Gale Saler

Gale Saler, LCPC, CRC-MAC, CAI, CIP, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Master Addiction Counselor (retired) as approved by the Commission for the Certification of Rehabilitation Counselors and the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, respectively, and is a senior ARISE certified Interventionist and approved through the Pennsylvania Certification Board as a Certified Intervention Professional.

She received her B.A. in psychology from The American University and her M.Ed. in education/rehabilitation from George Washington University in Washington D.C.  Gale has worked in the addiction, mental health, and rehabilitation field for over 45 years, during which time she has developed, opened, and operated some of the most effective treatment and recovery programs in the mid-Atlantic region.  Her experience includes working with adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors, including those who are adjudicated and/or have mental health or substance use issues.  She further developed the first program for pregnant and parenting women with children in the state of Maryland.

In 2001, working at the invitation of the Baltimore City Government, she brought Gaudenzia Inc., a not-for-profit addiction and mental health provider into the city. The services she developed were the most extensive in the region and included all levels of residential and outpatient treatment.  During this period, she also served six years as President of the Maryland Addiction Directors Council (MADC) advocating for care throughout the State.

In 2014 Gale founded NorthStar Academy, to provide a partial hospital program (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs for teens and families struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues.  July 1, 2018, NorthStar became a part of the Newport Healthcare family of programs by acquisition. Gale stayed on and served as Executive Director, Newport Academy Maryland until July 2021.  She remains a consultant to the organization.

Gale currently serves as Director of Linking Human Systems/ARISE Consulting. In this capacity she works to bring training to treatment programs and communities throughout the United States and across the globe.  These trainings incorporate evidence based best practices that build on the strength, love and resilience which exists in family and community systems to facilitate individual, family and community healing.

Gale’s private practice focuses on working with families in crisis due to behavioral health and related issues.

As a life coach, Gale has been at the forefront of modifying the model and developing a program of recovery coaching.  She is dedicated to developing the necessary resources to help her clients build the foundation for a lasting recovery.

Gale is an active advocate for prevention, treatment, and recovery for individuals with mental health and/or substance use issues.  She is committed to the fight to eliminate stigma and provide immediate access to prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. Click here for CV.