Meet Alison Broderick, NCRC-II, CPS-AD: Founder/Owner of The Recovery Coach, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alison Broderick, NCRC-II, CPS-AD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alison, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Alison Broderick:
Before I share our story, let me first begin by acknowledging the values that support our work.

OUR CORE VALUES
1. Service
2. Growth
3. Teamwork
4. Integrity
5. Balance

OUR STORY
There is a quote I love and it goes like this: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” That sums up my career over the last 10 years. If someone would have told me 10+ years ago that my career would become what it is today, I would have immediately dismissed their words. When I (reluctantly) entered recovery from alcohol addiction on April 11, 2011, I certainly did not intend to remain sober a decade later… and I definitely did not plan to work in the mental health field. Yet, here I am: I celebrated 10 years of continuous sobriety on April 11 of this year, and I am an entrepreneur in the mental health industry. I am grateful beyond words.

I began working in mental health in 2012, at a local, nonprofit addiction treatment center in the Atlanta area. In 2015, I transitioned to a work-from-home position for a renowned treatment facility based in Tucson, Ariz. (I learned how to work productively from home before COVID-19!) This change allowed me to continue doing what I love – helping others find freedom from addiction, eating disorders and other mental health disorders – while being a present wife and mother to our boys (now 18 and 15).

In May 2018, I was unexpectedly laid off from my position with the treatment center in Arizona. While I had experienced company layoffs before, particularly during the Great Recession of 2008, I was devastated and shocked upon receiving the news in 2018. Having worked in mental health over the last several years, I have learned a lot about the importance of boundaries and not getting too emotionally invested. Nonetheless, mental health professionals cannot help but put their whole heart and soul into this line of work. I was no different. My heart and my soul were crushed.

Fortunately, my department was required to receive training and certification for recovery coaching earlier that year, before my position was eliminated. After being laid off in May, I gave myself three weeks to pray, pause and plan my next steps. During that time, my next career move became quite clear; and on June 20, 2018, The Recovery Coach, LLC, was born.

REASONS WHY
Because I had experienced job layoffs in the past — and because the landscape of mental and behavioral health had shifted in recent years from the private sector to managed care in the public sector — I knew something needed to change from a career standpoint if I wanted to avoid losing another job in the future.

I also knew the profound impact recovery coaches had on individuals actively seeking long-term recovery.

Starting a small business has afforded me the opportunity to continue pursuing my passion; to walk in purpose; and to plan for my future. Today – almost three years since I launched The Recovery Coach – I am surrounded by a rockstar team of certified recovery coaches, wherein our primary purpose is to help others find freedom. No, this certainly was not the career path I would have chosen many years ago. But, I am eternally grateful that I serve a God who is so much bigger than even my wildest dreams. The Recovery Coach will continue to grow – and I will continue to follow God’s lead… one day at a time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Sure! The Recovery Coach offers strengths- and solutions-based support for individuals who are actively seeking recovery from substance use disorder, eating disorders and other mental health conditions. Clients receive an individualized recovery plan that includes ongoing communication with their assigned recovery coach, as well as relapse prevention strategies, recovery tools and community resources. We abide by the core competencies as defined by the International Coach Federation (ICF), and comply with HIPAA regulations. For more information, please call/text 678-851-3314 or visit www.TheRecoveryCoachATL.com.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Atlanta Center for Wellness, LLC – Managing Partners: Ephrat Lipton, ACSW, LCSW, BCD, CEDS; Joey Pulley, MS, LPC, NBCC; Ginair Goodwin-McKerrow, MSW, LCSW

Seth Harris, CPS-AD

Jeanne Schultz, M.Ed., CPRC, CPS-AD

Website: https://www.therecoverycoachatl.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therecovcoach

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recovery-coach

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRecovCoach

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRecoveryCoach

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmISb29hRT16gjp1uyL-Kjg