Ann Bruno, M.Ed. announces a new education consulting practice for students in the special needs population and specializing in addictions placements and support for families with young adults with addictions, "Creating Opportunities For Families." Based in Tucson, AZ, the mission of the new venture is to provide the highest quality support and recovery services and resources for the entire family unit encountering a new life experience with an "at risk" child or young adult.

Ms. Bruno brings more than 20 years of expertise to the practice including professional work in guidance counseling, family therapy, and as executive director of one of the nation's top, long-term, private residential communities for young adults recovering from addictions.

Bruno recognized early in her career another dimension taking place with adolescents and young adults who are not succeeding in life could be drug and/or alcohol addiction. Also knowing family systems dynamics from her personal family experience with addiction, Bruno understood that all members have been affected by the addicted person, and all warrant support. Out of her desire to make a greater impact in the lives of young adults, Bruno developed Creating Opportunities For Families to offer highly effective pathways for returning balance and harmony to individuals and their families who are in dis-ease.

"The recovery process is a family affair," stated Bruno, "The designated "patient" is only one part to the puzzle. The awareness of the parent's motives becomes crucial in the dynamics of change for the entire family."

According to Bruno, learning how to say "no" or not care too much that one looses their own identity is a difficult task for parents dealing with a child who is manipulating them into setting up situations where they can use again. "Caregiving involves being conscious and making decisions that support what is best for all involved," Bruno said.

In addition to providing assessments and addiction placement and recovery services, Bruno works with families from a coaching model with a commitment of creating new ways of being for the entire family. Bruno facilitates family systems workshops for families throughout the United States experiencing a son or daughter recovering from a drug and/or alcohol addiction via in-person and teleconference formats and provides original publications and other materials from pre- to aftercare and ongoing needs. She is also available for private consulting services to other educational consultants on addiction issues with families.

According to her colleague, Nancy Masland, Bruno's specialty in strengthening the family helps the student. "Ann's experience with drug and alcohol-related issues helps create significant connections between people," said Masland. "She would be a great resource for other consultants in doing family coaching," she continued.