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Meet Our Program Coordinator of Community Outpatient Program: Alexander Peacock

Posted on December 10, 2021 - 7:13 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experiences in recovery, educational/vocational track etc.?

I am from the small city of Goldsboro, North Carolina. After high school I attended University of North Carolina at Wilmington where I majored in Political Science and minored in “partying.” I was the kid in high school to never touched alcohol or drugs because my primary focus was sports and books and I thought it would hinder me. When I got to college that all changed of course! You know the story. Started drinking and drugging which led me to eventually using heroin. This started a journey for me of pain and misery as I went to six treatment centers over a six year period. Always getting out of treatment and immediately using again. I wasn’t able to finally get clean until life led me to Healing Transitions of Wake county. Something finally clicked and I was able to apply what was being drilled into my thinking.

I stayed at Healing Transitions for 15 months and after completing the program I knew that my calling was helping other young men overcome their addiction. I was afforded the opportunity to get my Peer Support Certification and started working as a Rapid Responder at Healing Transitions. What that job looked like is every day Wake county EMS would send me a report that showed all the individuals in Wake county who was administered Narcan by EMS as a result of opioid overdose. Once I made contact I would gage the persons needs and get them the help they needed. Very fulfilling work which gave me a sense of purpose.

After completing treatment at Healing Transitions, I had the pleasure of developing a nonprofit called Recess Games USA in which we aim to pair those in the community with people in recovery who are seeking healthy avenues to have good clean fun while building a meaningful and purposeful life. And by putting on events for Green Hill recovery I was able I meet the great staff and really connect with their clients. In doing so, I was offered the position as Program Coordinator of Community Outpatient Program in which I took without hesitation as I really feel like this demographic is where I am meant to be.

 

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

My hometown of Goldsboro is probably only known for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

 

What made you want to work in this field?

Being a person in recovery, this job is food for the soul for me. I get the chance to work with young men who have some of the same struggles that I once had. And I remember back on how things were like for me and how beneficial a program like Green Hill could have helped me if I had known about it.

 

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

Green Hill is such a progressive program and there is no other like it in the country. We are constantly thinking of new ways to engage with our clients and always on top of new methods and practices from all over the world. We want to to these young men the best possible chance at a wholesome, sustainable, and healthy life.

 

What does your ideal day look like?

A Saturday for me looks like being woken up by my son around 7am to play some sort of game with him and feed him breakfast while I have my cup of coffee. After that I take my doggie Charlie outside to go potty and so he can bark at imaginary things (I hate this). After that my girlfriend will usually tell me of some project around the house she has volunteered for which probably means I will have to go to Lowe’s once or twice. After the project my son and I will find some chicken wings and watch football taking breaks to go outside and play football ourselves. Once nightfall hits, we may find movie to watch together as a family. When Jax goes to bed, my partner will read some love drama-ish novel and I will continue watching football. Then we go to bed afterwards!

 

Can you name one role model you have, and what that person has had such an impact?

Probably the biggest role model to me would probably be Sean (Jay-Z) Carter. His rags to riches story is incredible. Coming from poverty living in housing projects to being inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame while being a maverick in the business world is beautiful. He also made one of the greatest albums of all time in 4:44.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

“Are you really listening or are you just waiting to talk?” This quote I heard one of my favorite artist Saba use has been what has been my guide in all my interactions with people . A lot of times we can just pretend to care or listen to someone pour their hearts out and just try and give them a solution to whatever it is they’re dealing with but that may not be what they want or need. Sometimes people just need for you to listen.

 

What’s your favorite Green Hill Memory?

Favorite Green Hill memory of mine so far is a client who was struggling to stay sober since day one of getting into our Transitional Living program. He ended up leaving our program and bounced around from couch to couch of friends and called me crying one day to come pick him up and take him to detox. When he got into my car he started to cry again and say to me that he was tired of everything and done with that lifestyle. He then went back to inpatient treatment and came back to the Transitional Living program here at Green Hill and sent me a picture of his 6 months recovery key tag over the weekend. The most clean time he has had in years. That is the reason I work in this field.

 

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

If you give recovery a chance, whatever you thought you could accomplish, you can accomplish ten times over.

 

Quick Facts about Alex

Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Favorite podcast: New Rory & Mal

Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite meal: New York Strip (medium rare)

Favorite movie: The Revenant

Favorite album: (Right now) Kaytranada- 99.9% (all-time) Frank Ocean- Blonde

Dream vacation: China

Dream job as a child: NBA player

Hobbies: Playing basketball, listening to music, and watching my son experience new things

Pets: Charlie (labradoodle)

Meet Our Primary Therapist: Cassidy Conway

Posted on February 9, 2021 - 11:15 am by

First things first, could we get your name, job title, and academic qualifications?

