Authors

Corinne O’Keefe Osborn is an award-winning, Boston-based journalist specializing inorganic content writing. Her most recent work focuses on psychology and addiction.She has an excellent understanding of psychology and is able to turn complex material into approachable and informational content. Corinne spent the last few years researching and writing a book about recovery. After years struggling with chronic pain and addiction, Corinne began pursuing a relentless quest for recovery. She uses her experiences to educate other people about the world of chronic pain, its effects on family life, its inherent gender biases, and its deep connection to mental health issues. Corinne has a background in gender and politics. She spent several years in DC writing material for a variety of progressive political organizations including Emily’s List,Planned Parenthood, and The Rockefeller Foundation. As a former gender studies major, she enjoys her current work on eating disorders and other women’s health issues. Corinne received her Masters of Science (MS) in journalism from Boston University. In2008 she received the Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of ProfessionalJournalists for her story about the Jamaican sex trade.

Courtney Barber holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a BA in Health Arts and Sciences, both from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. Courtney began her career in women’s health as a childbirth assistant and postpartum doula. She studied traditional healing and midwifery practices in Tepoztlan, Mexico, and has a background in complementary therapies including Therapeutic Touch and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her mental health clinical work has included specialized practicum in postpartum mood disorder, diverse abilities, issues of poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, college counseling, prison mental health, suicide and lethality assessment and prevention, crisis care, grief and loss support, and trauma-informed approaches. Courtney has worked in the nonprofit and community mental health sector in the Capital District of New York as well as in the Massachusetts Berkshires and parts of Vermont for over twenty years. Most recently, she founded Belladonna Wellness, LLC, offering virtual individual and family wellness coaching, psychoeducational training, organizational consulting, and health content writing utilizing trauma-aware, social justice, and integrative health lenses. Belladonna Wellness provides psychoeducation as well as coping skills and stress reduction training for individuals struggling with trauma, loss, and addiction.

Dan Wagener, M.A., is a Web Content Editor at Recovery Brands.

Before Recovery Brands, he worked for a government contractor in the Washington, D.C. area, where he edited websites for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prior to that, he was Senior Manager of Web Content and Communications Manager at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and Senior Managing Editor at the Center for American Progress, a political think tank in D.C.

Dan holds a bachelor's degree in English from La Salle University and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College. He has worked at substance abuse and mental health treatment programs for teens and adults.

Dr. Lawrence Weinstein was appointed chief medical officer of AAC in August 2018. He is an accomplished physician executive with more than 20 years of experience in managed behavioral healthcare. In addition to his extensive senior leadership background, he also delved into private practice, where he provided individual and group diagnostic psychotherapeutic services, family therapy, and addiction psychiatry. Dr. Weinstein has always been fascinated by the mysteries of the mind, and throughout his career, he’s explored different avenues to solve them. His career began in psychoanalysis, which allowed him to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the unconscious mind. This work led him to do research in psychoneuroimmunology. It was this research in how the brain impacts the immune system, and the connection of the brain to the rest of the body, that solidified his belief in the mind-body connection and furthered his interest in providing a holistic approach to illness and treatment. Throughout his career, Dr. Weinstein has set the standard for clinical and operational excellence, physician management, and driving technology solutions that support clinical innovation. He brings this experience and an unwavering commitment to patient care to his role as AAC’s chief medical officer, where he oversees medical operations for all facilities and supervises the medical staff to ensure the highest quality of care. Dr. Weinstein’s quest to learn is not limited to his time at work. In his spare time, he enjoys learning about different world cultures, exploring new places, and traveling in general. His other passions include downhill skiing and boating. Being in the mountains or on the water is the best way for him to recharge and refocus.

Dr. Mark Calarco served as the national medical director for American Addiction Centers (AAC) from 2013 to 2018. With the addition of Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, who assumed that position in August 2018, he has been appointed national medical director for clinical diagnostics. In this position, he works closely with Addiction Labs to conduct medical and laboratory research as well as develop innovative products and services that will improve patient outcomes. Calarco brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including a background in family and emergency medicine. As a child, Calarco developed an interest in health care and a passion for helping others after losing his brother due to a medical error. He went on to attend medical school and to become a family physician. Today, his commitment to clinical excellence and serving those in need has never been stronger as he leads a team of providers who are transforming lives every day. Calarco is also a thought leader in the addiction industry and an established researcher. In 2017, he led two original studies at AAC with the findings presented to the American Academy of Addiction Psychology. His talents also include speaking five languages – Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Italian.

Edie Weinstein is a licensed social worker, journalist, interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and radio host. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She has been in the field of mental health, addictions, and recovery since 1979.

Her clinical experience has included inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy and case management, dual diagnosis, outpatient drug and alcohol rehab, partial hospital programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).

The editorial staff of Recovery.org is comprised of addiction content experts from American Addiction Centers. Our editors and medical reviewers have over a decade of cumulative experience in medical content editing and have reviewed thousands of pages for accuracy and relevance. Our reviewers consistently monitor the latest research from SAMHSA, NIDA, and other reputable sources to provide our readers the most accurate content on the web.