Charleston Leadership & Addiction Summit Recap

This year’s Charleston Leadership & Addiction Summit was held at the Marriott in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 19–20, 2022. The purpose of this summit was to connect, educate, and advocate fellowship. This year highlighted leadership superstars in behavioral health, especially in the face of difficult circumstances and evidence-based behavioral health therapies.  The summit was a great way to connect community-based providers and industry leaders so they can all develop and learn from one another. 

The event was kicked off with a golf tournament at Patriot’s Point Links in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Kipu was one of the sponsors and we were so excited to participate. Each morning was started with a 12-step meeting before a delicious continental breakfast with their exhibitors and sponsors, like Kipu. Keep on scrolling to check out the amazing speakers who presented this year! 

The Power of the 12-Step Meeting 

Anywhere you are or travel, you can find support. The 12 Step method of rehabilitation is all over the world. The program is a set of recovery guidelines created in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob as part of the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The program is meant to assist anyone struggling with alcoholism and addiction in achieving long-lasting, happy sobriety. It provides a road to spiritual advancement via a sequence of activities intended to induce this change in view. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous refers to the program as a total mental, emotional, and spiritual change in perception.  

The Speakers

Nick Hayes portrait


The Future Science of Substance Use Disorder Treatment 

Presenter: 
Nick Hayes, PhD., Chief Science Officer 

Company: 
Cumberland Heights 

Catie Cartisano portrait
Nan Michaelis portrait

Attachment-Focused Leadership: How Relationship Over Policy Creates Better Outcomes 

Presenters: 
Catie Cartisano, MSW, LCSW, LSUDC, Clinical Director 
Nan Michaelis, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director 

Company: 
Balance House 

 Colonel Steven Maxwell portrait

Leadership Maintenance and Keeping Your Organization Healthy 

Presenter: 
Colonel Steven Maxwell 

Company: 
State of Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics 

Beverly Roesch portrait
Brittany Harris portrait

Embracing Your Role as a Female Leader 

Presenters: 
Beverly Roesch, LCSW,  Clinical Director 
Brittany Harris, Executive Director 

Company: 
Cirque Lodge 

Gregory Greer portrait

Transference vs Countertransference: Self-Awareness, Therapeutic Conflicts, and Asking for Help 

Presenter: 
Gregory Greer, LMSW, LAC, CGP 

Company: 
Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center

Nikki Soda portrait
Zina Rodriguez portrait

Leadership Development, Mentoring, and Sponsorship Through a DEI Lens 

Presenter: 
Nikki Soda, Membership and Advocacy Officer 
Zina Rodriguez, MSW, MCAP, CDE 

Company: 
Nikki: NAATP(National Association of Addiction Treatment Programs) 
Zina: Z&D Consulting 

Ben Seymour portrait

Ethics of Self Care: Assisting Providers in Crisis 

Presenter: 
Ben Seymour,  CDAC, CIP, President 

Company: 
Southworth & Associates 

 Tom Pecca portrait
Dr. Doug Davies portrait

Leadership in the Age of COVID 

Presenter: 
Tom Pecca, LMHC, CSAT, CTT, Senior Clinical Advisor 
Dr. Doug Davies, MD, FASAM, Medical Director 

Company: 
The Guest House Ocala

James Flowers portrait

Unraveling the Mystery of Complex Mental Health, Addiction, and Comorbid Medical Disorders 

Presenter: 
James Flowers, Ph.D., LPC-S, Founder 

Company: 
J. Flowers Institute

Rick Barney portrait
Elizabeth Deardorff portrait

Increasing Family Engagement Through Attachment-Focused Family Therapy 

Presenter: 
Rick Barney, LCSW, LCAS, MAC, CCS Co-Founder & CEO 
Elizabeth Deardorff, LCSW, Director of Nest Family Services 

Company: 
Momentum Recovery 

Nannette Zumwalt portrait

Servant Leadership: Leading from Within 

Presenter: 
Nannette Zumwalt ICADC-II-CS, ICCJP, CIP, CAI, CCAPP, AIS  

Company: 
President/CEO of Hired Power

About the Authors

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