My name is Cassidy Conway and I am a Primary Therapist at Green Hill Recovery working in both with our Transitional Living and the Community Outpatient Programs. I have a Masters in Counseling, am a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Associate, and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate. 

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I am originally from Wilmington, Delaware, directly outside of Philadelphia. I grew up with my parents and younger brother and I attended Drexel University for my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Behavioral Health Counseling. Ever since high school I knew I wanted to be in the helping field, and my co-ops (internships) gave me the opportunity to explore what I really wanted to do with my career. 

Initially I worked in sports psychology with youth developmental teams for the Philadelphia Union and helped uninsured hospital clients apply and receive Medicaid.  While working in the hospital, I witnessed horrendous treatment of individuals seeking help for their substance use and/or medical complications. I immediately saw the need for substance use counselors specifically and better patient advocates for those on their recovery journey generally. I began taking courses in substance use, joined a co-op where I facilitated transition into a residential treatment facility and the rest is history! My personal experience with loved ones drew me to working in the mental health field. 

I took a leap of faith and came down to North Carolina to pursue my Master’s program at University of North Carolina, Charlotte. There I completed two internships, one with veterans and military families and the second with men who experienced homelessness. I also worked for three years at UNC-Charlotte’s Collegiate Recovery program. This experience shaped me as a professional and increased my desire to work with young people. I especially enjoyed how my role created an opportunity to educate the community and provide settings in which students could have fun in recovery. 

What’s the most satisfying part of facilitating a group therapy session?

Personally, I love what the community members bring into a group session. Their insight, intelligence, humor, kindness, and love towards one another is incredibly powerful. They are the life and heart of the group. 

What do you believe makes the Green Hill Community Outpatient Program stand out in its field, and why?

Our Community Outpatient Program stands out in so many ways to me, although I’ll admit I am a little biased! Ultimately, we are a realistic and honest program, in the sense that we are understanding of the challenges faced by our community and don’t set unrealistic expectations for our members. By setting realistic goals, we encourage our group to have fun together. 

We are a young community, and so offering fun and engaging activities is critical for our members. We are honored to be able to offer this as a component of our programming and that is where I see us really standing out in recovery services.

When you’re not at work, what do you do to recharge your batteries?

I have a routine self care practice to help recharge my batteries. That includes spending some time outside, practicing yoga, and enjoying some crappy reality TV. In addition, I am a huge Eagles fan, so during the fall I am always watching football. During the off season I enjoy watching Carolina basketball and the Carolina Hurricanes. 

What made you want to work in a) the clinical field generally and b) substance abuse specifically?

During my high school years mental health issues were prevalent with my peers and in my family, but it was very rarely talked about or addressed directly. Our culture and the stigma associated with mental illness would sweep it under the rug. I always found myself being a listening ear or support and recognized it was a vocation I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until my experience working in a hospital that I knew how  important it was for me to pair my passion for counseling with both mental health and substance use. I was grateful Drexel had a program with robust courses specific to substance use counseling. I then completed an internship with a residential program that really reinforced for me how much I loved the people and the work.

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

One memory I will always take from Green Hill is the love and genuine kindness within the staff. All our staff meetings are so much fun to be a part of because each member is valued and appreciated for their role, and that’s something you can really feel. The fun we all have together is amazing. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received may sound a bit unusual, but it has stuck with me over the years. During our first day of class, one professor told us “you are a part of the problem, be aware of that,” and it totally took us aback. This has affected my day-to-day because it reminds me that personal growth should never end. I explore my biases, enter into difficult conversations, and continue to be a forever student of life. 

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day would be spending time on the beach getting lost in a book, followed by spending time with family and having a meal together. Then when it is not too hot or cold out, setting up a bonfire and continuing to spend time with the people I love!

What’s one message you wish our community program participants at Green Hill would always take with them?

“Find the beauty in each day.” We so often get caught up in the past and worry about the future that it can be difficult to be in the moment, especially during early recovery. Finding the beauty in each day could be something beautiful we see, hear, achieve, and so much more. Each day is a gift and I am grateful and honored  to spend my time and days with our community members and Green Hill staff. 

Quick Facts about Cassidy

Undergraduate: Drexel University

Graduate school: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Desert Island movie: Mrs. Doubtfire

Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Album: Beyonce – Beyonce. 

