Navigating The World Of Addiction: The Family Disease with Kevin Petersen, LMFT

Navigating The World Of Addiction: The Family Disease with Kevin Petersen, LMFT

In this insightful episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristen Sinanta-Walker sits down with Kevin Petersen, LMFT, to discuss the complex nature of addiction as a family disease. Kevin, who stepped in as a keynote speaker at the Navigating The World Of Addiction conference, shares his deep passion for helping families navigate the challenges of addiction.

Born and raised in Palo Alto, CA, Kevin transitioned from a successful career in Sales and Marketing to earning a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. The conversation delves into the significance of viewing addiction not as an isolated issue but as one that affects entire family systems. Kevin emphasizes the importance of creating stability within these systems without trying to control every aspect of individuals' lives.

He offers family weekend workshops in Denver alongside his partner, Chris Simon, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex addiction therapist. Together, they aim to support families in crisis through specialized programs tailored to address process addiction and other related challenges. A unique aspect of Kevin's approach includes the use of therapy dogs, highlighting their therapeutic value in providing comfort and support to individuals with invisible diseases such as autism, diabetes, epilepsy, and PTSD.

Kevin shares anecdotes of his Boston Terrier, Bert, who accompanies him to work and has an innate ability to soothe clients simply by being present. The episode also touches upon the varying effectiveness of treatment centers, underscoring the need for families to take accountability rather than placing blame externally. Kevin and Kristen agree that while some centers excel, others may not meet expectations, necessitating careful consideration when seeking treatment.

Listeners are encouraged to join Mental Health News Radio for future episodes and explore the diverse range of shows available through the MHNR network. As the discussion concludes, Kevin expresses his enthusiasm for participating in future conferences and continuing his advocacy for mental health and addiction support.