Hope Discovered

In this episode, we welcome Osamuedemen D. Iyoha, M.D., who assumes the role of Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at CommQuest Services. Joining Ashlie Martin, M.D., Addiction Medical Director, and Michele Heberling, Ph.D., LPCC-S, Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Iyoha forms part of the leadership team overseeing CommQuest's treatment services. During the podcast, Dr. Iyoha delves into the delicate balance between counseling and holistic patient care. She also sheds light on the intersection of mental health challenges and substance use disorders.Additionally, we had the pleasure of discovering Dr. Iyoha's background, her unique approach to psychiatry, and her message of hope conveyed through this interview. Her compassionate tone resonates with both our staff and the community, serving as an inspiration to all.

On this episode we are talking about Supporting Mothers in Recovery. Our guest is Brooke Burkett, who is a Clinical Supervising Counselor and the MOM + Me Recovery Program Coordinator here at CommQuest. Brooke begins the interview by addressing the stigma that often surrounds the issue of mothers in recovery. CommQuest strives for a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for all of our clients and we understand the needs of mothers in recovery. The discussion moves on to cover how the Mom and Me Program is designed to meet the needs of mothers in recovery and, moreover, how we as an agency also try to meet those needs, even when a mother does not specifically meet the criteria of the Mom and Me Program. This includes our working relationship with community partners, and how our other programs such as the Women’s Residential Recovery Program is sensitive to the needs of mothers in recovery. This podcast is brief yet extremely informative regarding the often-sensitive issue of mothers in recovery. We hope you

Our guest on this episode of the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast is Kyrie Taralla, a Residential Technician for inpatient services. Kyrie joined us to share her own personal journey of substance use and recovery. She is very ardent about encouraging the recovery community and to do whatever it takes to help people live better lives. Kyrie hopes that by sharing her story of hope, it will inspire others to begin and maintain their own sobriety journey.Kyrie’s message to those in recovery is, “Just don’t give up. No matter how hard it gets, and how chaotic it gets, and overwhelming it gets; there’s people out there that are just like us. Reach out for help." Kyrie is very enthusiastic about working for CommQuest, helping others, and continuing to advance her career working in the field of recovery services. You can find the CommQuest Hope Discovered Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform.For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

Our guests for today's episode of the podcast are Dr. Ashlie Martin, Medical Director, Addiction Medicine Detox/MAT, and Wendy Donohoe, Sr. Director, CQDX & Opiate Treatment Services Detox. In the interview, Dr. Martin emphasizes that withdrawal management involves more than just medication; it encompasses a compassionate environment of sobriety often misconceived as cold and sterile, provided by understanding professionals in the field of addiction. Wendy Donohoe details the collaborative approach in post-withdrawal care, where a team of counselors works with clients to create discharge plans fostering engagement in treatment, highlighting the dual role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in addressing physical well-being and counseling in transforming negative thought patterns for sustainable recovery.

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th.Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in wartime or peacetime. CommQuest Services, as a mental health and recovery services agency, wants to help raise awareness for some of the issues and challenges many veterans face after their service. Our guest on this episode is Benjamin Chandler, who is an outpatient counselor here at CommQuest and a United States veteran. During our interview, Ben discusses and helps us understand some of the problems and concerns facing United States Veterans. For more information about resources for veterans please visit https://www.commquest.org/veteran-resources/

Our guests on this episode of CommQuest's Hope Discovered are Phillip Paschal and Tonya Wilder, Supported Employment Specialists for CommQuest.CommQuest’s Supported Employment services provide assistance looking for employment, education of subjects related to employment, and connections to local employers for those with qualifying mental health diagnoses.During this discussion, Philip Paschal and Tonya Wilder share some background information about themselves and what brought them to CommQuest. Our conversation then moves on to describe in detail what the Supported Employment Program is, what the criteria is to be eligible for the service, and what prospective clients may expect from the program.For more information please visit CommQuest.org

