Find a Certified ARISE® Interventionist (CAI) or ARISE® Intern

I am a person in long-term recovery from Substance Use Disorder. Addiction is a family disease that requires a commitment to change for overall health and wellbeing. I believe the same can be said for all mental health disorders. Being a person in long-term recovery I understand that recovery is a process and the help of others is needed. It is my job to support, encourage, and empower individuals on their journeys with love, respect, and understanding.

Coming from a long family history of addiction and mental health concerns, I find comfort in assisting those who are navigating the addiction and mental health sector. Help can feel so out of reach in these difficult times, but a helpful hand may assist in finding your footing. My educational experience has provided me with the ability to assist individuals with complex vulnerabilities such as addiction, homelessness, mental health concerns, involvement with the justice system, and victimization. I have worked in child welfare, trauma, and addiction treatment. For the last 6 years, I have worked as a Relapse Prevention and Continuing Care Counsellor in an Adult Addiction Treatment Centre. Throughout this process, I have maintained relationships with families, and assisted with the development and delivery of family programs to provide education surrounding addiction and resources to family members affected by this disease. The ARISE® process has given a platform to help families rebuild trust and remove blame, shame, and guilt through a gentle and non-confrontational approach. I look forward to being able to help you, and your whole family move towards health, healing, and greater family connection through the ARISE® process.

Alexandria Dennison specializes in helping those who struggle with both mental health and substance abuse disorders. Through her six years of experience, she brings an energetic, empathetic, and vicarious approach to working with individuals, groups and families. Alexandria believes that the entire family system is deeply affected, everyone’s feelings are valid and that true healing is possible for all of those involved in the process. Alexandria is able to instill hope and motivation while empowering individuals to change their life in order to become the best versions of themselves and to reach their fullest potential. Alexandria is well versed in motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, knowledge of 12 step programming and person-centered intervention.

Heather is triple board certified in three clinical specialties; intervention, family dynamics, and relapse prevention.  In her private practice she conducts screenings, assessments, interventions, corrective coaching and serves as an expert witness in the areas of addiction and co-occurring mental illness.  She is known for successful outcomes in the most complicated cases.  As a leading authority in negotiating change and recovery, she incorporates motivational techniques such as tactical empathy and emotional intelligence combined with enthusiasm, humor and warmth while preserving the privacy, dignity, and respect of her clients.  She has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with substance and behavioral addictions, mood disorders, family legacy and burnout.  Her success comes from a strong belief that it’s not just about getting someone into treatment.  It’s about getting the family back on the same page.

My true desire for working as an interventionist is for whole family healing. I have learned through my own journey how important it is to work together to find that inner strength and resilience we all innately have within ourselves. I have worked in the field of addiction since my own recovery began over 12 years ago in many different roles. Detox admissions and marketing, psych technician, case manager, substance abuse counselor and program director of a couple treatment centers. Working and collaborating with many professionals that help me along the way. I am sober companion, sober coach, and provide a wide range of knowledge and services. Mostly, I am a person in long term recovery with a passion for helping others gain the life they desire, free from the chaos and uncertainty addictions create. I will be there with you every step of the way. We grow together because that is how long-term recovery is sustainable

Zachary Goff is a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and an ARISE® Intern. Army combat veteran with extensive experience working with individuals and their families dealing with substance use and mental health disorders. Works tirelessly to provide clients with effective case management, recovery coaching, and collaborative group sessions. Attending the University of Louisville, pursuing a degree in Social Work. Helping people find meaning and purpose through a life in recovery.

As a person living in long-term recovery, I know the pain and isolation that stem from addiction, and also how rewarding a life in recovery can be. I joined the GraceWay Recovery team in 2014 as the Resident Manager and moved into my current role as Program Director in 2016. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Albany State University, and I am currently pursuing certification in addiction counseling. I am an Arise Intervention Intern, and I enjoy working with clients and their families, utilizing their strengths to help them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. My goal is to give each client a safe place where they can foster a means to recover-a place where they can regain their lost sense of self, learn coping skills and tools, and develop the ability to see and appreciate their own value.

Sandi is an Australian Registered Psychologist with more than 15 years experience working with individuals and families struggling with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. She brings this experience in the fields of addiction, eating disorders and mental health into her work to support individuals, families and caregivers using evidenced based interventions, groups, and continuing care models internationally. As a clinician with lived experience, Sandi brings a compassionate and committed energy to her services and is able to support families and individuals through the difficult process of finding and maintaining a recovery focus, to grow and thrive through the challenges, and to move into a life with purpose and meaning above and beyond the disorder.

Dr. Mattern is an ARISE® Intervention Intern. Prior to pursuing a path in treating addiction, she studied psychology at a Master’s level and had a career as a practicing OB/GYN in medicine. She draws upon over 20 years of clinical experience aimed at facilitating healing for individuals and their families dealing with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health issues and recovery. She has been able to integrate all of this with patient care during her career. She is an Addiction Counselor, and continues to learn and integrate her experiences in the field of addiction. She has excellent skills identifying the resilience, strength and love within patients and their families. These will become some of the lifelines needed to assist them moving from active addiction in the face of mental, physical, and behavioral issues into recovery. With her help and other modalities, she will be able to assist most anyone in need to realize their strength and capacity to move forward into long-term recovery.

Stephanie is passionate about helping others find hope and peace through sobriety. After overcoming her own addiction, she entered the substance abuse field beginning her work in the non-profit sector, mentoring, and managing women as they began their journey in recovery. Stephanie understands that substance use disorder and behavioral health challenges not only affect the addict, but the entire family system. She has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for over 8 years and understands that that there are many paths to healing and recovery. She compassionately meets clients and their loved ones where they are and strives to guide them through the healing process by arming them with the tools needed to become healthy and whole long term. Stephanie is an ARISE® Interventionist Intern, serves on the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Planning & Advisory Council, and makes herself available to anyone looking for help. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. She is currently an Outreach Coordinator for Ambrosia Treatment Centers and is the founder of HopeFirst, a support group for those who love someone struggling with substance abuse.