United Counseling Service Expands Substance Use Services as Staff Earn Vermont AAP Certification

Bennington, VT — United Counseling Service (UCS) is proud to recognize Clinical Care Coordinators Juliette Jackson and Shawn Holcombe for earning their Vermont Apprentice Addiction Professional (AAP) certification, an accomplishment that will increase access to substance use services for adults and youth throughout Bennington County. Additional UCS staff members are currently in the process of achieving their AAP certification, further supporting the agency’s efforts to expand its substance use services.

“This is an additional opportunity to support clients—I’m very excited about it,” said Keili Trottier, LCMHC, VT PGS, Assistant Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “It allows us to expand our substance use programs, including our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP).”

Meeting a Growing Community Need

Bennington County continues to face significant substance use challenges, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re seeing a higher rate of more dangerous substances,” Trottier explained. “The pandemic also contributed to an increase in alcohol misuse. Substance use has become normalized in many families, where people learn to cope with stress in unhealthy ways.”

To address the rising needs, UCS offers a range of substance use services including its Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program, designed to reduce barriers for those entering or maintaining recovery. Evening hours and remote access create options for individuals across Vermont who may otherwise struggle to attend an intensive outpatient program.

Certified AAP staff enable UCS to offer additional group therapy, the gold standard for evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders. “Being in a group helps reduce loneliness and reminds people they’re not the only ones going through it,” said Trottier. “It normalizes what they’re experiencing—brain healing, repairing relationships, learning how to just be—and it’s wonderful to see people come out the other side.”

Supporting Staff Development to Strengthen Services

The AAP certification requires 40 hours of education on screening, assessment, engagement, counseling, referral, and more. UCS offers nearly all required training at no cost to employees, lowering barriers for staff pursuing careers in substance use counseling.

Staff with a bachelor’s degree who earn the AAP can also pursue the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential. UCS provides added supervision, mentorship, and weekly peer meetings to support candidates. “It allows them to expand their knowledge,” Trottier noted. “Staff feel like they’re growing—and they are, and they’re supported in that growth by UCS.”

A Welcoming Path to Recovery

Community members seeking support can call or visit UCS to begin services. Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and may include mindfulness, meditation, gratitude practices, equine-assisted therapy, and art therapy. Because seeking help can come with stigma or discomfort, UCS staff work to create an inviting, compassionate environment for every person entering care.

“I’m really proud of how we’re enhancing what people can access as we grow our substance use services,” said Trottier. “We are here to support our community.”

United Counseling Service (UCS) is committed to helping individuals and families in Bennington County live healthy, meaningful lives. Our work spans mental health, substance use treatment, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and early childhood development. UCS is a private, non-profit community mental health center that has been an essential part of Bennington County’s integrated healthcare system since 1958. The organization has been designated as a Center of Excellence by Vermont Care Partners. For more information or to access our services, visit ucsvt.org or call 802-442-5491.

Pictured: (left) Keili Trottier, Assistant Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Servies, (right) Juliette Jackson, Clinical Care Coordinator

Not pictured: Shawn Holcombe, Clinical Care Coordinator