Favorite color: Green

Top Karaoke Song Choice: Mr. Brightside by The Killers

Ideal lunch: Poke

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: All the local trails and parks

Favorite meal: Burgers and Fries (I love trying burgers with unique toppings)

Dream job as a child: Veterinarian

Meet our Admissions & Outreach Coordinator: Megan King

Posted on January 8, 2021 - 4:27 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

Hi! My name is Megan King and I am the Admissions and Outreach Coordinator for Green Hill. I graduated in 2019 with a Communications Degree with a Public Relations concentration and an International Studies Degree with a Middle Eastern Studies Degree. I was recently admitted to George Mason’s MSW program which I will start Spring 2021.

I am from Rockville, Maryland where I spent the first 10 years of my life and I was absolutely devastated when we picked up and moved to Garner, North Carolina. I remember on my first day at my new elementary school I came home sobbing to my mom because everyone kept calling me “y’all” and I thought kids were just refusing to learn my name. My mom laughed so hard trying to explain that y’all is a word I would have to get comfortable with.

We’ve been living in Garner ever since and when I got to high school I really debated on whether I would go to college in North Carolina or if I wanted to go home to Maryland, but I took a tour of Meredith College and fell in love. At the time I was planning to be a teacher and as you can tell from my degrees I did not end up as a teacher.

Around the middle of my sophomore year, I realized being a teacher is not my passion so I made the impulsive decision to drop out of the program and switch my degrees completely. Always trust your gut.

My professional history is short as Green Hill is my first professional job, but prior to working here, I was the Operations Manager for a mission-based women’s and gift boutique and the communication intern at the Garner Chamber of Commerce. Both previous work experiences have shaped me immensely.

While I don’t have any personal experience with recovery, I have witnessed the process through different family members. Family is arguably the most important thing to me; they are the non-negotiables of my life. I have a younger sister and she is my absolute best friend, my mom is my guiding light and whether she will admit it or not, the biggest supporter of my dreams and my dad shares my tenderness and appreciation for the beauty/uniqueness of the hard journey of life. They have individually supported my decision to go to grad school to earn my MSW, become an LCSW, and then start my dream career as a therapist. 

What precisely does an Admissions & Outreach Coordinator do?

The Admissions and Outreach coordinator is one of the first people potential clients will talk to. As part of my job I handle all incoming calls and inquiries, and then work with the rest of the Admissions team to assist potential clients or families to get the information they need or access to additional resources. This includes helping people join our program, and or in some cases referring people to other partners or resources if they are in need of something different than what we can offer.

I spend a lot of time talking with parents about Green Hill and doing the behind the scenes paperwork that help guys join and get started in our program.

What drew you to working at Green Hill specifically, and the recovery field in general?

I am on track to earn my LCSW so I wanted some exposure to the clinical world outside of my own therapist’s office. I had a friend refer me to Tripp and after doing some research on Green Hill and what the company offers, I became increasingly interested with the substance use recovery field. I still have a lot to learn about clinical work, recovery, and the treatment field, but so far I am fascinated with the different facets and modalities involved. 

Who has had the largest impact on your personal and/or professional development?

The person that has had the largest impact on my personal development is one of my best friends, Viana. She challenges me to think critically while encouraging me to be my truest self.

As for my professional development, I think that every previous employer has had a large hand in shaping my professional development. Between challenging me and helping me sharpen my strengths these people have seen me grow and guided me through professional development. 

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

My hometown can be known for taking the longest to win the Stanley Cup and making every hockey season more frustrating than the last.

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day looks like sleeping until 10 am because any earlier is a sin and any later is a waste of a day. Then I will drink some coffee on my back porch and read whichever book I’m on this week for a while. After that, I would go pick up another coffee on my way to go do some shopping. Then I’d love to get in a walk with my dog before picking up some Thai (or Indian) for dinner and closing off the night with some cookies and cream ice cream and “The Devil Wears Prada”. I rarely get to be alone, so I like to relish in solitude when I can. 

What’s one message you wish our clients and residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

You are capable of far more than you will ever know! Trust your gut, and put your mental well-being first. 

Quick Facts about Megan

Undergraduate school: Meredith College

Graduate school: George Mason – MSW (attending)

Desert Island movie: Devil Wears Prada or any Jordan Peele Film

Favorite Book: The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

Favorite Album: California Baby! By Lukka

High School Superlative: Most Dramatic

Dream Vacation: Croatia – Mama Mia style

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: I could sit at Dorthia Dix for hours.

Favorite meal: Chicken Tikka Masala with a side of hot naan

Dream job as a child: Started out as “Stop sign”. I meant “crossing guard” but let’s just say my parents are super proud of how far I’ve come.

