“This training was by far the best virtual training I have attended. Truly the trainers were beyond supportive and exemplified to the max the skills of a recovery coach.”
Introducing the RCU Team:
Deirdre Rauch (Training Coordinator); Amanda Toal (Trainer); Erin Pownall Burns (Trainer); Lori Drescher (Founder, RCU and Trainer); Lisa Nichols (Trainer)
Not pictured: Keith Greer (Trainer), Justin McNeal (Trainer), Sandy Rivers (Trainer), Lisa Ardner (Trainer), Melinda Matzell (Marketing), Chelsea Kehrli (Admin/Tech), Melanie Gangarossa (Admin)
Photo Credit: Renee Venisky, Immaginee Photography; 7-2023; Images taken at ArtisanWorks, 565 Blossom Rd., Rochester NY 14610
Lori Drescher
Lori Drescher, Founder, Recovery Coach University (RCU); CARC, RCP, RCPF, Member-MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers)
Lori is a Recovery Coach practitioner; she is a NYCB Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC), a Family Recovery Coach, a Recovery Coach Trainer, and a parent in long term recovery from the effects of loving and living with an adult child who suffered from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Lori lost her son Jonathan to fentanyl poisoning in 2021.
Lori founded Recovery Coach University in 2016 as a result of her personal experience of watching her son suffer from the stigma, persecution and discriminatory practices in treating one with Substance Use Disorder. The practices were so different from other health care conditions and help was very difficult to find. Help for families was practically nonexistent. RCU was one of the first Training Organizations in NYS to focus exclusively on training people and family members with “lived experience” and a desire to help others become educated and skilled in effective and compassionate care based on sound coaching principles and client-centered skills.
She is a designated ‘Best Practice Trainer’ by FOR-NY; NYCB PWI authorized Trainer; ASAP-NYCB approved Trainer, and Trainer Registry Governance Committee Member. She is an approved OASAS professional development Trainer and approved by CCAR to train all CCAR Programs (RCPF). One of Lori’s proudest accomplishments is her membership in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), achieved in 2020.
Lori has coached families and individuals since early 2014, speaks publicly regularly, and advocates across NYS and nationally for improved access to prevention, treatment, harm reduction and community recovery supports. Her mission is to eradicate the stigma and shame of addiction in families, to empower families to achieve their own recovery, to advocate for vitally needed community recovery supports and to help educate the public on harm reduction. She passionately advocates for progressive strategies for addressing and ending the opioid epidemic including by declaring a Public Health Emergency in NYS. Her professional career includes 25 years of executive and management coaching, training, and experiential learning design.
To learn more about RCU’s training offerings and various Certification Opportunities, see the ‘Trainings’ tab on this website or Contact Lori by email.
RCU Classroom Photo (pre-COVID)
Deirdre, Keith and Lori playing at their pre-COVID training room and home-away-from-home, ArtisanWorks
CBS Nation-wide Story on the 2021 Overdose Crisis - 100,000 fatalities in 12 months. Lori Drescher Interviewed by Correspondent Michael George, November 17, 2021
Podcast: RECOVERY…The Hero’s Journey
RADICAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE IMPOSSIBLE: A MOTHER'S JOURNEY
June 15, 2021; Hosted by Dr. Patricia Halligan
A Letter to My Younger Self (before Substance Use Disorder Hijacked my Family)
Caron Foundation Unsung Hero Award Recipient, 11-2019
“Lori is one of the best trainers there are and I feel privileged to have taken her class (RCA).”
Keith Greer, LCSW, PCC, PRC
Keith Greer, Trainer & Partner
Keith leverages over 37 years of experience as an Executive, Life and Recovery Coach, School Social Worker, Family Therapist, Addictions Specialist, Speaker and Trainer toward his compassionate, creative and influential work with individuals, families, organizations and businesses.In 2016 Keith partnered with Lori Drescher and RCU with a focus on bringing high quality Professional Coaching Training to those that are interested in pursuing the New York State Recovery Coach Certifications (CRPA and CARC) as well as the growing number of Peer Recovery Professional Certifications across the country.
A graduate of The Syracuse University School of Social Work and The Institute For Life Coach Training, Keith is recognized by The International Coach Federation (I.C.F.) as a Professional Certified Coach (P.C.C.). Keith is also recognized as a Certified Progressive Recovery Coach by The Center for Progressive Recovery.
“This training exceeded all of my expectations!! Content was useful in more ways than I can count.
Lori & Keith are an absolutely dynamic training duo, Thank you!”
Deirdre Rauch
Deirdre Rauch, Training Coordinator, “The Queen”
Deirdre joined RCU after attending a Recovery Coach class with the purpose of bringing some educational material to the “Mom’s” group she facilitates monthly. At the end of class she asked if she could volunteer in whatever way was needed to support the mission of RCU. She was brought on in a part time capacity (for pay!) and is the backbone of Recovery Coach University doing everything that keeps the organization running and participants/clients satisfied. From managing our larger customer accounts, participant communication and tech assistance, coordinating and scheduling training, managing the registration system and process, administering class evaluations and certificates, working with third party training providers and RCU facilitators, she is an indispensable member of the team.
Deirdre lives with her husband Tony, loves to cook and spend time with her kids and grands.
“I wanted to thank you (Deirdre) for helping me get into the training at the last minute ...You guys are GREAT.”
