What if recovery wasn’t just about stopping the use of a substance — but about understanding why it was there in the first place?

In this episode, I speak with Julie River, LPC, NCC, clinical director and therapist at Atlas Behavioral Health, about what truly person-centered substance use treatment can look like. We explore the daily experience of clients in recovery programs, the role of group therapy, and how therapists can support emotional sobriety, boundary-setting, and harm reduction with empathy and nuance.

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone navigating their own healing journey, Julie brings thoughtful insight into how treatment can move beyond stereotypes — and toward connection, curiosity, and lasting change.

Connect with Julie River:

Therapy

Atlas Behavioral Health

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Episode Guide & Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

02:59 Understanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment

05:51 Daily Life in Treatment Programs

09:08 Innovative Therapeutic Approaches

12:04 Client Reactions to Alternative Therapies

14:53 Co-occurring Disorders and Their Impact

17:46 The Complexity of Diagnosing Disorders

20:58 Interpersonal Dynamics in Group Therapy

23:53 Managing Resentments and Emotions

26:53 Facilitating Group Interactions

30:06 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

35:45 Understanding Boundaries in Relationships

40:10 The Concept of Emotional Sobriety

45:05 Navigating Sober Curiosity

49:49 The Spectrum of Addiction

54:26 Harm Reduction in Substance Use Treatment

58:24 The Misconceptions of Addiction Treatment