Expressive Therapy

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, working through the underlying causes of substance abuse can be challenging. You might have experienced trauma in the past and have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression. Mental health issues can also contribute to addiction. Finding ways to express your feelings while in recovery is important. Not everyone is comfortable opening up in group settings at first. At TruHealing Hagerstown, we offer expressive therapy as one tool to help our clients process their emotions and begin to heal.

Learn more about how we use expressive therapy in our addiction treatment programs by contacting TruHealing Hagerstown at 833.297.4343 today.

What Is Expressive Therapy?

Expressive therapy uses a variety of creative activities to help clients process their emotions and share how they feel. For some individuals, expressing their emotions can be challenging. They might have a hard time opening up due to past trauma or abuse. Expressive therapy offers a non-verbal outlet that many clients find more comfortable for sharing their experiences.

Some of the activities that those in an expressive therapy program might participate in include:

Writing or keeping a journal
Dancing
Creating art by drawing, painting, or sculpting
Making music by playing instruments or singing

This therapy takes place under the guidance of an experienced therapist. They will encourage participants to try new things. Even if you’re not comfortable with singing or dancing, for example, you might find that you can open up more easily by writing poetry or drawing.

Some individuals also find during expressive therapy that they can access experiences and emotions that they may have repressed in the past. Creating art, dancing, and writing might help some clients tap into different parts of themselves.

The Benefits of Expressive Therapy

In an expressive therapy program, clients not only find new ways to express themselves, but they find healthy outlets for stress and other triggers for relapse. In the environment of an addiction treatment center, where clients can focus on their recovery away from the stresses of the outside world, they likely feel as though they can conquer any obstacle on their journey to recovery. When re-entering everyday life, many individuals need extra support and healthy coping skills to handle challenges that come their way. Expressive therapy offers a way for individuals to reconnect with themselves and refocus on their journey to recovery.

Some of the other benefits of expressive therapy include:

Individuals can learn more about themselves
Serves as an outlet for stress
Helps with trauma recovery
Can relieve any shame associated with addiction
Can help clients communicate more effectively with their therapists
Helps clients open up in group sessions
Can unearth repressed feelings

If you think that expressive therapy could help you heal, reach out to our treatment center today. During intake, we’ll work to understand your needs and goals for treatment and create a plan that will work best for you.

Contact Us for Personalized Addiction Treatment

At TruHealing Hagerstown, we incorporate a wide variety of therapies into our addiction treatment programs. We believe that every individual in our care has unique needs for treatment, which is why we create individualized treatment plans upon admission. Our goal is to help every person who is struggling with addiction maintain long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one is ready to overcome substance use disorder reach out to us to learn more about our treatment programs. These include:

Contact TruHealing Hagerstown at 833.297.4343 today or reach out online to learn more. We’re here to help you awaken to your recovery.

Where Addiction Ends and Recovery Begins

Our addiction specialists are always ready to answer your questions and help you access the care you need. Every patient in our care receives a personalized treatment plan that takes into account their unique needs.

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TruHealing Hagerstown – Residential
111 S Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740

TruHealing Hagerstown – Outpatient
108 E Baltimore St
Funkstown, MD

[email protected]

I have been working at TruHealing Hagerstown fall 2022. My goal for this position is to be an effective member of our team and to promote healthy lifestyles for people suffering from a substance use disorder. I love to see the light come back on in people’s eyes after they’ve spent time in active addiction with no hope or love for themselves.

The most rewarding part of my job is planting a seed of hope in clients for a clean and sober life. It is truly wonderful to work with a team of people who have the same compassion and drive to make a difference, no matter how small.

Whitney Norris is the Assistant Director of Clinical Programming at TruHealing Hagerstown. She has her BA from the University of Delaware and her MS from Wilmington University.

I started as the Office Manager at TruHealing Hagerstown inpatient in February 2022. In May 2022, I helped open the new TruHealing Hagerstown outpatient facility in Funkstown, where I started as the Office Manager and Intake Coordinator. I became Operations Manager in May 2023.

