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The Family Journey: Clinical Approaches to Supporting Loved Ones Affected by Addiction
August 7-8, 2026
Location: Fresh Winds Ministry 8780 Macon Hwy Athens, GA 30606
In Person Only
Addiction impacts entire family systems, often leaving loved ones struggling with fear, frustration, guilt, confusion, and emotional exhaustion. While treatment frequently focuses on the individual with the substance use disorder, family members also require education, support, and practical tools to navigate the challenges of addiction and recovery.
This two-day clinical summit is designed for counselors, social workers, peer professionals, and other helping professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to support families affected by substance use disorders. Participants will explore the dynamics of addiction within the family system, examine the roles of boundaries, codependency, and enabling behaviors, and learn evidence-informed strategies that promote healthy support, resilience, and long-term recovery.
Through engaging presentations and practical application, attendees will gain tools to help families move from crisis and confusion toward healing, empowerment, and hope.
August 7-8, 2026
14.0 CE Hours Approved by GSCSW, NAADAC and NBCC
Friday, August 7:
8:00 am - 8:45 am - Check-In and Breakfast Sponsored by Victory Medical Services
8:45 am-10:15 am - Trauma in Families Affected by Addiction
Presented by Patti Smith, LPC, CPCS
Recognizing and treating trauma responses in spouses, parents, and children of individuals with substance use disorders, including hypervigilance, anxiety, and chronic stress.
10:15 am - 10:30 am Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm - Family Systems in Addiction Recovery
Presented by Jana Kaye, APC
How addiction reorganizes family roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and emotional functioning, and how counselors can intervene with the family system rather than focusing solely on the identified patient.
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Lunch and Learn
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Break
2:15 pm – 3:45 pm - Spiritual Integration in Addiction
Presented by Jaime Lauze, MA
Exploring how faith, spirituality, forgiveness, and meaning-making can assist families in healing from the impact of addiction.
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm – Break Sponsored by Eagle Overlook
4:00 – 5:30 pm - Boundaries Without Guilt
Presented by Ernest Prow, LPC, CMAC, CAAC
Teaching counselors how to help family members establish healthy boundaries that support recovery while reducing enabling behaviors and codependent patterns.
Saturday, August 8, 2026:
8:00 am - 8:45 am - Check-In and Breakfast
8:45 am – 10:15 am - Grief and Ambiguous Loss in Addiction
Presented by Allison Pace, LPC, NCC
Helping families process the experience of “losing” someone who is still alive but emotionally unavailable due to substance use, incarceration, or repeated relapse.
10:15 am - 10:30 am - Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm - The Invisible Clients: Supporting Children of Addiction
Presented by Michaela Height, MA and Allison Miller, MA
Examining the developmental, emotional, and attachment impacts of parental addiction and interventions counselors can use with affected children and adolescents.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Sponsored by Black Bear Lodge
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm - Codependency
Presented by Caleb Brown, MA, APC, NCC, Clinical Mental Health Counselor
A practical workshop on identifying codependent behaviors, understanding their origins, and developing healthier relational patterns.
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm – Break
2:45 pm – 4:15 pm - Counseling the Angry Family Member
Presented by Caleb Brown, MA, APC, NCC, Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Assessment and treatment strategies for spouses, parents, and adult children who present with significant anger toward the addicted individual.
For More Information or to register, use the button below.
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