About Us

Who we are

Richard (Rich) Whitman

Richard (Rich) Whitman, with over 30 years of experience, is a Nationally Certified Intervention Professional. Not only is he a respected leader in the field of addiction recovery he is a pioneer in the industry. Rich has been instrumental as a consultant to some of the finest treatment programs in the nation and served as an addiction advisor to Dr. Phil McGraw for 8 seasons of the Dr. Phil Show. Rich is an Independent Consultant and the Founder of Whitman Recovery Service. As such, he provides maximum service to hundreds of individuals and their families every year, offering guidance on how to access the best treatment options available and break down the barriers which stand between addicts/alcoholics and their families from accessing the help they desperately need.

In his role as a Nationally Certified Intervention Professional. As a trusted interventionist Rich has conducted countless successful interventions throughout the United States and has made numerous television appearances. Rich combines decades of clinical expertise with a no-nonsense style that quickly gains the trust of clients and families alike. He is professional, compassionate, and dedicated to help every individual and family struggling with a substance abuse and/or mental health disorder.

Rich Whitman

Nicole Whitman

Nicole Whitman is a Certified Intervention Professional, the daughter of Rich Whitman and the Director of Business Development for Whitman Recovery Service. She has been raised surrounded by recovery and has been a firsthand witness to her father’s service. Nicole has worked in the treatment industry in multiple and various capacities from her early adult years. Through her experience Nicole has been especially drawn to working closely with the families who have a loved one that is suffering. She identifies on a very personal level with the struggles they are all going through. Like her father, Nicole has found a passion for being of service. She has followed in her father’s footsteps and from a noticeably early age and continuously seeks to emulate his insight and integrity in her own life. Working alongside her father has been a sought-after goal of hers and she has a great deal of pride in reaching it. Like a sponge she absorbs all she can from all he does. Nicole takes enormous pride in her family and more specifically in raising her teenage daughter. It is hard to ignore, she also has a lifelong love for animals of all kinds and her home is always open to a new four-legged friend.

Dr. Melissa Deuter 

Dr. Melissa Deuter is an expert and trendsetter in the world of mental health care. She founded Sigma Mental Health Urgent Care and in doing so is on the forefront, redefining how psychiatric services are delivered. Dr. Deuter is a highly recognized, award-winning physician who enriches the lives of those in her care, as well as the professionals she mentors. Now Dr. Deuter brings her insights to you through her story-driven, plainspoken, approachable writing style.

Dr. Deuter is a board-certified psychiatrist in San Antonio, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas and attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Deuter currently holds an appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UTHSCSA and is the course director for the resident training seminars on Eating Disorders and Sexuality and Sexual Development. She is a former President of the Bexar County Psychiatric Society, a current member of the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians Ethics Council, and a current member of the South Texas Psychiatric Physicians Research Network’s Executive Committee. She has been recognized as a San Antonio’s “Top Doctor” and a “Best of” Doctor, a Texas Super Doctor’s “Rising Star,” and has received the American Registry “Patient’s Choice Award.” Dr. Deuter has a special interest in early stage psychiatric care, differentiating serious illness from normal brain development, and the unique mental health needs of emerging adults.

A Vision for Change

A Vision for Change: How to Help Someone With Addiction or Mental Illness

 

When someone you love begins to behave in ways that worry you, it can feel overwhelming to know where to go for help. Finding help is especially daunting when the affected person doesn’t want help…

Hannah Hughes

Hannah Hughes is a Certified Intervention Professional, she serves the Whitman Recovery Service team with the skills needed to pull struggling individuals forward to the point where they are willing to accept help. She has “never met a stranger” and possesses a keen ability to connect on a personal and trusting level with all whom she encounters. Hannah has fought hard to get to where she is now, and she is more than willing to share her experience, strength, and hope with anyone who will listen. Most important to Hannah is her own recovery and she is highly active in her recovery community taking on any opportunity she can to be of service. She has been up close and personal with the struggles many face and she is able to relate both as the addicted and as the loved one. Years ago, Hannah was intervened on by Rich Whitman himself and she attributes his ability to pull her forward with a vision to how she got to where she is now. Hannah shares her pride in working a recovery program with her husband who is equally passionate about his own recovery. Together they find the most joy in raising their young son.

Dr. Natasha Rangel 

Dr. Natasha Rangel has over 17 years in leading, teaching, and coaching in mental health, behavioral goals, and action planning. Dr. Rangel is a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Life Coach, Certified TraumaInformed Practitioner, and possesses a B.A. in Psychology, M.Ed. in Organizational Behavior, and Ph.D. Organizational Leadership 

Family recovery is crucial in the success of the addiction intervention process. It can take a toll, with the rollercoaster of emotions that come with constant worry, and focusing on how to keep your loved one from relapsing. It is important to stay educated on how to support; not enable your loved one. Engaging in your own self care is important in keeping the recovery support system strong! 

Dr. Rangel brings hope and collaboration to clients and families with possibilities of achieving life goals with behavior intervention plans to improve and enhance their quality of life at home, workplace, school, and community. She empowers clients to overcome traumas, leading to substance abuse, addictions and/or unhealthy behaviors. Dr. Rangel provides clients and families with positive refocusing and appraisal skills that encourage independence to MOVE FORWARD

Natasha believes it is important to empower men and women in their own recovery, walking beside them, leaving judgment at the door. She believes in creating a safe climate that supports and promotes healing for those overcoming trauma resulting in unhealthy behaviors

Natasha is praised for her strong faith, compassion, resiliency, professionalism, love for people, loyalty, and leadership excellence. Dr. Rangel is a change maker. She believes in recovery and restoration for your life, and that your life is worth living!

When to Seek Professional Intervention Help

It’s a common misconception that an interventionist primary function is to make an uplifting speech that inspires someone to admit they need treatment. However, the role of a professional interventionist goes far beyond meeting with someone who is struggling with addiction or a dual diagnosis to pull them forward. It also involves helping loved ones learn to change their habits and set appropriate boundaries that hold people accountable.

Many people incorrectly believe their loved ones must hit rock bottom before they will accept help. However, think of an intervention as a controlled bottom. By enlisting the help of a professional interventionist, family and friends can raise an addicted individual’s bottom, allowing them to see it without having to hit it.

If you’re ready to discover more about your options or start the intervention process for someone you care about, call 512-722-7566 today.

Number of Interventions Performed by State

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Over 30 Years of Experience

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Staged Interventions Throughout U.S.

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Over 1,000 Interventions

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98% Success rate

Contact Us

Do you have questions we can help you with? Do you want to inquire about an intervention? We’ll respond to you personally and do our best to guide you in the right direction.