O’Connor Professional Group Webinar – Collegial Conversations with Diana Clark – Substance Use Among Older Adults
In this week’s Collegial Conversations, Diana’s guest is Sharon Matthew, a Licensed Professional Counselor, an Advanced Relapse Prevention Specialist, and a Certified Sex and Multiple Addiction Specialist. Sharon is the former Director of Women’s Extended Care at Caron Treatment Centers. Today she talks with Diana about substance use among older adults and the obstacles to recovery that are unique to this demographic.
BIO
Sharon A. Matthew is a licensed professional counselor, a certified clinical supervisor, an advanced relapse prevention specialist, and a Certified Sex addiction and Multiple addiction therapist. Sharon was employed at Caron Treatment Centers for more than 25 years and was the Director of Women’s Extended Care for 15 years and also the Director and developer of the Older Adult Program at Caron, treating patients from 55 -90 years old. This program began in Feb 2015, and Sharon was the Director for seven years until her retirement from Caron Feb. 2022. Sharon does private counseling as well as consultant work for Caron. Sharon presents nationally on Effective treatment for older adults and their caregivers, Boomers, Super Aging, Addiction Interaction, Relapse prevention, Family issues, Women’s issues in recovery, and Wellness workshops. Sharon has presented for the Georgia Addiction School several times and the Georgia Gerontology Conferences for the past three years. Sharon is also on the Advisory Board for the Phoebe Institute on Aging as of April 2018 and presents at their Spring conferences. Sharon’s goal is to provide clients and their families with insight into their dynamics and provide solutions to communication as well as boundaries. One of her goals is to provide clients with purpose and quality of life and make it a life worth living.
Watch the full video on substance use among older adults here .
We hope you’ve found this webinar about substance use among older adults helpful for you and your family. If you would like additional help finding the appropriate mental health support for your loved ones, please contact us today for a consultation.