Brett Saarela’s personal and professional experience led her to find her passion in helping older adults with mental health and addiction issues. She is a licensed clinical social worker in New York and has devoted her time and efforts to ensuring the older population is seen and treated properly. Brett is the Vice President of the SMART Recovery Board of Directors and serves on the SMART International Board of Directors.
In this podcast, Brett talks about:
- Why the word geriatrics is a challenging term
- Her heart and passion is working with older adults
- Her personal and family history of mental health and substance use
- Discovering SMART Recovery and ultimately changing careers
- Modifying SMART tools for each client
- Barriers to detection among the geriatric population
- Motivational interviewing being a cornerstone of SMART
- Guidance for family and friends whose older loved ones have a substance use problem
- Goals for SMART for helping older adults
- Future of mental health and addiction services for older adults
Additional resources:
- Sober for Good by Ann Fletcher
- Albert Ellis Institute
- Becoming a SMART Volunteer
- Change Plan Worksheet
- Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
- Stages of Change
- Columbo TV show
- SMART does not use labels
- Family & Friends Meetings
- Young Adults Meetings
- Women’s Meetings
- SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol for Older Adults
Click here to find all of SMART Recovery’s podcasts
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