Our guest today is Dr. Ashlie Martin, the Medical Director of Addiction Medicine and Withdrawal Management/MAT at CommQuest.To start the episode, Dr. Martin shares how her personal journey brought her into the field of addiction recovery, and ultimately, to CommQuest.We then discuss CommQuest's Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. When used in combination with counseling services, MAT has proven highly effective in assisting individuals in their recovery from specific types of addiction.Dr. Martin explains the basic strategy of MAT and why it is so effective in many cases of addiction treatment. She also addresses the stigma and many of the misconceptions about MAT and stresses this treatment is “medically assisted” and is not a substitute for a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment and the causes of addiction.You can find out more about our MAT program and CommQuest at CommQuest.org

Our guest on this episode is Thomas (T.J.) Horwood (he/him/his) who is the chair and founder of the Stark Pride Festival Committee.The Stark Pride Festival Committee is a group of volunteer community members and stakeholders working together to plan an annual festival for the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and everyone else who identifies with the community) and ally communities in Stark and surrounding counties.He has led this committee since 2021 to successfully plan and implement two Stark Pride Festivals in Canton in June 2022 and 2023.During this episode, T.J. reflects on some of the accomplishments and milestones the LGBTQ+ community has had in recent years and shares his message of hope for the future. We also discuss opportunities for advocacy, support, and collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the Stark County area.You can listen to the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.

Join us on the latest episode of the Hope Discovered podcast to learn what it means for a provider to be “Safe Zone” trained to help clients and other members of the LGBTQ+ community who need to access services and treatment.CommQuest is proud to have Safe Zone trained counselors on our team, and our guest, Kristin Carvajal, Training and Development Coordinator for CommQuest, has all the details.If an organization displays the “Safe Zone” logo or is “Safe Zone Trained", they may have some team members who have completed Safe Zone training, or it may simply be a way for them to show they are supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and identities.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every month is Mental Health Awareness month here at CommQuest because it is one of our three pillars of care, along with addiction recovery and social support.During May there is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Some of the goals of this movement are to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.On this episode Dr Michele Heberling, Chief Clinical Officer and Grete Heatherly, Clinical Site Coordinator at Alliance Outpatient for CommQuest Services discuss numerous aspects of mental health such as some of the most common disorders, the stigma that still exists around treatment, and how everyone can play a role to educate and raise awareness for mental health.For more information about CommQuest Services, please visit CommQuest.org or call 330.455.0374.

The guest on this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast is Tom Jones, who is a counselor at the Alliance location of CommQuest Services. Tom is on the program to discuss the growing problem of gambling addiction.As the availability of different forms of gambling has risen, such as casinos and more recently with legalized sports betting, so have the occurrences of gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is an affliction that many people do not readily recognize because it is not in the form of a drug. However, gambling can stimulate sections of the brain in the same way drugs and alcohol produce a neurological pattern that leads to addiction. As with alcohol usage, many people can recreationally gamble. However, for others it can lead to a dangerous and destructive addiction. What are the warning signs that someone’s desire to gamble is escalating beyond a fun pastime? How does a person who is struggling with gambling addiction reach out for help? These are among the topics discussed during this episode of the

This episode may contain triggers for some members of the listening audience.Our guest on this episode is Matt Calder, the Unit Manager for the CommQuest DeTox Unit located in Aultman Hospital.Matt often shares his own personal journey of recovery and he is here to do that for us on this podcast. Matt starts by describing his role now working in recovery services as a professional. He then goes on to describe his back-story of how his own addictions began and turned into a battle that lasted for years.Now celebrating 10 years of recovery and sobriety, Matt's message is one of hope and strength for anyone who is struggling toward recovery.You can find the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

This podcast presents an overview of CommQuest Services State of the Agency as of December 2022.Elaine Russell Reolfi, CEO of CommQuest, is the featured guest and provides analysis and commentary regarding the annual report which was released in November of 2022. This interview is a part of an annual effort to present the overall status of CommQuest Services by reviewing and analyzing numerous departments and categories of data within the agency. Among the topics discussed on this episode are our Year of Impact as an agency, how the agency is growing as a team, and what CommQuest’s goals are moving forward into 2023.

This episode is an introduction of Danijela Vranesevic to the CommQuest Services team as the Director of Recovery Services. Dani has worked in community mental health for nearly a decade treating dual diagnosis individuals and has a passion for helping individuals realize the strengths within themselves to reach their goals. Dani is the daughter of immigrants and places value and emphasis on self-actualization, and resilience associated with the immigrant spirit.Our subject will be wellness during the holidays as it impacts those who may be in recovery or other individuals who find the circumstances around this time of year to be triggering for their mental health. The discussion covers a wide gamut of potential issues that the holidays have for those in recovery including the availability of alcohol and the potential of loneliness in the absence of family members. Dani offers many suggestions to help cope and information for the resources that are available to provide mental health assistance if needed.

