About Mark McMillan, Owner
Mark McMillan Professional Bio
Mark is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC), specializing in substance abuse issues and diverse populations. After completing his Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) from Eastern Michigan University (EMU), he joined the Peace Corps and served as an HIV/AIDS Education Volunteer in Bangkok, Thailand.
Upon his return to Michigan, Mark began a short career in retail management, while navigating a growing alcohol use disorder. Mark made the difficult decision to enter an Intensive Out Patience (IOP) treatment program and first got sober from alcohol in 2002. A little over a year later, Mark relapsed, and his been continuously in recovery from alcohol since October 3, 2003.
Mark obtained his Masters from the advanced MSW program from Wayne State University, with a concentration in substance abuse & addiction. Being in recovery himself from alcohol has given Mark a unique perspective on the challenges facing clients wanting to get help with their addiction issues, especially with LGBTQ+ clients seeking addiction treatment. In addition to substance abuse counseling, Mark also is an experienced therapist with depression, anxiety, couples counseling and other mental health issues.
Professionally, Mark is a trained facilitator in a variety of professional trainings and workshops, and has experience working with inclusion & microaggression issues from an LGBTQA+ perspective. Mark has presented on a variety of topics at a local, state and national level. His training topics include addiction issues, out-of-control behavior approach to treatment of addiction, microaggressions and treatment issues, ethics in substance abuse treatment and oppressed and specialty populations, opening up relationships and other gender and sexual orientations issues.
In addition to his clinical and professional experience, Mark is also on the Board of Directors for the National Association of LGBT Addiction Professionals (NALGAP), where he holds the position of Vice-President. The NALGAP mission is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, and other addictions in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.
McMillan Behavioral Health and Addiction Services (MBHS) Mission
When I entered therapy for the first time in my early 30s, I remember the feeling of intense shame and anger I had when filling out the intake paperwork. I even lied about my alcohol intake at the time. Eventually, years later, sitting across from a very professional, compassionate and knowledgeable addiction therapist, I remember the fear I had of admitting to a problem with alcohol, and at the same time, feeling the connection that I felt safe and could trust this therapist to help me.
Years later, when I decided to pursue becoming a clinical Social Worker, I knew I wanted to become a certified addiction therapist and “offer what was freely given to me;” a saying in the 12-step recovery community. My mission was to always recreate that moment for every client seeking services at MBHS: safety, trust, and professionalism.
My goal when I opened McMillan Behavioral Health and Addiction Services (MBHS) in October 2020, has been to offer a safe place for anyone to feel seen, heard, and not judged.
MBHS goal is to offer culturally competent counseling, in a non-judgmental space. We understand how difficult it can be to build trust after so many past experiences of betrayal, rejection, or shame.
The staff at MBHS is trained and vetted to be inclusive in our language and behavior, to be professional by respecting each individual client, while offering a space to heal from past trauma and pain. We utilize the SAMHSA Trauma Informed Care Approach to Behavioral Health Services, a proven method of healing the effects of complex trauma that manifest in adults.
Always remember, this too shall pass, so stay in the moment, and live life one day at a time.
Mark