Faculty

Michael Walsh

MS, MCAP, CIP
PRINCIPLE INTERVENTIONIST + VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL OUTREACH
Crisis Case Management

Michael Walsh, MS, MCAP, CIP,

A man who’s walked into some of the most volatile rooms around, Michael Walsh isn’t afraid to face down anyone’s inner demons.

He’s a graduate of Boston College with a Masters degree in counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a person in Long term recovery. He has worked in some of the Country’s premier treatment facilities in various roles from a beginning in Business development, Admissions counselor, Case Management, Primary Therapist, Director of various departments including clinical, alumni development, and as an Executive Director, COO and CEO. As an Interventionist he has worked with countless families, attorneys and businesses as well as many state boards for Physicians, Attorney’s, Nurses and other licensed professionals.

After 25 plus years in the industry, Not only has he helped shape policy at the national level, but he is a tireless advocate who loves developing innovative strategies for treatment and recovery. He served as the President/CEO of NAATP, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, from 2012 to 2015. In addition, Michael has dutifully served as a Liaison to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and was a vocal board member of the C4 Board of Directors and FARR, the Florida Association of Recovery Residences Board of Directors. (now Board member emeritus) He is a current Board member of NACoA, the National Association for Children of Addiction.

As an interventionist, he now supports individuals and their families as they navigate through intensely emotional and life-changing experiences.

2026 Sessions

Professional’s Lifeline: How Crisis Case Management Saves Your Sanity & Your Client’s Recovery

<strong>Session Description</strong>: When a client’s life is spiraling, even the most skilled professionals—clinicians, fiduciaries, or attorneys—can feel powerless. The problem isn’t your expertise; it’s the collapsing system around them. This session explores how structured crisis case management (CCM) transforms chaos into stability by providing containment, coordination, and clinical alignment.<br><br>Learn how CCM’s multidisciplinary team acts as a strategic extension of your work, offering:<br>Rapid triage to assess risk and urgency<br>Comprehensive stabilization plans tailored to complex cases<br>Real-time containment (sober companions, crisis transport, family mediation)<br>Adherence monitoring (medication checks, drug testing, accountability structures)<br><br>We’ll debunk myths (“We already have a therapist”) and reveal critical referral triggers, like fragmented families, post-treatment relapse patterns, or stakeholders at odds. Through case studies, see how CCM intervenes early to protect fiduciary interests, reinforce clinical boundaries, and prevent discharge derailment.<br><br>Leave with clarity on:<br>When to call (hint: not the last week of treatment)<br>How containment reduces your emotional labor while safeguarding outcomes<br>Why families need a plan, not just hope—and how to deliver both<br>For professionals exhausted by crisis cycles, this session offers a roadmap to sustainable solutions.

Presenter

Saturday, August 08 10:45–12:15 PM
Room 556AB
Co-Occurring/Mood Disorders/Psychotherapy Approaches
Faculty

Valeria Curiel

LCSW
Clinical Director
Crisis Case Management

Valeria Curiel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, brings over a decade of experience across inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, long-term residential treatment, and crisis residential programs in New York and California. Her deep expertise in chronic mental health, substance abuse, and addiction informs her holistic approach to care. As Clinical Director at CCM, she specializes in co-occurring disorders, guiding her team with compassion to deliver comprehensive behavioral health support.

Valeria’s biopsychosocial framework addresses the complex interplay of factors affecting well-being, and she crafts tailored treatment plans that engage the whole family to foster lasting recovery. Her work is rooted in empathy, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients across all levels of care—from acute crisis intervention to long-term rehabilitation.

Known for her warmth, openness, and humor, Valeria builds strong connections with clients and colleagues alike. Originally from Mexico, she honors her cultural heritage and leverages it to connect with diverse populations, ensuring culturally responsive care.

Faculty

Michael Walsh

MS, MCAP, CIP
PRINCIPLE INTERVENTIONIST + VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL OUTREACH
Crisis Case Management

Michael Walsh, MS, MCAP, CIP,

A man who’s walked into some of the most volatile rooms around, Michael Walsh isn’t afraid to face down anyone’s inner demons.

He’s a graduate of Boston College with a Masters degree in counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a person in Long term recovery. He has worked in some of the Country’s premier treatment facilities in various roles from a beginning in Business development, Admissions counselor, Case Management, Primary Therapist, Director of various departments including clinical, alumni development, and as an Executive Director, COO and CEO. As an Interventionist he has worked with countless families, attorneys and businesses as well as many state boards for Physicians, Attorney’s, Nurses and other licensed professionals.

After 25 plus years in the industry, Not only has he helped shape policy at the national level, but he is a tireless advocate who loves developing innovative strategies for treatment and recovery. He served as the President/CEO of NAATP, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, from 2012 to 2015. In addition, Michael has dutifully served as a Liaison to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and was a vocal board member of the C4 Board of Directors and FARR, the Florida Association of Recovery Residences Board of Directors. (now Board member emeritus) He is a current Board member of NACoA, the National Association for Children of Addiction.

As an interventionist, he now supports individuals and their families as they navigate through intensely emotional and life-changing experiences.

Michael Walsh

MS, MCAP, CIP
PRINCIPLE INTERVENTIONIST + VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL OUTREACH
Crisis Case Management

Michael Walsh, MS, MCAP, CIP, is a man who has faced life’s darkest battles—and now helps others conquer theirs. Born in Boston and raised Irish Catholic, he began drinking at seven and using cannabis by 12, sparking a 25-year double life as a high-achieving executive and a man trapped in addiction. His turning point came after a cocaine trafficking arrest, when a last-minute legal reprieve inspired him to get sober.

That moment launched his calling. Michael returned to school, earning a master’s in counseling, and trained under top medical and mental health professionals. Mentored by a seasoned interventionist, he mastered the art of stepping into volatile crises—work that demands courage, empathy, and resilience. For over 25 years, he’s been a leading force in recovery, shaping national policy as past president of NAATP and collaborating with organizations like ASAM and FARR.

Michael’s faith and sobriety fuel his mission: guiding families through life-changing interventions with unwavering dedication. Whether in a boardroom or a crisis, his impact is undeniable—proof that even the deepest struggles can become a bridge to hope.

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