Green Hill Makes Substance Treatment More Accessible in Raleigh, Joins Blue Cross NC as In-Network Provider

Posted on December 15, 2020 - 2:04 pm by

PRESS RELEASE: December 15, 2020, Raleigh, NC – Green Hill Recovery, a Raleigh-based treatment provider for young adults grappling with substance use disorder (SUD), announced this week that it joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) as an in-network provider. This news makes public another important step in Green Hill’s ongoing effort to make high-quality substance use treatment more affordable and more accessible to families in North Carolina, and around the country. 

Blue Cross NC is the nation’s second largest insurance provider, and by going in-network, Green Hill’s can provide clients and families better insurance reimbursements options and ultimately, lower the total cost of care. Going in-network is for Green Hill a reflection of the company’s desire to operate as a values-based, mission-driven organization that works to reduce the impact and burden of addiction on families. As an in-network provider with Blue Cross NC, Green Hill can build further financial transparency, and achieve a greater level of unity with clients and families. 

Green Hill CEO Tripp Johnson had this to say about the Blue Cross NC news: “This partnership with Blue Cross NC is a long time in the making. I really respect that work that Blue Cross NC does to provide top-notch care for their customers and we look forward to being a leader for substance use disorder treatment in their network”  

Green Hill has set a goal for 2021 to also become an in-network provider for United, Anthem, Cigna, and Humana. Green Hill joined Aetna as an in-network partner earlier this year.

Tripp Johnson added “Increasing access to quality substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment is a top priority for us. We believe that developing relationships that extend beyond contractual agreements can increase the quality of care over time. We’re committed to sharing data, resources, and expertise with insurance providers to better serve our communities.”

Green Hill believes that the ongoing increase in SUD along with co-occurring mental health conditions must be met with innovation and creative solutions from the private and public health sectors. Organizations like Green Hill strive to play a key role in making the highest quality treatment options more accessible and affordable. 

About Green Hill: Green Hill is a nationally recognized treatment provider for young adults grappling with substance use and other co-occurring mental health disorders. Green Hill prepares clients for success beyond their days in treatment through sophisticated addiction, mental health, and executive functioning treatment; intentional community integration, experiential, and wellness offerings; and individualized academic, career, and personal growth curriculum. At its core, Green Hill empowers individuals to live with profound purpose. 

For more information, visit www.devgreenhillr.wpengine.com or call 984-204-1106.

Meet Our Clinical Director: Matt O’Connor

Posted on November 30, 2020 - 5:05 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I grew up in a small town in New York called Silver Creek, about 45 minutes south of Buffalo, on a 75-acre farm. A little known fact is the majority of Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly comes from my neck of the woods. Some of my fondest memories growing up were when the whole 2,500 people, one-stoplight town, smelled like grapes.  

That being said, I didn’t feel like I fit the mold of country living, and after graduation moved to New York City and then Long Island for Undergraduate studies. At 19 I was introduced to mindfulness meditation, which has played an important role in my life. After being involved in a meditation group and having an awesome therapist, I shifted my focus from being a history teacher to psychology.  My therapist also recommended that I look into this little college in Boulder, CO that focuses on mindfulness-based psychology and counseling. After working in crisis intervention for 4 years in Buffalo NY, I felt like I hit a ceiling in my ability to help and made the decision to go to graduate school.  

At this point, mindfulness and meditation came back into my life and led me on a path of self-awareness and discovery that shapes much of my clinical practice currently. Through my own personal journey of self-exploration and recovery, I realized that we all have our stories and experiences that shape the person we are in this moment. With this understanding, I believe that by working in the present moment with client’s we are also helping heal the past.  

Moving forward I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings along the continuum of care for substance use disorder. I believe all of these varied experiences have shaped my approach at Green Hill. Working on a grant at UNC introduced me to collegiate recovery which really altered my approach to treating young adults, specifically around the importance of fun and self-efficacy in the recovery process.

From here I moved to Fellowship Hall, a large residential program, where I was given the opportunity to help develop their young adult programming. Throughout my journey, I have always been a firm believer in the healing power of nature and being outside (I’m a big rock climber and hiker). I transitioned into Wilderness therapy where I ran a SUD group for adolescents; I loved it. I kept feeling the pull to return to working with the population that I am most passionate about, which is young adults. This led to joining Green Hill, which I will talk a bit more about below.

What made you want to work in a) the clinical field generally and b) substance abuse specifically?

I was always drawn to the idea of helping people even at a young age: especially after the moment I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete at my size (I’m a small guy).  Initially, the idea was to teach but shifted to clinical work by a recommendation from my therapist at the time.

I was actually hesitant to work in the substance abuse field; being a person in recovery I think gave me a distorted belief about what this looked like. The world really had different plans however and I found myself working with individuals seeking recovery my entire career. The ability to define and look at what it means to me to be a therapist in recovery has been a journey in and of itself.  Now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything different.  

