In the ninth episode of season 3, Dr. U. Grant Baldwin, Jr., DBH, Director of the Doctor of Behavioral Health program at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, explores the complexities of addiction, examining both substance and behavioral addictions and their impact on the brain. Our special guest discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of understanding the neurobiological mechanisms. The episode also highlights the importance of community support, prevention strategies, and integrated approaches for managing co-occurring disorders to improve recovery outcomes.
Special Guest:
Michelle Francis, LCSW-QS, growing up always knew that she wanted go into a profession to help others. Michelle received her Bachelors degree from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Criminal Justice, with the intention to focus on decreasing recidivism. She went on to receive her Masters in social worker from FAU as well. That’s when she knew that she wanted to be a therapist! She has spent majority of my career working with individuals with substance use disorders.
While Michelle is still very passionate about decreasing the stigma around substance abuse and advocating for minorities to have access to treatment, she wants to continue to expand her network to work with individuals with an array of other concerns. She currently in the final year of her doctoral program, where at the end of this year, she will receive my Doctor of Behavioral Health degree. Michelle recently launched her private practice, Pinnacle Clinical Solutions. Her hope is for all of us to prioritize our mental health so that we can be the best version of ourselves!
