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Stay up-to-date with what is happening at the David Lawrence Centers with our news posts.

DLC Installs New Board Officers; Adds to Board Committees

Naples, FL - David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults... Read More

DLC Receives Community Foundation of Collier County COVID-19 Assistance Grant

Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health treatment center serving children, adults and families, has... Read More

Warning Signs of Children’s Mental Health Concerns

Mental health challenges can be difficult to identify because, unlike physical ailments, the signs and symptoms can be subtle or even hidden. By understanding the 10 warning signs below, identified... Read More

#StandUp for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and with COVID-19 still affecting millions, directly and indirectly, it is an opportune time to increase education and identify resources. Regardless of whether... Read More

Local Drug Court Team: One of the Nation’s Best

Local Drug Court Team earns national recognition, thanks in no small part to DLC’s commitment to the program. Collier County Judge Janeice Martin says she’s a “fan of second... Read More

DLC Launches New Virtual Care Center Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

Naples, Fl – In response to the coronavirus pandemic, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health treatment center... Read More

Getting to Know DLC’s Prevention Specialist Kelly Ballesteros Buitrago

Name & Title: Kelly Ballesteros Buitrago, Prevention Specialist In her position, Kelly Ballesteros Buitrago implements evidence based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both... Read More

Getting to Know DLC’s Prevention Specialist Vanessa Rivero Gil

Name & Title: Vanessa Rivero Gil, Prevention Specialist In her position, Vanessa Rivero Gil implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and... Read More

COVID-19 Tips & Resources for Parents

With many parents spending an increased amount of time at home with their children in light of COVID-19, David Lawrence Center’s Children’s Outreach Specialist Jessica Liria provides the... Read More

Tips for Mindfulness During COVID-19

Tips for Mindfulness and Coping with Stress around COVID-19 DLC's Children's Outreach Specialist Jessica Liria provides some ideas and suggestions for how to practice mindfulness amidst the stress... Read More

DLC Reschedules Sound Minds™ Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Patrick J. Kennedy

Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families,... Read More

New Hospital Bridge Program Provides Peer Counseling for Addiction

Oftentimes, people struggling with addiction go back to old habits immediately after being helped by rescue personnel or in emergency rooms, ignoring the pleas of doctors and nurses to get additional... Read More

Give Where You Live Collier

Give Where You Live Collier is a Collier County-wide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy for selected nonprofits through online giving. Donations will be amplified with $500,000 in... Read More

DLC Sound Minds™ Luncheon Co-Chairs Announced

Advocacy Request: #StandUp for Mental Health by Contacting your Local Legislators

Naples Daily News recently published an editorial called, "It's time for Legislature to improve Florida's weak record on mental health" that includes comprehensive information about current mental... Read More

Collier County Commissioners Pass First-Ever Mental Health and Addiction Services Strategic Plan

And the Aye’s have it! With a unanimous 5-0 vote from Collier County Commissioners, 2020 marks the first year of the County’s first-ever strategic plan for how to better care for residents... Read More

DLC Clinical Director Karen Buckner Earns Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional Credential

DLC Named Family Friendly Business for the 18th Consecutive Year

Employee Spotlight: Get to Know Prevention Specialist Arely Guzman

Name & Title: Arely Guzman, Prevention Specialist, October 2018-Present. In her role, Guzman implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and... Read More

DLC’s New FACT Team: “A Hospital without Walls”

David Lawrence Centers has a new FACT (Florida Assertive Community Treatment) team that provides community-based mental health care for adults experiencing severe and persistent mental health... Read More

Hope for the Holidays

Coping with depression around the holidays As the refrain “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” plays in every store and radio station across the country, the holidays are anything but... Read More

#StandUp Multimedia Contest – #StandUp for Substance Use Recovery

Statistics show that mental health is a serious issue among young people – one in five teens or young adults lives with a mental health condition, and depression is globally one of the... Read More

DLC Peer Recovery Coach Debra Lewis Earns Recovery Peer Specialist Certification

Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families, announced... Read More

