Our Clinicians
The Kaiser Permanente Addiction Medicine Recovery Service is a multidisciplinary treatment program that is staffed with a vast array of medical, and behavioral health professionals trained in several medical and psychological disciplines to treat substance dependency issues. Comprehensive expertise of this capacity is unique, and centers like AMRS are uncommon.
Addiction Medicine Physicians:
The addiction medicine physician is specifically trained in a wide range of prevention, evaluation and treatment modalities addressing substance use and addiction. Addiction medicine physicians often offer treatment for patients with addiction or unhealthy substance use who have co-occurring general medical and psychiatric conditions. Board-certified addiction medicine physicians are also board-certified in another medical specialty.
Internal Medicine Physicians:
Internal medicine physicians are equipped to handle the broad and comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect adults and are recognized as experts in diagnosis, in treatment of chronic illness, and in health promotion and disease prevention. They are not limited to one type of medical problem or organ system. Internal medicine physicians are equipped to deal with whatever problem a patient brings-not matter how common or rare, or how simple or complex.
Psychiatrists:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with genetics and family history, to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment plans.
Psychologists:
Psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological conditions and mental disorders, including substance dependency. They conduct psychological testing with evaluations and are trained in a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques for the improvement of patients’ psychological and interpersonal well-being.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC):
CADCs’ provide both individual and group therapy for patients suffering from addictions. They assist in helping the clients to recognize and modify their behavior with the goal of full recovery from substance abuse. Their efforts include psychotherapeutic counseling, relapse prevention, and efforts toward the restoration of healthy relationships.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker:
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) are trained in psychotherapy to help individuals deal with a variety of mental health and daily living problems to improve overall functioning. The LCSW practices a type of mental health therapy that is strength-based, meaning that they work with the client to find out what strong natural skills and talents they possess that can be used as a launching point to tackle issues causing hardship in the individual’s life.
Marriage and Family Therapists:
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professional trained in psychotherapy and family systems and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems. MFTs broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual, to attend to the nature and role of the clients’ primary relationship networks.
Nurse Specialists/Physician Assistant:
Advanced Practice Clinicians are educated and trained to provide health promotion and maintenance, in a holistic manner, through the diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and chronic conditions. Working in conjunction with the health care team, they provide medical services and counseling for mental health and chemical dependency issues.
