Contributors

Amanda Lautieri is a Senior Web Content Editor at American Addiction Centers and an addiction content expert for ProjectKnow. She holds a bachelor's degree and has reviewed thousands of medical articles on substance abuse and addiction.

Angela Rogers, LCSW, has been a licensed therapist since 1989 and currently serves as a Psychotherapist for a non-profit psychiatric rehabilitation program. She began her social service experience in the Kentucky Corrections Department, first as a prison caseworker, a parole officer and then a training Instructor with the KY Corrections Training Academy. After obtaining her MSW, she worked in several adult and adolescent in-patient psychiatric units. Upon moving to Arizona in 1990 she obtained a therapist position at a nationally acclaimed treatment facility where she worked with persons suffering from addictions, eating disorders, and severe childhood trauma. In 1997, Angela opened Desert Winds Counseling in Mesa, Arizona where she ran a successful private practice. In 1998 she obtained a contract with the Maricopa County Probation Department to provide a new format of best practices treatment for felony offenders convicted of drug and alcohol related charges. As one of the more successful providers of this cutting edge program, Ms. Rogers was interviewed by People Magazine, the LA Times, and the Washington Post. In addition, her organization was featured on the The News Hour with Jim Lehr. In 2002, after legally adopting her 2 special needs foster children, she returned to her home town of Louisville and accepted the position of Clinical Director at Bridgehaven, Inc., a non-profit psychiatric rehabilitation program which serves the needs of over 500 severely mentally ill adults per year. As Clinical Director, she oversaw a staff of 15 therapists. She has designed and implemented several programs including a dual diagnosis program for adults with co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.

Anjali Talcherkar is an integrative practitioner specializing in the use of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in addiction treatment. She holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Addiction Studies and is currently a 3rd-year Ph.D. candidate in Integrative Medicine. Anjali has assisted at UCLA’s Center for Addictive Behavior, investigating how yoga-based relaxation techniques and meditation aid in recovery from addiction, and in Harvard University’s research department, the Division on Addiction. Anjali is a certified yoga and meditation teacher with knowledge in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing tradition. Her dissertation research focuses on combining Eastern approaches with conventional interventions, such as the 12-steps. As a recovered substance abuser, Anjali’s personal experience also motivates and informs her work. Anjali currently divides her time between research, freelance writing, and clinical work.

Brittany Tackett is a transformational life coach, writer, and speaker in the mental health field. She is also the founder of The Buttered Muse, an inspirational personal development blog. Brittany's clients include young adults suffering from ADHD, entrepreneurs starting new businesses, and recovering addicts who seek support in accomplishing their goals. She helps them gain clarity and direction, connect to a higher purpose, transform limiting beliefs, and break through layers of conditioning to foster new ways of being.

Brittney Morse is a Reputation Management Coordinator for American Addiction Centers. Brittney is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, with a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology and a master’s degree in psychology. Brittney has 5 years clinical experience working in the field of addiction, at all levels of care.

Cassandra Keuma is a Licensed Practical Counselor Candidate and 500 hour certified Yoga Therapist. She has had clinical experience in youth corrections, inpatient psychiatric care, and residential treatment where she treated clients dealing with substance addiction. She currently works with the University of Utah conducting research on the benefits of mindfulness in treating those with chronic pain while also focusing on reducing their reliance upon highly addictive opiates.

Christina P. Kantzavelos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of clinical experience in a range of settings, including both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services, acute inpatient hospital services, insurance case management, assertive community treatment, home health, applied behavioral analysis and private psychotherapy. Her specialties include crisis and grief therapy, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions. Her foundation as a therapist is based on compassion and understanding. She currently works as a medical social worker, as well as a private psychotherapist. She dedicates her free time to domestic and international humanitarian work and writing.

Christine Brewer is a licensed psychotherapist with over twenty years of experience in the field of Substance Use Disorders, Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, Disaster Mental Health, Trauma, EMDR and therapy with individuals, groups, couples and families. Christine received a B.S. degree in Psychology from University of California, Berkeley and a M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Hayward. Her clinical experience includes gerontology, at risk youth, homicide bereavement, dual diagnosis, domestic violence, crisis intervention, hostage negotiation, community debriefing services and clinical supervision. Christine is a psychotherapist, mental health consultant, educator and freelance writer specializing in recovery and resilience as well as a variety of topics related to the field of psychology.

Christine Laplante, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a multitude of trainings in trauma-informed care, substance abuse, integrated healthcare and human sexual development. Her clinical experience ranges from child through adult, and incorporates individual, relationship, family and group counseling services. She currently works as a Director of a Care Management program for a Federal Qualified Health Center, maintains a private therapeutic practice where she focuses on trauma-informed careand contracts with local government units to provide rape crisis interventions, and teaches psychology courses at a local community college.

Corinne O’Keefe Osborn is an award-winning, Boston-based journalist specializing in organic content writing. Her most recent work focuses on psychology and addiction. Corinne spent the last few years researching and writing a book about recovery. After years struggling with chronic pain and addiction, Corinne began pursuing a relentless quest for recovery. She uses her experiences to educate other people about the world of chronic pain, its effects on family life, its inherent gender biases, and its deep connection to mental health issues. Corinne has a background in gender and politics. She spent several years writing material for a variety of progressive political organizations including Emily’s List, Planned Parenthood, and The Rockefeller Foundation. As a former gender studies major, she enjoys her current work on eating disorders and other women’s health issues.