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.

I love recovery and helping others achieve their goals. I enjoy working with providers and especially clients.

"If you are looking for a meeting or how to be of service, I can help"

I love recovery and helping others achieve their goals. I enjoy working with the providers, especially the clients.