Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.
It’s estimated that teens spend an average of five hours daily on social media. During this time, they are bombarded with a variety of images portraying drugs and alcohol,...
Staying sober after completing a treatment program can present unique challenges for teens and young adults. They must find ways to occupy their time as they learn to navigate...
Setting boundaries in recovery is crucial as it can help prevent relapse. Young people may have trouble setting boundaries with friends for fear of hurting their relationships. But if...
Statistics show that more than one-third of full-time college students engage in binge drinking, and about 1 in 5 use an illicit drug during a month’s time. .For many,...
Although the minimum legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, statistics show that alcohol is the most widely used substance among adolescents, usually in large quantities. When young...
Once a substance abuse disorder is recognized, early invention is critical. Research shows that early intervention is the most effective way to help someone before their condition progresses. Residential...
Young people who are using substances face a different set of challenges that may contribute to their addictions. This is one of the many reasons why they need a...
When teens are recovering from substance use disorders, they need continuing support from many different outlets, one of these being peer support groups. Peer support groups are unique in...
Young adults going through recovery from a substance use disorder may often feel like they’re missing out on all the fun because they are living a sober life. This...
Entering an adolescent alcohol rehab in Iowa is only the first step for teens who want to battle their substance use disorder and get sober. Maintaining sobriety is also...