Melissa Kilpatrick, LADAC II, QCS  ·  Middle Tennessee

Between now
and an opportunity
for more.

We are always in the InBetween — the space where change becomes possible. Guiding individuals, families, and policymakers toward healthier lives and communities.

Work With Me Learn More
“

The InBetween is not a place of waiting — it is a place of becoming.

The InBetween Framework

Melissa Kilpatrick, LADAC II, QCS

About

Melissa Kilpatrick,
LADAC II, QCS

With years of practice as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor in Tennessee, I work at the intersection of clinical care, community impact, and policy — helping individuals find their way through the InBetween, and helping systems create the conditions that make recovery possible.

My work is built on a simple belief: identity, authenticity, and self-discovery are not luxuries — they are the foundation of lasting change. Whether working one-on-one, consulting with organizations, or advocating before legislators, I bring the same commitment: meet people where they are, and help them see where they can go.

Licensed Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor II (LADAC II) Qualified Clinical Supervisor (QCS) Middle Tennessee  ·  Senate District 13  ·  House District 37 Author — The InBetween Series (forthcoming) Behavioral Health Policy Advocate

What I Do

Three ways I show up

01

Clinical Practice

Direct counseling with individuals and families navigating substance use disorder — grounded in evidence-based care and the belief that every person deserves a path forward.

02

Writing & Education

Two books in development — one for the general public, one for recovery professionals — built on The InBetween framework of identity, authenticity, and self-discovery.

03

Policy & Advocacy

Active engagement in Tennessee behavioral health policy — connecting clinical knowledge to legislative decision-making and fighting for the standards that protect both clients and counselors.

Books

The InBetween Series

Two books. One framework. A pathway through the space between who you think you are supposed to be — and who you truly are.

General Audience

The InBetween:
A Pathway to Healthy Living

For anyone who has ever felt caught between the life they’re living and the life they sense is possible. A personal and practical guide to identity, authenticity, and living from the inside out.

In Development
Professional Guide

The InBetween:
A Practitioner’s Framework

A guide for counselors, clinicians, and recovery professionals — translating The InBetween framework into practical tools for supporting clients through addiction, recovery, and identity work.

In Development

Advocacy

The cost of inaction
is not zero.

Tennessee’s substance use crisis is both a human tragedy and a fiscal emergency. I work to ensure that policymakers understand both dimensions — and that the professionals who serve people in recovery have the oversight structures, standards, and resources they need.

Current Focus

Actively opposing SB 2227 / HB 2539, which would abolish the Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors and transfer oversight to the Board of Examiners in Psychology — a move that threatens professional standards and access to specialized addiction care across Tennessee.

The Larger Argument

Every $1 invested in addiction treatment saves $4 in healthcare costs and $7 in criminal justice costs. Earlier investment in prevention and treatment reduces long-term public expenditures — and human suffering. The status quo doesn’t eliminate spending. It redistributes it into more expensive crisis systems.

Approach

Respectful, data-driven, and inclusive. Behavioral health is a team effort — the goal is to strengthen the entire system, not defend turf.

3,616TN Overdose Deaths 2023
$7Saved in Justice Costs per $1 in Treatment
25K+Overdose Hospital Discharges 2023
$4Saved in Healthcare per $1 in Treatment

Consulting

Bringing clinical expertise
to organizational decisions.

I work with agencies, nonprofits, and policy organizations that need someone who understands addiction from the inside out — clinically, personally, and systemically.

  • Program development and clinical framework consultation
  • Behavioral health policy analysis and legislative briefings
  • Staff training and professional development
  • Strategic guidance for recovery-focused organizations
  • Speaking engagements — conferences, community organizations, agencies

Who I work with

Treatment centers and recovery organizations seeking stronger clinical frameworks. Nonprofits navigating behavioral health policy. Government agencies developing SUD-related programs. Organizations that want a credible clinical voice at the table.

Start a Conversation

Connect

Let’s find the
InBetween together.

Whether you’re exploring consulting, have a speaking inquiry, want to follow the book’s progress, or simply want to connect — I’d love to hear from you.

Location

Middle Tennessee

Focus Areas

Addiction Recovery  ·  Policy  ·  Clinical Consultation

Available For

Consulting  ·  Speaking  ·  Professional Training