Dr. Sheila Dunnells

I pursued an education in the Addictions field because I saw young people unable to succeed at school or employment because they were running out to the woods between classes to take a hit of marijuana. By the end of the school day, they were totally unfocused. Concurrent to the a-motivational syndrome, that comes along with chronic use of marijuana, was depression. With that depression came a loss of interest in their own lives. School, sports, extra curricular activities were abandoned as they sank deeper into a fog.

Since young people think marijuana, etc. is harmless, I felt I needed to be well educated if I was going to speak with them about drugs. In addition, drugs and alcohol use in young people affects the whole family, not just them. My heart is with adolescents and young adults, so family therapy is particularly engaging.

I use my knowledge to reduce the odds of them getting their lives or hearts broken or breaking everyone’s heart around them.
My second area of interest in helping adults recover from the addictions of those around them. Usually, having lived with addiction, issues with panic attacks, phobias, depression, OCD follows. These can be helped.

I hold International Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CASAC) and an International Certification in Co-Occurring Disorders, which qualifies me to assist people who suffer from both chemical addictions and mental illness.
I also am Licensed in Maine as a Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist. I am also pursuing a Certification in Bereavement Counseling.