Honor Society® member
Meghan Giacomuzzi
- addiction psychology
- Class of 2026
- WORCESTER, MA
Member since May 2025
About
I am an expert in the field of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, with over a decade of experience dedicated to raising awareness and combating the stigma associated with addiction. My journey into this field began after the tragic loss of my brother to an accidental overdose, which motivated me to make a difference. I established and led a non-profit organization focused on educating communities and providing support to individuals impacted by substance use disorders and their families.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and was the first woman in Massachusetts to earn a national certification in addiction recovery coaching nine years ago. I have completed all core requirements for my Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) certification and passed the IC & RC state board exam; I will obtain my LADC I after completing my Master’s degree in May 2026. My experience includes working as a substance abuse counselor in various treatment centers and providing in-home counseling nationwide. I've had the privilege of speaking at prestigious institutions like UMass Medical School, where I advocate for safe prescribing practices and educate healthcare professionals on opioid use and proper screening for substance use disorders.
I am deeply committed to prevention, focusing on equipping parents with the essential knowledge and resources to protect their children from alcohol and drug misuse. I actively support local initiatives through community outreach and participate in homeless outreach in Worcester, continuously working to educate families about the dangers and fatalities associated with adolescent substance use. Through my advocacy, speaking engagements, and writing, I strive to contribute significantly to the fight for positive social change and to help families nationwide navigate the challenges and dangers of adolescent substance misuse.
Links
"PREVENTION IS THE KEY: A Parent's Guide to Raising Drug and Alcohol-Free Children" Links to an external site.
Education
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Walden University
Psychology
2024 – 2026
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Capella University
Psychology
2019 – 2020
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Everett Community College
Applied Science of Criminal Investigation
2008 – 2010
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Hopedale High School
General Studies
1996 – 2000
Honors and awards
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omega nu lambda
National Honor's Society
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national society of leadership and success
Outstanding academic excellence and commitment to SCLA's mission, founding principles, and values.
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honor society
Highest academic achievement
Goals and interests
- Career goal
Prevention efforts for adolescent substance use.
- Graduate school interests
PhD in psychology for research purposes to help fight the war on drugs.
- Outside the classroom
Spending time with my two beautiful daughters, 20 & 23, crafting, volunteering my time, learning, the beach, vacations, and collecting shells.
Experience
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Assistant Director of Clinical Stabilization Unit
• Assisted in overseeing day-to-day operations of a clinical stabilization unit, ensuring timely admissions, safe milieu management, and adherence to program policies. • Supported implementation of evidence-based protocols for withdrawal management, medication monitoring, and crisis intervention in coordination with nursing and medical staff. • Supervised and mentored counseling and case management staff, providing regular individual and group supervision and supporting professional development and licensure goals. • Participated in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, helping to develop, review, and update individualized treatment plans and discharge plans. • Monitored documentation quality, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries, to ensure compliance with regulatory and payer standards. • Assisted with scheduling, staffing coverage, and workflow optimization to maintain census and meet productivity expectations. • Collaborated with utilization review, insurance representatives, and referral sources to support authorizations, continued stay reviews, and smooth transitions of care. • Collected and reviewed key performance indicators (e.g., length of stay, readmission rates, completion rates, client satisfaction) to support continuous quality improvement. • Contributed to policy and procedure development, training new staff on program standards, safety protocols, and trauma-informed care principles. • Helped coordinate community outreach and relationships with hospitals, courts, and community providers to maintain referral pipelines.
Jun 2021 – Sep 2023
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Case Manager Supervisor
Case Manager, 11/2019 – 10-2020 ● Provide ongoing support and case management expertise to homeless people ● Work with clients to develop individualized case management plans. ● Ensure that all client case management plans address identified needs and are up to date ● Continually monitor and evaluate each client’s progress through their case management plan and develop corrective action revisions to the plan as needed. ● Maintain accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes, as well as other services, per Federal, State, and County guidelines ● Assist clients in obtaining necessary resources to achieve case management goals ● Actively participate in client- and program-related meetings and training. ● Attend program-related community, coalition, and committee meetings as assigned ● Maintain client-related data systems, including case notes and complete HMIS entries ● Prepare case management reports, such as outcomes and successes. ● Adheres to strict boundaries and professional ethics in the care of others ● Conducts crisis intervention as needed
May 2020 – Jun 2021
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Oversaw Recovery Support Navigator Program
Developing a set of goals and objectives in conjunction with the clients, based on needs identified by the clients and/or any care plans that exist for the clients. Identifying whether the client has a comprehensive care plan in place and a current provider responsible for implementing the care plan. This includes, but is not limited to, the Community Partner (CP), primary therapist, Residential Rehabilitation Services (RRS) program counselor, and primary care provider. If the client consents, ensure coordination and communication with that provider and tailor activities to the needs in the care plan. Implemented workflows appropriate to the RSN services laid out in the contract Performed RSN progress notes and billed for all services rendered Met w/ clients either in person or via phone several times a week for a “check-in.” Provided transportation for clients to doctor’s appointments, between inpatient programs, child visitations, sober house interviews, etc. Traveled for clients to pick up clothing, toiletries, medication (from pharmacies), etcetera. Coordinated all care throughout the continuum of care for all clients Carried a caseload of up to 40 clients at any given time. Performed insurance authorizations for RSN services, obtained benefits for clients who did not have coverage Obtain food stamp benefits, social security benefits, etc., for all qualifying clients Assisted w/ housing needs I was part of implementing the RSN program at CHL, exploring ways to make it fully self-sustaining and of maximum use for the benefit of all the people I supported. Brought in a revenue of over $25,000 dollars as a result of my billing for the services I provided. I also wrote a program on how to successfully start an RSN program in a treatment facility, detailing how to implement appropriate workflows, correct billing and insurance errors where necessary, and overcome any barriers that arose. Performed all duties under the supervision of a licensed clinical supervisor.
Sep 2016 – Apr 2020
Volunteering
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Worcester Homeless Outreach - Went to all of the homeless camps to try and get people into treatment for SUD, MH, and co-occurring d/o's, assisted with pregnant women getting safe shelter, HIV/AIDS treatment, provided, water, food, clothes, and supplies.
Worcester Homeless Outreach
Jul 2023 – Oct 2024
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Guest Speaker for the last 6 years for the S.A.F.E. Coalition for National International Overdose Awareness Day
S.A.F.E. Coalition
Aug 2020 – Jan 2026
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Guest speaker on UMass Memorial Medical School's OSTI Panel 4 years in a row, speaking to all the graduating nurse practitioners and doctors about safely prescribing opioids as part of the Governor's new law that added 13 competencies regarding more education on addiction and opioids given the health crisis the state of Massachusetts was and is in for overdose death rates increasing at a devastating rate.
UMass Memorial Medical School
Apr 2016 – Apr 2020
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
Additional information
Organizations
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Missin' Matt Foundation
