About the Staff
Dear Friends:
I began working for Guided Life Structures in 1992. I was taking classes towards my certification and was not sure what direction I wanted to go. I was 24 years old and worked as a waitress in a local diner. I accepted the internship position as a challenge. I remember the first group I facilitated, it was one of the biggest challenges I had ever faced. Yet, I knew from that moment that helping individuals through addictions was the career path I wanted to pursue. I went on to school and obtained my certification and I continued in the field of addictions. I worked in a halfway house but for sometime and decided that my true challenge and calling was in an out patient modality dealing with the court ordered individual.
I consider the work I do to be truly a gift. There is nothing more gratifying then having the opportunity to see someone turn their life around and enjoy the quality of life rather then the insanity and sadness that they and their loved ones have to suffer. It is completely a gift to witness. I can honestly say I love what I do.
I am now married with three children; I am now the owner and program director of Guided Life Structures. My own journey in recovery has been completely rewarding and better then I had ever imagined. I am so grateful that I can continue to daily give back what was so freely given to me.
Thank you all,
Eileen Oertel
Executive Director
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Hello, to all that have come to take a look at our web site.
I am a Viet-Nam veteran (US Navy). Upon discharge I somehow got in to the exploratory drilling biz. This gave me the opportunity to travel all over this great country of ours and a couple of interesting places overseas. When I could no longer travel, with the birth of my daughter, I found myself being a single parent raising my daughter who then was18 months old. It was at this point I got into the restaurant biz where I remained for about 8 years. I then returned to school and worked towards certification (CDA) in this field of substance abuse counseling. This field is close to my heart as I myself have 18 Years "clean and sober". My family now has grown to three girls and two dogs who are also female (What was I thinking?).
I have seen and done a lot of different things in my life, which I believe allows me the ability to speak with a large range of people on different levels. I have seen drugs and alcohol wreak havoc in peoples lives and they not knowing there is a solution and a different way to live ( Everyone deserves a good life .). My primary work at GLS is in early recovery, relapse prevention and working with adolescents at a program we created at a local high school this past year. I can not think of a better place I could be at this time in my life. All our clients are unique individuals, but when it comes to their addiction they are all so much alike.
So, let me close with this simple message. If drinking and drugging are causing you problems in your life then maybe drinking and drugging are your problem.| Bill at work in the Somerville office. ("Everybody deserves a good life.") |
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The journey that brought me into the field of addictions was a long one. I was interested in the field of social work when I was in high school. My path changed drastically after a trip I made to Willow Brook in Staten Island. Willow Brook was a mental institution that was closed down due to the horrific conditions within the institution. That experience changed my life forever. After that experience, I pursued a career in banking and realized after twenty years that helping people manage their money was not all that rewarding. After making some difficult decisions, I concluded that in order to change my career, I would need to go to college. With the help and support of my family, I started at a local community college. I was sure I wanted to pursue a career in English. I took a course in Community Psychology that required an internship in a community mental health program. Once again, a trip changed the course of my life. I did not leave that facility for two years, and only did so in order to finish my education at The College of New Jersey.
While working in the mental health program, I met Eileen Oertel. She took a chance on a wet-behind-the-ears intern who is passionate about the treatment of people who suffer from mental illness and addiction. Eileen has allowed me to grow within this profession and she challenges me daily. Most of all, the clients that I have come in contact with over the past few years have taught me about addiction, recovery, resilience, and hope.
I am currently finishing my BA in Psychology and also my certification in alcohol and drug counseling. I plan to continue my education and will hopefully go on to obtain a Masters degree in Counseling.
I thank all of the people I have met in this field and special thanks to a client that has recently passed away. He taught me what it means to be in recovery, battle severe mental illness, and remain positive about life. He will always be in my heart.
Marielena Motta
| Marielena sitting at her desk in the Somerville Office. |  |
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I am an Internal Medicine Doctor who has a personal experience with addiction and recovery. I have served as Medical Director at both Alena Lodge and Honesty House and have been working in the field of addiction for over 10 years. As a former pharmacist I know the impact of drugs and alcohol on the nervous system and the body as a whole and the remarkable improvement in function and health that occurs with sustained sobriety.
Dr. Alexander Kudryk MD
| The doctor is in! -- Dr. Kudryk is at our Somerville office. |  |