Al Lyons earned his BA from the University of Fla and his MA in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida. He is a NC Licensed Professional Counselor, NC Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and ICRC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He is a former Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Florida Certified Addiction Professional. He has over 15 years' clinical experience. He spent 12 years working in the Human Services field in the Tampa Bay area, before relocating to NC. He is a former President of the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association. He currently serves on the staff of a major NC hospital, provides consulting work to mental health agencies in Western North Carolina, and maintains a private practice.