Employee Spotlight – Alumni Coordinator
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 months Employee Spotlight Series features Footprints to Recovery’s Wayne, Pennsylvania and Hamilton, New Jersey Alumni Coordinator, Morgan Werner. Through empathy, listening and hard work Morgan works to ensure that all of those who complete FTR\’s treatment programs continue to have a sense of community, access to resources and endless support. Whether it be planning an event, running a support meeting or catching up with an alumni – she always gives everything 110%. She\’s a fierce woman, with a big heart and we couldn\’t be more thrilled to have her on our team. What’s a typical day in your role? My typical day varies based on the day of the week. Because I split my time between two treatment centers; both Hamilton and Wayne, I never truly know what my day is going to look like before I arrive. Most days I am in the office working on planning groups and events, meeting with discharging patients to get them excited about the opportunity they have to join the alumni program, sitting in on groups, and checking in with our current alumni as they reach some of the milestones in their recovery. What’s something that you’re currently working on? My biggest project right now is beginning to take the structural framework that our Director of Alumni, Lisa Musialowicz worked tirelessly in building, and tailoring it to continue to meet the needs and wants of our current group of Alumni. That’s the great thing about the alumni program here at Footprints to Recovery; we\’re evolving and growing every day. Nothing is set in stone and suggestions are always welcome. In your opinion, what makes an alumni program important? When I was approached about the Alumni Coordinator position what sold me is the sheer fact, that it exists. I immediately jumped on board to join a company that stands by their mission to help. Where some treatment centers say their ‘goodbyes’ upon discharge, Footprints to Recovery’s alumni program says ‘welcome.’ That is continuous care, and it is crucial when we talk about success in recovery. What’s on your wish list for the next three years? One of my goals over the next three years is to help grow this program to reach its’ fullest potential. There are so many ideas that I have rolling around in my brain that I cannot wait to implement. On a personal level, I hope to continue to travel. Travel has become a driving force in my life and I cannot wait to see all of the remarkable places it will take me. If you could give family, friends, loved ones of those with a substance abuse disorder a message, what would it be? The message that I would give is one of hope. To never give up on those that they love. Where there is hope, there is help. It is with that hope that the person you love might surprise you with all that they can achieve. If we give up hope, we may never know. What gets you out of bed in the morning? My seven-year-old daughter gets me out of bed every morning. Granted, most days I find myself begging for five more minutes, and five minutes usually turns into ten. I try to wake up each day with the intention to make my daughter proud and to be the strong female role model that I believe every little girl needs. What’s your motto or personal mantra? My personal mantra is ‘change your attitude, change your life’. Someone very special to me once taught me about how the power of positivity promotes positive action and ever since then, I have implemented positivity and gratitude into my everyday life. By beginning each day grateful for where I am at and how far I have come, I can face the day without fear. What’s your favorite Disney movie & why? My favorite Disney movie is and will always be Mulan. Growing up, I felt very compelled to the character of Mulan because she was a fierce female warrior who took action and followed her instincts despite adversity. I like to believe that I have grown to become a woman that the real Hua Mulan, would have been proud of. Eddie Murphy as Mushu was also a big draw. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? I absolutely could not live without a pen and paper. From schedules to ideas, everything is written down somewhere. Even with the technology of computers, phones, and tablets, nothing will ever compare to a pen and paper. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? If I could meet anyone, I would want to meet my grandfather. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was two years old, so it would be less of a meeting and more of a reacquainting. But all my life I’ve heard about what an incredible man he was and how he made a delicious homemade mac & cheese!
Employee Spotlight – EMDR & Trauma Therapist
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 Laura Golden, MSW, LSW. Laura specializes in addiction treatment with an emphasis on trauma and family counseling, where she brings in techniques such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, commonly referred to as EMDR, as well as Reiki. You’ll rarely see Laura without a smile on her face, a patient and staff favorite, she focuses on bringing a variety of therapeutic techniques to her practice to ensure that all individuals get what they need! For those of us who aren’t familiar, what is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly referred to as EMDR, is a therapeutic approach that was designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic experiences. Created by Francine Shapiro, PhD, EMDR is comprised of an Adaptive Information Processing Model which facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to establish an adaptive resolution. EMDR utilizes bi-lateral stimulation to assist in connecting the neuro-networks to allow the processing of memory and is found to be highly beneficial in alleviating emotional distress as well as establishing a positive belief system. EMDR is a highly sought after and effective modality that has been mindfully integrated into the treatment offerings at Footprints to Recovery. What led you to become EMDR trained & to specialize in trauma? My Dad was an inspiration to me. From when I was a child he was on the Board of the Crime Victim Center of Chester County. He introduced me to the organization and I started to intern for them in high school and college. That is when I started to specialize in sexual assault and human trafficking. Working with that population required a specific set of skills and specialized long-term treatment. I had been working with patients on a short-term scale as a victim advocate. I wanted to find an evidence-based practice that research had proven effective long-term results. That’s when I was introduced to EMDR from a professor in my Master’s program. When I learned more about EMDR I discovered it can be used in any population for virtually any problem. I utilize it regularly at Footprints to Recovery with patients at all phases of treatment. You also use a spiritual technique, Reiki, how have you found use of it in your work in Addiction treatment? Reiki is a holistic healing method where the therapist can channel energy through holding hands 2-4 inches above the area being worked on or through gentle touch. It is used to help promote the natural healing process of the patient’s mind and body. I use Reiki practices in many ways in Addiction treatment. I use it to help patient’s learn grounding and relaxation skills. I also use it as a way to help patients connect to their spirituality and learn about other holistic modalities. Now more about you, what gets you out of bed in the morning? I am a dedicated dog mom and wife. I get up to support my family and the patients I serve. What are your biggest professional challenges? My biggest challenge is finding the balance between self-care, work, and continuing education. What is your personal motto or mantra? Its a tie for me… “Don’t go where the path may lead, instead make your own and leave a trail” and “Find the opportunity in every experience.” If you could choose anyone who would you pick as your mentor? If I could choose anyone I would choose my Aunt Jodi. She is an incredibly successful businesswoman and one of the most generous people I know. She found a balance between doing what she loved and helping others. I want to model her determination, generosity, and mindfulness practices. And lastly, what makes Footprints to Recovery standout? What drew me to Footprints to Recovery was their family-like atmosphere. Everyone is dedicated to their patients and the facility provides the most comprehensive care possible. As a holistic practitioner, certified in Reiki, it was huge for me to find an agency that not only allowed me to incorporate that into my practice but encouraged it. More Employee Spotlights
