Experience — Bones
You can look at my bio on this website or check Northwest Community Counseling for a somewhat fuller picture, but that will only tell you so much. "Bones" are not earned— they are "made". Let’s just say you don't get them in school.
I made my bones over the years working with Wall Street entrepreneurs to bikers, college professors to parolees, guys living on the street to guys living in mansions. The smartest guy I ever met had an 8th grade education, and the toughest case I ever worked with was a social worker. Smart ones are often too smart to get it and the people that seem the least likely to succeed are often the ones who do. There's always hope for the hopeless.
Rick Atwater & Moe Ross
Married in 1985, Rick and Moe each brought many lessons learned from their previous marriages, as well as a sincere desire to experience relationships as one of the primary paths for growth and transformation.
With over 40 years of counseling experience, they bring a profound understanding of what it takes to grow together with love.
Today, they work together with individuals and couples from all different lifestyle choices to help clarify and engage with relationship concerns. They intend to offer a broader perspective and practices to assist in new ways to respond to life's challenges.
Located in the countryside, about an hour outside of Chicago, they offer individualized 2-day residential intensives to accelerate the process of moving through relevant issues.
Bio
Highly respected in his field, Rick Atwater is known for his straight-forward, behavior-oriented approach to addiction. In a high-risk field where experience is invaluable, Rick has facilitated assessments, substance abuse interventions, treatment and recovery support for over 39 years. He was one of the earliest Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors in the State of Illinois.
Today, he travels nation-wide, is Co-Director of Northwest Community Counseling Services, and founder of Employee Health Consultants, Inc., specializing in comprehensive employee assistant services. He is published nationally, founder of the Heroin Awareness Foundation, and recognized as the “Home-Town Hero” for helping addicts and supporting their families.
Starting in 1984, he has written and responded to readers about addiction-related topics for the Northwest Herald in a column head-lined as “Straight Talk” (archived articles available). Rick also featured a weekly internet radio program broadcast via Blog Talk Radio, “Straight Stuff on Addictions” (episodes can be found on Recovery Internet Radio Podcast).