Erin Pownall Burns, Trainer
Erin joined the RCU Trainer Team in 2021, when RCU needed to expand its Trainer “bench” to accommodate the growing virtual training practice, post-COVID. She is an enthusiastic, hands-on, highly engaging trainer with a lengthy list of lived experiences and expertise credentials that combined make her an asset to the RCU Team and to all who train with her.
Erin is also a community activist and self-proclaimed enthusiast. She runs a series of micro businesses that all focus on community wellness, collaborative artistic expression, and social entrepreneurship. She attended FLCC for human services and went on to Brockport to study substance use disorder and then social work on the graduate level. Though she considers herself a lifelong learner, Erin is primarily a do-er. You can find her speaking, working, training, and being relentless both behind the scenes and in rooms like this.
“Erin cultivates a really great atmosphere that allows us to speak freely and ask questions; this was a great training, thanks so much!”
Erin Pownall Burns, MSW, CARC
Lisa Nichols, MS Ed, RCP, RCPF, CRPA, CPS, CARC
Lisa Nichols, Trainer
Lisa has been with Recovery Coach University as a registered trainer since 2022, but began her partnership with the team in 2019 as part of their alumni group, facilitating and presenting at the Peer Learning Collaborative. As a facilitator, she merges her decade of experience and Masters degree in education as well as her passion for Peer work, bringing a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and applicable examples. When she is not leading classes, Lisa can be found volunteering, working as a Team Leader serving the unhoused, hiking far away from civilization, lifting weights, writing poems, or spending time with her family. You may also see her name in Peer Workforce Initiatives from ASAP or NYCB exam test prep materials. Recovery coaching and peer driven initiatives are part of her life’s work.
“Important topic (Spirituality) which needed to be addressed as a pathway of recovery. Lisa N is a fantastic trainer. Would definitely take more courses with her as a facilitator.”
Amanda Toal, Trainer
Amanda joined RCU in January 2023 as an Apprentice Trainer. Her extensive training background and peer knowledge / lived experience helped her soar though her apprenticeship while she obtained her ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry Membership. Since September 2023 she enjoys a full ‘Trainer’ role with RCU and helps with marketing projects in her spare time. A New-York based warrior woman in recovery, Amanda Toal uses her strength and determination to show the world that “we not only recover - we soar”!
She's a Peer Recovery Coach Advocate (CARC), Digital & Social Media Specialist, International Best-selling Author and entrepreneur of several multi-faceted businesses. When Amanda isn't training or working towards her dreams she's volunteering with local organizations to utilize her expertise and passion of helping others for the greater good.
“Everything about it, was great. The approach taken was so organized. It promoted a positive all inclusive learning environment.. is a direct reflection on both Erin and Amanda THEY WORKED THE FLOOR LIKE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL!!”
Amanda Toal, AAS, CARC
Justin McNeal, NCPRSS, CPRS-FE, CPS
Justin McNeal, Trainer
Justin McNeal is a person in long-term recovery. He is a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Justin is the Director Of Justice Involved Programs and is a trainer at Minnesota Recovery Connection. He is a person with a criminal background and has a deep understanding of how the Criminal Justice Systems work. Justin is a passionate Harm Reduction advocate that pushes for change in his State of MN and Nationally. Justin is a member of the ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry and is approved to facilitate a Harm Reduction training for Recovery Coach University.
“The instructor Justin was amazing in presenting the material and guiding discussions.”
Sandy Rivers, Trainer
Sandy has an impressive background in substance use treatment and recovery support, with over 35 years of experience. Sandy was a supervisor in a large hospital-based treatment program, where she was in charge of program development and supervision for counselors and peers. It was here that she developed a love for working with ad mentoring peers.
Sandy’s educational background includes a Master’s in Adult Learning, explicitly focusing on experiential counselor education and trauma. She also holds the title of Master CASAC and has not only worked with individuals but has supported families, supervising a Celebrating Families program for 8 years. Sandy is very proud of her MINT membership. As a Motivational Interviewing Network Trainer, she brings these skills to all of her training. Sandy is a member of the ASAP-NYCB trainers registry and an OASAS-approved trainer. She is also a train-the-trainer for Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. Sandy has been associated with Recovery Coach University since 2018 and began training with them since 2021.
Sandy Rivers, MA, Master CASAC, Member-MINT
“I have taken 4 or 5 different classes with RCU and they never disappoint. 5 out of 5. Great M.I. training with Sandy, Lori and Lisa. ”
Lisa Marie Ardner, MA, Master CASAC, CARC, CTP
Lisa Marie Ardner, Trainer
Lisa Marie Ardner is a Certified MINT® Trainer and member of the international Motivational Interviewing Network Trainers (MINT®). Lisa is a member of the CNY Motivational Interviewing Learning Collaborative and co-facilitates a monthly virtual Motivational Interviewing Community of Practice Group. Lisa has a master’s degree in Adult Learning from SUNY Empire State College. She is a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and has decades of experience in behavioral healthcare. Lisa is an approved trainer through OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Support) and a member of the ASAP-NYCB (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers of NY Certification Board) trainer registry on a variety of topics for supervisors, peer professionals in the fields of education, social services, criminal justice, behavioral and mental health. Lisa has been associated with Recovery Coach University since 2018 and currently trains Motivational Interviewing.
“I have taken several RCU Workshops and the time flies by! The material is always useful for my role, and I particularly like the break out rooms where new skills are practiced with others in the group. ”