EP25 – What Nobody Tells Parents: The Truth About Recovery on Campus | Teresa Wren

What happens when a student in recovery heads off to college? Finding the right support can make all the difference, but many families don't know what resources are available.

In this episode of The Connect Call Podcast, Hannah Brett sits down with Teresa Wren, a pioneer in collegiate recovery, to explore how recovery programs on college campuses help students build community, maintain their recovery, and succeed academically. They discuss why these programs matter, the challenges of expanding them, and what parents should know when helping their students navigate higher education.

Teresa Wren Johnston is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), addiction recovery specialist, and nationally recognized leader in collegiate recovery with over 19 years of experience in behavioral health. She founded the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery at Kennesaw State University and served as the founding president of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education. Today, through her private practice, Wren Wellbeing, she provides counseling and consulting focused on addiction recovery, life transitions, relationships, and supporting individuals and families.

Key Topics Discussed

• The history and evolution of collegiate recovery programs
• What recovery communities on college campuses look like
• How campus recovery programs support student success
• The importance of connection and peer support
• Challenges in expanding recovery resources across universities
• The role of funding and institutional support
• What parents should know about recovery resources in higher education

Recovery doesn't have to take a backseat to education. With the right resources, community, and support, students in recovery can pursue their academic goals while continuing their healing journey.

Useful links:

• Association for Recovery in Higher Education
• All Kinds of Therapy Resource List
• Contact Us - Resources & Questions
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About the Host:

With nearly 20 years of experience in the behavioral health and treatment industry, Hannah Brett, Founder of HB Connect, is a trusted resource for providers, families, and organizations navigating the complex landscape of mental health care. 

Over the course of her career, Hannah has partnered with leading national treatment centers to help ensure individuals and families receive compassionate, evidence-based support. Her unwavering advocacy for children's mental health, combined with her deep industry knowledge, makes her one of the most effective and sought-after voices in the field. 

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Communications, Hannah brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational expertise, and heart to every engagement. 

Through HB Connect, she works with treatment programs and healthcare organizations to design outreach and growth strategies that are both thoughtful and impactful-always with the goal of improving access to quality care. 

When she's not building connections in the mental health community, Hannah finds joy traveling to the UK to visit family, spending time with her close-knit circle of friends, and sharing life with her wife, Stacey, and their beloved pup, Frankie.

Podcast Produced by Jen Kourtei at Savvy Edge Marketing