Substance use disorders are complex and challenging conditions that can affect all people, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background. 

No matter what a person’s experiences with substance use disorder entail, Andrea Bushman, DSW, LADC 1 is here to guide clients along the path of recovery, healing, and growth.

Andrea is certified in trauma-informed counseling, and can help adult clients to work on their internalized emotions and mental health disorders, in addition to sustaining their sobriety in substance use disorder, and alcohol addiction. 

She has over twenty-two years of experience working with diverse populations of children, adults, and families. Andrea has worked as a counselor in a residential setting, a parent aide working with children and families that were involved in the Department of Children and Families, In-Home Therapy, and Individual Therapy working with children, adults, and families on mental health disorders, substance use, and alcohol addictions.

Andrea strives to safely guide individuals toward a path of healing, integration, connection, and growth. 

We interviewed Andrea to learn more about her background in the field and approach to working with clients online.

What inspired you to work in the field of addiction and mental health counseling?

I’ve always been a giver. 

Growing up, my family instilled a great sense of purpose and exposed me to a strong sense of spiritual community.

I witnessed many individuals and families struggling in ways I hadn’t experienced; I felt motivated to help and bring positive change to people’s lives.

What experiences did you have prior to working with HBH?

I earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work at Westfield State University. 

I received my certification as a Certified Trauma Professional through Evergreen Certifications. I’m now online taking behavioral health courses through PESI, a company that provides certifications for mental health disorders, substance use, and alcohol addictions.

I’ve worked as a counselor in residential settings, as an intern at the Jericho House working with families and individuals caught in addiction, as a parent aid working with children and families that were involved in the Department of Children and Families, and as an individual therapist for children, individuals, and families. 

I’m now a Doctoral Candidate at Simmons University in the Social Work Program to gain more knowledge and skills in the field. 

Through gaining the knowledge through education, working with different departments and age brackets, and taking trainings and certifications through PESI, I’ve deepened my lens of social work.

What is your treatment style and approach to working with clients?

I employ a trauma-informed approach to help clients with substance abuse disorder, alcohol addiction, internal emotions, and mental health disorders.

I begin treatment by going back to prenatal. I’ll learn about the client’s background when they were in the womb: Did the client’s parents struggle with substance use disorder or alcohol addiction? Did the client’s parents go through a divorce or separation? Was there domestic violence among family members?

From there, I gather more information about the client’s early childhood experiences: Were there any traumatic events in the family? Did they witness traumatic events first-hand? Are there parents still together, or was there a separation or divorce between the parents?

I ask the client about their experiences in elementary school up through secondary education. 

Prenatal alcohol exposure and traumatic childhood experiences can have lasting effects on an infant’s brain, leading to cognitive and behavioral problems. The prenatal or early childhood experiences of trauma must be addressed and worked through in order for the client to move forward with their life.

We know that trauma does not disappear, and will exacerbate any mental health challenge that an individual struggles with.

What mental health conditions do you treat and which clinical modalities do you offer?

I provide individual therapy for adults experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions including:

• Anxiety, Panic, and Phobias
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Personality Disorder
• Substance Use Disorder/Alcohol Addiction
• Anger Management
• Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
• Health/Medical Problems
• Self-Injurious Behaviors/Self-harm
• Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD/ADHD)
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Trauma

I utilize a variety of different approaches and clinical modalities including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness/Meditation
• Motivational Interviewing
• Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic/Psychoanalysis 
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 
• Trauma Informed Therapy
• Exposure Therapy 
• Somatic Psychotherapy
• Gestalt Therapy

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is helping clients release their anger and sense of sadness, and see them experience happiness and find joy.

What are your goals for your clients?

• To be able to control their anger 
• To know how to use their coping mechanisms that we practice in sessions: journaling, practicing mindfulness, breathing exercises, listening to sound waves
• To take care of their health through eating clean and exercising 
• To gain the energy to exercise and release energy 
• To let sunlight into their homes
• To feel capable on their own and comfortable in social situations
• To practice loving their children and other people in their lives, even if they didn’t receive love from their parents
• To pursue higher education and find a career they’re passionate about

What is one unique quality that you bring to your practice?

I always strive to bring positivity into clients’ lives. 

People who have been consumed by so much negativity in their lives need to find positive outlets. Everyone deserves to have a source of light and happiness in their lives.

What do you like about practicing mental health therapy in Massachusetts?

I feel like there are many different types of treatment modalities and approaches that I can practice in Massachusetts. Some states have stricter laws about practicing certain types of therapies and acquiring certifications. I feel like there’s more therapeutic modalities to choose from, and earn licensure for in Massachusetts.

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Andrea?

Andrea will support you or your loved one suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, or struggling with internalized emotions or a mental health disorder.

If you’re interested in working with Andrea online, please call us today at  (413) 343-4357. You can also request to schedule an appointment with Andrea online.

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