S6 E5: It’s Not About Me, It’s About Us: Advancing Mental Health Through Collaboration and Learning

In this episode of CASAT Conversations, we welcome Mark Disselkoen, a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with over three decades of experience in the field of substance use and mental health treatment. As a Senior Project Manager at the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) at the University of Nevada, Reno, Mark oversees the CCBHC project, certification efforts, and several key training and technical assistance initiatives across Nevada. Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to improving clinical practice, expanding access to integrated care, and advancing the professional development of clinicians.

Mark’s influence extends across multiple areas of the behavioral health field. From providing high-level technical assistance to delivering hands-on clinical training, he has helped shape better assessment practices, person-centered care approaches, and more effective treatment recommendations. His leadership emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, fostering a culture of learning, and encouraging peer collaboration to support mental health initiatives.

In this episode, Mark discusses:

• The importance of confidentiality and recent updates to ASAM Criteria (ASAM 4)
• Best practices in training and mentoring clinicians
• The role of better assessment in improving treatment outcomes
• Lessons learned in delivering person-centered and integrative care
• The value of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in improving access to comprehensive services
• How peer collaboration and “teachable moments” promote a culture of mental wellness
• Strategies for adapting to changing environments and remaining current with evolving policies and practices

Join us for an insightful conversation with Mark Disselkoen as he shares practical wisdom, leadership lessons, and inspiring advice for anyone dedicated to advancing the fields of substance use, mental health treatment, and integrative care.

Mark Disselkoen is a Senior Project Manager at the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he oversees certification services, CCBHC projects, and statewide training and technical assistance initiatives. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of mental health and substance use treatment, Mark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), dedicated to advancing person-centered, integrated care.

Mark’s professional journey has spanned direct clinical practice, executive leadership, state agency roles, and academic instruction. He has served as a certification specialist for state authorities, a program manager for quality management contracts in Nevada, Wyoming, and Idaho, and an instructor for UNR’s CASAT program. His work has included principle authorship of regulatory rewrites, curriculum development for ASAM trainings, and national training roles with the NIDA Blending Initiative.

Throughout his career, Mark has championed improving standards in behavioral health, expanding access to integrated services, and equipping clinicians with the tools to deliver ethical, effective care. His expertise includes confidentiality law (42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA), co-occurring disorders treatment, cultural competency, and evidence-based interventions like motivational incentives and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Grounded in a philosophy of lifelong learning and collaboration, Mark continues to advocate for adaptive, team-based approaches to behavioral health care that prioritize the well-being of both providers and the communities they serve.