About Us

"As a person in long-term recovery, what drives me is to give back what was freely given to me"

My name is Caren, and I am a person in long-term recovery. What that means for me is that I have not found it necessary to consume any mood-altering substance since May 11, 2010. The reason I got into this line of work is not what you might commonly think. Addiction had such a hold on my life, and when I finally experienced the freedom of recovery, I was willing to do anything to keep it. I made the decision at 90 days clean to enter the LADC program, and it was the best decision I have made. I have created a life based on service to those who suffer from the disease of addiction (myself included).

I started at Sobriety First in April of 2015. From the first day, I felt like I belonged here. I am the Program Director and oversee all our locations. I am so blessed to be a part of the Sobriety First Team. As we grow and learn, our program evolves and allows us to provide clients with the best service available. Our team is close-knit and has become a second family for me. I am so grateful to work at a place that allows my recovery to flourish while I can be of service to those who are new to their recovery.

My name is David, and I started my recovery journey in prison, back in 2005.

I have worked in the field of SUD treatment since 2008. I was blessed by being able to work under other professionals who had long careers in the field of addiction services. Now I work with the whole Sobriety First team, providing support and helping out where I can.

I love to spend time with my family, both my biological family and my work family. I enjoy fishing, traveling, motorcycles, and woodworking.

Karen chose to work in this field because it helps her in her recovery. Having recovery be a part of her home and work life creates a strong foundation for her sobriety. Karen has a sponsor in a 12-step Program and sponsors other women. She has a husband and three children who have supported her through her recovery process.

Because she works hard on her recovery, she has been able to find joy in life again. She loves canning food from her garden and makes THE BEST home-cooked meals. She is often referred to as the 'Mom' of the office because she is always there to provide guidance, support, and delicious food to our providers! She also enjoys camping with her family, being a part of her local Church, and hosting girls' nights at her home.

Karen is self-taught in the billing department and is meticulous with her work. She is proof that anyone can do anything they set their minds to. She is a self-driven person who is an invaluable team member. Karen says the reason she enjoys working at Sobriety First is "That we are a family, and we work as a team to help our clients and show them how to have fun in recovery."

"There are too many beautiful people out there struggling with addiction and mental health; the world deserves to experience them at their best"

Jessica is a passionate person in long-term recovery. No matter the situation, she always gives her best. Jessica is a driven, independent woman who is raising a daughter to be the same. Jessica is excellent at setting rules for self-care and creating expectations not only for her clients but also for herself. Jessica is intrinsically motivated. She will put more pressure on herself to be her best than any support team member ever could.

Jessica is driven. She is actively working towards her master's degree so that she can be dually licensed (both addiction counselor and mental health counselor) and assist clients more wholly as a single provider vs having multiple providers. Jessica specializes in working with adults who utilize medication-assisted treatment for their recovery journey. This was not what she sought out in her career; rather, it found her. Jessica has a deep understanding of the needs of others and has been a blessing at Sobriety First.

What Jessica loves about working at Sobriety First is the opportunity to expand outside of her comfort zone. She also enjoys the ability to customize every client's program to suit them. Jessica succeeds in her career because she is a person-centered counselor who meets all clients where they're at and assists them with defining their idea of success.

"I know that I belong in this field. Where else can I use all the negative experiences of my life to help somebody out of the darkness?"

Tony is a person in long term recovery. He was not born or raised in Minnesota; his recovery brought him here. Tony served 6 years in the Army National Guard. When his addiction had him by the throat, he found the Eagle's Healing Nest (EHN). The EHN is a nonprofit housing support for veterans and/or their family members. They offer long-term housing and sober support. It was with their guidance and Tony's hard work that he established himself as a family man and homeowner.

Tony never imagined himself working in the recovery field, much less as a counselor. But what he discovered when he stopped following his own will, is that this field needed him. Clients who identify as veterans with past trauma find it comforting to work with Tony. His experiences are relatable and show others they are not alone. Tony says what drives him is his memory of not knowing what to do or how to stay sober himself. "It is a lonely and scary place to be" says Tony.

Tony says his favorite part of working at Sobriety First is the people. He enjoys that our providers work as a team with a common goal. Most of all, he enjoys the genuine care that our providers have not only for our clients but also for each other.

"I believe in helping others, recovering out loud, and ending the stigma of addiction."

Trina is a person in long term recovery. Addiction plagues her extended family, and yet she has found the means and resources to remain sober. Trina believes in the Twelve Step ideal of one addict helping another without parallel. Perhaps it is why she has chosen to be in this line of work. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says we turn our tragedies into valuable experiences. We can work with other alcoholics by relating to their stories and being evidence that even though they have suffered, we are proof that there is hope; recovery is possible.

Trina is a 'go with the flow' type of person. She has big dreams. Perhaps we'll see her behind the bench as a judge one day. Maybe she'll be an advocate for women involved with Child Protective Services. What we do know is that whatever she does, she will be amazing. She spreads love and hope everywhere she goes. Her unconditional positive regard for everyone she encounters makes her a blessing to all.

