About Jennifer Dorsey

Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to expanding and improving treatment for substance use disorders, ensuring that people receive the care they need at every stage of recovery. Along the way, I’ve seen how nicotine use is often overlooked, despite its strong hold on so many in recovery. My work has recently shifted focus to addressing this gap—helping people quit smoking and vaping with the same level of clinical support and attention given to other substances.

My professional path began in 1999, two years after I got sober, when I started working at New Directions, Inc. in Cleveland, a treatment program for adolescents and their families. During those years, I developed a deep understanding of addiction and recovery, and knew this was the work I wanted to dedicate my career to. In 2004, I relocated to the Washington, D.C., area, where I earned my master’s degree in counseling psychology and completed post-master’s training in community mental health. During this time, I worked in residential programs, including Pathways Treatment Center in Annapolis and Avery Halfway House for Women and Children in Rockville, further deepening my experience in substance use disorder treatment across different populations.

Eventually, I found my way to a well-known outpatient treatment program, where I spent nearly two decades working alongside Dr. George Kolodner. I held multiple leadership roles, including Clinical Director, Chief Clinical Officer, and Vice President of Operations, overseeing clinics across five states. In those positions, I helped shape and expand treatment programs, ensuring that patients received high-quality, evidence-based care in an accessible outpatient setting.

Over the years, I became increasingly aware of how often nicotine use was dismissed as just a “bad habit” or a personal failing, rather than recognized as a deeply ingrained coping mechanism. I’ve seen firsthand how smoking and vaping become woven into daily life, making them incredibly difficult to let go of. My own experience with nicotine reinforced this understanding—I started smoking at a young age, quit in 2003, but briefly returned to it before fully stopping in 2012. That process wasn’t just about breaking a habit; it required the same level of reflection, support, and intentionality as any other substance use change. This perspective fuels my dedication to helping people move away from nicotine—not just by focusing on quitting, but by addressing the underlying emotional and psychological patterns that keep them stuck.

It was this personal experience, combined with the undeniable research on nicotine’s impact, that led me to Triple Track Treatment. I was drawn to the program because it refuses to treat nicotine use as an afterthought. Instead, Triple Track applies the same clinical rigor to smoking and vaping cessation as it does to other substance-related challenges. What resonates most with me is its commitment to looking beyond the surface—helping patients explore the emotional drivers behind their nicotine use rather than just trying to white-knuckle their way through quitting.

I take an integrative approach to therapy, pulling from motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and parts work inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS). My style is active and engaged—I work collaboratively with patients to explore not just the behaviors, but the underlying motivations and complexities that shape their experiences. 
I can't count how many times I've heard people in recovery say, "I'll quit smoking someday, but right now, I need to focus on staying sober." For years, the belief that quitting nicotine too soon could jeopardize sobriety has been deeply ingrained in recovery communities. I used to believe it myself. But as I delved into the research—and as I worked with individuals struggling to quit years into their sobriety—I realized the opposite is true. Quitting nicotine use simultaneously with stopping other substances actually protects and enhances recovery. Despite the clear evidence, the stigma around quitting nicotine in early recovery remains pervasive. One of my clinical passions is working with people in recovery who are ready to take this step—helping them navigate not just the process of quitting, but the deeper issue of why individuals in recovery can recognize the value in stopping use of other substances, yet struggle to see enough value in themselves to stop using tobacco and nicotine.

Outside of work, my life is filled with the joys of family, animals, and adventure. I'm blessed with two amazing boys and a lively household that includes dogs, a bearded dragon, a snake, and an assortment of fish my kids have enthusiastically “rescued” from the creek behind our home. When I'm not keeping up with them, I enjoy traveling with friends, immersing myself in a good book whenever I can find a quiet moment, and staying connected to my recovery community. The relationships I've formed there continue to be a source of strength and grounding, just as they were when I first embarked on my own recovery journey. Finding balance between my personal and professional life is essential to me, as it allows me to approach my work with renewed energy and a deeper sense of purpose, while also nurturing the relationships and experiences that enrich my life on a daily basis.