Role & Background:
Can you share a bit about your role at Liberty and how long you’ve been here?
I started working at Liberty part-time facilitating a few outpatient groups on Zoom during COVID. When we went back to in person groups there was need for a full time person and I took the job. Since then I’ve been promoted to the director of outpatient: I still maintain a caseload, facilitate groups, but am also responsible for programming, the clinicians, staff, alumni, etc.
What inspired you to work in the field of addiction recovery?
Luck, honestly. When I was 19 years old I lost a good job in the tech industry and someone from church invited me to go spend a day at work with him. He worked for a youth residential treatment center in St. George, UT and I fell in love with the work. Spending that time with those kids, it was almost impossible to feel sorry for myself and I’ve stuck with it for the better part of the last 25 years. I worked with youth for about 10 years after that until my SUDC practicum supervisor told me I should try something different. I’m also in long term recovery.
Personal Connection:
What’s your favorite part of working with clients at Liberty?
The clients themselves. I strive to be a spiritual guy and the spirit I feel in these rooms from these folks is humbling and immense. To be a part of clients reconnecting with their higher power, with their values, with their families and with their own self worth is something I hope to never take for granted.
Do you have a personal philosophy or way of supporting clients in recovery?
Absolutely. At the heart of what we do is that we’re all humans in the trenches together; we’re all equals and deserving of love and compassion. Of course there is accountability and boundaries, which can be the highest—and hardest–form of love.
Memorable Moments:
Is there a moment or success story at Liberty that has stood out to you?
My favorite success stories are when parents regain access to their kids and are able to be engaged and present parents again. There’s not much better than that. And on the flip side the resilience and grit that so many of our folks display that don’t have the things they desperately want, but they’re suiting up and showing up anyway. Seeing clients open up and develop a relationship with a higher power is also extremely humbling.
What’s one thing you hope every client takes away from their time here?
I have to cheat here and choose two self love and faith.
Fun/Lighthearted:
What’s something about you that people might not know (a hobby, fun fact, etc.)?
I love spending time with my family and the outdoors. I also coach girls tackle football for Bingham High School, which is a ton of fun. We’re the only youth girls tackle football league in the nation.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone in recovery, what would it be?
That they belong, that they’re capable and worthy and that God loves them more than they can comprehend. That many, many others have been in similar situations as them and have gotten better, and they can too.
