MEET JOHN
John Donovan’s objective is to work with individuals to empower them to accept accountability for their lives.
As the Men’s Recovery Director of West Coast Recovery Centers, John possesses extensive and diverse professional experience and expertise. He has served as a facilitator for Conflict Resolution Workshops at Folsom State Prison; offered community support to the homeless and mentally ill; and contracted with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office facilitating Relapse
Prevention, Personal Development, and Intentional Living Groups with violent offenders and addicts for over 12 years.
Through a culmination of everything John has absorbed both professionally and personally, he employs a process of self-discovery dedicated to guiding others to a place where they, perhaps for the first time, acknowledge their intrinsic value as a human being. In turn, he offers them the tools necessary to live from that truth. John’s work centers around the belief that substance use disorder is not a moral issue but rather a belief and identity issue.
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John shares his philosophy and speaks about his work with West Coast Recovery Centers.
International Presentations
Adult Children of Alcoholics World Convention:
2017 AWC
San Diego, CA
2018 AWC
Toronto, Canada
2019 AWC
Malmö, Sweden
Experience
John has over 25 years of professional experience in drug and alcohol counseling and facilitation. With 38 years of continuous recovery from family of origin dysfunction / childhood trauma, he brings a deeply personal understanding of the recovery process to every client relationship. This dual perspective allows John to guide clients with both professional expertise and genuine understanding of the challenges they face.
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Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC), California Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors
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AA and AS degrees, Sacramento City College
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Certified MANALIVE Batterers Re-Education Program Facilitator
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Specialized training in MICA (Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted) population
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Areas of Expertise
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Substance abuse counseling and relapse prevention
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Accountability work and violence cessation
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Group facilitation for personal development and emotional regulation
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Working with justice-involved individuals and correctional populations
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Men's work and authentic self-discovery
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Career Highlights
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Over three decades, John has facilitated thousands of hours of group work in some of California's most challenging correctional environments, including Folsom State Prison and Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center. From 2003 to 2015, he contracted with Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, running multiple weekly groups in relapse prevention, batterer re-education, and personal development.
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John’s approach combines professional training with the wisdom of lived experience, having maintained personal recovery since 1988. This unique perspective allows him to meet clients where they are with both compassion and accountability.
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Currently serving as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and group facilitator at West Coast Recovery Centers, John continues to guide hundreds of people toward lasting change and authentic living.
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