As we exit the pandemic, the need for mental and behavioral health counselors is greater than ever before. Like so many other industries, there aren’t enough workers.

Helio Health has new program that accepts anyone with a high school diploma or GED. The goal is to make it as easy as possible to become a counselor or peer advocate.

What You Need To Know

  • Helio Health is providing training and experience to people who want to become alcoholism and substance use counselors

  • 13% of Americans started or increased substance use last spring to cope with the pandemic, according to the CDC

  • The program helps address a growing gap between credentialed counselors and the demand for service

Darlene Strodel is in the middle of Helio Health’s SUPERCARE training program.

“I have the opportunity and the gift to work with women in recovery right now, currently dealing with substance abuse disorders,” said Strodel, who is training to become a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor.

Strodel is excited to help. The unique program combines classroom work with hands-on internship experience. It prepares Strodel and her classmates for a career working with individuals with substance use disorders and their families.

“As a woman, I want to help other women understand this is not the end of the trail,” said Strodel. “It’s the beginning of a path for them as it is for me.”

Being a counselor will be Strodel’s second career during her second chance at life.  

“I always had a great life and a great career,” said Strodel. “And then, when I started using alcohol to cover my problems, it wasn’t the answer because it just made me super sick. I was really sick a lot.”

Strodel is an alcoholic and she is 18 months sober.

“I was really, really sick,” said Strodel. “If I hadn’t gone to rehab when I did in January 2020, I don’t even want to think about where this story would end. It would’ve ended. It would’ve been over for me.”

There’s more to write in the story of her life, and that’s driving her to be a part of the solution. Helio Health is giving her that opportunity.

Lena May leads the training during a time when the need for counselors continues to outpace certifications.

“We have seen massive increases in substance use and chemical dependency problems in the area, so our hope is this will fill a lot of those gaps because we do have a lot of openings regularly for counselors. It is a difficult job,” said May, a training institute specialist at Helio Health. 

In the recent past, overdoses spiked during the pandemic with 13% of Americans starting or increasing substance use last spring to cope with the pandemic, according to the CDC. In 2019, more than 20 million people had a substance use disorder, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

The need for trained abuse counselors continues to grow, and the SUPERCARE program removes many barriers to getting into the field. It provides a stipend and the in-the-field training necessary to get a job after completion. The cost is covered by a federal grant.

“I think it’s vital to give them that experience,” said Nathan Rauscher, the training institute director at Helio Health. “To allow them to go on site, work alongside credentialed individuals and help them provide the services and learn directly from them.”

The support of a counselor is one pillar for recovery. Strodel is grateful for her husband, children, family, friends, network of AA people and everyone at Helio Health. 

“That really makes a difference,” Strodel said. “I think if women today knew they had that much support, they’d know it’s not the end of the road. There’s so much of life to still live. You just have to want it. And I wanted it. I still want it.”