Honoring Veterans Day November 11, 2022, we have two guests on the Hope Discovered Podcast. Featured on this episode are Robert Cox, who is a U.S. veteran and a counselor for CommQuest Services, and Tammi A. Gainer, who is representing the Military Family Center. The needs of veterans are year-round. Many of the resources that are available to veterans are among the various topics discussed on our program. Also, of particular importance, Robert covers some of the unique dynamics of working with veterans in a counselor setting. Tammi talks about the services provided by the Military Family Center, which revolve around the wellness that is provided by the connection between veterans and horses. Many veterans visit the Military Family Center to cultivate enriching relationships with these magnificent animals. We want to thank Robert Cox and Tammi Gainer for coming onto the podcast and sharing this fascinating and valuable information, not only for veterans but for the audience at large. We hope to raise awarenes

This episode contains content that may be triggering to some listeners.Richard Rushin is the Next Level Employment Coordinator/Youth Employment Specialist for Next Level Employment. Richard is on this episode to tell his own personal story of how his circumstances early in life sent him on the path to become who he is today. It is a journey of abuse and struggle, but also has a message of hope which is central to our message here at CommQuest Services.

On this episode our guest is Tina Ryee, who has recently been named Director of Track and Field and Cross Country for Malone University. Tina became Malone's first NCAA Division II American during the 2013 cross country season and was a national qualifier in the 5,000-meter run in track. Tina states in her press release, "These programs carry a rich tradition, and my No. 1 goal is to honor that tradition while also implementing my own unique vision. The college experience can be so transformational for a student-athlete, and I feel so honored to be given such a position."During our interview Tina heartfully discusses many of those unique tenets that she incorporates into her coaching. She shares how important it is to realize that student athletes are human beings who will likely go on to pursue other careers. A coaching strategy that incorporates wellness as part of an overall wellbeing is vitally important.Tina also shares her own personal journey of loss, grief, and recovery. She shares those aspects of he

Our guests on this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast are Kara Vogt and Gil Goodwin. Kara is the co-founder of the FATHERS Motorcycle poker run, a 7-year member of the Stark County Opiate Task Force, a volunteer for CommQuest Services, an advocate for family addiction recovery, and a parent of a person in recovery. Gil is a pastor and a member of the staff of CommQuest.Kara and Gil are active leaders of the Family Education and Support Group.Family members of people suffering from addiction can struggle with lives full of chaos and turmoil and often experience a complicated mix of feelings including guilt, grief, confusion, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.The Family Education and Support Group can help family members understand these feelings and provide loving support.Meetings are free and open to the public. Your loved one does not need to be a CommQuest client or in treatment. These groups are in an open discussion format and an appointment is not needed.For more information visit CommQuest.org or

This episode discusses the need for same-day assessments regarding mental health and substance abuse disorders, and how CommQuest Services is addressing that need. CommQuest offers confidential assessments with expert licensed counselors who work with you to help determine if treatment is needed, what treatment options work best for you, and which of our locations are most convenient for your situation.We offer same-day assessment hours at several different locations and times. Please visit https://www.commquest.org/ for a complete list of numbers and locations nearest you. You may also call 330-455-0374. Our team would love to answer any questions you may have.

On this episode we are talking about the Mom and Me Recovery Program by CommQuest. This program is for women who are pregnant, or have a child under the age of two years old, and struggle with heroin, fentanyl, pain pill, cocaine, meth or prescription amphetamine use.For this discussion we have Brooke Burkett, who is the Clinical Supervising Counselor and Mom + Me Program Coordinator, and Marissa Lindberg, who is a Lead Counselor and Case Manager for the Mom + Me Recovery Program. Among the topics covered during this podcast are the scope of the overall program, who it is designed to help, and how members of the community can help support the Mom + Me Program in the way of cash donations and supplies. For more information visit https://www.commquest.org/ or call 330-455-0374.