We are pleased to announce that Deborah Kuzmin, LCSW, has been promoted to Vice President of Clinical Services. Since 1996, Deb has dedicated her entire career to the study and treatment of substance use and mental health issues affecting people of all ages. She has worked as a crisis hotline volunteer, discharge planner, therapist, director of case management, and as a clinical supervisor. Deb will work directly with our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. John Dyben, to optimize all of our clinical programs, processes, and people by enhancing existing programming, improving our approach to clinical staff development and training, and strengthening our clinically focused talent acquisition process.
What brought you to the field of addiction treatment? What brought you to Origins?
Twenty-five years ago, I started as a behavioral health tech, where I began to work with individuals who struggled with disordered eating as well as substance use conditions. I was immediately drawn to the most creative, loving, and intelligent individuals who, despite their intense desire to stop using alcohol and/or drugs, were unable to do so left to willpower alone. I was overwhelmed watching the miracle happen when these same individuals found connection through a community and were given hope that change was possible. Origins has a reputation for providing the highest quality services for the individuals, families and communities we serve, and I am thrilled to be part of this amazing team!
What do you hope to accomplish in your new role as Vice President of Clinical Services?
My hope is to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality of effective clinical services according to Origins’ philosophy and 12-Step treatment model throughout all of the Origins Behavioral HealthCare programs.
What clinical interventions and techniques are you most passionate about? Why?
I have utilized multiple approaches throughout the years to help facilitate the change process with people struggling with continued unwanted behaviors. For me, utilizing Motivational Interviewing and other interventions specifically matched to meet people in the different stages they go through when attempting to change difficult behaviors has been a very effective and powerful model. Motivational Interviewing, in its simplest definition, is a style of connection that is client-centered. It posits that the individual already possesses all they need to successfully change and that the clinician’s role is only to help facilitate the resolution of ambivalence and barriers that were getting in the way of their ability to move in the positive direction of change.
What have you learned as the leader of the daily Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings in Florida? How do you think this will assist in your new role?
Having such a talented group of providers that includes our Medical Director, Psychiatrist, Clinical Team, Recovery Advocates, and Continuing Care and Alumni Specialists together daily for MDT meetings is tremendously impressive. We put our heads together to best treat each of our patients and directly influence the way we meet each person. When we all collaborate to address the individual’s entire constellation of needs, we have the highest outcome of success. I will apply this same MDT model in delivering the most holistic treatment with the highest quality providers to individuals throughout all of Origins Behavioral HealthCare programs.
If you could share one thing with prospective patients and families hoping to find recovery, what would it be?
Oftentimes your loved one will not be “ready” to change. At Origins, we will meet you where you are. You and your loved one will work with the most skilled staff and find the hope that recovery is possible. This work will give you a life of peace, balance and deep joy.