I was a correctional officer for over three years and was heartbroken by the stories I heard about how drugs significantly impacted the lives of so many. I wanted to be a part of helping this population and making a difference. I was always a listening ear for people, and now I am able to see clients work towards recovery.

My goal as Operations Manager is to provide a teachable environment for the staff and clients that come to TruHealing. I plan to implement proper training and protocols that will help our day-to-day functioning and be beneficial for our clients. I also plan to be a supportive contact in leadership who people feel that they can come to for support.

I genuinely love seeing the growth in clients as they work through our program. I also enjoy being able to provide adequate training to the staff here, so we can be a strong and successful team!

Amber Vermillion is the Operations Manager at TruHealing Hagerstown

Sarah Atencio, LCPC, LCADAS

Clinical Director

I will always be a clinician at heart, but my role is more administrative as the Clinical Director. I am responsible for ensuring the integrity of our program, and making sure staff are equipped to be successful in their roles.

There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone take steps to change their own life. Everyone’s story looks a little bit different, but the human experience is universal. In the eight years I have worked in the field, I have met hundreds of people I would have never otherwise met.

My favorite part of the job is being part of an amazing team! I enjoy being at work because I enjoy the people I am surrounded by. At the end of the day, I hope that I can have a positive impact on my clients and leave them better than when they arrived here.

Because the company is so large, it is rare that we cannot place a client in a facility that meets their needs. If someone needs a service we cannot provide in Hagerstown, typically we can find another TruHealing facility that can help them. Mental health outpatient programs are hard to find, so I am happy we can provide that here. Also, you cannot find better coworkers anywhere else. They make work enjoyable!

Sarah Atencio, LCPC, LCADAS, is the Clinical Director at TruHealing Hagerstown. She received her Bachelor of Arts-Human Communication Studies from Shippensburg University of PA and her Master’s of Science- Substance Abuse & Clinical Counseling from East Carolina University.

I am an adaptive leader with over twenty years’ experience in healthcare leadership. I’m passionate about inspiring and leading others to greatness through training, coaching, and positive and inspiring interactions.

In my spare time, I love to travel, write, and enjoy new adventures with my husband around the United States in our RV and Polaris Rzr.

Michele Migas is the Executive Director at TruHealing Hagerstown and Funkstown. Michele holds a Master’s in Health Administration from Penn State University, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Informatics—and a minor in Psychology—from York College of Pennsylvania.

As of November 2022, I have been working at TruHealing Hagerstown for seven and a half months. My specialty is addictions. I enjoy working with all populations, but I have a special place in my heart for working with teenage girls and children.

I grew up in an environment heavy with substance use. My mother, who is now nine years into recovery, used for 25 years of my life. I never understood drug addiction, but as I got older, I wanted to learn more. That led me to work in the field.

I want clients to know that someone still cares, is listening, and wants to help. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is giving clients hope and emphasizing that they are worthy!

Tomorrow Lashay Morris has an associate degree in general studies from Montgomery College (2012), a bachelor’s in social work/psychology from UMBC (2015) and a master’s degree in psychology in addictions from Purdue Global University (2021). Morris is an Alcohol & Drug Trainee and is one class away from being eligible to sit for the master addiction counselor exam to become a Licensed Graduate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LGADC).

I have been working at TruHealing Hagerstown in the Residential Treatment Program for two years. Before this position, I worked for 11 years as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist at inpatient and outpatient facilities.

I work in this field to help those like me who are seeking recovery. The most rewarding parts of my job are seeing the light come back into a client’s eyes, and providing hope to people who may not have had any when they came through our doors.

Patricia Walker, BS, ADT has a Bachelor’s in psychology/addiction and recovery and is an Alcohol and Drug Trainee.

As we continue to grow Amatus Health, the need to stay competitive and differentiate ourselves in unique ways is crucial. Building creative approaches to reach more people will take our company to new heights. This is why I am pleased to announce that we are officially rebranding. Our new national name, TruHealing Addiction & Mental Health Treatment, will eventually replace Amatus Recovery Centers.