Chip in for DLC Golf Tournament Raises $29,000 for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery

A House Filled with Hope

Can a house save a life? You bet it can. David Lawrence Center's Crossroads 28-day recovery program does amazing work with people who struggle with addictions. And there are hundreds of success... Read More

#StandUp Multimedia Contest – #StandUp for Bullying

Today, children and teenagers are more at risk than ever to be suffering from mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or even substance use. Another huge issue facing adolescents today... Read More

#StandUp Multimedia Contest – #StandUp for Mental Health

As a teenager, opening up about mental health can be a difficult process. Statistics show that mental health is a serious issue among young people – one in five teens or young adults... Read More

A Passion for Healing

Maggie Baldwin has long had a passion for helping people who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders. It’s why she majored in psychology as an undergrad. It’s why she got a... Read More

Q&As with DLC’s Prevention Team

Our DLC Prevention Team provides insight on how to identify and discuss anxiety with your child, and clears up confusion over CBD products. Q: My daughter is in 8th grade and appears to be... Read More

DLC to Host Inaugural “Tree of Hope” Tree Lighting Ceremony

Middle and High School Students Invited to “Let Their Voice Be Heard” with #StandUp Multimedia Contest

DLC Gets Help for Seniors with Moorings Park Foundation Grant

Hurricane Dorian Update

David Lawrence Centers is closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian, and proactively taking steps to prepare for any shifts in her path that would directly impact SWFL, our clients and our facilities.... Read More

DLC to Honor Three at Annual Recovery Month Awards Ceremony

David Lawrence Centers Adds to Medical Team

Reaching the Broken

Storytellers Creative Arts is bringing hope and healing to DLC clients through a program that breaks through tough exteriors and goes right to the heart. As a child, Bill Barnett worked through... Read More

Employee Spotlight: Get to Know Prevention Specialist Jane Teszler

Name & Title: Jane Teszler, Prevention Specialist, October 2016-Present In her role, Teszler implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and... Read More

Chip in for DLC Golf Tournament Set for October 25, 2019

Tips for Managing Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health symptoms, and people can experience it in varying degrees. You may be feeling everyday stress that you can generally manage, or you could be... Read More

Too Many Kids, Not Enough Beds

One day last November, the children’s crisis stabilization unit (CCSU) at David Lawrence Centers was already beyond full, with 11 clients receiving critical care for their urgent needs. But that... Read More

Two DLC Staff Receive Mental Health First Aid Training

DLC's Ariella VanHara and Jessica Liria were recently certified as MentaI Health First Aid Trainers, and here's how they’re making a difference. Ariella VanHara grew up watching her mom, a... Read More

DLC to Host Suicide Awareness Workshop in Immokalee in Honor of Mental Health Month

Employee Spotlight: Peer Recovery Coach Deb Lewis

“My Job Is a Dream Come True” As a Peer Recovery Coach, Deb Lewis loves nothing more than helping her clients stay on the road to sobriety. After all, she’s been in their shoes. Deb Lewis... Read More

Teen Vaping on the Rise

The nationwide epidemic has hit home in Collier County schools. Just a few years ago, most middle- and high-school students had never even heard of “vaping”– the smoking of e-cigarettes.... Read More

DLC Receives Grant From the Community Foundation to Improve Access to Mental Health Treatment

What Does A Panic Attack Feel Like?

Have you ever suddenly started sweating, felt dizzy, began to tremble, and maybe even lost your breath? You might get nauseous, feel numb, or get chills. It may happen when you’re in a stressful... Read More

David Lawrence Centers Appointments Three New Board Members

DLC Promotes Jim Warnken to Chief Financial Officer; Scott Geltemeyer Announces Retirement After 30 Years

David Lawrence Centers Honors Three at Celebration Reception

DLC Welcomes Three New Board Members

All three of David Lawrence Center's new board members have been personally touched by mental health and/or addiction issues in one way or another. Karen Mosteller’s daughter struggles with... Read More

No Easy Road to Recovery

Do you remember where you were on April 20, 1999? Austin Eubanks will never forget. He was curled up under a table at Columbine High School, fearing for his life. Two students went on a shooting... Read More

Prevention Corner: Getting to Know Prevention Specialist Nicole Combs

Name & Title: Nicole Combs, Prevention Specialist, May 2015-Present Nicole implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, and in both school and after-school... Read More

New State Law Helps Students

After the death of a family member, a 16-year-old local high school student was struggling with depression. Someone notified the school’s social worker, who began meeting with this young woman. And... Read More

How Do I Talk to My Kids About Drugs?

