Faculty

Thomas Farley

Community Outreach Director
Recovery.com

Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.
In 2008, Tom co-authored The Chris Farley Show, a New York Times bestseller about his late brother, comedian Chris Farley. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live to discuss addiction and recovery.
Now in recovery himself, Tom is a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction treatment. He works at Recovery.com, connecting people with the resources they need to heal. Tom currently serves on the board of the National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network. As a speaker, he shares his journey to break stigma, inspire hope, and foster connection. Tom lives in Madison, WI.

2026 Sessions

The Healing Power of Humor: Connecting Through Laughter in Recovery

<b>Session Description</b>: While humor is a powerful tool in everyday life—reducing stress, improving health, and building connections—it is often overlooked or discouraged in behavioral health treatment settings. In this engaging and interactive session, attendees will explore how humor can be effectively used to support recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. Drawing on both research and lived experience, this session will challenge the assumption that recovery must always be serious. Instead, it offers an evidence-based argument for why laughter and lightness can be critical elements of healing.<br><br>Participants will examine how humor is sometimes viewed as a sign of denial or avoidance and why these perceptions can hinder engagement. Attendees will learn how to recognize appropriate uses of humor, adapt to individual client needs, and responsibly use humor to build rapport and promote emotional safety. This session includes demonstrations of humor techniques, discussions on boundary-setting, and strategies for cultivating connection in group and individual therapy.<br><br>Takeaways include: practical ways to use humor therapeutically, awareness of cultural and clinical considerations, and renewed permission to bring humanity and joy into the recovery process.

Presenter

Saturday, October 10 11:45–1:00 PM
Room Coral Ballroom
Recovery Support
Faculty

Thomas Farley

Community Outreach Director
Recovery.com

Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.
In 2008, Tom co-authored The Chris Farley Show, a New York Times bestseller about his late brother, comedian Chris Farley. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live to discuss addiction and recovery.
Now in recovery himself, Tom is a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction treatment. He works at Recovery.com, connecting people with the resources they need to heal. Tom currently serves on the board of the National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network. As a speaker, he shares his journey to break stigma, inspire hope, and foster connection. Tom lives in Madison, WI.

Faculty

Andrew Schreier

Master's in Counseling, ICS, CSAC, LPC, ICGC-II, and BACC
Clinical Senior Implementation Strategist
Community Medical Services

Andrew J. Schreier is an Independent Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Approved Clinical Consultant, and International Certified Gambling Counselor - II. Mr. Schreier graduated from Ottawa University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services. He is the Clinical Senior Implementation Strategist for Community Medical Services that provides provides treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. Mr. Schreier also works at New Life Resources, Inc. that provides individual counseling/therapy, children and adolescent services, couples/marital counseling, group therapy, and consultation. He presents on various topics related to substance use, mental health, gambling, clinical supervision, ethics, and various other topics to statewide and national audiences. Mr. Schreier is the host of “Talking Addiction & Recovery” Podcast that offers free CEUs for select episodes.

Back to top