Speakers: Amanda Clerkin, LCSW                                                  & Melissa Chacona

Amanda Clerkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been working in the field since 2003, following her graduation from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the Clinical Director for a Reentry Services Program that provides care for those being released from Federal Prison, and also owns a private counseling practice, providing telehealth services to clients in North Carolina, Indiana, and Florida. She specializes in counseling people with Substance Use Disorder, having created programs like a therapeutic women’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and a Parenting in Recovery Group to support parents early in recovery. Amanda has also served on boards and commissions in various capacities, with a focus on Harm Reduction. Trained in Functional Family Therapy, she works with the entire family unit.

Amanda is deeply committed to helping individuals heal and recover from the chronic challenges associated with active addiction, including trauma, undiagnosed mental health issues, and unaddressed physical problems. She will be joined by Melissa Chacona, who will share her personal journey of recovery and how the 12-Step program and other recovery tools have facilitated her transformation from active addiction to a fulfilling life as a loving partner, mother, and community member.

Topics to be discussed:

• The psychology of addiction
• Is there a genetic component to addiction?
• What causes addictive behaviors
• Addiction as a self medicating component to other mental health issues
• Addiction is not just alcohol and drugs
• What are the signs of addiction and how to recognize them in your loved one
• My loved one is an addict.  What do I do now?
• Treatment types and sources for addiction