When Trina is not traveling or spending time with her son, she is 100% engaged in the recovery community. Trina says she enjoys working at Sobriety First because it is so much fun! Truth is, Trina has fun everywhere she goes. She knows how to enjoy life and will teach you how to enjoy life too!

"I decided to work in this field because I believe everyone deserves to feel the clarity, love, and serenity that sobriety gives"

After many years of drug addiction and struggling to find her place in this world, she finally decided enough was enough. She entered a residential treatment program and began to discover who she was without the insanity of addiction. She discovered that recovery was everything she was searching for. The Twelve Steps and the love she found in the rooms of NA were what she had been missing all along. It's no wonder she has such a passion for helping the addicts who still suffer.

Brandy is often referred to as the 'Resource Queen' at Sobriety First. She engulfs herself in the community and finds resources that are not readily advertised. Brandy believes each person is unique, and their recovery program should be, too; she has a variety of recovery tools she uses with her clients. Brandy says she is honored to watch people find what works for them and see the joy in her clients when they know they have handled a situation better than they ever have before; when they know they got through a tough situation they originally thought they could never stay sober through.

In her free time, she has found a new hobby of having a variety of house plants. She also enjoys painting and drawing. Brandy says she enjoys working at Sobriety First because it is a client-first program, and all our providers strive to let each client know that we are eager to help.

"I experienced my own struggles with addiction through dealing with Anorexia, and I felt God led me to use what I had learned from my recovery to help others"

While Rachel was in college majoring in Ministry, she felt a pull to Alcohol and Drug Counseling. So much so that she added Alcohol and Drug Counseling to her major and came into the Substance Use Disorder field. Rachel joined us not long after her internship, and she displays a natural ability to connect with people. It seems her God-given talent is understanding people at a deep level. She has empathy and compassion for people with substance use disorders as if she had struggled with it herself.

Rachel specializes in helping people through their shame and guilt, self-esteem issues, and co-occurring SUD and Mental Health issues. She works closely with our Mental Health Providers and Peer Recovery Providers to ensure the clients are getting what they need and have access to resources that will help them maintain a life free from active addiction. Rachel knows she chose the right profession as she sees the internal and external changes in her clients.

In her free time Rachel enjoys spending time with her dog, Ruger; she also enjoys trips with her husband. She is passionate about both history and her faith. She is sought out by our team members for insightful conversations on the Bible. She is open-minded, warm, and compassionate. Her laugh is a beautiful sound that fills our office with joy. Rachel says the reason she enjoys working at Sobriety First is "the tight-knit bond and feeling of acceptance from everyone"

"I am a person in long-term recovery who loves to help others gain footholds in their own recovery. I am passionate about my family and my recovery. Being involved in support groups has been a great part of my journey."

Hello, my name is Adam. I am a person in long-term recovery who loves to help others gain footholds in their own recovery. I am passionate about my family and my recovery. Being involved in support groups has been a great part of my journey.

“If I didn’t have fun in recovery I wouldn’t keep doing it.” 

Cassie was born into a family that struggled with addiction. She watched it destroy her family and then it destroyed her. Cassie was fortunate that she was raised by an aunt who is in long-term recovery. She believes this was crucial to her success in recovery. Cassie has broken the ‘generational curse’ of her family. Cassie had a daughter while in recovery who never has to see her mother struggle with addiction. Cassie is a resilient woman and finds that a life in recovery is meaningful and fulfilling even on the hardest of days. She continues to set goals for herself and works at achieving them to become a better person today than she was yesterday.  

In 2022 Cassie was looking for a new career path. She always had a desire to help others in the recovery community. The director of Sobriety First approached her and informed her about an opportunity to become a peer recovery specialist. Cassie jumped on the opportunity, and we have had the pleasure of watching her grow through different roles here ever since. She transitioned from Peer Recovery Specialist to Billing Specialist. She puts her expertise into ensuring our billing practices are ethical and that we are providing the best possible client care.  

She still works as a Peer Recovery Specialist at our community events because she likes to show clients that recovery can be fun. She also likes to help clients see their self-worth and remind them that they are worthy of recovery. She has been an amazing support to our clients and in her new role she gets to also be a support to our staff, and we are so blessed for that! 

“I love working at Sobriety First because the staff that I work with are amazing and go above and beyond to help clients in their journey. I feel like every day is not work but something that I love to do, and it is the most rewarding when a client reaches their goals or has a new perspective on life. I think what sets Sobriety First apart is that we care about one another like family, and we are supportive of each other’s journeys as well.” 

“I want to help others find recovery” 

Steph has been affected by and surrounded by addiction her entire life. She was a medic in the Air Force Reserves for 10 years. In March of 2019 she surrendered to her addiction and began her recovery journey. She was able to spend the beginning of her recovery journey at a healing center called the Eagle’s Healing Nest. It is a space for veterans to come and heal their bodies, hearts, and souls.  

