By Barbara ScottStaff Writer
“My clients will know where I am, when they hear the word, ‘hope,’ because they have little at first. “I’ve had good success, I give these individuals courage,” stated Lela Lyons, a substance abuse counselor, who will be opening her own business, ‘Hope Recovery Services,’ located at 2 Armco Avenue in Caribou, later this month. Lyons will provide individual and eventually group substance abuse counseling as well as relapse prevention and recovery services at her private facility. “There is such a huge need for these types of services,” said Lyons, “ My goal is to reach a large number of clients who are too afraid to come forward for help in group sessions. We have an epidemic problem in Aroostook County and it’s not just alcohol abuse— we have to realize the depth of prescription drug abuse,” she added.
Lyons, a native of Caribou earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and worked as director of the Loring Air Force Base Youth/Teen Center, “when Loring actually closed,” said Lyons, “I was one of the very last civilians to leave.”
Once the base officially closed Lyons said she really didn’t want to leave the area, but realized that most municipal and local positions within the recreation and leisure fields were already filled with very competent individuals. So instead of relocating, Lyons began work at ACAP in the migrant program as a teacher’s aide assisting with school age students. Three weeks into the position, she became migrant coordinator for the School Year Head Start and Migrant Head Start programs, a position she held for six years.
With credits earned while obtaining her bachelors degree, Lyons was eligible to be a LSW (licensed social worker). In 1999 she became employed at the Aroostook Mental Health Center as a case manager at the New Bridge Home a residential placement and assessment center for children ages four to 18. She later became an administrator at the New Bridge Home working under that title for the next five years.
The residential placement center eventually evolved into the Children’s Crisis Unit, Lyons moved on to the Loring Job Corps Center where AMHC contracted out the TEAP (Training Employee Assistance Program) and she began her substance abuse career, working with students enrolled there.
“I began as a substance abuse aid and later became a certified alcohol/drug counselor (CADC),” said Lyons. In October of 2006, I worked at AMHC with out patient services, working with both adolescents and adults in a more structured environment and in January 2007, I became a Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor, which involves more of the clinical aspect of this type of counseling as opposed to the cause and effect. I have been independently licensed for three year now and I have gained lots of experience throughout the previous years,” she continued.
“It’s always been my goal, to have my own facility, admitted Lyons, “ I will be a provider of treatment and be aligned with services to be able to, ‘treat the whole person,’ that’s what I have always tried to do and I am hoping to continue this service.”
Hope Recovery Services will offer educational programs, individual treatment, relapse prevention groups, counseling for effected others (family members), and will work with DEEP (drivers education/evaluation programs). “I will offer flexible counseling time regarding DEEP for those individuals who are just getting back on their feet, trying to maintain stability in their lives and who worry about missing work in order to attend the DEEP program,” stated Lyons. The new facility will also provide case management and accept referrals.
Hope Recovery Services is a Sweetser affiliate, which provides necessary training, consultations and handles all billing charges.
Appointments may be made beginning Monday, Sept. 28, by calling 493-1700. Office hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins will be accepted and flexible evening hours will be available. Saturday and Sunday hours will also be available in the event of an emergency or other circumstances.
“ I don’t judge people,” stressed Lyons, “I offer mutual respect and dignity, I am no different than anyone who comes to me for help, we just have different struggles.”
For more information about Hope Recovery Services, go to: ehoperecoverys@maine.rr.com.
