SPEAKER
Meet Tracy Viola
Tracy Viola, M.Ed, holds a BA from Villanova University and a master's degree in counseling psychology from Temple University. Tracy has been continuously sober since February of 1996, and has been a sought after speaker by schools and recovery centers. Her first book, Pretty Wrecked : Confessions of a Teen Addict and Her Road to Recovery, is a gripping and unexpectedly funny read. Written in a series of vignettes with '80s and '90s nostalgia throughout, Tracy takes you from the darkest depths of teenage abuse and addiction, through the hard-earned lessons of recovery, to the heights of her personal and professional success.
Speaking Engagements
Tracy regularly speaks with high schools, recovery centers, community groups, parent groups and book clubs. She covers the realities of her addiction, her pathway to recovery and the lessons she learned along the way that can empower change in anyone's life.
For more information or to book her, email her at info@tracyviolaauthor.com
STUDENTS
Tracy brings a unique combination of expertise and approachability when talking to teenagers. She talks about real things in a real way, which students find refreshing and believable. As they listen to her gritty - and often funny – stories, the data and statistics taught in school are no longer just words and numbers in a book; they now have a face.
Tracy’s goal is to not only serve as an example of what not to do, but an example of what to do if the teens ever faced with difficult life circumstances. (And, if we're being honest, who isn't?)
Teens deeply respond to her metaphor of the ‘Trash Can’ when discussing how the crap that happens to you can build up – like throwing pieces of trash in a trash can. At some point, it can become painfully full. That's why we need to address the trash, piece by piece, so it doesn't become overwhelming. Tracy goes on to explain to the teens how to best avoid adding trash to the trash can AND how to get help in sorting what’s already there.
Tracy ends by sharing, as one kid put it, “the secrets of the universe.” --- But you’ll have to book her to hear those…
PARENTS/ADULTS
Tracy is very flexible in her approach to conversations with parents/adults, understanding that people are coming to this discussion from different places. Some are coming looking for answers for themselves or a family member, some are concerned about their own children, some just want to learn more about the current ‘party environment’ or how to talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol.
While there are typically a number of key points Tracy likes to touch on -- addiction, mental health, personal safety, and what getting help/recovery looks like – almost half of the speaking engagement is open for questions and discussion. In particular, parents often like to know what Tracy tells her own teenagers when it comes to drinking, parties, etc.
By the end of the gathering, participants walk away with not only the ‘addiction/recovery’ facts and information, but also quotes, ideas, motivation, and action steps to make improvements in their own lives. Remember, modeling is always a powerful parenting strategy…