Substance Use & Ethical Care in LGBTQ+ Communities

From Kratom to Poppers

October 30, 2026
10:00 am – 2:00 pm

This 4-hour CEU training will equip clinicians with practical, culturally responsive skills for assessing and treating substance use disorders among LGBTQ+ clients. We will explore the ethical, clinical, and cultural considerations of diagnosing and treating substance use disorders among LGBTQ+ clients including a discussion of widely used, yet lesser-known substances including Kratom, 7-OH, and poppers.

4-hour training, including 2 Ethics CEU for LPC, LMFT, LCDC, LMSW, LCSW.

Facilitated in partnership with The Montrose Center. 

Register

Presenters

Daryl Shorter, MD

Board-certified in addiction psychiatry and adult psychiatry, Daryl Shorter, MD, most recently served as the medical director of Addictions Services at The Menninger Clinic and also worked in Outpatient Assessments. He was also an associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

Prior to his tenure at Menninger, Dr. Shorter served as an attending psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston.

His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Addictions, Journal of Psychiatric Practice, Addiction Biology, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. He also has contributed to chapters in books such as Biologics to Treat Substance Use Disorders: Vaccines, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Enzymes, Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology and ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine.

He is a member of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training. In addition, Dr. Shorter is a past reviewer for the journals Drug and Alcohol Dependence and American Journal on Addictions. He serves on the board of directors for the Archway Academy in Houston.

Dr. Shorter earned his bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. His postgraduate training includes a general psychiatry residency at The Ohio State University and an addictions fellowship at New York University.

Anne “Annie” King, LCSW-S, ADS

Annie serves as the Senior Clinical Manager at The Council on Recovery. Annie is passionate about program development, community engagement, and mentorship. As a relational therapist, Annie considers it a professional privilege to get to walk alongside families who are doing the courageous work of mental health and substance use recovery.

Authur Carr, LPC-S, LCDC

Authur is a behavioral health leader, clinician, and Director of Integrated Care at the Montrose Center in Houston, Texas. With more than a decade of experience across mental health, substance use treatment, and integrated behavioral healthcare, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to clinical practice, program development, and organizational leadership. His work is grounded in trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction principles, with an emphasis on creating services that recognize the complexity of individuals’ lived experiences while supporting autonomy, resilience, and meaningful recovery. He holds graduate degrees in clinical psychology and business administration, providing a foundation that integrates clinical expertise with strategic leadership, program operations, and systems-level thinking.

Throughout his career, Authur has focused on strengthening behavioral health systems and expanding access to responsive, affirming, and evidence-informed care. His professional interests include culturally responsive behavioral healthcare, substance use recovery, LGBTQ+ health, integrated care, and the development of programs that reduce barriers to treatment and improve continuity of care. He is particularly committed to advancing approaches that move beyond one-size-fits-all models of treatment and instead honor the cultural identities, strengths, goals, and circumstances of the people and communities being served. Through his leadership and clinical work, Authur seeks to build systems of care that promote dignity, accessibility, accountability, and sustainable recovery while supporting both the individuals receiving services and the professionals who provide them.

Catherine DeWitt, LMSW

I completed my clinical internship with the Montrose Center from August 2024 to August 2025. I provided services to clients seeking support for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, stress, gender identity, sexuality, trauma, relationship difficulties, and grief. My group experience includes cofacilitating the Way Out Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program and the Women Surviving Violence Supportive Therapy Group, and leading the Coming Out Support Group.

My therapeutic approach is humanistic and existential, meaning I see presenting problems as inherently human rather than deviations. I invite clients to explore beyond symptoms to gain a holistic understanding of their authentic selves. Genuine curiosity and empathy are foundational to my practice, and I am passionate about creating a safe, affirming, and empowering space that strengthens agency and deepens self-compassion. None of us lives in a vacuum, so I consider contexts and systems that shape how we move through the world. I invite clients to explore social, cultural, and historical factors alongside their individual experiences. Therapy is most impactful when it is rooted in meaningful, genuine connection, collaboration, and creativity.

I wholeheartedly believe in each person’s right to be treated with dignity and to live fulfilling, authentic, and safe lives. The LGBTQ+ community is just as diverse and multifaceted as any other community, so I approach my work with queer-identifying clients through an intersectional lens and lead with curiosity about their unique experiences. When clients come to therapy seeking support for gender and/or sexuality issues, I invite them to explore the spectrums of identity and self-expression without judgment. I integrate psychoeducation and other resources to supplement therapy sessions. I am also dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy outside of the therapy space.

Ryan Cannatella, LCSW

My therapeutic approach is rooted in an integrated model that embraces motivational interviewing, strengths-based principles, narrative therapy, EMDR and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I understand that the journey toward healing can be challenging, and I believe that it begins with building a trusting, collaborative relationship. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe and empowered to explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace. I recognize and celebrate clients’ unique strengths and resilience so they can harness their capabilities to achieve their personal goals. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also supports long-term growth and emotional well-being. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive environment that promotes insight and strengthens self-efficacy so clients can navigate their journeys toward personal growth and healing. I strive to create a safe, affirming, and judgment-free space where every client feels seen, heard, and genuinely valued for exactly who they are.

Keep in touch!

Please submit the following information to be added to our mailing list: 

CAMPUS UPDATE

Independence Day Schedule

The Council on Recovery will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3rd and OPEN on Saturday, July 4th during normal hours (8:30am-1:30pm). Thank you.
Find a Meeting

Labor Day Hours

The Council on Recovery campus will be closed for business on Monday, September 7, but open from 6:00-8:00pm for regularly scheduled recovery support meetings. 

Find a Meeting