EP10 - The Truth About Treatment Admissions: What Families Need to Know with Kurtis and Jen

Join us for this enlightening episode of the Connect Call Podcast, where Hannah sits down with experts Kurtis Girard and Jen Sawyer to unravel the complexities of the admissions process for adolescent and young adult treatment programs. This week, we discuss the critical questions families should be asking, debunk common misconceptions, and highlight the importance of personalized care.

About Our Guests:

• Kurtis Girard brings over 15 years of experience in addiction recovery and mental health. As a Certified Intervention Professional at Desert Willow Wellness, Kurtis empowers families through interventions, guided by his personal recovery journey.

• Jen Sawyer, with more than 16 years of experience, is a pivotal figure in admissions management at Driftwood Recovery. Her personal recovery and experience as a parent of a child facing addiction inform her compassionate approach.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Understanding Admissions: Dispelling the myth that the admissions process is merely sales-focused and emphasizing the importance of rapport and understanding individual needs.
• Key Questions: Discover the essential questions families should pose about program quality, staff expertise, and treatment center evaluations.
• Family Involvement: Explore the crucial role of family communication and involvement in the treatment process and beyond.
• Individualized Care: Learn why tailored care and trauma-informed programs are vital for effective treatment.
• Aftercare Planning: Get insights into planning for aftercare and discharge to ensure lasting recovery.
• Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Identify common mistakes families make during the evaluation phase and understand the significance of clinical outcomes and family participation.

Tune in to gain invaluable insights that will help you navigate the admissions process with confidence and care.

Useful links:

• Questions for Adolescent/Young Adult Treatment
• Contact Us - Resources & Questions
• Be a Guest and Tell Us Your Story
• Follow Us on Instagram
• Follow Us on Facebook
• Follow Us on YouTube

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