Kelly Koelsch, CADC I

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

My name is Kelly, and I am a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor at New Life Medical Group, where I provide counseling, case management support, group facilitation, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) support services. I have worked in the healthcare field for over 15 years, and throughout that time I have always known that I wanted to help people. Early in my career, I did not yet realize how passionate I would become about helping people grow, heal, and change their lives. That understanding came later through both my professional experiences and my own recovery and lived experiences. Over time, those experiences led me toward recovery work, mental health support, trauma informed care, and helping people rebuild their lives, relationships, and sense of purpose.

That passion eventually led me toward social work, and I am currently attending California State University, Chico pursuing my Social Work degree so I can continue expanding the ways I support individuals, families, and communities on their recovery and healing journeys.

Much of the work I do is deeply personal to me. I am passionate about working with people who are unsheltered, justice impacted, struggling with mental health challenges, or healing from severe trauma because many of those experiences are things I have faced in my own life. I understand what it feels like to struggle, to rebuild, and to search for a different path forward. My own experiences with homelessness, family hardship, and healing have shaped the way I connect with others and continue to fuel my passion for this work every day.

One of the areas that means the most to me is helping restore family relationships. I know firsthand how powerful healing within a family system can be. Some of the most meaningful moments in recovery happen when trust begins to rebuild, communication improves, and people start believing that restoration is possible again. I believe recovery is about much more than sobriety alone. It is about rediscovering purpose, connection, stability, self worth, and hope for the future.

The support I have received from my two children, family, friends, recovery community, and the people closest to me has meant everything throughout my journey. Their encouragement, love, accountability, and belief in me have helped me continue becoming the best version of myself. I am deeply grateful for the recovery community and for the people who stood beside me through some of the hardest seasons of my life. Because of that support, I continue moving forward with purpose, fulfillment, and a strong desire to help others know that healing and change are possible.

Outside of work and school, I find peace and grounding in the outdoors and in nature. I enjoy hiking, challenging myself physically and mentally, and continuing my own personal healing journey. Nature has become a place where I reconnect, reflect, and continue growing through both past experiences and present goals. Above all, I strive to live with compassion, resilience, authenticity, and hope, and I hope the people I work with feel seen, supported, and encouraged as they work toward building healthier and fuller lives for themselves and their families.