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

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠boymeetstherapy.com

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

This episode focuses on trauma-informed therapy and working with survivors of abuse. We explore how to build trust, address denial, and apply attachment theory in clinical practice. The conversation also highlights the role of supervision, therapeutic alliances, and navigating power dynamics. Special attention is given to supporting trans and gender non-conforming clients through anti-oppressive, empathetic, and empowering approaches.

Each week we talk with clinicians about their areas of expertise, their connections to therapy, and how they use their tools in session.

Connect with Sakinaa Rock:

Sakinaa Rock Therapy

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠

TikTok: @boymeetstherapy

Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com

Episode Guide & Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:08 Theoretical Perspectives in Social Work

05:58 Understanding Client Populations

08:58 Building Trust and Safety in Therapy

11:55 Working with Survivors of Abuse

14:57 Navigating Denial and Confrontation

17:59 The Role of Supervision in Therapy

20:49 Attachment Theory and Its Impact

23:59 Unlearning Harmful Relational Patterns

31:03 Navigating Client Emotions and Healthy Responses

32:03 Confronting Disagreements in Therapy

32:51 The Role of Power and Oppression in Therapy

33:51 Addressing Misogyny in Client Interactions

36:14 Challenging Heteronormative Dynamics in Queer Relationships

37:00 Exploring Power Dynamics in Kink Relationships

41:02 Understanding Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Experiences

49:57 The Therapist's Responsibility in Anti-Oppressive Practice

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver