Executive Director - James Swisher

My name is James Swisher a maker, father, husband and a Registered Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in recovery myself.  I’ve heard it said that the people who are all “out there” with their recovery just want a pat on the back for running out of a burning building. But it’s not about ego. It’s about helping others who are desperately trying to find an exit out of that burning building and continue providing support and encouragement once they do. That’s called service! I wish someone would have helped me find the exit earlier in my active addiction because my ambivalence lasted for decades. There were countless days where I was desperately looking for that exit but couldn't find it. It was the fear of the unknown that got it my way. This is why I'm so passionate about peer work. Leading by example and letting hope be the guiding light to that exit. This is what eventually helped me and what called me to start Creative Recovery Virginia. A non-traditional person-centered creative approach to recovery. 

Registered Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the state of Virginia

Certified SMART Recovery Facilitator 

Certified SMART Recovery Family and Friends Facilitator

Certified APPR Facilitator (Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery)

Certified Advance Directive Facilitator- Training and certification through Honoring Choices Virginia and DBHD 2024.

Certified Recovery Ally Trainer- Training and certification through VCU Rams In Recovery with Tom Bannard and Jan Brown at University Of Richmond in 2024.

Certified Trauma Informed Peer Recovery Specialist- Training and certifications received through both Mental Health Virginia as well as The Community Resilience Initiative 2024.

Certified REVIVE Trainer- Through the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance Of Virginia (SAARA) and DBHDS in 2025

CPR and AED Trained- Training received from Compress and Shock Foundation and VCU Health.

BOARD APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING and more.

Mental Health Virginia- (Re)STORE: Retreat October 5-7, 2024- 8 CEU Hours

Virginia DBHDS- Virginia Peer Of The Year Conference & Training-August 1-2 2024- 10.5 CEU Hours

Vocal Virginia- “Working With Hearing Voices” Mental Health Training January 2024- 5.5 CEU Hours

SAARA Of Virginia- REVIVE! Training certificate received 2024. 

Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Email creativerecoveryvirginia@gmail.com or click contact below.