Academy of Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
Certification in Bio-Chemical and Nutritional Approaches to Mental
Health and Addiction Recovery: Level 1 & 2
Introduction:
Many psychotherapists, psychiatrists and addiction counselors are aware of the vital role diet
and nutrient imbalances play in addiction withdrawal and cravings, and other mental health
symptoms, but don’t have the skills or confidence to effectively approach these issues with
their clients. To meet this need, The Academy of Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition, was
created to provide in-depth, quality on-line education and training. The purpose of this
program is to thoroughly train mental health and addiction counselors in the skills necessary to
identify which client symptoms are due to biochemical imbalances and to either empower their
clients with the tools necessary to effectively address their own imbalances using diet changes
and over-the counter supplements; or the appropriate referral to other holistic health care
providers, including psychiatrists.
The Core Training
This five month, Level 1 program thoroughly introduces students to the use of amino acids, and
the Pro-Recovery Diet in addressing symptoms of neurotransmitter depletion such as
depression, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, cravings and relapse. The use of vitamin and mineral
co-factors, blood sugar regulation, and the Pro-Recovery diet, all of which further support brain
function, are covered in detail.
Graduates should be able to confidently utilize the “Amino Acid Therapy Chart” to create
effective programs using targeted amino acids and other nutrients to support clients in their
efforts towards mental health, emotional wellbeing, and addiction recovery. Towards this end,
they will also be able to help their clients identify deficits in their current diets, and create
healthy meal plans tailored to their own lifestyles and cooking abilities.
The Advanced Training
This eight month, Level 2 program immediately follows the Core Training. It applies the tenets
of Functional Medicine to mental health and addiction recovery. This program includes training
in digestive issues such as digestion and absorption, dysbiosis and food intolerances; hormone
regulation; nutritional causes of major mental illnesses; nutritional approaches to pain and
insomnia; and the effects of toxicity and brain inflammation on mood, pain and behavior.
Graduates should be able to assess their clients for possible issues in the above areas, refer out
for further testing and treatment, and recommend basic nutritional and herbal interventions.
Program Format
The program will consist of one 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour case consultation group per
month, for each course. The lectures and group can be attended in Denver, CO or remotely, via
Webex. The lectures will be recorded for those who have to miss a lecture. The case
consultations will include a nutritional workup on each participant. There is a required and
recommended reading list for each course.
Prerequisites
None for the Core Training. Prerequisites for the Advanced Training include one of the
following: Completion of the five month Core Training; Completion of the three day weekend
Core Training; or permission by instructor.
Certification in Biochemical and Nutritional Approaches to Mental Health and Addiction
Recovery, Level 1 & Level 2:
The Academy of Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition will present graduates with a
certification as a Mental Health and Recovery Nutrition Coach, Level 1 or 2 if they meet the
following criteria: For Level 1, they must orally describe the mental health and recovery
significance of hypoglycemia, complete a written and oral presentation of two cases, and
demonstrate familiarity with the required reading.. Graduates of Level 2 must complete a
written and oral presentation of two cases, present a book report on two recommended books,
present a list of practitioners to whom they may refer clients outside their scope of practice,
and demonstrate comfort with the use of one or more laboratory test. This certification is
renewable every 1 years through The Academy.
Program Cost
Tuition can be paid in full, or in monthly increments of $200/month, by check or credit card,
payable to Christina Veselak. See registration/payment form. Cost of program is tax deductible.
One full work-study scholarship per course is available in exchange for administrative work. If
interested, please call Christina at 1-303-888-9617.
Members of the Alliance receive a 10% discount, which is applied in the membership price
below. To become a member please view the link for more detailed information:
http://transformingaddiction.com/membership/application/
Core Training Cost (Level 1)
 Non-Member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions: $1500.00
 Member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions: $1350.00
Advanced Training Cost (Level 2)
 Non-Member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions: $2,400.00
 Member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions: $2,160.00
Program Schedule:
Dates and times of the Core Training and the next Advanced Training will be set once I know
who is interested. I plan on starting the next Core Training by October 20th, 2015. For more
information and to register, contact Christina at 1-303-888-9617 or via email at
christinaveselak@gmail.com
Core Training Curriculum
Month One:
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Month Two:
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Amino Acids, Neurotransmitter Function, Addiction and Mood Disorders, part 1
Using the Amino Acid Therapy Chart for neurotransmitter assessment
Catecholamines, Caffeine, Stimulants, SNRIs, ADD, Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine
Endorphins, Opiate Addiction, Chronic Pain, D-Phenylalanine
Amino Acids, Neurotransmitter Function, Addiction and Mood Disorders, part 2
Serotonin, Sugar Addiction, SSRIs, Ecstasy, and Alcohol, 5HTP and Tryptophan
GABA, Benzodiazepine Addiction, Taurine, Theanine
Month Three: Hypoglycemia and Crucial Nutrients for Brain Function, Mood and Behavior
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How and why Blood Sugar Dysregulation affects mood, behavior and addiction recovery.
Use of food diaries and other hypoglycemia assessment tools with your clients.
How to keep blood sugar stable using diet and supplements.
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, water.
Genetic Polymorphisms such as MTHFR, COMT, Pyroluria
Supplement protocols for Bi-Polar disorder, Addiction Recovery
Lab tests and assessments
Month Four: The Pro-Recovery Diet (Taught by Pati Reiss)
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Characteristics of the Pro-Recovery Diet, and how to adapt it to a variety of lifestyles
and blood types.
The role of protein, healthy and non-healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fiber and
water. The dangers of food additives.
Shopping, cooking and kitchen tips from a master holistic chef
Month Five: Putting It All Together
 Creating an Initial Treatment Plan
 When Aminos, Nutrients and Diet Change Don’t Work!
 Student Presentations
ADVANCED TRAINING CURRICULUM
Month One: Healthy Digestion and Absorption, Part 1
 Healthy Digestion
 Digestive and Absorption Issues
 Candida and other pathogens
 Testing, Assessment and Special Diets
Month Two: Healthy Digestion and Absorption, Part 2
 Brain Allergies and Food Intolerances: The Science
 Specific Issues Regarding Gluten and Casein Intolerance
 Testing, Elimination Diets and Solutions
Month Three: Eating Disorders
 Sugar and Carbohydrate Addiction
 Compulsive Overeating, Bulimia and Anorexia
 Using Amino acids, other nutrients and the Pro-recovery diet
Month Four: Thyroid and Adrenal Hormone Issues
 The Endocrine System, Thyroid Function, tests and solutions
 Co-Dependency and Adrenal Fatigue
 Adrenal Function, tests and nutritional solutions
 How lifestyle impacts adrenal function
Month Five: Reproductive Hormone Issues
 PMS, Pregnancy and Menopause, tests and solutions
 Andropause, tests and solutions
Month Six: Brain Inflammation: Symptoms, Causes & Solutions
 Leaky Blood Brain Barrier, Micro-Glial Up-regulation
 Heavy Metal Toxicity and Other Environmental Toxins
 Bio-toxin Illness
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Lyme Disease and Lyme Co-Infections
Month Seven: Major Mental Illness and Putting It All Together
 Genetic and Biochemical Causes of Central Nervous System Disorders
 Methylation Issues
 ADHD In-Depth
Month Eight: Case Presentations
 The Interplay of Trauma, Personality Disorders and Neurochemistry
 Student Case Presentations