Technically, Elisa is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or LADC. But when she describes the role she plays, offering individual and group counseling to people struggling with substance use disorder, she considers a more accurate job description to be a “hope donor.”

“I help people to find what their passion and motivation is, then give them the hope they need to go after it,” she says.

Elisa is a part of the growing field of Behavioral Health providers, ensuring that Mainers with behavioral health needs have the support they need to stay safe, independent and empowered to achieve their personal goals.

“If somebody has compassion, empathy, and the willingness to work through hard things, they can do this job.”

Elisa reaps a deep sense of satisfaction from seeing clients heal, grow and meet major milestones to get back on their feet. Watching them repair relationships, find employment, stable housing, get their driver’s licenses restored, and be reunited with their children, is transformational.

“The changes that I’ve seen clients make have been profound,” she said.

The field is widely accessible, and requires at least an associate’s degree, or credit hours in substance use disorder counseling, plus time training in the field. While Elisa has lived experience and thinks it can be helpful for anyone entering the profession, she doesn’t think it’s a prerequisite for the job. “If somebody has compassion, empathy and the willingness to work through hard things, they can do this job,” she says.

There’s a growing demand for substance use disorder counselors with providers throughout the state, and Elisa was able find a position that gives her the latitude to balance school and family commitments and work with ease.

“It can be full time, part time, or per diem, depending on what’s going to work best for you,” she says. “There’s no zip code for substance use disorder. It impacts every area in Maine. There’s a huge need for people to do this work.”

To learn more about full-time, part-time and per diem opportunities in your community, go to Mainecareerswithpurpose.org. Follow @MaineCareerswithPurpose on Facebook and Instagram.