Spring 2022 Conference Registration Form
Fall 23 Conference Presenters
Macy Arnote
BA, CRADC, MARS, HRS
Macy gained interest in the field after her own experiences with SUD, pursuing a career once her recovery journey began on May 4, 2009. Macy is employed by Compass Health in Rolla, MO, as an ITCD Specialist. Macy obtained her CRADC, MARS, and HRS. She is the current Vice-President of MACA. Macy continues to take an active role in communities advocating for change, harm reduction, and the treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders.
Dr. Ruth Ridenhour
DBA, LPC, CCDP-D
Ruth Ridenhour graduated with her Masters in Mental Health in 2005. Since that time she started her career as a Licensed Professional Counselor with adolescents and adults. She opened her own private practice in August of 2019.
Lauren Eisleben
LPC
Lauren Eisleben, LPC, has been a clinician at IMF Counseling for more than 5 years. She specializes in working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with substance use and compulsive behaviors. https://imfcounseling.com/therapists/lauren
Johnny Graves
CRADC, SQP-R, LAC, MARS
Johnny is a licensed addiction counselor in Kansas and certified in Missouri. He serves as GSR for Working With Others CA and also the H&I Chair. Johnny began his recovery journey on 10/22/93. His ambition is to help others rebuild their lives.
Darla Bellflower
LCSW, LSCSW, CRAADC, LAC, CPS, TTS
Darla Belflower is an author, trainer consultant and Director of a Treatment Center in Kansas City. She has worked in leadership in the SUD and behavioral health fields for over three decades She is Vice Chair of the Kansas City Recovery Coalition.
Brianna Evans
BA, MAADCII, MARS
Brianna is a dog mom, a person in recovery from many things, and a substance use counselor who has worked in the mental health field for over 10 years. Brianna is the sister of an EMT who tragically lost their life at 23 years old.
Dr. Douglas Swanson
Dr. Douglas Swanson joined the University of Missouri in 2017 as a Labor and Workforce Development Specialist. He is a co-principal investigator on grants that created the Recovery Friendly Workforce MO initiative that launched in the fall of 2022.
Mark McDonald
MS, CRADC, CGDC, CRPR, MARS, HRS
Presently working as a Counselor with Ozark Center in Neosho. Presently the Southwest Missouri Representative with the MCB (Missouri Credentialing Board) where he serves on the Ethics Committee and as Vice President of the Board.
Jeannette Johnson
Jeannette entered into recovery on February 10, 1989. She currently serves as the chair of the MO Area of CA. Jeannette has served at each level of service of the organization. She has a sponsor as well as is the sponsor to many women in their recovery.
JoDenise Crawford
CRADC, ADC
JoDenise has worked in the field of substance use and mental health for 30 years. She has been in recovery for 37 years. JoDenise is currently employed with Job Corps working with youth. She is an ordained minister at Ragtyme7 International Ministry. It’s a calling for her.
Kimberly Freese
LAC (Kansas), MPA
Kim Freese is the SAMHSA Regional Director for Region VII serving MO, KS, IA and NE. Our team includes Marissa Thomas, and Mirna Herrera. We seek to provide leadership, partnership, and consultation in behavioral health in our region.
John Winkle
CADC, SQP, MPS, MARS
John started in the field in 2015 as a BHT and became a counselor in 2018. I currently work for Compass Health primarily with the Treatment Court, all levels of SUD and SATOP as well as a TCL for the new CAP.
Dr. John Gaal
EdD, CHW, CPS, CWP
Dr John Gaal currently serves as the director of Worker Wellness for the Missouri Works Initiative (MO AFL-CIO). Since 2018, he has completed various certifications in the areas of mental health, opioids awareness, and suicide prevention.
Leslie Reeder
Bachelors Human Behavior
Leslie has been working in the recovery field on and off since 1986. She serves as a Delegate to the World Service Organization and serves on the World Service Public Information Committee of the third largest 12-step drug recovery fellowship in the world.
Rodney Davis
Rodney has been in recovery for 28 years. He is a member of Cocaine Anonymous, actively serving CA at the local, state, and world levels.
Jack Perkins
D.Min., LADC
Jack is the founder of Psuche Education, Counseling & Coaching Services. He served as a clinical director and director of assessments in residential treatment facilities with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.
