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SMART Recovery Training Center: Volunteer Training
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SMART Recovery Training for Volunteers

Help your community overcome addiction by leading
Face-to-Face or Online SMART Recovery meetings. A
variety of training options and volunteer positions available. 

Our Volunteer Trainings & Offerings

MEETING HOST TRAINING

Providing a meaningful SMART meeting is easier than you think! You provide the location; we provide the meeting outline, structure, and the topics for discussions.

FACILITATOR TRAINING

In our most popular training course, you'll be provided with a comprehensive review of the SMART Recovery 4-Point Program®, the SMART Recovery tools... and more!

FACILITATOR/F&F PACKAGE

This COMBO training offering combines the Facilitator Training and Family & Friends Training into a single course, providing you with the full spectrum of the SMART Recovery program.

FAMILY & FRIENDS

An add-on to the Facilitator training, this additional training is for those desiring to provide a support group for those having a loved one with an addictive behavior.

ONSITE & ZOOM TRAINING

Do you have a group of volunteers or professionals who wish to become trained in the SMART Recovery program? Check out our training options, live in-person or on Zoom.

Zoom & Onsite Group Training

Do you have a group of individuals (professionals or volunteers) who wish to become trained in the SMART Recovery program? Check out our group training options.

Learn More

We're Mobile Friendly!

Come and learn with us! You can learn "on-the-go" no matter where you are or what device you're using. With Moodle Mobile (available for Android and iPhone/iPad mobile devices), you can access your training course at anytime... anywhere!

Get the app!

Reflections of a SMART Facilitator

Dan Hostetler, Executive Director of Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center in Chicago, IL shares some of his own personal reflections and experiences in his role as a SMART Recovery meeting facilitator. 

Join Dan and our world-wide team of volunteers in the quest to help people learn to help themselves. In doing so, you’ll not only be helping others “Discover the Power of Choice” … you’ll also experience the enduring, rewarding satisfaction that comes with being of service to others as a SMART Recovery volunteer!

See More Testimonials

Our Training Team

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Katie Canitia

Online Learning Administrator

Katie Canitia is the Online Learning Administrator at SMART Recovery.  She began at SMART Recovery in 2018.  She has fantastic technological skills along with a passion for helping others. Katie is a vital part of the National Office team and also works with SMART Recovery International where her work has been praised. Katie has seen how addiction can impact individuals and their families personally. Katie believes strongly that the training program offers the skills and information for a facilitator to be effective in meetings, but also for an individual to make everyday choices whether they are in recovery or not.

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Melina Gilbert

Director of Meetings and Volunteers

Melina Gilbert is the Director for Meetings and Volunteers for SMART Recovery.  Melina has worked at SMART since 2016 as a part time employee. In 2019 she accepted the full-time position of Volunteer Outreach Coordinator. Part of her role is to make sure all our SMART volunteers have the resources they need to start and maintain meetings. Being part of the training team has taught her so much about SMART and their dedication to our volunteers. The skills and tools that she learned while taking the facilitator training have been helpful not only in supporting her children with addictive behaviors, but also her communication and problem solving in general. Melina is so happy to be part of such an amazing family of volunteers, staff, and board members. 

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Sarah "SEL" Lauzen

Training Support

Sarah E. Lauzen found SMART Recovery while frantically looking for an alternative to AA/Quad A in January 2013. Sarah believes that everyone’s addiction is somewhat unique and that each person should be empowered to find what works for them in their recovery. For Sarah that was SMART Recovery. She believes that many people, like her, use substances and behaviors in an attempt to take control of their lives, and the unintended consequence of that is addiction. She is looking forward to getting to know you and to learn alongside you in your training experience.

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Gayeanne "Sam" Lester

Training Support

Gayeanne "Sam" Lester has volunteered for SMART Recovery since 2005 as an Online Facilitator, Facilitator Liaison and a team member of the Online Facilitator’s Get SMART Fast  training course. Since 2016 she has been conducting Onsite Facilitator Training at facilities for the two-day training course. Sam shares, “Throughout the years, I have always enjoyed being a part of the SMART Recovery community, not only for others but for my own wellbeing. When I am not ‘doing SMART Recovery’, I enjoy my time with our two adult boys and their families while working as a professional photographer.”

