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Sheila Murphy
Director of Clinical Services,
Women's Recovery Center
Sheila Murphy is the director of Clinical Services at the Women's Recovery Center at Hazelden in Center City, Minnesota. This new, state-of-the-art Women's Recovery Center was completed in September 2006 and was constructed to meet the increasing demand for women seeking treatment for addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Gender-specific treatment has always been at the core of the Twelve Step-based program known as the Hazelden Model. In 1956, Hazelden introduced one of the first residential addiction treatment programs specifically for women in the United States in Dellwood, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Ten years later, women patients moved to the newly expanded Center City campus, joining male patients. Separate treatment services remain for men and women today.
Murphy has worked extensively in the field of Addiction and Human Services since 1987. Much of it was spent at Powell Chemical Dependency Center, a hospital-based treatment center in Des Moines, Iowa. She began this career as an addiction counselor, later moving into ever larger supervisory positions, covering multiple aspects of the addiction treatment field. Her strength in organizational management led to the successful development of numerous programming initiatives as well as recovery and treatment based events. In 2003, she spearheaded Powell Chemical Dependency Center's 30th Anniversary culminating in a three-day chemical dependency conference for professionals statewide. She also managed the extremely popular Powell aftercare program that is comprised of numerous, peer-led weekly groups providing additional recovery support to one another. Total attendance at these groups has reached over 500 regular participants. Murphy has received a number of awards and recognitions for fund raising and volunteer events and management. One of her most favorite events for the past 15 years has been the annual Chemical Free New Year's Eve party in Des Moines.
Most recently, Murphy served as an adjunct instructor for Des Moines Area Community College for the last four years teaching substance abuse and interviewing skills.
- Master of Public Administration, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
- BS in Human Services and Psychology, Upper Iowa University
- Certified in Iowa with a IADC, International Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- Currently in the process of receiving credential and licensure from the State of Minnesota
Murphy has presented throughout the state of Iowa on topics such as: Women and Addiction, Group Facilitation, Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace, Relapse and other addiction-related topics.
She currently resides near Hazelden's main campus in Center City, Minnesota
Toronto Star, Addiction treatment: 'We hear some of the most unbelievable stories - there is immense courage here' - November 2011
FOX 9 News, Women and Substance Abuse - November 2010
