Lori Ryland, Ph.D., LP, CAADC, CCS, BCBA-D, Chief Clinical Officer, Pinnacle Treatment Centers
Experience/ Leadership Philosophy
What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into treatment?
Staff want to know what is expected and how to be successful in meetings goals in the organization. People seeking treatment also want to know how to be successful in the program. Having clear, consistent expectations and positive feedback when staff or patients are on the right track supports a positive, compassionate, and respectful culture.
What is your own personal healing philosophy?
As treatment professionals, part of our role is to help those we treat become more engaged in their overall health care. Individuals who are taking care of their physical health as well as their mental health by keeping appointments and collaborating in the development and implementation of their treatment plans have the best outcomes.
Based on your experience, what will you focus on this year at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
Treatment teams at the facility level are already providing excellent care and meeting the needs of those we treat. The goal of this year is to structure the consistency of the clinical model to support the treatment teams and the programs. Outcomes will help guide the treatment process and assist with identification of what is working well in a treatment plan and what requires a new approach.
Tell us how your approach change.
Change is inevitable and a catalyst for personal growth. Rather than dreading or trying to avoid change, it can be helpful to look for the opportunities to improve and grow.
What does success look like in your position at Pinnacle Treatment Centers?
Having had experience as an operator of a facility, I understand how much time and attention goes into providing care at the facility level. Part of my role will be to provide additional support in maintaining quality clinical treatment and consultation support for Pinnacle services.
Treatment Philosophy
How would you describe treatment in one word?
Life-saving or Life-changing.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest advancement in treatment right now?
Addiction treatment that is demonstrating the best outcomes utilize clinical models that are “best practice” or “evidence-based.” In other words, they are clinical models that have already been demonstrated to be effective for those struggling with addiction. Evidence-based and best practice treatments may include cognitive behavioral treatments, behavioral strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, to name a few. There is currently an increase in awareness of the need for treatment, particularly in the area of medication-assisted treatment. It is inspiring to see that societal views based upon stigma (that addiction is a “moral failing”) is changing.
What aspect do you believe is the most important in a person’s recovery?
It is very important to remember that a successful recovery path can look different for one person vs. another. In addition, individualized treatment goals can change over time. As treatment providers, it is important to remember that everyone is entitled to the right care regardless of his/her situation or what his/her recovery journey may look like. It may include medication-assisted treatment for one person or a twelve-step program for another. Being versatile and nonjudgement as a treatment professional provides the best opportunity to partner with the person served in reaching the best outcomes.
Personal
Why is the treatment industry important to you?
Working in the addiction field provides not only an opportunity to have an impact in saving lives, but also contributing to the efforts to reduce stigma associated with addictive disorders. Helping an individual find recovery does not only affect that person, but also their family and can result in a healthier outcome in the next generation.
What keeps you motivated?
Seeing the positive result of the work we do keeps me motivated. It is particularly motivating to see positive change for those who overcame a lot of adversity in his/her recovery journey.
What leader or leaders do you look up to and why?
I am inspired by leaders who are brave enough to be authentic, honest, and genuine. I have a great appreciation for “direct” and “real.”
If you could work on solving one problem in the world, what one problem would it be?
This is a difficult question since there are many societal issues I wish I could impact directly. One that is most relevant (and where I have been involved in public policy work) is in the area of deinstitutionalization and decriminalization of behavioral health disorders including addiction. Incarceration of an individual directly due to issues related to his/her personal addiction issues such as substance use is ineffective and costly to taxpayers.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that isn’t on your resume?
I’ve been told that my “farm girl” side is unexpected. I love to take care of my chickens, grow and process vegetables, and make cheese from scratch.