Star City Six – Jeremy Eberle

Choices Treatment Center is an outpatient treatment and recovery facility committed to helping individuals overcome problems related to gambling, substance abuse, and mental health. Jeremy Eberle, LIMHP, CDGC, PLADC is a counselor at Choices Treatment Center (www.choicestreatmentcenter.com).

How did you get started in the business?

I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and took a job at the Regional Center right out of school. While there, a friend recommended a job opportunity working at a halfway house helping people dealing with addiction. So I did, and enjoyed the work but found that I was more interested in the counseling side. I returned to school and obtained my master’s degree, and began working at Choices in 2010.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Addictions are complex disorders, and not very well understood by the general public. Most notably, there can be a lot of shame that accompanies them, which can make treatment difficult for individuals.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

There have been many that I consider significant, but what I feel the best about is witnessing the transformation. Working with this population is complicated, because most often these are good people facing tough issues. From seeing them for the first time to then looking back at what they’ve accomplished a couple years later, knowing that the work was all theirs but you helped walk them through it. When people come in and express feeling like there’s no hope, and then being able to play a part in helping them rebuild that for themselves – that’s rewarding beyond measure. Being able to watch that light come back within my clients has been really cool.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married to my wife Londa for a little over two years. We recently bought a house together, which was terrifying…but well worth it. We’re soon-to-be dog owners and pretty excited about that.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

As cheesy as it sounds, when I realized I was going to ask my wife to marry me. It meant I’d have to grow up and do adult things, so that kind of put everything into focus for me. I began taking things more seriously – my career, finances, my personal relationships, all aspects of my life. I felt that if I was asking her to join me on the journey, I couldn’t just fly by the seat of my pants anymore.

What’s the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

There might not be one considering if I’m passionate about something, you’re going to know about it! My wife says I have two speeds, completely obsessed or completely indifferent.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

At times you’re going to be afraid, but walk through it anyway. Fear is a prerequisite for growth.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?

At Choices, we’re affiliated with a non-profit called Creating Family Choices. With addiction typically comes money problems, and that combination tends to have a devastating impact on the entire family. This organization advocates for families who are destitute and truly need help to recover, a cause I’m also passionate about.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

La Paz!

If you could have dinner with one person from the past or the present, who would it be?

Fyodor Dostoyevsky; I find him to be very intriguing.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Phone: (402) 476-2300; Website: www.choicestreatmentcenter.com.