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Kevin Minnick

Regional Coordinator Chairman

Kevin Minnick has been an addictions professional for 30 years in all phases of the field. His involvement with SMART Recovery began in the late 90’s and continued to where he is now, serving as the Chair of the Regional Coordinators Committee. He has served as a volunteer for United Way and other local non-profits in the Indianapolis area over the last 12 years. He is currently a Court Treatment Specialist for the State of Indiana and Hancock County Government.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the training courses?

The GSF 200: Meeting Host Training is our training program for individuals who wish to start a new hosted SMART discussion meeting.  

The GSF 201: Facilitator Training is our training program for those seeking to volunteer and start a new (or take over an existing) SMART Recovery meeting in their community or online.  

The GSF 202: Family & Friends Training is an "add-on" training (prior completion of the Facilitator training being a prerequisite) for those who wish to start a SMART Recovery group for Family & Friends.  

The GSF 203: Facilitator/Family & Friends Training is a "combo" course, containing both the GSF 201 and the GSF 202 trainings.  

The GSF 301: SMART Recovery for Professionals course is a training offering for licensed health care professionals who wish to use the SMART Recovery program and tools in their professional role. CE credits are available.  

Can I use a mobile device?

If you wish to use a mobile device for your participation in the training, you’ll need to install the Moodle app on your device and enter the full training site address (as provided in your registration confirmation email)  to access. (NOTE: Be sure to include the backslash on the end… you’ll get an error message without it.)  

Are CE credits available?

Continuing education (CE) credits are available to those who complete the GSF 301: SMART Recovery for Professionals training course. CE credits are also available for most of our Onsite & Zoom trainings.

How are discussion meetings and standard meetings different?

In a standard meeting, the facilitator focuses the discussions on the specific issues attendees raise during the check-in portion of the meeting.

In a discussion meeting the meeting host uses one or more exercises based on handouts from the SMART Recovery Handbook centered on a specific SMART Recovery tool.

How can I get ongoing training and support?

We offer online group training meetings and SMART Meeting Management (SMM) meetings you can attend either as a trainee or a training graduate. You'll receive detailed information of our ongoing training and support offerings within the training course.

What materials do I need for the training course?

All of the materials are provided online within the training course. No additional purchase of materials is required. 

Come Learn With Us!

SMART Recovery is unique in the way it supports those desiring to abstain from various forms of addictive behavior. The way we train individuals to become a SMART Recovery meeting facilitator is also unique. We believe our recovery concepts, tools, and meeting facilitation quality play a very significant role in helping individuals abstain from their addictive behavior and in developing life-long healthy self-management choices.

Our training will help you learn about multiple pathways to recovery. "Discover the power of choice!"

COME LEARN WITH US! Our training offerings will give you the knowledge, confidence, and support you need to start a SMART Recovery meeting in your community. Scroll through our training course offerings above to decide which training is right for you!

Ready to Join Us?
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SMART Recovery USA
7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 440.951.5357

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  • ABOUT
    • About SMART Training
    • Meet the Training Team
    • SMART Recovery Website
    • SMART Recovery Online (SROL)
    • Search Local SMART Meetings
    • Search Online SMART Meetings
  • TRAINING
    • SMART for Volunteers
    • SMART for Professionals
    • Onsite & Zoom Training
    • Discounts & Scholarships
  • RESOURCES
    • SMART Recovery Toolbox
    • SMART Recovery Articles & Essays
    • SMART Recovery Dictionary
    • Volunteer & Meeting Registration Forms (VRF)
    • Ongoing Training & Support
    • SMART Online Store (US)
    • SMART Online Store (CA)
  • QUESTIONS? CONTACT US
    • Contact the Online Training Team
    • Contact the Onsite/Zoom Training Team
    • Contact SMART Recovery
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