Brian Farr is a Professor of Substance Abuse Counseling who has trained hundreds of addictions counselors in Upstate New York. He has been in recovery since 1996, and began his counseling career in 2000 working for a hospital where he continues to help educate and assist people impacted by the disease. He was a founding volunteer member of a Recovery Community Organization in his community that eventually opened one of six state-funded Recovery Centers in New York State. Brian served as President of the Board for a local Prevention Council that provides services to schools and youth programs. He opened First Step Consultation in 2010 and gives presentations about the use and abuse of substances at many schools, community organizations, and health centers. Brian’s latest volunteer work is for the Board of a non-profit agency that offers services to LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families, where he is leading a committee to expand specific substance abuse training and services for these folks.