Employee Spotlight Series featuring Footprints to Recovery’s Rockstars!
Beyond our degrees and titles, we’re also real humans endlessly passionate about the fight for those struggling with addiction. Our DreamTeam is made up of many hard working talented individuals with interesting stories to tell. In our Employee Spotlight series, you’ll meet some of these people, learn what they do (on and perhaps off the clock), and how they keep Footprints to Recovery growing and flowing — just the way we like it.
This month’s Employee Spotlight Series features Anthony Faggioli – Colorado Clinical Director, the dedicated & oh so educated employee who’s spearheading the development of our clinical programming in Centennial, Colorado. Anthony comes to Footprints to Recovery with an extensive background, as well as certifications in mental health including; Dual Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certification in EMDR, Master’s Certified Addiction Professional and soon to be Licensed Addiction Counselor. His vast interest and passion for anything nature coupled with his mental health experience undoubtedly works wonders for our programming in a state that’s known for its adventures!
What does Colorado’s treatment program look like?
Colorado’s program will provide a variety of evidence-based treatment practice, which stem directly from scientific studies that show what works in treating alcohol and substance use disorders. Our well-trained and caring staff have experience with various treatment approaches, which includes a fusion of Cognitive/Dialectical Behavioral Therapies (CBT/DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as other Experiential Therapies, including Art/Music Therapy, Sand-Tray Therapy, Psychodrama, and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) as well as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
We incorporate these techniques to break free from standard, “quick fix” treatment practices that follow older models that are often non-effective for maintaining long term sobriety. We utilize post-modern techniques that emphasize the human condition to empower our patients to explore the emotional, behavioral and spiritual components of recovery. This allows us to create a highly individualized treatment approach with a wrap-around service model designed to address co-occuring psychiatric/chemical dependency disorders, PTSD, and trauma, as well as family dysfunction and other interpersonal issues that inhibit the recovery process.
In your opinion, why is getting treatment for drug & alcohol addiction important?
Addiction is a complex medical problem with negative consequences that can affect almost every part of a person’s life. To be successful, a drug addiction treatment program must be ready to address these issues by not only focusing on the addictive behavior but also by offering solutions to ancillary problems, such as life skill training in order to help the patient to become a productive member of both their family and society. This aspect of treatment is an essential part of encouraging patients to remain sober by giving them something to be sober for. It has been shown that the most effective addiction treatment programs are based on the unique needs of each individual because treatment is not one size fits all. It may require a combination of services and treatment components during the course of their recovery including psychotherapy, medical services, family therapy and/or social and legal services. For many patients, a continuing care approach provides the best results, with the treatment intensity varying according to a person’s changing needs. Without adequate treatment, the underlying problems often resurface and result in chronic relapse.
What’s on your wish list over the next year for Footprints to Recovery?
My wish list for Footprints to Recovery includes a successful opening of it’s Colorado facility! My hope is that we continue to expand our service model throughout the country in an effort to provide treatment approaches that match the unique needs of those seeking our help. By supporting progressive evidence-based practices we can promote and offer several pathways for our patients to maintain long-term sobriety.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
I’d pick the father of modern psychology – Sigmund Freud because his ideas were and still are somewhat controversial. His discoveries were groundbreaking and remain relevant in psychology today. I’d want to hear him explain how he developed the theoretical and philosophical framework that contributed to psychology’s earliest beginnings.
What’s your motto or personal mantra?
My personal mantra is that “everything always gets better.” We’re constantly confronted with change and perpetual uncertainty throughout our lives. This simple statement helps to remind me that there is always hope regardless of the situation. Even when life seems like it is at it’s worst it always improves with time, acceptance and faith.
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