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

There are two things that really stand out to me about Green Hill: the first is our organization’s commitment to its values which informs all of the decisions we make. This in itself is not unique, but I believe the fact that individually we share similar values to the organizations keeps us aligned and making decisions in a way that always considers our client’s best interests first.

The second being our holistic approach to the recovery process. We approach the recovery process not only as an internal process but also as helping our guys externally build a life that continues to reinforce their commitment to recovery. I believe that some of the most influential experiences our guys can have are those that help them understand that recovery is not just about sacrifice but being able to fully engage with the world: going to school, concerts, dating, etc. 

What’s the one message you’d like the parents and loved ones of our residents to know?

I really believe the recovery process is a family journey. It requires everyone involved to do their own personal work for the change to fully manifest. So in short I think it’s important for families to know they may be working as hard as our client’s in this process.  

What makes Raleigh a superb environment for young people in recovery?

The amount of young people  in recovery is one side of it. The other being the access to education and career opportunities in the triangle really open a lot of doors for young adults.

What does your ideal day look like?

A day that involves me climbing on rocks and being outside with my dogs and family is an ideal day. 

Who has had the largest influence on your personal/professional development, and why?

I really feel like I learn through others so the majority of people I run into are teachers to me in some way. If I had to pick one it’s my wife. Our personalities are actually quite different but her capacity to be organized and efficient is a marvel to me. 

Quick Facts about Matt

Favorite movie: E.T

Favorite book: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Favorite album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J.Cole

Favorite podcast: Ear Hussle or The Black Tapes

Talent show skill: Dribbling a soccer ball

Mountains or beaches: Mountains

Guiltiest pleasure: Right now, Call of Duty

One object you couldn’t live without, and why: Climbing shoes – can always find something to climb.

One thing everybody loves that you secretly hate, and why: Onions. It’s not a secret for me. They taste bad.

Dream job as a child: Besides professional athlete, a History Teacher

Meet Our Executive Director: Nick Slovak

Posted on October 27, 2020 - 4:03 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I grew up in Long Island, New York. My parents divorced when I was young, and even though I grew up in the city, I always gravitated towards the outdoors. When I was 15, my family endured some significant struggles and my drug use really escalated as a result. I was in a pretty severe downward spiral, got kicked out of school and ended up at Summit Achievement, a wilderness program in Maine. This was a transformational experience for me; the Summit program was truly phenomenal. 

Things really turned around for me when I moved from the wilderness program into the Deck House School, a small boarding school located in Edgecomb, Maine. The structure provided really gave me some much-needed guidance, and their focus on experiential education engaged me in a way that I’d found difficult beforehand. At Deck House, they provided an individualized program that met me where I was at, and I appreciated that. 

Although my experience in wilderness and boarding school provided me a platform to begin addressing my trauma and anxiety, I found myself once more falling into the spiral of substance use. I returned to a residential treatment program and began a life abstinent of drugs and alcohol. After leaving treatment, both my family and I knew that I was going to need additional structure and support, and so I attended an extended-care sober living program. I really grew up in that program, and later went on to work at that same program for six years. 

After finishing my degree, I began working at the Council of International Educational Exchange as a Support Coordinator, where I was involved in program development and the safety and security for over 30,000 students from all over the globe. It was during my time working for the Council that Green Hill CEO Tripp Johnson approached me about joining his team.

What made you want to join the Green Hill team?

I found myself aligned with Tripp’s vision for Green Hill, specifically the academically-oriented way the program was designed. I can easily identify with our client population, as I personally struggled to get back on my feet scholastically after my time in treatment. Green Hill provides tools like academic consultancy and dedicated Intensive Outpatient time to academic goals as part its model. I firmly believe I would have benefitted from the Green Hill Model of treatment had it been available to me at that crucial point in my recovery journey.

This is just one of the many things that attracted me to join Green Hill, but it really stands out in my memory.

How did your own experiences in Transitional Living guide you to work in substance abuse?

I’ll be the first to admit that when I arrived in treatment, I wasn’t totally sold on the idea of lifelong recovery through participation in outside groups. What did eventually click for me was the strong community I developed at my extended-care sober living program.

A life of abstinence from drugs and alcohol seemed remote and abstract, but the bond that I built with those guys in that house is still a big part of my life today. I still find myself encouraging and being encouraged by the men I lived with, and that’s an experience I want available to all of our residents here.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

I think our curriculum is what makes Green Hill so unique. We’re constantly reaching out to experts to enhance our program offerings, and staff members like Academic and Career Counselor Hayat Shawwa help ground us with reasonable and experience-based input. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Hanging up on the wall in my wilderness therapist’s office was the phrase “Be here now.” At the time, I really couldn’t wrap my head around it, but within the last few years it’s been crucial to my personal development. There will always be worries and pitfalls, and they do need to be mitigated, but it’s essential to put things in perspective in order to remain effective. 

