By Donovan Kuehn, NAADAC Director of Operations and Outreach

Greg Lovelidge, LCDC, ADC III, the founder and President of the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies (ICDS) is headlining an outreach effort for addiction-focused professionals in Oklahoma. The education session, titled From Theory to Practice: Leadership for a New Millennium, is set for April 15-16, 2008 in Tulsa, Okla.

Lovelidge is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, serves as the Mid-South Regional Vice President for NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals and has a degree in Psychology and Sociology from Antioch University. He has published and distributed the Recovery Today newspaper, with a circulation of 30,000 readers from coast to coast, for over 12 years.

The two-day program of From Theory to Practice: Leadership for a New Millennium will focus on key issues for addiction-focused professionals – Clinical Supervision, facilitated by Jennifer Holbrook, MA, LCDC, an information update on current initiatives from NAADAC and the Addiction Technology Transfer Center; co-facilitated by Lovelidge and NAADAC Executive Director Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP;
Ethics and the Professional, led by Shirley Beckett Mikell, NCAC II, CAC II, SAP and Dealing with Resistant Clients facilitated by Moreno Tuohy.

Both days will be hosted and sponsored by Laureate Psychiatric Clinic based in Tulsa, Okla. The registration fee for both days is $25.

Tuesday evening will be a special session open to anyone in the Mid-South Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma & Texas) who is interested in getting more involved with NAADAC and their state association. This session will explain the benefits of contributing to the profession, and the rewards that can come from being active in your professional association. Previous experience is not required, and the session is open to all.

For more information please contact NAADAC at 800.548.0497 or dkamp@naadac.org, or contact Laurie Reed, MA, LADC, in OK. at 918.369.5347.

From Theory to Practice: Leadership for a New Millennium
Training Location: Laureate Psychiatric Clinic is located at 6655 S. Yale Avenue, Tulsa, Okla., 74136, on the grounds of the Saint Francis Health System.
Presenter Biographies

Shirley Beckett Mikell, NCAC II, CAC II, SAP, has worked in the addiction profession for over 30 years. She began as a counselor in Charleston, S.C., where she also served as trainer, manager and mentor for fellow addiction professionals.At NAADAC, Beckett Mikell manages the program certifying individuals who seek a national credential and assisting those who seek to maintain their credentialing. She is also responsible for review and approval of NAADAC’s official Education Providers and those who seek to be designated as Substance Abuse Professionals. In addition, she oversees the integrity of NAADAC’s extensive education programs. On behalf of NAADAC, she has provided training to addiction professionals throughout the world and she continues to advise programs in countries such as Cyprus, Egypt, South Korea and Iceland.

Jennifer Holbrook, MA, LCDC, is currently Director of Programs and Clinical Director for the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies, with national oversight of all ICDS campuses and programs. She has more than 16 years of experience in the field of Chemical Dependency Counseling. She specializes in adolescent issues, family issues, prevention, intervention and treatment. She has worked for numerous agencies including La Hacienda (Young Adult Program) and has experience designing and implementing Alternative Activity Programs for youth in rural communities. Holbrook completed an internship in 1995 at Bellaire General Hospital (Houston), obtaining her QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional). Holbrook received her Bachelors degree in Psychology in 2004 and completed her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2006, Cum Laude.

Greg Lovelidge LCDC, ADC III, is the founder and President of the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies (ICDS) which provides the required education to meet the national standard of knowledge, education and skills for becoming a credentialed chemical dependency counselor. Lovelidge is the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, a non-profit organization offering assistance to people with alcohol and chemical dependency issues, serves as the NAADAC Regional Vice President for NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals and also serves on the board of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP). Lovelidge is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and has a degree in Psychology and Sociology from Antioch University.

Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP, is the Executive Director of NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals. She has previously served as the Executive Director of Danya Institute and the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Prior to this, she was the Program Director for Volunteers of America Western Washington, serving homeless populations and dealing with the co-occurrence of poverty and substance abuse issues. In addition, she has been the administrator of multi-county, publicly funded alcohol/drug prevention/intervention/treatment centers with services ranging from prenatal care to the serving the elderly for over 20 years.

Donovan Kuehn is the Director of Operations and Outreach for NAADAC.