7 MAR 2024 · On this episode we are talking about Supporting Mothers in Recovery. Our guest is Brooke Burkett, who is a Clinical Supervising Counselor and the MOM + Me Recovery Program Coordinator here at CommQuest. Brooke begins the interview by addressing the stigma that often surrounds the issue of mothers in recovery. CommQuest strives for a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for all of our clients and we understand the needs of mothers in recovery. The discussion moves on to cover how the Mom and Me Program is designed to meet the needs of mothers in recovery and, moreover, how we as an agency also try to meet those needs, even when a mother does not specifically meet the criteria of the Mom and Me Program. This includes our working relationship with community partners, and how our other programs such as the Women’s Residential Recovery Program is sensitive to the needs of mothers in recovery. This podcast is brief yet extremely informative regarding the often-sensitive issue of mothers in recovery. We hope you will give it a listen.

25 JAN 2024 · Our guest on this episode of the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast is Kyrie Taralla, a Residential Technician for inpatient services. Kyrie joined us to share her own personal journey of substance use and recovery. She is very ardent about encouraging the recovery community and to do whatever it takes to help people live better lives. Kyrie hopes that by sharing her story of hope, it will inspire others to begin and maintain their own sobriety journey. Kyrie’s message to those in recovery is, “Just don’t give up. No matter how hard it gets, and how chaotic it gets, and overwhelming it gets; there’s people out there that are just like us. Reach out for help." Kyrie is very enthusiastic about working for CommQuest, helping others, and continuing to advance her career working in the field of recovery services. You can find the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

4 DEC 2023 · Our guests for today's episode of the podcast are Dr. Ashlie Martin, Medical Director, Addiction Medicine Detox/MAT, and Wendy Donohoe, Sr. Director, CQDX & Opiate Treatment Services Detox. In the interview, Dr. Martin emphasizes that withdrawal management involves more than just medication; it encompasses a compassionate environment of sobriety often misconceived as cold and sterile, provided by understanding professionals in the field of addiction. Wendy Donohoe details the collaborative approach in post-withdrawal care, where a team of counselors works with clients to create discharge plans fostering engagement in treatment, highlighting the dual role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in addressing physical well-being and counseling in transforming negative thought patterns for sustainable recovery.

8 NOV 2023 · Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in wartime or peacetime. CommQuest Services, as a mental health and recovery services agency, wants to help raise awareness for some of the issues and challenges many veterans face after their service. Our guest on this episode is Benjamin Chandler, who is an outpatient counselor here at CommQuest and a United States veteran. During our interview, Ben discusses and helps us understand some of the problems and concerns facing United States Veterans. For more information about resources for veterans please visit https://www.commquest.org/veteran-resources/

28 SEP 2023 · This episode may contain triggers for some members of the listening audience. Our guest on this episode is Jack Summers, Systems Administrator I in IT for CommQuest. Jack has only recently begun sharing his own personal journey of recovery, and we are grateful he is here to do so for us on this podcast. Jack begins by explaining why now is the right time to share his experiences and how his back-story of addictions began taking control of his life. Celebrating 8 years of sobriety the day this interview was recorded, what Jack describes as his “soberversary,” his message is one of hope and strength for anyone who is struggling toward recovery and a better life. You can find the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

18 AUG 2023 · Our guests on this episode of CommQuest's Hope Discovered are Phillip Paschal and Tonya Wilder, Supported Employment Specialists for CommQuest. CommQuest’s Supported Employment services provide assistance looking for employment, education of subjects related to employment, and connections to local employers for those with qualifying mental health diagnoses. During this discussion, Philip Paschal and Tonya Wilder share some background information about themselves and what brought them to CommQuest. Our conversation then moves on to describe in detail what the Supported Employment Program is, what the criteria is to be eligible for the service, and what prospective clients may expect from the program. For more information please visit CommQuest.org

11 JUL 2023 · Our guest today is Dr. Ashlie Martin, the Medical Director of Addiction Medicine and Withdrawal Management/MAT at CommQuest. To start the episode, Dr. Martin shares how her personal journey brought her into the field of addiction recovery, and ultimately, to CommQuest. We then discuss CommQuest's Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. When used in combination with counseling services, MAT has proven highly effective in assisting individuals in their recovery from specific types of addiction. Dr. Martin explains the basic strategy of MAT and why it is so effective in many cases of addiction treatment. She also addresses the stigma and many of the misconceptions about MAT and stresses this treatment is “medically assisted” and is not a substitute for a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment and the causes of addiction. You can find out more about our MAT program and CommQuest at CommQuest.org

21 JUN 2023 · Our guest on this episode is Thomas (T.J.) Horwood (he/him/his) who is the chair and founder of the Stark Pride Festival Committee. The Stark Pride Festival Committee is a group of volunteer community members and stakeholders working together to plan an annual festival for the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and everyone else who identifies with the community) and ally communities in Stark and surrounding counties. He has led this committee since 2021 to successfully plan and implement two Stark Pride Festivals in Canton in June 2022 and 2023. During this episode, T.J. reflects on some of the accomplishments and milestones the LGBTQ+ community has had in recent years and shares his message of hope for the future. We also discuss opportunities for advocacy, support, and collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the Stark County area. You can listen to the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.

31 MAY 2023 · Join us on the latest episode of the Hope Discovered podcast to learn what it means for a provider to be “Safe Zone” trained to help clients and other members of the LGBTQ+ community who need to access services and treatment. CommQuest is proud to have Safe Zone trained counselors on our team, and our guest, Kristin Carvajal, Training and Development Coordinator for CommQuest, has all the details. If an organization displays the “Safe Zone” logo or is “Safe Zone Trained", they may have some team members who have completed Safe Zone training, or it may simply be a way for them to show they are supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and identities.

15 MAY 2023 · May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every month is Mental Health Awareness month here at CommQuest because it is one of our three pillars of care, along with addiction recovery and social support. During May there is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Some of the goals of this movement are to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness. On this episode Dr Michele Heberling, Chief Clinical Officer and Grete Heatherly, Clinical Site Coordinator at Alliance Outpatient for CommQuest Services discuss numerous aspects of mental health such as some of the most common disorders, the stigma that still exists around treatment, and how everyone can play a role to educate and raise awareness for mental health. For more information about CommQuest Services, please visit CommQuest.org or call 330.455.0374.