Dr. Louise Stanger focuses on strength-based solutions and invitational change.

About Dr. Louise

Dr. Louise is no stranger to adversity. Born on a fault line of trauma, she knows what it is like to grow up with a family beset with anxiety, depression, substance misuse, death by suicide. She brings her own years of experience working with families in bespoke fashion as well as her ability to work alongside talented professionals to ensure you get the best possible care. In doing so she and her team are collaborative, strength based and invitational.

Dr. Louise Stanger received her doctorate in education from the University of San Diego, master’s degree of social work from San Diego State University and BA in English Literature and sociology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Louise is an Ivy League Award winner (2019 Interventionist of the Year from DB Resources in London and McLean Hospital – an affiliate of Harvard), educated social worker, popular author, internationally renowned clinician, interventionist and speaker and an expert on mental health, addiction, process disorders and chronic pain. She gets to the heart of the matter in helping families because she’s passionate about bringing hope and healing to loved ones.
When you call, you won’t have to go through any intermediaries. She will pick up the phone and talk directly with you.

Dr. Louise developed and refined her invitational method of mental health and substance abuse interventions using the well-established research methodology of portraiture. She has performed thousands of family interventions throughout the United States and abroad.
She has received numerous awards for her years of dedication to the fields of intervention & recovery. 

In addition to her years of experience, Dr. Louise is a published author whose work covers a range of topics including mental health, substance abuse, and well-being, the opioid epidemic, marijuana and other drugs, parenting, high wealth clients, finding happiness, spirituality, failure to launch, chronic pain and pain management, family and many more. Her latest book, Addiction in the family: Helping Families Navigate Challenges,Emotions and Recovery (2020) is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Her book Falling Up: A Memoir of Renewal is available on Amazon. and The Definitive Guide to Addiction Intervention-A Collective Strategy is available on Amazon and University Bookstores.

Dr. Louise is also known for lively, informative, customized and invigorating trainings for staffs, families and clients. Foundations Recovery Network’s Moments of Change Conference proclaimed Dr. Stanger the “Fan Favorite Speaker.” In addition, the San Diego Business Journal listed her as one of the top 10 “Women Who Mean Business” and she was ranked as one of the top 10 Interventionists in the Country. In 2017, she received the Dr. Joseph P. Galleta Spirit of Recovery Award and the DB Resources in London Journalism Award. In 2018, she was honored by the Forgiving Foundation and spoke in London on World Drug Day in June. She also received the 2018 Friendly House Excellence In Service Award and in 2022 was honored with the NCADD Marty Mann award Westchester County for excellence. 

Contact

619-507-1699
Contact Form

Brief History

Dr. Louise has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, BBS #4581) for over 35 years, and specializes in substance abuse disorders, process addictions, mental health disorders, sudden death, trauma, grief and loss.

Meet The Team

Our team has over 100 years of combined experience. We guide families from fear to hope. You are not alone. Together, we’ll find a healing solution.

Shayne anderson

Jeffrey J Merrick, Esq

Expert in Alternative Sentencing
Interventionist

Shayne anderson

Maks Ezrin

Co-Founder,
Youth Prevention Mentors

Shayne anderson

David Malow

Certified Recovery Coach

Shayne anderson

Family Centered Interventions

Adam Finely MSW, MA, LICSWA, CIP
Jenny Finley MA LMHC, SUDP

Click the titles below for additional information.

Keynotes & Speaking

Creative keynote presentations on a wide variety of topics designed to engage audiences. Combined with Dr. Stanger’s positive energy, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

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Keynote Addresses & Conference Speaking

Training & Development

Dr. Stanger brings experience and direction to your professional training classes and program development projects. Click here to learn about her process and experience.

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Professional Training & Program Development

Books & Articles

Dr. Stanger is an award-winning journalist who artfully reveals complex concepts through storytelling and observation. Her third book is scheduled for release in Spring 2018.