Steph, along with her twin children and significant other, enjoy the farming life. Steph works completely through telehealth which allows her to homeschool her children while Ted works on the farm. She has learned a lot about the procreation of wild cats and has the best view out of all the Sobriety First offices! 

After embarking on her recovery journey, she knew she wanted to work in the recovery field. She went to college and obtained her bachelor’s degree and license for alcohol and drug counseling. Steph enjoys coordinating treatment services the most. It allows her to work with many people and get them the services they desire.  

Steph is a skilled assessor and phenomenal at coordinating services. We are lucky to have her and so are the clients who are seeking services.  

“We can all learn from each other” 

Becky was born and raised in Chicago. She moved to Minnesota after having her first child to be near her mother. She has travelled all over the United States and lived in many places in her adult life. She says no matter where she travels, she always comes back to Minnesota; it is her home at heart. 

Becky is the example of what an addict in recovery can accomplish. In 1996 she had compiled a lengthy criminal history and lost custody of 4 of her children due to CPS involvement. She found recovery, had 2 more children, and has transformed into a family member that everyone can count on. 29 years after losing custody of her children, she can pass a background check and has adopted 2 of her grandchildren! She just completed school for her alcohol and drug counseling license in 2023. Becky is a beacon of hope.  

Becky’s therapeutic approach is person centered, positive psychology. Her group topics vary daily based on client need. Becky says “this is where I can find areas that may need extra attention … while leaving most of the decision to my client, who is the [expert] on themselves”. She has found that working in the recovery field is her passion and strength.  

We are grateful to have Becky on our team. She says we treat everyone like family, with kindness and genuine care, and that is how we feel she treats us and our clients. She brings fun to the workplace while balancing the seriousness of struggle our clients face every day.  

Craig is a person in long term recovery. What that means to him is that he has not found it necessary to use any mood-altering chemicals since November 9th, 2022.  

Craig lives and breathes recovery. By day he is the house manager of a sober home where he gets to share his experience with the men he lives with. By night he is a recovery coach where he gets to share his experience with the clients he serves.  

At work he talks about his children regularly. When not working he is either talking about his amazing offspring or spending time with them. Craig sometimes needs a push to try new things, but he has the best attitude even when he is uncomfortable. Craig is respectful, kind, genuine, and fun to work with. 

He started at Sobriety First as the receptionist until he obtained his Peer Recovery Specialist Certification. Craig wanted to work at Sobriety First, no matter what the position was. He says “as alumni, I not only believe in the mission of Sobriety First, I am also a reflection of it” 

“For me this is a calling, not a job” 

Mark is a person in long term recovery. What this means to him is that he has not found it necessary to use a mood-altering substance since June 16, 2023. Mark is currently working to obtain his license as an alcohol and drug counselor. 

As a young person in recovery he is very interested in working with other young people in recovery. While Mark works out of the Monticello office, he travels to work with other young people in our program.  

Mark has been coined an ‘old soul’ by our team and brings constant calm energy wherever he goes. When Mark is around you can expect to relax and if you are willing, he will teach you a lot about music. You will find Mark with his guitar often and it doesn’t take much convincing to get him to break it out! He is a talented musician and encourages our clients to tap into their creativity. 

What Mark enjoys the most about being a recovery peer specialist is getting to work with people outside of the office and attend meetings, fellowship, sober functions, appointments that support recovery, or even just grabbing lunch. “I get to do literally anything a client needs as a recovery coach; getting to watch people make progress and open to a new way of life … help people rebuild their lives and garner benefits of recovery. There’s just something therapeutic about talking to a client in the van” Mark believes it is crucial to meet people where they are at because everyone’s recovery looks different. 

Mark enjoys working at Sobriety First because he feels closer to his coworkers than some of his family members. He feels everyone has a great attitude and lives with integrity. And of course, he loves the laughter. We enjoy him for his passion and his willingness to share it.  

“This is where I found my sobriety and have really blossomed into who I am. We treat each other like family and look out for one another. Sobriety First has taught me about recovery, and I stand by their values.” 

Jessica is a person in long term recovery and what that means to her is that she has not found it necessary to use a mood-altering substance since 11/18/2021. Since then, she has challenged herself consistently and pushes herself outside of her comfort zone. Getting to jump out of an airplane with her sponsor and attending a World Convention of Narcotics Anonymous with a friend are her biggest adventures so far! 

Jessica is a family-oriented person. She is a single mother and enjoys spending her time with family. She has found joy in travelling to seeing new places, woodworking, and painting. She has a rescue dog and 3 cats. Her family is closely knit and is very important to her. 

Jessica says helping others in their recovery is a privilege. She finds working in the recovery field one of the many things that are necessary for her to maintain her sobriety. She enjoys the one-on-one time with clients but also sits in during group to provide connection and advocacy. She says the most motivating part of the work she does is taking clients to weekend events. For her, it was a big part of learning how to have fun sober, and she enjoys teaching clients how to get out of their comfort zones too!