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

Without a doubt our Joint Commission Accreditation. I just loved how our team came together to focus on compliance and to ensure sure we provided the safest program available. It was a similar spirit to when the pandemic began; instead of focusing on the factors against us, we all jumped into together to make Green Hill happy and healthy.

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day would be waking up abroad, preferably a country in Asia, and to be living on the water. I’d drink some coffee and read in bed and then get up and explore. I love to travel – there’s something deeply thrilling about wandering in a strange land with no itinerary or set schedule. I’d spend all my time getting lost, finding the best food, seeing what exciting adventures I stumble upon and of course, taking lots of pictures.

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

Success is not always linear. I didn’t necessarily get this whole thing on the first try, but even my failures were rich experiences I could learn from and walk away from wiser.

Quick facts about Nick

Undergraduate school: University of Southern Maine

Favorite movie: Apocalypse Now

Favorite book: The Mayflower by Nathan Philbrick or A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite album: Stadium Arcadium by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Favorite Podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour

Dream vacation spot: Sri Lanka

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: The Green Way

Favorite meal: Chicken Parmesan

Dream job as a child: President of the United States

Meet Our Primary Therapist: Casey Miller

Posted on September 14, 2020 - 5:34 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I’m from the Swamplands of Central Florida: Gainesville. Growing up in a college town, academia and the collegiate spirit were as present as the humidity or the mosquitoes. My dad was an administrator at the University of Florida, my mom went to graduate school there when I was a child, and my brother completed undergrad there when I was in high school. The culture and availability of academia to me were great privileges.

I spent the first 27 years of my life in Gainesville, and completed my undergraduate education in spurts at Santa Fe College and subsequently the University of Florida, studying Religion and English Literature with a focus on queer theory. After struggling in school as a teen, I ended up graduating summa cum laude from UF. However, like so many other liberal arts majors before me, I followed the legacy of working in the service industry after college as a cook and server.

I dabbled in teaching here and there. I had some volunteer gigs, but mostly, I was stagnating. It was during this time that I had my own experience with problematic substance use and subsequently found a recovery path. Confidence bolstered, I moved up to North Carolina to pursue my MSW at UNC-Chapel Hill and had my first internship at Green Hill. And now I’m back.

When I entered graduate school, I didn’t anticipate working in the substance use treatment field, but as our Clinical Director Matt O’Connor once told me, sometimes we don’t get to choose what we’re great at. Looking back, I can see how my experiences prepared me for just this role.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

What constantly impresses me about Green Hill is the way compassion and humanity permeate every level of the organization. There is never a point where care for our clients and staff are not at the center of decision making, especially when those decisions are hard. For example, I have seen our directors spend countless hours supporting client families even after their official time in our program. At the end of the day, everyone here shows up as a full person.

What keeps you coming back day after day?

This job is fun! There is truly no better feeling than watching someone get in touch with themself and start the process of growth. That and playing basketball with the clients…and our Program Coordinator, Jay Bylund. There are too many things to name.

What was your dream job as a kid, and why?

I wanted to be an architect, which, in retrospect, is madness. I would have cried everyday in architect school. I’m crying right now even thinking about being in architect school. Not to mention I can’t read a map or put together IKEA furniture correctly. I’m glad I’m a therapist.

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

This is less a single memory, but my favorite moments are from group therapy sessions. This is where the work that clients are doing truly shines. It’s amazing to see our guys support each other and show up as their true selves.

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

There is this kind of underground artist named Tom Petty who grew up in Gainesville and started his career there. He had some modest hits, such as “Free Fallin’”, “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” and “American Girl.” You may have heard of him. 

What does your ideal day look like?

I wake up and eat some carrot cake with cream cheese icing for breakfast. Full pot of coffee already made for me by my friendly robot assistant. I go for a walk with a french bulldog. We’ve never met before. We become fast friends. His name is Pierre. He introduces me to his other friends, which include a lion and a bear who are nice. Solid friends. I return home and find that someone has installed a sparkling water tap in my house. How delightful and refreshing. I play some basketball with my friends, tend to my beautiful garden, and relax with my partner by a mossy rocky river. Returning to the rustic farmhouse that I own with no mortgage, my friends are there and we have a dance party. Today was a good day. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

To go to community college! I had some serious growing to do after high school and I had to re-learn why I liked learning in the first place. Having the freedom to work and go to school at my own pace prepared me to crave knowledge and skill in a way that I could not have achieved otherwise.

