In this episode of Finding New Waters, B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with John Lieberman, CEO of Visions Teen Treatment Centers in California, a premier program for adolescents struggling with substance use and mental health.
John shares his remarkable journey of getting sober at just 17 years old in 1985, entering treatment twice as a teenager, and finding hope that recovery could actually be fun. Now celebrating nearly 40 years in recovery and four decades working in the field, John reflects on how his early experiences shaped his lifelong dedication to adolescent treatment.
He discusses his path from floor tech to national outreach director, the founding of Visions, and why he believes in meeting teens with honesty, authenticity, and family support. John also sounds the alarm about today’s challenges—social media, misdiagnosed mental health, and the dangers of THC and psychedelics for vulnerable youth.
This conversation is raw, inspiring, and full of wisdom from someone who has dedicated his life to helping young people and families find healing.
📍 Learn more about Visions: https://visionsteen.co
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to John Lieberman
02:00 – Getting sober at 17 in Pasadena, CA
06:00 – Finding hope that recovery could be fun
10:00 – Lessons from early treatment experiences
15:00 – From floor tech to 40 years in adolescent treatment
20:00 – Why authenticity matters in youth recovery
24:00 – Visions Teen: dual diagnosis & family-focused programming
29:00 – Why all-gender treatment environments matter
33:00 – The rise of anxiety, OCD, and autism spectrum diagnoses
38:00 – Social media’s devastating impact on kids
44:00 – THC, psychedelics, and the reality of psychosis in teens
50:00 – Why parents must get involved in recovery
54:00 – A message of hope for families
John Lieberman
CEO, Visions Teen Treatment Centers
John Lieberman has been working in the field of addiction and adolescent mental health for nearly 40 years. After getting sober at 17, John began his career as a floor tech and went on to become a leader, educator, and advocate in adolescent treatment. Today, he serves as CEO of Visions Teen Treatment Centers in California, widely regarded as the gold standard in adolescent care. John is passionate about authentic connection, family involvement, and raising awareness about the unique challenges facing today’s youth.
Visions Teen Treatment: https://visionsteen.com
“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt
Circle of Security Parenting: https://circleofsecurityinternational.com
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