Sober Coach
Gwen Casella
Recovery by any means necessary
My parents are hippies. Growing up was to say the least, very colorful.
By the time I was 10, I was using speed, and by 13, heroin.
I have aways been a performer, but drugs and alcohol took precedence and destroyed many dreams.
From childhood until mid-twenties, my entire life revolved around drugs.
After numerous arrests, I eventually wound up in prison.
It was there I was introduced to a drug program, Forever Free, where I met a counselor who profoundly impacted my life. (My Eskimo)
For the first time, I thought maybe there was a different way to live. I have been clean since 1997. And slowly but surely began singing again.
Upon completing the program, I went into a long term Residential Treatment program. Soon after that I began working at Cri-Help Inc.
I began working as a Technician at Cri-Help, and continued my education and career to later become a Social Service Caseworker, and then Detox Technician.
I took Drug and Alcohol Studies at Mission and Pierce Colleges.Through all of this, I discovered sober coaching in 2002 and have been doing it ever since.
I consider myself very lucky to have been trained by some amazing mentors.
Integrity is the most important factor in my work. Since 2009, I have devoted 100% of my time to my passion: coaching. I believes I was meant to do this work and love doing it.
818-424-6557