From Residential to Outpatient: One Counselor's Journey Through Recovery, Treatment & Growth

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Nick Hayes, PhD sits down with Jason Silletto, a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor who is himself in recovery. Jason shares the winding path that brought him to Cumberland Heights — from sober living house manager on the West Coast to primary counselor on the residential campus — and opens up about the transition he's making to Cumberland Heights' Outpatient Program location in Cool Springs/Brentwood.The conversation goes deep on what residential treatment actually looks like day to day, how counselors balance structure with flexibility in group settings, and why stabilization is the real goal of those critical first 30 days. Jason also discusses his decision to pursue a master's degree through the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, what the new residential building means for patients and staff, and the evolving landscape of addiction treatment — including the role of mental health, trauma, and the spectrum of counseling approaches.Whether you're someone in recovery, a family member, or a professional in the behavioral health field, this episode offers a rare, honest look inside the work of addiction counseling and the people who dedicate their lives to it.Topics covered:What a day in the life of a residential counselor looks likeThe goal of the first 30 days of treatment: stabilizationHow trauma, mental health, and adverse childhood experiences connect to addictionClient-centered counseling vs. structured, directive approachesJason's transition from residential to Outpatient Program — and what he hopes to bringThe Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School and opportunities for counselors without a bachelor's degreeCumberland Heights' new 40-bed residential building and how patients respondedBalancing tradition and evolution at a 60-year-old treatment center???? About Our GuestJason Silletto is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) in the state of Tennessee and a person in long-term recovery. He spent the majority of his career at Cumberland Heights' River Road residential campus, where he served as a primary counselor for over four and a half years. Having entered the field through his own recovery journey — starting as a sober living house manager before earning his certification and licensure — Jason brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work with clients. He is currently pursuing a master's degree through the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School and is transitioning to a counselor role at Cumberland Heights' Outpatient Program location in Cool Springs/Brentwood, Tennessee. Reach Jason directly at [email protected].