Depression and addiction are often experienced hand-in-hand, sometimes as a dual-diagnosis. The symptoms of substance abuse disorders can look almost identical to many depressive disorders. In addition, understanding the relationship between depression and addiction is complicated because depressive disorders and substance use disorders can be caused or made worse by each other. For instance, someone experiencing grief or trauma may...
Joseph Barker
LCSW, LCDC, Clinical Director
TITLE: Clinical Director
Joseph has been in active recovery from alcohol and drugs since 2012. Since joining the BARC team in 2015 he has earned his Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington with a concentration on Direct Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Today, Joseph is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Joseph uses an eclectic approach to truly individualize care for each patient, treating Substance Use Disorders alongside Co-Occurring Disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. As an LCSW Joseph recognized that our patients’ support systems and families are a vital part of the recovery process, and incorporates family sessions into the treatment planning to improve family education, communication skills, and aftercare needs.
When Joseph is not meeting patients and their families at each of our 8 different Residential and Outpatient locations across the Houston area, he is probably driving both of his daughters to their many afterschool activities. He loves movie nights with his wife and daughters, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.