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

It’s okay to not be okay. In fact, what we think of as “okay” is all relative and kind of made up anyways. Feel what you feel. It’s okay if it sucks or if it rocks. It’s all okay.

Quick facts about Casey

Undergraduate school: Santa Fe College & University of Florida

Graduate school: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Favorite book: The Watchmen

Favorite album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

Favorite podcast: On Being with Krista Tippett

Dream Vacation: China

Top Karaoke Song Choice: Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Durham

Favorite meal: Medium rare burger with American cheese

Favorite house activity: Reading

Voices Heard: A Passion Project Story

Posted on September 8, 2020 - 8:04 pm by

A sad fact of substance use disorder is how it robs the sufferer of so much joy. Hobbies that once seemed to drive the sufferer fall quickly to the wayside. Often, intoxication is so mingled with activities and hobbies that people in recovery wonder whether they will ever be able to enjoy anything, much less branch into new areas. 

In our Transitional Living program, we’ve learned that a bored and disinterested resident typically doesn’t thrive in recovery. With that in mind, our Passion Projects initiative is working hard to facilitate our clients positive aspirations, and nowhere is that more evident than with our more musically-inclined residents.

Music plays an important role in our everyday lives, and so it naturally is ever present in our program. Whether music is playing in the van on the way to a 12-step meeting, is a part of a programmed activity, or one of the residents is selecting their favorite lofi mix for study hall, there’s always some sort of soundtrack unfolding on our campus. For some of our residents, listening to music isn’t enough. They feel a drive to create it.

Spearheading one of our first Passion Projects were two residents with a talent for hip-hop. At first just close friends with similar music tastes, they turned what was initially a fun pastime into something much more. Program Facilitator Caleb Barnhart saw the dynamic these two residents were achieving and knew it could motivate them further. 

“Recovery is both essential and fantastic for these guys, but it’s not something they can just talk about 24/7,” says Caleb. “I saw how excited and inventive these guys got while making music, and knew it was something we could use to push them in the right direction.”

Hooking the guys up with studio time and pragmatic goals to reach in exchange for meeting programming expectations turned out to be exactly the type of incentive they needed. Now independently living in the city of Raleigh, we’re happy to report that this artistic endeavor and the friendship that supports it continues.

A newer resident, Jack, is not someone who initially considered treatment as someplace to have fun. But when Jack heard about the Passion Projects initiative, he found himself feeling excited because he did have a passion he wanted to pursue. Jack reached out to Caleb and asked if Green Hill would be willing to connect him with a vocal coach to assist him with singing training. Of course, we were thrilled to do that.

Jack with his vocal instructor, practicing harmonizing.

Jack values his vocal lessons not only for the instruction, but the time it offers him to reflect. “Practicing singing helps me disconnect from whatever stressful environment I find myself in,” says Jack. “When I practice my passion, I feel like it’s aiding my mental and spiritual health. I like the lessons because they provide an outside connection, and my teacher is someone fantastic to talk to.”

In addition to providing a healthy outlet, Jack believes his vocal lessons have helped him become more invested in his recovery, feel more balanced, and able to identify more with other people in recovery, including other residents. Jack and one of our other residents, Garrett, have begun collaborating musically, Garrett playing guitar while Jack handles vocals. And now Garrett is taking vocal lessons himself and is loving it.

This is one of the greatest possible outcomes of a Passion Project, two residents from very different worlds now share a passion to reflect and build on. 

Most recovery solutions rely on one overarching principle: Success cannot be achieved alone. People in recovery must help each other, build a community, and foster healthy meaningful relationships. Our music-inspired Passion Projects are a great example of this happening in real time.

In both of these stories, we saw clients bond with someone else in early recovery and collectively focus on a passion that was not only healthy, but had depth and weight. These motivated young men have now reignited a lost passion, and decided to make it a foundational part of their new life in sobriety. 

Meet Our Program Coordinator: Jay Bylund

Posted on August 23, 2020 - 6:57 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc?

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and relocated to Weddington, North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, when I was ten years old. I played lots of sports growing up but ended up finding a passion for lacrosse and played year-round through high school. When I wasn’t playing lacrosse or partying, I spent my time playing ultimate frisbee, disc golf, guitar and going to see live music. 

I developed an addiction to painkillers after several sports-related injuries and quickly became dependent on them. I was a highly functioning addict and managed to graduate high school with a 4.5 GPA. I attended North Carolina State for 5 years until I was expelled as a consequence of my behavior and struggles with substance abuse. 

