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Our Experts

Welcome to Caron’s Media Experts Page. You will see a wide range of topic areas related to addiction that our experts can address. You can click on your topic of interest to view experts in that particular area. Please be aware that our experts are familiar with all chemical addictions – including alcohol, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamines, over-the-counter and prescription medications, stimulants and steroids.

**Please note, Caron experts are able to speak about the below topics in the context that they pertain to addiction.

Sharon A. Hartman

Sharon A. Hartman, LSW, MBA
Director of Professional Training and Education
 

Ms. Hartman is responsible for presenting effective training programs to clinical and supervisory staff at Caron. With 25 years of experience in the field of chemical dependency treatment, she has played a key role in developing and implementing residential and outpatient programs, including Caron’s nationally recognized intermediate care program for relapse patients.  

In her position, Ms. Hartman oversees Caron’s alignment of its training focus with its patient population needs, best standard of care and evidenced based practices. Ms. Hartman introduced a system of clinical supervision that supports the growth and development of its professional staff.  Training topics at Caron address a broad spectrum of areas including co-occurring disorders, motivational interviewing, family counseling and working with adolescents.   

Ms. Hartman also developed and oversees an Addiction Counselor School that is designed for new employees as well as a complementary school for entry-level clinical positions. 

She began her work with Caron Treatment Centers in 1995 as the Clinical Director of Adult Services. In her tenure at Caron, she established the relapse program and has previously held positions as Director of the Women's Primary Unit and the Men's and Women's Extended Care Programs.   

Ms. Hartman has been frequently asked to speak on topic of codependency, women’s issues, relapse, relationships, forgiveness, and spiritual growth in recovery.   

Ms. Hartman is a licensed social worker and holds a Masters in Social Work from Marywood University and a Masters in Business Administration from Alvernia College.


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Ann W. Smith

Ann W. Smith, MS, LPC, LMFT, Executive Director, Breakthrough at Caron


Ann Smith is the Executive Director of Breakthrough at Caron, a five and a half day residential group therapy program designed to help adults shift destructive life patterns, improve relationships and foster personal growth. For nearly 30 years, her focus has been on addiction, family systems and experiential therapy. 

Ann is best known for developing innovative residential treatment programs for adults from painful families. She returned to Caron in January of 2009 with her patented Breakthrough program. A pioneer of codependency treatment, she was instrumental in designing and directing the original five-day program for Adult Children of Alcoholics from 1984 to 1991 at Caron, which reached more than 14,000 people.

Ann is renowned for her clear and entertaining teaching style delivering valuable information on a variety of personal growth topics. For more than 25 years, she has lectured and taught workshops on topics ranging from addiction in the family to dysfunctional relationships.

Ann has a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and is licensed as both a Professional Counselor and a Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania.  She is the author of two books titled Grandchildren of Alcoholics: Another Generation of Co-dependency and Overcoming Perfectionism: The Key to a Balanced Recovery.


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