Who We Are - Choices Recovery Center

629 S. Minnesota Ave.
Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-334-1822

Who We Are

Meet our team:

	Karen Johnson CCDC III - Owner/Director Karen graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1991 and began working as an alcohol and drug counselor at that time. She was previously employed at Carroll Institute and the Avera St. Lukes Worthmore Treatment Center in Mitchell. She opened Choices Recovery Services LLC in Mitchell in March of 2000 and opened the Sioux Falls office in 2004. She is grateful for her continuous sobriety since May of 1982. She is responsible for supervision of counseling staff and all phases of operation of the facility. She has been an authorized provider for SCRAM (secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring) through Alcohol Monitoring Systems since February of 2006.
	Bev Baker CCDC III, Clinical Consultant Bev volunteers her services at Choices. She shares her experience, strength, and hope that recovery is the beginning of a new and better life. She assists in supervising counseling staff and conducts our quality of care reviews. Her prior experience includes primary inpatient counselor at Keystone Treatment Center and outpatient treatment counselor at First Step Counseling. She supervised the adolescent treatment programs at Plankinton and Custer. Bev has been active in her 12-Step recovery since May of 1982 and continues to enjoy her sobriety one day at a time.

	Blake Prochnow CDCT - Primary Treatment Counselor Blake joined Choices in June 2009. He has 2 years experience working in the addiction field, including internships at Hazelden. He brings 3 years of sobriety to his position and is passionate about 12-Step recovery. He has a strong desire to help addicts and alcoholics discover the freedom of living clean and sober. He is also trained in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). Blake is in the process of completing his Bachelors Degree at the University of South Dakota.

	Susan Wise - Secretary/Receptionist Susan joined Choices in November 2009 as our secretary/receptionist. She came to Choices with 10 years experience in office management and human resource development. Susan has 4 years of recovery from alcohol and compulsive gambling and is excited about the opportunities available at Choices for her to assist others in exploring their recovery options. Susan has completed SCRAMx training for alcohol and electronic monitoring services provided at Choices.
	Bob Arshem CCDC III - Aftercare Counselor Bob joined Choices in May of 2010. He has worked in the addiction field since 1988, with employment at Keystone Treatment Center and Lutheran Social Services (Woodfield Center). Prior to coming to Choices Bob was employed by theState of South Dakota and enjoying snowmobiling in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Bob has 23 years of recovery. He is the primary aftercare counselor and facilitates MRT groups.
	Kate Zimmerman CDCT - Primary Treatment Counselor Kate joined Choices in January 2011. She is passionate about recovery from addiction and is actively involved in the local 12 Step community; enjoying 4 years of freedom from alcoholism. Kate has over 10 years of counseling experience, having worked in a variety of settings. She believes that life in recovery can be joyous, vibrant, and full of laughter. She is dedicated to helping people face their addictions and learning to take delight in their recovery. Kate loves gardening and can be found in her garden all spring, summer, and fall, spending the winter months planning her next one.

Testimonials

“This treatment program I have found to be so much more beneficial to me than any counseling I’ve had in my life. I am truly grateful that this program was brought into my life."

“The sincerity of Choices Recovery to put accountability on the individual receiving treatment helped me to attend two AA/GA/NA meetings a week. It helped me to connect with others even though I didn’t want to go to those meetings. I needed that extra push.”