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Books, Articles, Blogs, & News

Resources & Quizzes

Explore our resources on addiction and recovery. For families and professionals, take a quiz or learn more about many different topics. Organized by topic for quick navigation.

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Resources & Quizzes for Families & Professionals
  • Director All About Interventions
  • Director, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, University of San Diego
  • Faculty, San Diego State University’s School of Social Work
  • Adjunct Faculty, San Diego City College’s Chemical Dependency Program
  • Faculty and Guest Lecturer, SDSU Interwork Institute
  • Consultant New Found Life Family Program – Long Beach
  • Consultant Paradigm Treatment Centers
  • Consultant First Step Recovery – Clovis, CA
  • Consultant Family Program –Driftwood Recovery Austin
  • Guest Lecturer, Betty Ford Center, Menninger’s, BRC Recovery, Northbound, New Found Life, The Arbor, Kemah Palms, WAAT,  Beit’ t
  • Shuvah, His House, Magnolia Landing for Women, Vendome Summit for Clinical Excellence, Foundation Recovery Network, KEMPEH,
  • Milestones Ranch Malibu, Friendly House
  • Speaker at over 150 international, national and local industry conferences
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker BBS #4581, California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners
  • CDWF (Certified Daring Way Facilitaor)
  • Certified Intervention Professional (CIP)
  • Certified Motivational Interventionist – Storti
  • Certified Lifestyle Interventionist – Brad Lamm
  • Certified ARISE Interventionist – Judith Landau
  • Trainer of Trainers, MINT-Motivational Interviewing
  • Member, Association of Intervention Specialists
  • Member, National Council on Alcohol Abuse and Dependence (NCADD)
  • Member, National Council of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Member Clinical Society of Social Workers
  • Board Member, Women Treatment Addiction Professionals (WATT) San Diego
  • Board Member CAMFT, Palm Deset, CA
  • Doctorate in Education, University Of San Diego
  • Masters in Social Work, San Diego State College
  • Bachelor of Arts, English Lit. and Sociology, University of Pittsburgh BA
  • MINT - Motivational Interview
  • Certified Daring Way-Rising Strong Facilitator
  • DB Resources-London and McLean Hospital-an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School-“2019 Interventionist of the Year”
  • The Peggy Albrecht Friendly House Award for Clinical Excellence-2018
  • Forgiving For Living Foundation Community Leader Honoree 2018
  • Joseph L. Galetta Spirit of Recovery Award 2017
  • DB Resources -London Journalism Award London 2017
  • Fan Favorite Speaker – Foundations Recovery Network 2015
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternity
  • Women Who Mean Business Award, San Diego Journal
  • Faculty Homecoming Dedicatee San Diego State University
  • Peer Educator Award, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
  • Outstanding Professional Award, Red Ribbon Week San Diego County
  • Model Program Award, U.S. Department for Education Alcohol and other Drug and Violence Prevention
  • S. Department of Education Center Associate, Higher Education Center for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention
  • Recognition for working with widows of 9/11, New York Fire Department

 

