Fernando Velazquez

My name is Fernando Velázquez, MS, LADC I, CADC II, CCDP-I, and I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) addiction and mental health counselor with a passion for helping individuals and families achieve recovery, healing, and personal growth.

I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of behavioral health settings, including residential treatment programs, outpatient services, community-based recovery programs, crisis intervention, and case management. I currently serve in a leadership role within a residential recovery program, where I provide clinical supervision, treatment planning, and direct support to individuals recovering from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

My professional experience includes working with adults from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds who are facing challenges related to addiction, mental health, trauma, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, chronic relapse, and life transitions. I have extensive experience supporting individuals recovering from opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, gambling disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders.

As a bilingual clinician, I am particularly passionate about serving Hispanic and Latino communities, helping individuals overcome barriers to treatment while providing culturally responsive care. I understand the importance of family, culture, spirituality, and community in the recovery process and strive to incorporate these strengths into treatment whenever appropriate.

Recovery and healing are possible for everyone, and I am committed to helping clients identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build a life that reflects their values, goals, and potential.

I have worked in residential treatment programs, outpatient settings, community-based recovery services, crisis intervention programs, and case management. In addition to providing direct clinical care, I have served in leadership roles overseeing treatment services, clinical supervision, program operations, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

I have extensive experience working with adults from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds who are facing challenges related to substance use disorders, mental health conditions, trauma, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, chronic relapse, and major life transitions. My clinical experience includes working with individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, gambling disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

As a bilingual clinician, I am especially passionate about serving Hispanic and Latino communities and providing culturally responsive care that recognizes the importance of family, culture, spirituality, and community support in the healing process. I strive to create an environment where clients feel understood, respected, and empowered to pursue meaningful change.

My areas of specialization include:

• Substance Use Disorders (Alcohol and Drug Addiction) • Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders • Relapse Prevention and Recovery Planning • Trauma-Informed Care •

My counseling style is compassionate, direct, collaborative, and strength-based. I believe that every person possesses the capacity for growth and change, regardless of their past experiences or current challenges. My goal is to help clients identify their strengths, develop practical coping skills, overcome barriers to recovery, and build a healthier, more fulfilling life.