Substance use and addictions counselor brings compassion, care to role

Jessica Bennett works as a team lead assigned to the St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers’ Malone Outpatient Clinic.

NORTHERN NEW YORK – Welcome to Recovery Works, a series of Q&As shining a light on outstanding members of St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers’ 200-strong workforce that stretches from the heart of the Adirondack Mountains to the St. Lawrence River.

Jessica Bennett, an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), has worked at St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers for eight years.

She started as a per diem employee at St. Joseph's Rose Hill Adolescent Treatment Program in Massena before quickly being promoted to full-time status and has served in various roles throughout the agency since. She currently works as a team lead at St. Joseph’s Outpatient Clinic in Malone.

The following is her story, in her own words.

What motivated you to become a counselor?

When I was younger, I was in a really bad relationship and essentially was pushed to try hard drugs. When I was roughly 18, I tried cocaine and unfortunately became addicted to it. I was in a very abusive relationship at that point and things kind of spiraled out of control. Eventually when I got pregnant, I focused more on myself, and I wanted to do better because I was going to become a mom.

I absolutely love what I do. It can be very difficult but it’s also very rewarding. You see a lot of things day-in and day-out but if you can help one person it’s completely worth it. And that’s what it’s all about.

How did you first learn about St. Joseph’s?

There’s an individual at the agency, she was in admissions at Rose Hill at the time and had encouraged me to apply there, so I did. Eventually, somebody was out on leave, and they needed somebody to take their place. I was able to get that opportunity and I was able to stay in that position because I had done well.

How does the staff at St. Joseph’s work as a team to help people struggling with addiction?

We work very well as a team. Everybody is very understanding, compassionate and kind and we listen to each other. We’re not only working to help the client base, but we also help each other.

How has the world of addiction recovery changed in the time that you’ve been doing this work?

There have been so many more people that struggle with addiction, and the more addictions increase, there’s also so many more people that struggle with trauma and mental health issues. I feel like a lot of it is often not discussed enough.

How does your role differ from other counseling positions at the agency, and why is it important?

The thing I love is getting new opportunities. With St. Joseph’s, I’ve learned, and I’ve grown so much. When I was with the Franklin County Department of Social Services doing drug and alcohol assessments, it was a very big eye-opener because I didn’t realize how many people struggle with being homeless on top of their addiction and their mental health issues.

Are there any impactful stories from your time at St. Joseph’s that you’d like to share?

One individual that I just finished meeting with is one I initially met through the Franklin County Department of Social Services. This individual has a severe addiction to alcohol, has done nothing but drink for over 30 years, and has never had any sobriety. They had never done outpatient or inpatient when I initially did their drug and alcohol assessment at the Franklin County Department of Social Services. I recommended that they do inpatient, and at that point they were very teary-eyed. They did do inpatient but came out, struggled, and went back to alcohol use. They came to outpatient and have been consistently engaging in outpatient, and this is the longest that they’ve been sober in their entire life. They’re doing extremely well. There’s so much growth in them and it’s just amazing.

How do maintain a healthy work/life balance?

My self-care is more being in my own space, my own time.

I would say mainly when I’m not at work my focus is on my family. I have three children, two of them are still at home and are teenagers, and my husband. So, when it’s warm out, we make plans to go out to the river and the kids will go swimming. It’s just very peaceful and relaxing and being able to do small family things like that means a lot to me because growing up my parents weren’t really involved; they were just focused on working. It was just kind of my brother and I taking care of ourselves essentially.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about you experience working with St. Joseph’s?

I love what I do, and I love the people I work with. Everyone gets along and we’re all willing to help each other in any way we can. And again, the growth. Going from part time to full time, and being able to become a counselor, and now being a senior counselor. Eventually I would like to be able to grow more, and I am able to do that with this agency. I have had very good supervisors who have pushed me and encouraged me along the way to help me grow my confidence.

To learn more about career opportunities at St. Joseph’s, visit www.stjoestreatment.org/careers.