Contact Us
- Hazelden
- P.O. Box 11
- Center, City, MN 55012
- 800-257-7810, ext 4701 or 4421
- PIR@hazelden.org
Professionals in Residence Program
Interview with a psychologist
PIR participant Markey Ford participated in the PIR program and shared her thoughts on what she gained by participating in the PIR program.
Q: What inspired you to participate in PIR?
A: I became familiar with the PIR Program through a professional acquaintance. She had attended PIR and spoke highly about how informative it was.
Q: What new skills and competencies did you leave PIR with?
A: I left with a greater understanding of the team assigned to each patient and their morning meetings to keep one another informed. The staffing evaluations were disciplined and objective rather than subjective.
The patient may disguise or be unwilling to share with a therapist on one day and his or her counselor on another day, however, with Hazelden's team approach, patient's issues seemed to surface and were able to be addressed.
Q: Why do you think it's valuable for professionals to participate in PIR?
A: I'd say it's not only valuable, PIR is priceless. The PIR Program I participated in included a judge, a medical doctor, an executive director for Hazelden, three physicians in residency, and a psychiatrist - among a few others. All were very open to a new understanding of how they might help those suffering from alcohol and other drug addiction and their families by dealing with the disease concept rather than seeing alcoholism as a behavioral problem.
Q: How does PIR help professionals better understand addiction and recovery?
A: The PIR presenters who were also in the AA program helped open intellectual doors for the professionals attending PIR. They were very knowledgeable and educated in their answers to questions. Many participants thought of alcoholism and drug addiction as a problem primarily with those in lower socio-economic areas, and the presenters helped develop an understanding that alcoholism knows no bounds regarding age, race, gender, or income level.
Q: Did PIR change or better your career? If so, how?
A: I was a bit intimidated with the credentials of my fellow classmates in PIR, but by the end of day two, my Higher Power helped me relax and realize we were all in the same room for the same reason - to learn from one another and focus on how to help sick and suffering individuals when we returned to our place of work.
I highly recommend the PIR Program at Hazelden!
Professionals in Residence
Hazelden Foundation
PO Box 11, BC5
Center City, MN 55012
888-257-7810, ext. 4701
651-213-4701
651-213-4536 fax
pir@hazelden.org
Certification
Professionals in Residence is endorsed by NAADAC, the National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors, towards 35 recertification hours. Approved Education Provider Program Number 000272. Hazelden is also approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. The Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies maintains responsibility for the program. This certificate is valid for four years.
