Online Six-week Program Offers Education, Guidance, Support, Healing
Recognizing that family involvement in addiction treatment can lead to better outcomes for people struggling with substance use disorders, ETHOS Treatment LLC is launching a six-week program for families seeking to best support their loved ones — and each other — during this delicate time of vulnerability, growth, and transition.
“Family patterns and relationships are impacted severely by the presence of active substance use,” explains licensed clinician Pat Brown, LCSW, who leads the sessions. “Acknowledging that the whole family is now in recovery is the first steppingstone to building meaningful positive and sustainable change.”
The Family Program is designed for the loved ones of people currently engaged in therapy at ETHOS Treatment, with sessions billed to their insurance benefits per level of care. Those who do not have a loved one in treatment with ETHOS can work with Brown to figure out any necessary logistics before enrolling in the program.
The weekly sessions, which are held online on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., arm family members with accurate, reliable information while showing them how to take care of themselves as they heal as a family. “Our goal as an organization is to help families achieve wellness as a unit,” explains Brown.
Each week, the group session includes an educational component on an important topic coupled with the sharing of thoughts, ideas, and strategies — all designed to help make full family recovery possible. The series’ themes are:
Week One
Working with Active Addiction: How to support the person we love, not the addiction.
Week Two
Recovering Together: Stages of family recovery. Understanding each stage of addiction recovery.
Week Three
Guilt & Shame for the Addicted Person & The Family System: Identifying these attributes and working through solutions.
Week Four
12 Steps: What are the 12 Steps? How support groups work for our loved ones. How support groups can work for us.
Week Five
Family Roles in Addiction & Recovery: How addiction disrupts wellness in the family. Identifying past roles and future opportunities.
Week Six
Full-Family Healing: Bringing new practices to light throughout the family.
“We address families’ questions, including ‘How long should my loved one continue in treatment?’ and ‘Do I serve alcohol at this holiday party?” Brown explains. “We also help guide families through many of the difficult decisions, including whether at-home drug testing or use of breathalyzer is right for you. You are not alone. There are roadmaps and resources that can help you navigate the many trapdoors of recovery and help your family heal.”
With outpatient treatment centers in Philadelphia, West Chester, Plymouth Meeting, Collegeville, Broomall, Jenkintown, and Wyomissing, as well as Telehealth, ETHOS helps adults and adolescents with mental health issues and substance use disorders through individual counseling, small group, and family therapy, all of which maximize the potential for long-term, sustainable recovery. Several locations also offer specialty programs for people with gambling disorders and eating disorders, as well as groups specifically for first responders and people who have experienced trauma.
Richard J. Caron Award Will Be Presented to A. Michael Blanche, MSS, LCSW at Gala
A. Michael Blanche, MSS, LCSW, the Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of ETHOS Treatment LLC, will receive the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence at a gala event on November 7, 2024, at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
Mike Blanche has spent more than two decades delivering direct clinical treatment for individuals grappling with dual diagnoses of addiction and other psychological issues as a licensed clinical social worker. His expertise spans all levels of care in addiction and mental health treatment, and he has successfully established and supervised residential and outpatient programs across the Philadelphia Metropolitan area.
Mike Blanche is a recognized authority in prevention, specializing in middle and high school prevention talks, as well as staff development. His reputation extends to working with complex individuals and their families during challenging times, aiding in determining the appropriate level of care or suitable placement.
Caron has chosen to honor Mike Blanche “for his caring spirit and commitment to partnership in our community.”
The mission of Caron Greater Philadelphia is to transform lives impacted by substance use disorder through proven, evidence-based, comprehensive, and personalized behavioral healthcare. The 25th Annual Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence Gala will celebrate the journeys of those in recovery, their families, and all who support these life-changing efforts.
ETHOS, a leading provider of care for individuals and families who struggle with substance use disorder and/or mental health issues.
ETHOS has a unique, disruptive model for the delivery of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). IOP are an alternative to inpatient services for patients who do not require a full-time, facility treatment regimen. Some of the main benefits of IOP are cost compared to inpatient services, which can be 10 times or more, along with the patient’s ability to receive services while still in their real-life settings.
