Meet Steve & Teralyn

Steve’s Story…

It is probably a good idea to let you in on how I got here in the first place.  My story is not unlike other recovery stories.  It was about 26 years ago when I had my own intervention that lead me into sobriety.  I was a new dad had a good full time job and drank myself to sleep every night.  To this day not even my family knew how bad things had gotten.  This went on for quite a while until my then wife literally got sick of me and kicked me out.  I found myself kicked out of my own home, living in a disgusting hotel room and not being able to see or take care of my toddler daughter.  I knew I was in a bad place when I contemplated suicide.  I had a choice to make.  I could choose alcohol or I could choose to recover my life.  

My first marriage had been a disaster for a while, so divorce wasn’t necessarily a surprise to me.  But, I had no idea how depressed I was about to become not being able to spend time with my daughter.  

The choice became an easy one, I chose sobriety…after some thought and some starting and stopping, I chose my life.  I was about 3 months into my newly found sober life when I met my the love of my life, Teralyn.  Fast forward and here we are 26 years later with 3 grown kids and a passion for helping others.

My credentials:

Teralyn’s Story…

There’s two sides to every story isn’t there!  Ours is a true love story.  I met Steve about 26 years ago.  I didn’t know that he  was in recovery.  I actually asked him if he wanted to go out for a drink.   He just kind of stared at me.  I had literally no idea how hard that question was for him.  But he said, “I don’t drink” and I responded, “Do you drink coffee?” and that was the end of the story.  I remember there were times that were so incredibly difficult for him and for us.  See, he was in the middle of a terrible custody battle having to fight to see his daughter more than every other weekend.  That battle endured for several years until he actually gained full custody and primary placement.  In the early 90’s this was unheard of! He had come so far!  

Anyway life took me in many directions after we started our family.  It wasn’t until our kids were all school aged that I decided to go back to school to become a therapist.  Since that time I have worked for a domestic violence shelter, in the prison system and for the last decade I’ve been in private practice in Wisconsin.  A few years ago I told Steve that it was time he joined me.  That he had something that other people really want, sobriety.  Together we make a great team…because we get it!

My Credentials