As a young adult, Joseph started his career in the corporate world working for Fortune 500 companies, but the loss of a family member to addiction led him to reevaluate his path. He has alway been able to relate to the pain of others, but this particular loss opened his eyes to the internal pain that so many people experience, but don't let others see. At that moment, he made a decision to start new journey; helping others with these internal struggles, helping them understand that they don't have to struggle alone.

 

He began his education in the mental health field and spent the initial years training with great counselors and working at all levels of treatment including detox, outpatient and inpatient working with adults (A), adolescents (AD) and young adults (YA). After many years of working for other treatment providers he made the decision in 2009 to open his own practice. In addition to private practice, he co-host this podcast and works with Foundation 45, an incredible non-profit organization that assists individuals with suicide prevention, addiction and mental health awareness.

 

With a background as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) Joseph has the unique ability to help individuals and their families grow, specializing in work that pertains to addiction, substance misuse as well as maintaining abstinence/sobriety. His coaching style centers around individualized care based on each client and their family's specific needs. He is trained in the Nurturing Parenting Programs as a Facilitator and also works as a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (CART). These specialties allow him to offer several unique and targeted coaching services such as parent coaching with an emphasis on A, AD and YA substance use and difficulties within the family unit, sobriety coaching to assisting abstinence and maintaining long-term recovery goals, provide care related to anger management difficulties, and generalized coaching to assist with personal and professional goals. This unique approach addresses many family issues as well as failure to thrive in adolescents and young adults.

Paula has worked in treatment and education as an addiction professional for over 30-years. She served as President of the Dallas Chapter and Texas state board for the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP), and on the board for NAADAC, the National Association for Addiction Professionals. She provides training and support to others in the helping profession, a passion she has nurtured since she was an intern.

Paula is currently a Senior Lecturer at The University of North Texas in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Service in the College of Health and Public Service and serves as Coordinator of the Addiction Studies program. She devotes time to the UNT Recovery to Practice initiative and serves as Faculty Advisor to Eagle Peer Recovery at UNT.

Paula is an inductee of the Texas Counselor Hall of Fame, an award recognizing extended years of significant contributions to the addiction profession and TAAP. This award is not presented every year but when a worthy candidate is presented that meets the full spirit of the award.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, writing, spending time with her family and their dachshund.