  • Appalachian, Addiction &Prescription Drug Abuse Conference: Pain & Addiction, Best Practices & Proper Prescribing , 2019 Morgantown, West Virginia, 2019
  • Moments of Change- Palm Beach, Florida 2019
  • State of Virginia Intersections of Violence Conference 2019, Hampton, Va. , 2019
  • West Coast Symposuim on Addictive Disorders, 2019 La Quinta, Ca
  • Jocyln Senior Center-Palm Desert 2019
  • CAMFT, Palm Desert-2019
  • Yankton Mental Health, South Dakota, 2019
  • Hemet Valley and Sage Recovery, Global Detox, 2019
  • Nefesh Orthodox Mental Health Conference, New York 2019
  • WAAT Malibu 2019
  • WAAT Palm Desert 2019
  • Governors Conference, North Dakota, 2018
  • Paradigm Malibu – Malibu, CA – 2016 – 2019
  • Paradigm San Francisco, CA – 2018
  • Driftwood Recovery – Driftwood, TX – 2018, 2017
  • Addiction Therapeutic Services, Palm Desert – 2018
  • Milestones Ranch – Malibu, CA – 2018, 2017, 2018
  • Launch Recovery 2017
  • New Found Family Life 2014 – 2019
  • Vendome Summit for Clinical Excellence 2016 – 2018
  • Vendome Summit For Clinical Excellence Webinar – 2017
  • Foundations Recovery Network- San Diego – 2015- 2019
  • World Recovery Day- London – 2018
  • WAAT – Long Beach, CA 2018
  • WAAT – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • WAAT- San Diego, CA – 2016
  • MAAT – 2017
  • West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders 2014-2019
  • AAI Luncheon speaker – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • Aspirant – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • Charter School, Pacific Palisades – Malibu, CA – 2017
  • Newfound Family Life – Long Beach, CA – 2017
  • Lakeview Health – Jacksonville, FL – 2017
  • Innovations In Recovery – San Diego, CA – 2017
  • Just Keep Living Foundation – 2017
  • Authentic Interventions – Long Beach, CA – 2017
  • Holland Foundation – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • Creative Artist Agency – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • West Coast Symposium – 2017
  • Promises Foundation – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • Milestones Ranch – Malibu, CA – 2017
  • Recovery Plus – London – 2017
  • Hazeldon – Betty Ford Foundation – Los Angeles, CA – 2017
  • American Addiction Treatment Association – 2017
  • West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders – 2017
  • American Addiction Technology Webinar – 2017
  • CORE 2016 Amelia Island, FL
  • “Strategies for Behavioral Healthcare and Substance Abuse Treatment in the New Economy” – 2016
  • Foundations Recovery Network- San Diego – 2015, 2016
  • Kemah Palms – Houston Texas – 2016
  • Miriams House- Los Angeles – 2016
  • Innovations in Behavioral Healthcare – Nashville – 2016
  • MAP – 2016
  • BRC – Mayard, TX – 2016
  • Magnolia Landing For Woman – Inner Banks North Carolina – 2016
  • Movements of Change – Palm Beach , FL – 2015, 2013
  • Life Style Intervention Conference – Las Vegas – 2015
  • Break free intervention trainings – Marin, New York , LA – 2015 – 2016
  • Northbound Treatment Center 2014-2015
  • His House Treatment Center 2014
  • Beit Shuvah Los Angeles 2016
  • Constellation Behavioral Health- Los Angeles and Sacuilito 2015-2016
  • Innovations In Recovery – Del Coronado Hotel 2016
  • West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders 2014-2016
  • Admissions and Marketing Symposium – 2016
  • CORE – 2016
  • Admissions and Marketing Symposium
  • Behavioral Health Care Summit

Publications

Addiction in the Family

Falling Up: A Memoir of Survival

The Definitive Guide to Addiction Intervention

Learn to Thrive: An Intervention Guidebook for Loved Ones and Their Families

YouTube Playlist

Huffington Post - click here for writer archive

A Sober World
Fox News
Counselor Magazine
Addiction Blog

Recovery Campus
http://www.recoverycampusdigital.com/summer2016/
Sober World Digital Addiction

What is an intervention-not a made-for-TV special
What's love got to do with it?
Meet the parents-helicopters, submarines and you

Opposing Viewpoints Series: Interventions. Interventions Do Not Belong on Television. (March 2012, pp. 141) Greenhaven Press, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Lamm BRI I, B., & Stanger Ed.D. LCSW BRI II, L. (Oct./Nov. 2012). When Psychologists Can No Longer Treat Addictions and Other Problems in Outpatient Therapy: The Myths Inhibiting Change. (Vol. 27, No. 5) San Diego Psychological Association Newsletter.

Journal of Alcohol Studies 2009 Ichiyama, M.A., Fairlie, A.M., Wood, M.D., Turrisi, R., Francis, D.P., Ray, A.E., and Stanger, L.A.

