My name is Elena Arroyo and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of supporting different counties in Northern California shift toward more flexible, compassionate, and trauma-informed approaches to substance use treatment. I’ve served as the co-occurring specialist on every clinical team I’ve been part of, training staff across multiple programs on how trauma, historical harm, and systemic barriers shape substance use today. Much of my work has focused on moving the field away from “war on drugs” logic and toward care that honors autonomy, connection, and real‑world recovery.

I’ve also developed and led innovative programs, including a youth program built from the ground up, that removed unnecessary barriers for those experiencing community pressures. A significant part of my role has been advocating at the system level, educating leaders, and helping organizations rethink what effective, humane substance use treatment looks like.

This work is why I do what I do. I believe meaningful change comes from meeting people where they’re at, honoring their story, and offering support that’s rooted in dignity, not punishment.