Peer Specialist, CEO, Pastor, Behavior Health Advocate
Set Free Indeed Ministry and Set Free Addiction Recovery Services, LLC
Zachary, Louisiana
Tonja Myles is an ordained minister, community activist, peer counselor, veteran, subject matter expert in mental health, untreated trauma, a faith based approach to substance abuse recovery and sought after counsel for community based and system approaches. She promotes mental health awareness and rehabilitation with sharing her life experiences being in recovery from addictions for over 36 years, suicide survivor, victim of childhood and adult sexual abuse and diagnosis of PTSD. Her story is shared in published books, magazines, documentaries , featured talk show guest and national television series. She is a passionate advocate of humane and ethical treatment of individuals with mental illness, substance abuse, sexual trauma, domestic abuse and those formally, and or incarcerated.
Tonja can openly care her lived experience in recovery while helping others change their lives. She is trained in mental health first aid for both adults and youth. Her role of a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist which is an evidence based best practice approach to treatment and recovery. Her role of peer specialist has emerged from reconnecting substance abuse and mental health treatment to the provision of ongoing supports in recovery. She has moved thousands of people to sobriety and healthy self-sustainable lifestyle, with her resourcefulness, passion and peer support services.
As a result of her long-time work in social services, Tonja has developed an extensive network of community leaders, public officials, law enforcement, and community resources. Tonja was recognized by President George W. Bush, during his 2003 State of the Union speech to the nation. He acknowledged her perseverance and expertise in faith- based recovery, and went on to become the face of the faith-based approach to substance abuse treatment for His administration for 6 years.
In 2004, Tonja founded Free Indeed, which was the first licensed faith-based outpatient treatment center in the state of Louisiana. Free Indeed provided intensive outpatient treatment and support recovery services for individual and group therapy. The model was used to open many other faith based treatment center in the state of Louisiana and around the country.
Tonja served in The Louisiana Army National Guard for 9 years as a military police. Her military training and dedication to serve her state and country enhanced her servant leader skills and ability to mobilizes to action quickly is a part of what makes her so successful today.
Monday, May 1, 2023
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
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