BTG Fall 2018

Out of the Haze Helping clients find their ‘inner expert’ When people get lost in the haze of addiction, they often lose touch with their better selves, and the innate, inner wisdom they need to live a healthy, fulfilling life. But by using expertise and experience, a good addiction counselor can help and then Coppin State University, where he earned a dual degree in substance abuse counseling and addiction services.Then he acquired a master’s degree in rehab counseling and psychological services.

clients regain those God-given assets and find recovery, says Guy Eldridge, the clinical supervisor at South Baltimore C.A.P., (Community Addictions Program) Inc., which provides residential treatment to Bridging the Gap clients. Like many other professionals in the addiction treatment field, Eldridge is himself in long-term recovery, since going through treatment about 17 years ago. After establishing his own recovery, Eldridge decided he would like to learn how to help other people with the same problem. He enrolled in Baltimore City Community College

Eldridge got his first job as a counselor at Tuerk House, a residential treatment program in Baltimore.Then he spent three years counseling patients at a methadone clinic. He went on to work at a nonprofit center called Healthcare for the Homeless, and also at the area’s largest treatment provider, Gaudenzia, Inc. During a seven year stint counseling clients at Gaudenzia, he rose to a supervisory position. Early this year, he joined the staff at Bridging the Gap.

“Although you are the counselor, the client is the expert at making the change.” - Guy Eldridge , clinical supervisor, South Baltimore C.A.P., Inc.

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