You may be asking, “Why are we doing this?” This new name will give us national uniformity and help brand ourselves as a whole, which will be done in phases. You will still see our existing facility names co-branded with TruHealing for the time being.

Healing is what we do. Everyone who comes through our doors is in a moment of profound struggle in their lives. We support them through a life-changing process of healing and recovery, and they leave our facilities changed. This new name is a representation of that process. As mentioned above, it also allows us to have a national brand, which will make us a recognizable name in the addiction and mental health field.

In summation, these changes present an excellent opportunity for our organization to develop our mission, vision, and purpose. I look forward to prosperous growth as we head in a new and positive direction.

Sincerely,

Mark Gold
CEO
Amatus Health

What is your mission at TruHealing?

My goal at TruHealing Hagerstown is to provide the best support possible for the clients to help them through one of the most difficult things they will ever face in their lives. I strive to set an example of what recovery can do for you if you work hard and stay clean.

What makes TruHealing stand out?

TruHealing Hagerstown stands out for its individualized but consistent and fair care given to the clients. The compassion, empathy, and understanding are top-notch at TruHealing and make me proud to be a part of the team.

What is the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing?

The most rewarding part of working at TruHealing is watching life come back in the clients after the first couple of days of treatment. I know the difficulties we face as recovering addicts, both physically and emotionally, and seeing that glimmer of hope in their eyes is priceless. I am proud to say that I am helping a fellow addict stay clean just for today!

What is your mission at TruHealing?

To accommodate any individual seeking inpatient treatment without judgment or expectation.

What makes TruHealing stand out?

TruHealing Hagerstown stands out because all of our staff strives to provide a therapeutic environment where anyone will feel comfortable learning how to feel, deal, and heal without the use of drugs or alcohol.

What is the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing?

Personally, the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing Hagerstown is being a recovering addict helping other addicts. I never imagined that my higher power had this in the plan for me. It keeps me grateful and humble.

What is your mission at TruHealing?

As a person in recovery myself I know that the feeling of hopelessness and fear of the unknown is sometimes unbearable. I want to connect on a personal level with each person who comes to let them know that I do care about them and how they can get better one day at a time to achieve sobriety.

What makes Awakenings stand out?

In the grips of addiction, we are all climbing a similar mountain. When left alone, that mountain can feel unachievable. At TruHealing, we will not only work to climb that mountain with you; many of us have reached its darkest valleys before. We know where you have been, and we will invest every ounce of our effort and limitless compassion to ensure a continuous transformation toward the person you will become.

What is the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing?

I think it’s hard to say what is the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing simply for the fact that we are seeing miracles happen in people on a daily basis when they come into treatment. From the first day a patient walks into my admission office broken down and just being able to see the light in their eyes with a glimmer of hope that this can work for them too makes my job all worth it.

I joined the clinical team at TruHealing Hagerstown in 2019, working with individuals who have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. I employ conflict resolution strategies, use cognitive-behavioral techniques, and address family and relational dynamics. One of my goals is to help clients recognize that if they can change their thinking, they can change their feelings and behaviors. Working on changing thoughts is the beginning of the recovery process.

I enjoy utilizing both my personal and professional experience to aid in the recovery process—and the most rewarding part of working at TruHealing Hagerstown is our whole team’s comprehensive understanding of addiction and recovery. Our team is committed to making a difference in the lives of the population we serve.

Monique Evans, B.S., CAC-AD is the Assistant Director of Clinical Programming at TruHealing Hagerstown. Evans received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Duquesne University in 1983, earned a CAC-AD in 2001, and became a Certified Clinical Supervisor in 2014. Evans is certified by The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Clinical Supervisor, and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

I joined the team at TruHealing Hagerstown in 2020. Before starting my current position, I worked as an administrator in outpatient surgical care, and then joined an ambulatory surgery center development company as Regional Director. I enjoy using my medical background and business knowledge—in conjunction with my personal experiences in recovery—to encourage and support clients seeking treatment.

