RECOVERY COUNSELING
Nickie Nicolas has worked in the mental health, substance abuse and social work field for a combined total of twenty-three years. She started as a psychiatric technician in 1982 and was cross-trained as an alcohol and drug educator in 1986. She has worked in psychiatric facilities and drug/alcohol rehabilitation throughout the United States and in Europe. She has worked as a behavior specialist for private psychiatric facilities as well as for the Department of Mental Health. She has also worked as an admissions counselor and technician for the Betty Ford Center. She briefly worked as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services. All this professional experience, as well as years of personal experience, she combines in what she now calls “Recovery Counseling”.
What is Recovery Counseling?
Recovery Counseling is support for the person who has left primary treatment for any addiction - It is not limited to those using a mood or mind altering substance. Recovery counseling is for anyone is having difficulty abstaining from any addictive behavior - drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, gambling, sex, spending, etc.
- Recovery Counseling bridges the gap between primary treatment, 12 step meetings, other support systems, etc
- Assists the client in connecting, or reconnecting, with a support system, but is not limited to 12 step meetings.
- Part of connecting to the community may include, but is not limited to:
- Members of a support system
- 12 step meetings
- Shelters
- Recovery friendly landlords
- Sober living environments
- Crisis management, before a crisis can develop.
- Establish goals and a plan to achieve these goals.
- Helps the client identify obstacles or barriers to recovery - and most important, solutions to these obstacles.
- As a recovery counselor, I can assist individuals and families in adjusting to a life-style without a mood or mind altering substance.
- Solution oriented - In helping you find how to live each day happy, healthy, joyous and free.
- One-on-One attention - Recovery counseling does not end if there is a relapse, but rather uses the incident as a stepping stone to recovery.
- Recovery counseling is not limited to an office - it can happen anywhere.
What Recovery Counseling is NOT!
- The same thing as a sponsor.
- A replacement for therapy.
- A friend, but rather an endorsement for your recovery.
- Is NOT focused on where you came from, but where you want to go and how I can help you get there.
“As a Recovery Counselor, the first thing I do is listen. In my experience working for various facilities and private institutions, I find the primary concern is for the facility. My primary concern as your recovery counselor is, your recovery. I understand and acknowledge the difficult times a newly recovering person may face and the various changes that a person may go through. Recovery counseling can assist you in moving through these changes without picking up a mood altering substance.
“If you don’t believe in formal counseling or treatment, or don’t believe the 12 step programs are for you, then recovery counseling can be an alternative. Whatever you decide, please know that you are not alone, and that there is help for you. Let me help. Thank you”.
“Confidentiality - It’s not only ethical, it’s the law - what you say to me stays w/me. (As a mandated reporter, by law I will report expressions to harm self, others, child and elder abuse).
As a mandated reporter, safety comes first.
**I do not receive endorsements for any referrals given to treatment facilities or private therapists. However, if someone is having difficulty abstaining from a mood altering substance, a treatment center or medical detoxification facility may be recommended, as well as other services that may be deemed as necessary to someone’s ongoing recovery.
**Fees for recovery counseling are the same as they are for fitness services. |
