Joseph M. Ritchey, MSW
Joe Ritchey received a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State in Public Policy and in 1987 started the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at USC-Aiken while working in a hospital in the Addictions Unit in Augusta, GA. He left Augusta and moved to Columbia, SC in 1988 to finish the MPH degree and worked in a private addictions organization for a couple of years. In 1992, he completed the Certified Addictions Counselor requirements. He then moved into the public arena and began working at SCDSS and later at SCDHEC inspecting health care facilities during the 1990’s, where he developed an interest for the aging population. In the late 1990’s, he spent a few years at LRADAC working with clients with dual diagnoses (addiction and other co-occurring disorders) as part of the Dual Diagnosis team at Columbia Area Mental Health.
He completed the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 1999 and the Gerontology Certificate program in 2001 from USC and began working in a regional government office running a program that helps families caring for a loved one at home with health problems and facilitating support groups. Beginning in 2008, he also provided counseling services ,part-time, at Three Rivers BH in the out-patient area.
Joe completed the requirements for the Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) in 2004 which requires additional supervision, training and experience. He taught undergraduate social work courses at Limestone College, Columbia College, and USC between 2003 and 2013. He has extensive experience providing individual counseling and facilitating addictions groups and support groups.