Suzanne Ferreira earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from National University in Irvine, California, in 1990.  She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Kansas, where she moved in late 2007.  She was previously employed as Coordinator of the COPSD (Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders) Program, formerly the Dual Diagnosis Program, for a mental health organization serving the counties of Walker, Montgomery and Liberty in Texas.  She was also Co-Director of a Family Program at a California in-hospital treatment program, Chemical Dependency Counselor for the Texas prison system and therapist a several hospital psychiatric units.  Most of her work has been with patients who are are diagnosed with both mental illness and substance use.  She developed a program for the families of hospitalized, dually diagnosed patients and a smoking cessation program for patients and staff.  She currently resides in Lenexa, Kansas, and is at work on her next book.

Carla J. Harper attended Abilene Christian College, now Abilene Christian University, for one year in 1956 majoring in psychology.  In 1985, after returning to school at the University of Houston for one semester, she enrolled in the Chemical Abuse/Drug Abuse program in the Continuing Education Department receiving her diploma and certification in 1988.  She is currently licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and also is a Certified Advanced Addiction Counselor, National Certified Addiction Counselor II, and an International Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  In 1997, after experience in private practice and other settings, Carla was employed in a state funded Dual Diagnosis Program through a private, nonprofit organization.  She worked with Suzanne Ferreira, co-author, for seven years in this program receiving specialized education in the field of dual disorders. 

Carla previously co-authored the book, Gotta' Minute, God?  Gotta' Question, which is in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.  Her work has been published anonymously in the book, As We Understood and in The Forum, a monthly Twelve Step publication. 

Carla and Suzanne have made presentations on this subject at educational conferences, community agencies, and training seminars.  They continue to be leaders in this burgeoning field.