Q&A with Jessica Liria, M.S. | Supervisor of Prevention Services Q: I know I should be having discussions with my kids about drugs, but I have no idea what to say. How do I bring it up? A: It... Read More

David Lawrence Centers Receives $15,000 Grant from Arthrex to Expand Care Coordination for Most Vulnerable Citizens

Mental Health Access Improvement Act

On January 31, 2019, The Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 286), was introduced into the U.S. Congress. This bipartisan bill, if passed, would expand benefits to Medicare recipients so they... Read More

Defending the Defenseless

Mariana Perez has always looked out for the little guy ...and still does so, serving a community in great need at DLC’s Immokalee office. Mariana Perez used to get into fights as a little girl... Read More

DLC Clinician, Mariana Perez, Named the 2018 Distinguished Healthcare Diversity Advocate

Naples, FL – David Lawrence Centers (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families, is... Read More

One Alcoholic Or Addict Working With Another

AN ALCOHOLIC FELL IN A HOLE and couldn’t get out. A businessman went by and the addict called out for help. The businessman threw him some money and told him to buy himself a ladder. But the... Read More

I DIDN’T LOOK LIKE AN ALCOHOLIC

What does an alcoholic “look like” anyway? If I had a nickel for every time somebody told me I didn’t “look like” an alcoholic, well… What was I supposed to look like? Disheveled,... Read More

Prevention Corner: Getting to Know DLC’s Prevention Specialist Coral Vargas

Name & Title: Coral Vargas, Prevention Specialist, July 2017-Present In her position, Vargas implements evidence-based prevention programs throughout the community, in both in-school and... Read More

What Kids Can Do To Stand Up To Bullying

StopBullying.gov, a Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has five great tips for kids about how to deal with bullying: Treat everyone with respect Nobody should be... Read More

How to Deal with Bullies

Here's what one mom has learned after her daughter stood up for a friend in a bullying situation at school . . . and what you can learn from it, too. -By Karen When the phone rang and I looked at... Read More

Helping Inmates Conquer Addictions

The Project Recovery program in the Collier County Jail system has been around for decades, helping inmates overcome their addictions. And with the opioid crisis that has swept the nation, the need... Read More

Women’s Foundation of Collier County Awards DLC $20,000 Grant for Specialized Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

DLC to Host 6th Annual Sound Minds™ Mental Health Symposium Featuring Austin Eubanks

DLC Appoints Three New Board Members

In Pursuit of Happy Endings

She’d often be seen walking the streets of Naples, acting abnormally, talking nonsense, disturbing the peace. But she was no physical threat to anyone. She had been arrested numerous times, but... Read More

The Wonders of Canine Love

Allen liked to stick to himself. And when he interacted with people, he was usually pretty irritable and hard to be around. But when he interacted with Chico, a new side of Allen took... Read More

DLC Collaborates with Naples Therapeutic Riding Center to Offer Equine Group Therapy to Adolescents

David Lawrence Centers Promotes Emily Budd to Director of Development

Treatment not jail; ‘yes’ vote invests in mental health, saves for taxpayers

The following commentary, by Scott Burgess, David Lawrence Centers President & CEO, ran in the Naples Daily News on October 11, 2018 (view the article here). Burgess was asked to explain how the... Read More

David Lawrence Centers Adds to Acute Care Medical Team

Bring More Mental Health Resources to Collier County: Vote YES in November

David Lawrence Centers proudly supports the Naples Chamber of Commerce in the One Collier initiative. If you’re not familiar with One Collier, it is a political committee formed in Collier... Read More

