Dr. Anthony Foster, PhD, Dual Masters, BS.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
Primarily substance abuse/alcohol clients and their families, whether it's someone attempting to get sober, that person and their spouse trying to repair a relationship, or someone with significant trauma in their lives. Often I treat people who have just left treatment and aren't sure how to return to their lives along with their new responsibilities of staying sober. Many of my clients have traumas as the root underlying issue of their drug or alcohol use.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I'm in recovery myself for more than twenty years. When I first got sober, I thought that helping other alcoholics and addicts would be something I enjoyed. I wanted to do it right, so I went back to school and got Masters degrees in Mental Health and Rehab Counseling, then followed that up with a doctorate in Counseling. I also worked treatment centers as a therapist, Clinical Director, Program Director and CEO.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
Someone who was admitted to treatment 72 times in his life who could not shake heroin. I created a treatment plan for him that included three sessions a week for a month, two sessions a week for the next month and then weekly sessions. After a year I stopped seeing him as we agreed that his foundation was in place and that he needed to continue his sobriety with a sponsor, which he had from the beginning, and going to meetings, which he also did from the beginning.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
Knowing that someone might not survive if they don't stay sober.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
Here are my three tips:
- Don't take insurance;
- Charge what you're worth, not what people want to pay
- Be patient when you're starting and struggling, when you have someone you're helping it's likely to be a long relationship, so it will be worthwhile to both of you in the long run.
6. Where can people find you?
Website: