{"id":17663,"date":"2025-04-16T09:11:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T16:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialmodelrecovery.org\/staging\/8105\/?p=17663"},"modified":"2025-04-16T09:11:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T16:11:33","slug":"kerry-cooper-now-a-certified-drug-and-alcohol-counselor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialmodelrecovery.org\/staging\/8105\/2025\/04\/kerry-cooper-now-a-certified-drug-and-alcohol-counselor\/","title":{"rendered":"Kerry Cooper: Now a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"\">We are thrilled to celebrate Kerry Cooper, Group Facilitator at Bimini, who officially earned his certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) on March 17, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kerry\u2019s journey into recovery began in December 2018 when he made the life-changing decision to seek help. After years of incarceration and repeated struggles, he found his way to Bimini, a residential treatment program of Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS). As a resident, Kerry committed fully to the recovery process and gained a deeper understanding of the psychological root of his addiction. He embraced the tools of 12-step programs and laid the foundation for a new way of living. Inspired by this transformation, he set a goal to work in treatment as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor to help others who suffered from addiction as he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Following his completion of the program, Kerry pursued formal education in the field and earned Associate of Arts degrees in both Human Services\/Addiction Studies and Social and Behavioral Science. He joined the Bimini team in 2022, and his impact has only continued to grow. Kerry now facilitates a wide range of groups, including Relapse Prevention, Helping Men Recover, Recovery Book Study, Seeking Safety, and Anger Management. His ability to lead with compassion, insight, and lived experience creates a safe and empowering space for residents to heal and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Achieving certification required rigorous coursework, clinical training hours, and a strong commitment to the field. This milestone reflects Kerry\u2019s unwavering dedication not only to his personal journey but also to inspire others. His presence at Bimini is a daily example of what is possible through recovery \u2013 transforming misery into motivation and pain into purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The entire Bimini staff and the broader SMRS team are incredibly proud of Kerry. His transformation from resident to certified counselor is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the belief that healing is not only possible\u2014it can be a platform for service and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Please join us in congratulating Kerry Cooper on this well-earned achievement and for the light, strength, and inspiration he brings to our community every day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are thrilled to celebrate Kerry Cooper, Group Facilitator at Bimini, who officially earned his certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and 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