Help for Troubled Students

Sen. Kathleen Passidomo is Legislator of the Year after passing a bill to provide every child in Florida schools with access to mental health services When State Senator Kathleen Passidomo was asked... Read More

She Always Had Time to Talk

After almost three decades of service at DLC, Nancy Scheffer, who helped thousands of people, is lauded with a Lifetime Recognition Award. Nancy Scheffer will never forget that time, years ago, when... Read More

DLC Young Executives to Host Beach Yoga Class as Part of Elevate Wellness Series

The DLC Young Executives is a group of young professionals dedicated to networking for a cause and supporting the mission of DLC. The yoga class marks the third event in the Wellness series, which... Read More

DLC to Honor Five at Annual Recovery Month Awards Ceremony

Naples, FL - David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, is pleased to... Read More

Senator Kathleen Passidomo Receives “Legislative Leader of the Year” Award

At the 2018 Florida Behavioral Health Conference in Orlando earlier this month, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health presented Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-28) with the 2018 Florida... Read More

Registration Now Open for DLC’s Chip in for DLC Golf Tournament

David Lawrence Centers Promotes Two Leaders

DLC Young Executives Board of Directors Installs New Officers, Welcomes New Members

Gift of Compassion

Local evangelist makes generous contribution to Mindful Compassion Initiative. Reverend Sheila Zellers of Motivated by Love Ministries is well aware of the toll that mental illness and addictions... Read More

It Runs in the Family

Shaun Kelly, son of longtime DLC supporter Polly Keller, has followed in his mother’s footsteps in dedicating most of his adult life to serving the organization. Polly Keller has devoted almost... Read More

Young Executives Catch the Vision

DLC’s Young Executives bring the center’s mission and message to a younger generation through advocacy, awareness, and fundraising. Allison Durian says she thinks she was born with... Read More

13 Reasons Why We Can Help

Kids these days are facing more stress and struggles than ever before. Here are 13 issues they deal with daily, and 13 ways David Lawrence Centers can help. Life has never been more stressful for... Read More

Immokalee Office Meets Local Needs

David Lawrence Centers opened its doors in 1969 with three staff members in a donated storefront. And it wasn’t long before the team realized a campus in Immokalee was needed. In the 1970s, DLC... Read More

Onsite Convenience

DLC recently marked the one-year anniversary of its on-site pharmacy, located on the main campus. Operated by Genoa Healthcare, the pharmacy has been a great addition to DLC's services, indicating... Read More

Schulze Family Foundation Awards David Lawrence Centers $150,000 Grant for Acute Care Service Enhancements

David Lawrence Centers Names Jessica Siefer Marketing and Communications Manager

Community Foundation Awards DLC $20,000 Grant for Children’s Crisis Stabilization Holistic Wellness Program

When Horses Are Healers

David Lawrence Centers has long offered “horse therapy” as one of its holistic therapy services. But just recently, the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) has donated their equine therapy... Read More

A New Feeling of Hope

“I am a different person than the person who came here. I am saying goodbye to the old me that couldn’t handle the past. I can no longer change the past, but I can live in the present. I have... Read More

Join David Lawrence Centers During Mental Health Awareness Month and #StandUp for Healthy Minds and Safe Kids

The Parkland school shooting is still fresh in our minds and hearts. It remains a sobering reminder of the importance of students' mental and emotional well-being. Sadly, our children are more at... Read More

David Lawrence Centers Receives Grant for Interpretation Services from Marco Lutheran Church Foundation

David Lawrence Centers Young Executives to Host “Friendraiser” in Honor of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

More Help for Those Struggling with Substance Abuse Challenges

A federal grant for $360,000 will help DLC partner with the county drug court to help even more neighbors in need. Thanks to a new federal grant, David Lawrence Centers will have the opportunity... Read More

Reaching Out to Marco Island

David Lawrence Centers is partnering with the new YMCA facility on Marco Island with an office and a clinician, taking their services to that part of the county. As the new YMCA facility was being... Read More