A Randomized Trial of a Parent-Based Intervention on Drinking Behavior Among Incoming College Freshmen

Radio & Media Appearances 2015-2017

Recovery Unscripted - Podcast - Episode 42: Intervention Roundtable

The Baby Spot blog published a guest article by Dr. Stanger about grief and loss on July 26th.
http://thebabyspot.ca/grief-and-loss/

Midwest Book Review website published a second review of FALLING UP in its June 2016 issue, highly recommending the book and calling it a “candid and inherently fascinating read from beginning to end.”
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/jun_16.htm

That Sober Guy Podcast interviewed Dr. Stanger at the Foundations Recovery Network Conference in Nashville on June 21st.
http://foundationsevents.com/foundations-events-takes-podcasting/

Recovery Campus Magazine featured a guest article by Dr. Stanger in its Summer 2016 issue.
http://www.recoverycampusdigital.com/summer2016/

HealthyPlace, a news website that gets more than 393-thousand unique monthly visitors, published a guest article by Dr. Stanger regarding the opioid epidemic and the spread of Vicodin use. The article was published on June 1st. HealthyPlace is the largest consumer mental health site.
http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/yourmentalhealth/2016/06/01/how-the-opioid-epidemic-and-vicodin-use-spread-like-wildfire/

Addiction Blog, a news website that gets more than 270-thousand unique monthly visitors, published a guest article by Dr. Stanger regarding the opioid epidemic on May 31st.
http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/the-epidemic-nobody-saw-the-opioid-crisis-in-america/

“People of Distinction” National (Talk, Internet Radio) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on May 24th at 6:45pm ET.

“MyND Talk with Pamela Brewer” Nationally Syndicated (Talk, Nationally Syndicated on 25+ Stations and has 10,000+ Podcast listeners per month) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on May 18th at 1:00pm ET.
https://www.myndtalk.org/broadcasts/item/690-myndtalk-falling-up-louise-stanger.html

“Midwest Opinions” KOGA Radio (Adult Standards, North Platte, NE) –Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on May 17th at 10:10am ET.

TV Grapevine, a news website that covers entertainment and celebrities, published a guest article by Dr. Stanger on May 11th.
http://www.tvgrapevine.com/big-brother-18-live-feed-updates/50-misc/15994-celebrity-news-investigating-prince-s-death

“The Nelson Hunter Morning Show” WVNU-AM (Music/News, Greenfield, OH, Suburb of Cincinnati) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on May 11th at 8:50am ET.

GOOD EveryDay, a news website that features stories of positivity, published a guest article by Dr. Stanger on April 25th.
http://www.goodeveryday.com/louise-stanger-blog/

The Review Broads blog, which features books and other products, posted a review of FALLING on April 25th.
http://thereviewbroads.com/2016/04/book-reviews-falling-up.html/

“Morning Conversations” WSIU-FM (NPR Affiliate, Carbondale, IL) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 10:45am ET.

“Hotline” WILY-AM (Talk, Centralia, IL, Suburb of St. Louis, MO) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 10:30am ET.

“Morning on Main” WMST-AM (Adult Standards, Lexington, KY) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 10:00am ET.

“Live Line” WESB-AM (News/Talk, Buffalo, NY) – Dr. Stanger participated in interview on April 15th at 9:46am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWESB-AM

“Mornings with Warren Lawrence” WKNY-AM (Adult Contemporary, Kingston, NY) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 9:30am ET. This follow-up interview was per the client’s request.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWKNY-AM2

“Rhett Palmer” WAXE-AM (News/Talk, Ft. Myers, FL) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 8:35am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWAXE-AM

“Neal Steele” WXGM-FM (Adult Contemporary, Newport/Virginia Beach, VA) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 8:10am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWXGM-FM

“Party Line” KLTF-AM (News/Talk, Minneapolis, MN) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 15th at 7:30am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerKLTF-AM