With outpatient treatment centers in Philadelphia, West Chester, Plymouth Meeting, Collegeville, Broomall, Jenkintown, and Wyomissing, as well as Telehealth, ETHOS helps adults and adolescents with mental health issues and substance use disorders through individual counseling, small group, and family therapy, all of which maximize the potential for long-term, sustainable recovery. Several locations also offer specialty programs for people with gambling disorders and eating disorders, as well as groups specifically for first responders and people who have experienced trauma.
ETHOS Treatment LLC, a leading provider of care for individuals and families dealing with substance use disorders and mental health issues, is proud to announce the launch of its Alumni Organization. Introduced in May 2024, this initiative aims to cultivate a supportive and interconnected network among clients, extending beyond their program completion.
Gathering monthly via Google Meet, participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, maintain connections, and most importantly, establish a robust support system for those still on their wellness journey. This accessible and convenient platform ensures that all alumni, regardless of location, can benefit from this supportive community.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST.
Michael Blanche, LCSW, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer at ETHOS, emphasizes the unique approach of the Alumni Organization: “Our alumni group stands out by offering a standalone community that respects the diverse paths to recovery and wellness, free from affiliations with specific 12-step fellowships or self-help groups,” said Blanche. “Whether you’ve just completed one of our programs or have been on your journey for some time, it’s a space to share experiences, celebrate milestones, and forge meaningful connections with fellow alumni.”
ETHOS Treatment LLC is proud to announce it has earned LegitScript certification, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to transparency and compliance with applicable laws and regulations for the healthcare industry.
LegitScript is the only certification and monitoring service for U.S. drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers that is relied on by Google, Microsoft, and Facebook to vet advertisers for eligibility.
“In 2018, these online platforms suspended addiction treatment ads, but now drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers can resume online advertising by being LegitScript certified,” said ETHOS Director of Marketing Samantha L. Osterlof, MS, CRS, CFRS.
Certification is a recognized seal of approval that enables businesses to showcase their compliance, unlock opportunities to advertise, and accept digital payments.
“Being LegitScript Certified also builds trust with patients by letting them know we operate safely and legally,” concluded Osterloff. “The certification helps differentiate our services from both legitimate competitors and addiction treatment providers that are involved in illicit activities.”
ETHOS Treatment LLC proudly announces Cait Kish has been awarded the Unsung Hero Award from the Caron Foundation. The award was presented during the 22nd Annual Greater Philadelphia Community Awards Breakfast, an event dedicated to recognizing individuals who have made significant, selfless contributions to raising awareness, promoting prevention, and delivering treatment as an alternative to the pain of addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
“Cait supports women on their journeys, creating a safe environment for confronting past experiences,” said ETHOS Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer Michael Blanche. Her leadership sets a standard of excellence for specialized care, reflecting ETHOS’ commitment to helping people, help people.”
Cait has played a pivotal one of ETHOS’ signature programs, the Women’s Dual Diagnosis Trauma Track. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with over a decade of experience in mental health and substance abuse.
“We are incredibly proud of Cait and her contributions to the Women’s Dual Diagnosis Trauma Track,” added Blanche. “Her compassion, understanding, dedication, and empathetic approach have made a difference in the lives of many women on their healing journeys.”
Michael Santoro named Vice President of Finance; Katelyn Fisher appointed Director of Operations
ETHOS Treatment, LLC, a leading provider of care for individuals and families who struggle with substance use disorder and/or mental health issues, is pleased to announce the addition of two executives. Michael Santoro has been named Vice President of Finance, and Katelyn Fisher has been named Director of Operations. As members of the leadership team, Santoro and Fisher will help drive the organization’s growth and development as the region’s premier Intensive Outpatient Programs provider.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said co-founder and CCO, Michael Blanche MSS, LCSW, “His deep understanding of financial management and strategic planning will be instrumental as we continue to grow and enhance our services to meet the evolving needs of our clients.”
Santoro has more than 15 years of experience in accounting and finance across diverse industries, serving in roles of increasing responsibility with companies ranging from $700M to $2B in revenue.
Fisher also brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position, including seven years in client-facing roles supporting children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. As Director of Operations, she is committed to leveraging her expertise to drive organizational excellence and ensure the delivery of high-quality services to those in need.
“Kate’s multifaceted experience across client care, intake, billing, and operations, along with her adaptability and strategic mindset, have equipped her with a holistic understanding of the behavioral health landscape,” added Blanche.
Santoro earned a B.S. in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University and an MBA in Finance from Boston College. Fisher holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bloomsburg University.