Abstinence and recovery are an integral part of my life. Being able to help other people who are suffering with a substance use disorder has been a blessing. TruHealing Hagerstown is the only inpatient facility in our community to help people suffering with substance use disorders. It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to my community.

Staci Decker is the Operations Manager at TruHealing Hagerstown.

Avi Burstein is VP of Clinical Services at Amatus Health. He manages all therapeutic programming at all facilities nationwide.

Avi is originally from New York, and graduated from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. He brings over 13 years of experience in the Behavioral Healthcare Industry, in both the public and private sectors. He is passionate about therapeutic communities and the fellowship they foster between patients. Through his work in LGBTQIA, urban, rural, and religiously observant populations, Avi recognizes that each patient is unique. Therefore, he strives to ensure clinical approaches, staffing, administration, and education meet the expectation of each community Amatus Health serves.

“Our work must also include ending the societal stigma surrounding such conditions by building safe and supportive networks that include clients’ families whenever possible,” Avi said. “By valuing change and owning imperfections, we can strive to be better providers and walk through the door of recovery with our clients.”

Avi Burstein is VP of Clinical Services at Amatus Health. He manages all therapeutic programming at all facilities nationwide.

Marty Markovits is the Chief Information Officer at TruHealing. He oversees the people, processes, and technologies of the whole organization to ensure the business is running smoothly.

Markovits grew up in Brooklyn, NY (which he calls “the greatest city on Earth”) and graduated with a degree in Clinical Psychology from Queens College.

Markovits is a veteran in Information Technology within the healthcare field. He ensures that IT processes are simple, cost-effective, and secure. His expertise spans the entire healthcare domain, from billing and claims, to clinical, to Human Resources. He says, “My passion is to provide fully automated and operationally meaningful Business Intelligence analytics, with absolute data integrity.”

Hometown: Savannah, GA

Passions & Interests: I spend my time outside of work with my wife and children and am actively involved in various community needs and causes.

The best part of my job is knowing that we are creating a safe, healthy, nonjudgmental environment where people can come and better their lives. There is nothing more satisfying than helping others learn to live again and piece their lives back together as they become strong, productive members of society.

Together, we can bring families back together and promote healing and well-being.

MARK GOLD, CEO OF AMATUS HEALTH BIOGRAPHY

With over 16 years of proven executive leadership and driving company growth, Mark Gold’s momentum for success isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He serves as the CEO of Amatus Health, one of the fastest-growing, behavioral healthcare organizations in the country.

Possessing an excellent handling of clinical compliance and high performance standards, Mark established 14 CARF/JCT accredited addiction and mental health treatment centers and three ancillary healthcare businesses. Mark’s natural leadership skills as well as his creative thought process to generate new revenue strategies make him one of the most sought-after professionals in healthcare. Mark has a track record of leading organizations to outstanding ROI on overall portfolio performance. In addition, his expertise includes workforce planning, growth revenue, high client and investor satisfaction.

Aside from daily business oversight, Mark invests in his staff and helps build their professional development. His commitment to his colleagues and employees toward advancement and inclusiveness helps them achieve goals, builds connections, and provides a competitive advantage in the healthcare field.

Corporate and Charitable Leadership

Mark has been instrumental in building healthy communities and providing access and quality healthcare to underserved populations. His service in the community is a testament to his passion and selfless dedication to the cause of eradicating addictive disorders and stigma.

He launched several prevention and education programs and created the first-ever “Social Justice” scholarship fund of over $750,000.00 to help communities of color into inpatient drug treatment. Mark says, “The best part of my role is the knowledge that what we do impacts countless lives, with far-reaching effects,” he said. “It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that guides individuals onto a safe and accessible path to healing and recovery.”

He is a board member of Ahavas Chaim, a non-profit that offers at-risk teenagers crisis intervention and mental health support. He is also a committee member of the organizations Bonei Olam and Chai Lifeline Mid-Atlantic.

Personal and Educational Background

Mark studied Talmudic Law at Yeshiva’s Mir Yerushalayim in Israel. In Mark’s free time, he loves snowboarding, boating, and spending time with his wife and children.