Spero Health Clinical Insights

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Spero Health Clinical Insights Podcast! In this episode, host David Hayden sits down with special guest Jamie Riles, an accomplished Nurse Practitioner with Spero Health, holding three board certifications, including one in addiction. Together, they dive into the treatment of co-occurring disorders, exploring the critical intersection between mental health and substance use.

Co-occurring psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among individuals struggling with addiction, yet they often go undiagnosed or undertreated. Jamie shares insights from his clinical experience, providing real-world statistics on how these disorders impact overall health, quality of life, and long-term recovery outcomes. He discusses the role of trauma in addiction, the importance of proper diagnosis using established guidelines, and the challenges clinicians face in treating both substance use and mental health conditions simultaneously.

Beyond diagnosis and treatment, this episode highlights the power of connection in recovery. Jamie offers practical strategies for clinicians to engage with patients, asking the right questions to understand not just what substances they’re using, but why. He emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where patients feel safe, accepted, and empowered to participate in their treatment journey. By fostering trust and collaboration, the entire care team plays a crucial role in keeping patients engaged, instilling hope, and ultimately supporting positive outcomes in recovery.

Tune in for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of co-occurring disorders, how to address the root causes of substance use, and the vital role of a compassionate, connected treatment approach.

Host David Hayden sits down with Tonia Goodrich, Director of Clinical Services at Spero Health, to explore the transformative power of group counseling in behavioral health and substance use disorder recovery.

Group counseling fosters a sense of community and connection, offering individuals a supportive space to share their experiences, build accountability, and enhance coping skills. David and Tonia discuss the differences between individual and group counseling, explaining how treatment plans and recovery goals help determine the most effective approach for each patient. They delve into the unique dynamics of group counseling, highlighting the importance of tailoring sessions to demographics, popular recovery topics, and desired outcomes.

Tonia provides insight into how social skills play a vital role in creating a comfortable group environment and shares strategies to help patients overcome common hesitations such as fear of judgment, discomfort with vulnerability, privacy concerns, and doubts about relatability. Through trial and error, counselors work to make adjustments that meet the unique needs of each individual.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how group counseling evolves with patients, empowering them to expand their recovery journey and achieve lasting success. Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone seeking support, this episode sheds light on the invaluable role of counseling in behavioral health and addiction recovery.

The holidays are often a time of celebration and connection, but for those navigating addiction treatment and recovery, they can also bring unique challenges. In Episode 19 of the Spero Health Clinical Insight Podcast, host David Hayden sits down with Amanda Lay, Spero Health’s Director of Clinical Services, to explore the importance of recovery support during the holiday season.

Amanda shares valuable insights into managing the stressors that often arise during this time of year, from maintaining healthy boundaries to recognizing triggers and prioritizing self-care. Connection is at the heart of this episode—whether it’s building stronger bonds with family, engaging with professionals like therapists, or leaning on peer or community support, staying connected can help sustain recovery and create a sense of stability during the holidays.

This episode emphasizes how intentional actions, like setting realistic expectations, practicing mindfulness, and creating new traditions, can help individuals in recovery navigate the season with confidence and clarity. Tune in for practical tips and encouragement to make the holidays a time of healing, hope, and meaningful connectio

In this episode of the Spero Health Clinical Insights Podcast, host David Hayden sits down with Ginger Jackson, Spero Health’s VP of Marketing, for a candid and eye-opening conversation about the real impact of stigma on those struggling with addiction. Together, they explore how stigma around addiction has changed over the years, the barriers it creates, and how it still holds many people back from seeking treatment.

Ginger shares personal insights and practical strategies for breaking down these barriers—everything from the importance of compassionate language and community partnerships to the power of personal storytelling and education. If you’re looking for ways to better understand addiction, support those in recovery, or just want to learn what you can do to make a difference, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode we explore the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and how it can manifest within the intricate dynamics of addiction treatment. We navigate through its subtle beginnings and explore its cumulative impact on providers, treatment teams and individuals seeking recovery – emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and proactive in recognizing its onset.  

Join us for robust discussion on combating compassion fatigue, bringing to light practical strategies, preventative measures, and coping mechanisms to foster resilience and maintain emotional equilibrium. The discussion aims to bring heightened awareness and education on how self-care strategies can shield us from repercussions of compassion fatigue so we can work together to Save Lives, Instill Hope and Restore Relationships. 

