredible transformation we are honored to witness.
However, his outcome is not always the case, especially when we have clients who quit or relapse.
Staff, many of whom are in recovery themselves, take the struggles of those clients personally. Staff may have their own struggles with difficult cases, self-doubt and feeling overwhelmed. Our clinical staff is here to help them, too.
In fact, this staff constantly pursues higher levels of education and certification to benefit themselves personally and to strengthen the quality of care provided at Lifeline. Their success is a testament to the power of teamwork, mentorship and a workplace culture to guide the next wave of aspiring professionals.
Their commitment shows that our center isn’t just a treatment facility – it’s a place where faith and clinical experience come together to build lives, empower futures and help people walk in God’s plan for them.