My journey towards recovery started shortly after with my first stay at an inpatient rehab in Palm Springs, CA. I managed to stay clean for a short period of time after that, but spent the next 5 years going in and out of various levels of treatment, eventually moving to even more dangerous forms of substance abuse. After a very serious hospitalization caused by my addiction, my family cut all ties with me. I found my way to a long-term residential treatment program for the homeless called The Healing Transitions of Wake County. I stayed at Healing Transitions for 15 months to complete their program and then pretty much started from scratch.

Since then, I have built a joyous and purposeful life for myself full of fun and supportive people, including the family I mentioned earlier. I joined the Green Hill team during its infancy and pride myself both on helping build it into what it is today and the bold direction it’s moving into the future. In my free time, I enjoy taking trips to the beach, travelling to see my favorite band (Phish), playing darts, disc golf, and socializing with friends.

The most important parts of my recovery are service work and maintaining my physical and mental health. I visit my former treatment facility on a weekly basis to volunteer and help other men in recovery. 

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

Green Hill stands out for one reason: we genuinely take a vested interest in each one of our clients, as opposed to treating them as just another dollar sign. Our small, tight-knit staff and the work culture that surrounds it helps us support our residents to be their best.

What keeps you coming back day after day?

Knowing that I will most likely have fun at work and that I will have the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. 

If you could give a new Program Coordinator one piece of advice, what would it be?

No matter how hard you try, you can’t make someone change. You can only give them the tools they need. The rest is up to them. 

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

I’ve always been fond of our Holiday work parties. It’s fun to have everyone in the company in one place and watch their personalities come to life. The white elephant gift exchange never disappoints.

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

Where a lot of the Panthers reside.

What does your ideal day look like?

Assuming this day is a weekend, I’d like to wake up around 10 and go for a 3 mile run followed by some weight lifting. After that, I’d want to go eat brunch with my girlfriend at one of our favorite spots – Tazza Kitchen. Later on, we head to the pool with some friends and cook dinner. Later in the evening, we would head over to the pool hall to shoot some darts and then come home to binge-watch shows on Netflix. 

How has your family impacted the way you approach your life in recovery?

The best thing my family ever did for my recovery was push me away so that I could no longer manipulate or lie to them. I’m sure it was hard for them, but it was what needed to happen for me to take responsibility for my own life. 

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

I have two, but I think they’re equally important. First, don’t let your past define you. And second, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Quick Facts about Jay

Undergraduate school: North Carolina State University – in progress

Desert Island movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Favorite book: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 

Favorite album: Live Phish Volume 17 – Portland, Oregon 7/15/98

Dream vacation: Thailand

Top karaoke song choice: Debra by Beck

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Cedar Hills Disc Golf course

Favorite meal: Sushi

Dream job as a child: Rockstar

Favorite Green Hill activity: Beach Volleyball

Green Hill Celebrates 3rd Anniversary!

Posted on August 15, 2020 - 10:37 pm by

On Friday August 14th, 2020, we celebrated our third anniversary as a nationally recognized, clinically-driven treatment program for young adults struggling with substance use and other co-occurring disorders. From humble beginnings, we set out to integrate clinical services, academic and career coaching, and community involvement through sober living and peer support to serve young adults interested in academic and career progression. 

Over the past three years, we’ve grown from having one full-time, masters level clinician to now having more than six full-time therapists and an additional thirteen full-time team members! In addition to growing the team, we’re focused on increasing the value we provide to clients, their families, and the community at large.

Through a sophisticated, clinically-driven curriculum that is designed to support young adults not only in recovery, but in the life-long process of personal growth, we’re able to deliver individualized treatment tailored to specific recovery tracks, academic and/or career tracks, and passion projects. 

“For me, Green Hill has always been a labor of love. Our mission is to empower individuals to live with profound purpose and we mean it,” says Green Hill CEO Tripp Johnson. “It’s been incredibly rewarding not only to see client successes, but to see how individuals on our team have grown personally and professionally. We’ve got extremely talented, compassionate, and driven people throughout the organization and I’m humbled to be at the helm.” 

Over the past year, our company has added a community-based intensive outpatient program to complement its transitional living program, gained accreditation by The Joint Commission, and begun contracting with multiple insurance providers.

Be on the lookout for an upcoming announcement regarding our newly launched medical program that will allow Green Hill to be an integrated healthcare provider. Over the coming months, we’ll also be announcing new contracts with insurance providers, adding new services, and of course, continuing to pursue excellence. Our third year in business was great, but year four is going to be even more exciting!

A huge thank you to our amazing team, the families that trust us, and our outstanding partners in the field. We couldn’t do this without you!

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