Gwen Gareri

I had given up hope of being helped by SUD treatment after 4 programs, but when a friend got off meth and heroin, I asked who helped her and acted on her recommendation. When I met Gwen. I felt safe and at ease. She showed unconditional positive regard, and believed in me until I believed in myself. Helped me with bridging my life history to understand myself and current condition, to envisioning a meaningful future. Gwen helped me process abuse and understand the effects of poverty, criminality and low education in my family, and undiagnosed mental illness on my identity formation, relationships, substance use, and life trajectory. It’s hard for most counselors to relate, much less offer great insight into, like Gwen. She is a real person who knows about real problems. She helped with financial, housing, psychiatric and other referrals, as well. I still assumed I would relapse, but was surprised that I didn’t feel a need to. Gwen helped me find hope & long term recovery!