 Welcome to the latest episode of the Spero Clinical Insights Podcast series! Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of mental health and substance use disorder, bringing you the most up-to-date and thought-provoking topics. Episode 16, "Treatment Challenges in the Age of Fentanyl," is now available!

In this episode we explore challenges that Fentanyl has created for treatment providers.  Dr Brian Fuehrlein,  Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Psychiatric Emergency Room, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, is the special guest.  The discussion focuses on how increased use of Fentanyl has forced treatment providers to adjust approaches to better meet patient needs.  We explore how connections and creating patient safety produce better treatment outcomes and reduces patient risk.   We take a look at strategies around medication induction, the dangers of mixing fentanyl with psychostimulants and the importance of an integrated approach for better patient outcomes.  The discussion goes in depth on benefits of an integrated approach and a well-rounded treatment team can work together to to Save Lives, Instill Hope and Restore Relationships.  

Welcome to the latest episode of the Spero Clinical Insights Podcast series! Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of mental health and substance use disorder, bringing you the most up-to-date and thought-provoking topics. Episode 15, "Dealing with Stress in Recovery," is now available. 

In this episode, we have the privilege of welcoming back Dr. Michelle Welling, an
esteemed Addictionologist working with Spero Health. Dr. Welling brings a
wealth of knowledge and expertise, having recently completed a prestigious
2-year Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine. She specializes in
emotional brain training and understands how our brains can rewire themselves
for resilience.

The focus of our discussion is on the vital role of support systems and stress
responses in the recovery process. We explore the profound impact that stress
can have on our overall well-being, particularly in relation to addiction. By
examining triggers and equipping patients with effective coping mechanisms, we
uncover the potential for significant improvements in recovery outcomes.

Join us as we go deep into the strategies employed by an integrated care team to
implement these principles, ultimately working towards the ultimate goals of
Saving Lives, Instilling Hope, and Restoring Relationships. 

Welcome to the Spero Clinical Insights Podcast series, where we cover the latest topics in the world of mental health and substance use disorder.
 
 In this new  episode, Amanda Lay, Director of Clinical Services for Spero Health, is the guest host.  Becky Ratliff, Recovery Support Services Supervisor at Spero Health  discusses the benefits of Recovery Support Services.  They define recovery support services, the benefits of these services for the patient and the integrated treatment team.  The discussion explores how to engage patients and how working together helps improve outcomes, patient stability and the ripple effect that this has on families and communities.  

Welcome to the Spero Clinical Insights Podcast series, where we cover the latest topics in the world of mental health and substance use disorder, we are excited to share with you Episode 13 available now: “What Harm Reductions Means to Us”. 

In this episode we take a deep dive into Harm reduction practices.  John Biery, Spero Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in the treatment of substance use disorders,  is the special guest.  The discussion focuses on what harm reduction is and what it is not.  We explore how harm reduction improves patient engagement in care, has better outcomes and reduces patient risk.   We take a look at barriers that exist when implementing harm reduction strategies and ways to overcome these.  The discussion goes in depth how an integrated care team can work together to utilize these principles to Save Lives, Instill Hope and Restore Relationships.  

 Welcome to  the Spero Clinical Insights Podcast series, where we cover the latest topics in the world of mental health and substance use disorder, we are excited to share with you Episode 12 available now: “Enhancing Motivation for Recovery”. As a reminder, these podcast are available on your mobile devices or computers, downloadable and super easy to listen to – whenever or wherever you want. You can also find them on Spero Connect under the main news page or in the library section.

In this new episode, Dr Michele Welling, Addiction Medicine Physician for Spero Health, speaks with host, SVP of Clinical Services David Hayden on how medical providers can use Motivational Interviewing techniques for patients seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. Dr Welling reviews the theory behind Motivational Interviewing, provides examples of some techniques and the benefit this provides the patient and the provider.    
 
 This episode takes a deeper dive in the understanding Motivational Interviewing and some “how to” examples.  Dr Welling provides details on how this helps build connections with patients  and ultimately produce better treatment outcomes.  This episode provides some great techniques and is delivered by a great story teller .