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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, announced that Karen Buckner, Children’s Community Services Clinical Director, earned designation as a Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) by the Florida Certification Board.

The MCAP is an advanced practice credential for people who provide services to individuals with substance use conditions. The MCAP designates competency in the domains of clinical evaluation; treatment planning; counseling; case management and referral; client, family and community education; documentation; clinical supervision; and professional responsibility.

Buckner joined David Lawrence Centers in 1997 as a Children’s Case Manager for a school-based treatment and education program done in partnership with Collier County Public Schools, the Juvenile Justice System, and DLC. She was then promoted to Clinical Supervisor of the Children’s Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program, and then Clinical Supervisor of Children’s Outpatient Services before assuming her current leadership role in 2011.

Buckner, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and social work from Illinois State University. She completed her Master of Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University while working full-time at DLC.

In 2002 and 2009 Buckner was honored with the Leadership Award. In 2006 she was named Employee of the Year and earned a Program Service Excellence Award.

“Having one of our senior clinical leaders obtain this additional certification as an addiction professional demonstrates her commitment to helping DLC provide expert, holistic care to address the co-occurring mental health and addiction challenges many of our clients face,” said DLC Chief Operating Officer Nancy Dauphinais. “We are very proud to have the leader of our Children’s Community Services obtain this distinguished credential.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers is a national leader in providing world-class mental health and addiction recovery solutions for children, adolescents and adults. The Center’s innovative, integrated treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, David Lawrence Centers creates life-changing wellness for more than 9,800 people through over 276,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call (239) 491-7602.