“AM Ocala Live!” WOCA-AM (News/Talk, Ocala, FL, Suburb of Orlando) - Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on April 14th at 9:35am ET.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2NEY34-Go

Stigma of Addiction website conducted an interview with Dr. Stanger about FALLING UP and her expertise on addiction. It was published on April 11th.
http://stigmaofaddiction.com/2016/04/11/dr-louise-stanger/

Midwest Book Review website published a review of FALLING UP in its April 2016 issue.
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/apr_16.htm

Charles Ashbacher, The Amazon “hall of fame” reviewer, has published a review of FALLING UP on his blog and on Goodreads.
http://charlesashbacherreviews.blogspot.com/2016/03/review-of-falling-up-memoir-of-renewal.html

Feda’s Voice blog, which includes books and lifestyle content, published a feature story on FALLING UP that went live on Wednesday, March 30th.
http://www.fredasvoice.com/2016/03/win-falling-up-memoir-by-dr-louise.html

Recovery Campus Magazine published a book review of FALLING UP in its newsletter. The review became available online starting on March 22nd.
http://recoverycampus.com/review-falling-memoir-renewal/

“Good Mornings” WFIN-AM (News/Talk, Findlay, Oh, Suburb of Toledo) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:10am ET.

“The Lee Elci Show” WJJF-FM (News/Talk, Montauk, NY, Suburb of New York City) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on Tuesday, March 22nd at 10:15am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWJJF-FM

“Weekend Book Show” KCHE Radio (News/Talk, Sioux City, IA) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on March 16th at 9:50am ET.

“Bill Martinez Live” CRN Radio Network (Talk, Nationally Syndicated in 270+ Markets) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on March 16th at 9:32am ET.
http://billmartinezlive.com/march-16-2016/

“Dean and Don Show” KMA Radio (Talk, Omaha, NE) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on March 16th at 9:20am ET.

“The Frank Truatt Morning Show” WTBQ-AM (Talk, Warwick, NY, Suburb of New York City) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on March 16th at 7:10am ET.

“The Clemens Report” USA Radio Network (News, Nationally Syndicated to 1,100 Stations around the U.S.) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 24th at 12:00pm ET.

“Call Flo Radio Show” WFLO Radio (Talk, Farmville, VA, Suburb of Richmond) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 24th at 8:05am ET.

“The Total Education Hour” National (News/Talk, Nationally Syndicated to 120+ Stations) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 12:00pm ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerTotalEducationHr

“Mornings with Warren Lawrence” WKNY-AM (Adult Contemporary, Kingston, NY) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 9:30am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWKNY-AM

“Breakfast with Bob” WAMV-AM (Gospel/News/Talk, Lynchburg, VA) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 8:20am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWAMV-AM

“Dan and Mike in the Morning” WBEX-AM (News/Talk, Chillicothe, OH, Suburb of Columbus) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 8:10am ET.
http://wbex.iheart.com/media/play/26752882/

https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWBEX-AM

“The Breakfast Club” KWAY Radio (Classic Country, Cedar Falls, IA) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 7:30am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerKWAY

“Mindless Chatter with the Burger” WYRQ-FM (Talk, Minneapolis, MN) – Dr. Stanger participated in an interview on February 23rd at 7:10am ET.
https://finnpartners.box.com/v/louisestangerWYRQ-FM

Videos

http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/expert/parenting-advice-from-louise-stanger-edd-lcsw-bri-ii-cip

Opposing Viewpoints Series: Interventions. Interventions Do Not Belong on Television. (March 2012, pp. 141) Greenhaven Press, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Lamm BRI I, B., & Stanger Ed.D. LCSW BRI II, L. (Oct./Nov. 2012). When Psychologists Can No Longer Treat Addictions and Other Problems in Outpatient Therapy: The Myths Inhibiting Change. (Vol. 27, No. 5) San Diego Psychological Association Newsletter.