A Visionary Quest for Community Care
Tarzana Treatment Centers College teams up with the Ayeneh Media Foundation to discuss the impact one person can have on a community of people seeking recovery. In this edition, Dr. James B. Golden, PsyD, the Chief Academic Office of TTC College, as the host talks with TTC College Alumni and Entrepreneur, Bruce McDaniel, on the impact that the Substance Use Counseling Program had on his recovery, his desire to impact the community, and how others can use their story to create long lasting change.
Substance Use Counseling Program and Its Impact
In this episode, Bruce McDaniel offers his insight on what motivated him to pursue the Substance Use Counseling Program with Tarzana Treatment Centers College. As he started his recovery journey, Bruce wanted to find a way to expand his ability to impact the community. Bruce wanted to be a mirror of hope to others and decided that having the education to back his experience would be the best way to do it. During the discussion, Bruce powerfully makes the connection that “…having the education backed by the fact that I look like a lot of the people who are in the beginning stages of their recovery, it hits a little bit harder…”. A valuable insight that success and trust in recovery often happens when residents can see a variety of representation among their counselors, mentors, nurses, and staff that not only look like them but understand the experience firsthand.
After discussing a bit about Bruce’s motivation to stay in recovery and impact those around him, Dr. James B. Golden asks Bruce where he is right now in his professional career and how the SUD Program has helped him achieve his larger goal to inspire others. Bruce discusses that although he may not be in the specific world of counseling, he is “that light for some people who [are] walking through TTCC and folks who attend CGA (Crime and Gang member Anonymous) meetings showing people that there is another way.” One thing that TTC College prides itself is innovation. We encourage our students and staff to find innovative ways to impact our community, and that is one of the core values Bruce is demonstrating. Although he may not be directly providing clinical counseling, he is mentoring, spreading an important message, and providing a safe platform for folks just like him to freely express their stories and find the courage to seek out support. Dr. James B. Golden makes the connection that counseling continues to change as the world changes. Whether you use your substance use counseling to uplift recovery lifestyle brands, spoken work poetry, speaking engagements, nursing, policy making, or counseling, you can utilize the education you receive here at TTC College to make a larger impact.
Be the Light
“It’s a beautiful situation to see everybody come together for one common cause. We’re all here to help people and that’s all that matters.” Bruce stated. Regardless of where you come from, your experiences, how you identify, and what your next passions are, here at TTC College we are ready to continue to help you get started to be your own light in the community you love so much.
Stay Connected
For the full interview please visit the following link: https://youtu.be/42hZkWvD9qc?si=-59f60rzYaLtFgvp and stay connected with us on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
If you are interested in applying for our programs, please visit our website here Home Page – Tarzana Treatment Centers College (ttccollege.org) and apply now!