Brian Granneman

Areas of Specialty: Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders, Trauma (specializing in First Responders) Relationship Counseling, Anxiety, Coping Skills, Personality and Mood Disorders, LGBTQ I have used my life to serve others in a variety of ways – as a Police Officer, a Child Protective Investigator, and now as a Counselor and Certified Addictions Professional. I love seeing “the wheels turning” or the sparkle in someone’s eye when hope glows within them. It makes me excited to see others get well, have healthier relationships, stop self-defeating patterns, and break their own personal chains. Part of my strength as a counselor comes from overcoming my own struggles and challenges. As my 12-year law enforcement progressed, having worked in patrol, traffic, investigations, and field supervision – the luster of a badge wore off and my own battle with substance abuse had become overwhelming. I surrendered my pride and sought help because life had become unmanageable. In treatment, I could see that those counselors were truly doing life-changing work – and it birthed my new beginning. I had been released from a prison of my own making and I wanted to share this gift with others – to see the light come back on for them as well. I earned a Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the premier Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, achieving a 4.0 GPA and Chief Academic Officer’s Award of Excellence. As a Certified Addiction Professional, I provide counseling and treatment services to people suffering from substance use problems, drug and alcohol dependence – and underlying mental health states including anxiety, depression, stress, unresolved trauma, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered Socratic Dialogue, supplemented by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychoeducation, and Traumatic Incident Reduction Facilitation. I have a special passion for helping first responders. My law enforcement background offers me a unique perspective. I know firsthand that “helpers” most often do not feel comfortable seeking help for themselves. Many of them choose to take their own lives or let addiction take their lives without accessing a way out. Working with a counselor who is ex-law enforcement can normalize these reservations that frequently exist and create an environment where they don’t have to “talk shop” like they do at work. In the therapy room, clients appreciate “real talk” that doesn’t feel cold and clinical. I am direct, but always with empathy and compassion. Because of my own addiction recovery journey, I have deep empathy for the struggles of others. There is no judgment when clients discuss where addiction and values-compromised behaviors have taken them because I personally understand the enormity of these challenges. I speak the language of the heart from my own lived experience with addiction, leveling of pride, clearing the wreckage from my past, developing self-awareness, and actively working on my shortcomings. As a counselor, it is my honor to accompany my clients as a fellow traveler on their journey to a better life by providing empathetic, nonjudgmental, and evidence-based support. Outside the office, I am a musician and gardener, stay active in peer-led recovery, enjoy exercising, hiking, reading, and spending time with my partner and our three rescue pups. Brian@wisecounselinginc.com Brian Granneman, Certified Addictions Professional #CAP0100498; Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern #IMH 23928