I just got a new cell phone number:
(256) 885-5193
I will continue taking calls at the old number, starting with (912) for about a year, until June 2021.
DOT SAP
I can help you work through the Return to Duty process following and FMCSA Clearinghouse rule violation.
New Office in the Works
I have signed a lease a small office in the Regus Business Center in the Research Park area. Look for a Grand Opening announcement soon.
We have very nearly unpacked our household stuff. Still missing a few odds and ends; bu, I am sure they will turn up…..just as soon as I buy a new one.
My Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beverage
In this day and age of mock-tails and healthy infusions of the latest exotic ingredients, I thought I would share my all-time favorite iced tea.
- One gallon of cold water, the cleanest you can get. We have an RO tap in the kitchen; so, I usually use that.
- Two Tetley quart-sized tea bags.
- Six conventional Earl Grey tea bags.
- 6-8 cloves. (Yeah, the kind you stick in a ham or Indian food.)
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Sugar to taste, I usually use about 1/2 cup.
- One quart ice water.
Add the baking soda and cloves to the water and heat to 185 degrees. Don’t worry if you don’t have a thermometer, just turn off the heat as lots of little bubbles start to form. You don’t want a rolling, full-on boil as this would scald the tea leaves.
Add the tea bags and set a 20 minute timer.
As you remove the bags, do not squeeze them. Most of the bitterness will be trapped in the bag and you really don’t want that in your tea. You can fish out any of the cloves that are floating.
Add the sugar and stir gently.
Add the cold water and wait a few minutes. All the solids (bitter stuff) will settle to the bottom of the pot along with any bits of the cloves you may have missed.
I usually put my tea in quart mason jars and set them aside to seal before putting them in the ‘fridge.
Serve over a tall glass of ice, garnish as you like with mint, lemon or lime.
Enjoy.
I Have Relocated to Richmond Hill, GA
Because my sweet and darling wife said it was time to go, we packed up and moved to Richmond Hill, GA over Memorial Day Weekend 2018.
I have closed down my practice in North Little Rock and have re-opened here in Richmond Hill, GA. My office is about 1/2 mile from Exit 90 off I-95, at 9390 Ford Avenue.
I can usually schedule an evaluation within 24 hours.
Give me a call at (912) 436-4817
Blessed to be Alive
On Friday last week, I was involved in a collision at 65 MPH. I was headed south on a four-lane highway, in the right lane, cruise control set at 65, speed limit 70 in a 2010 Grand Marquis. I was hit, ever so gently, by a lady in a Kia Sorento, on the door and just above the rear wheel well. She had drifted into my lane as she was passing.
The only apparent damage to my vehicle, and hers, looks like it could have been done by a shopping cart in the grocery store parking lot. A good wash and wax should take care of most of the damage.
As someone who has persistently struggled with faith, this was just another evidence that something bigger was looking out for me. I might be mistaken; but, thinking a bit differently makes me appreciate living the life that I have just a little bit more.
The sexiest thing on four wheels.
I just got done with washing and putting new magnets on my company car. Check it out and let me know what you think.
And here’s the other side:
Let me know if you see it around town.
New Video
I have been working on developing my web presence by posting some youtube videos. Check this one out. Any comments, here or there would be appreciated. Thanks, Chris
DOT SAP Evaluations
One of the areas of my business where I have seen some growth is providing DOT/SAP evaluations. Quite simply it works like this:
- A person in a safety-sensitive position has a positive drug screen.
- They are removed from that position by their employer, fired or suspended.
- They are then referred to a person known as a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for an evaluation.
- The evaluation includes an assessment, several screening instruments, developing a treatment plan and referral to a service provider. At a minimum, a person that violates a substance abuse rule must complete an educational program, usually 9-12 hours in length.
- After the client has completed the required program, they are re-evaluated to determine the need, if any, for further services. At this point a final evaluation is made and a specific recommendation for a testing schedule is made to the employer.
Anyhow, I really like doing these evaluations. It is kind of like getting a survey done on a boat or a pre-purchase inspection done on a house in that the person making the assessment is not the person, or agency, providing the service or making the repair.
Tags: SAP, DOT, Evaluation, Assessment, Huntsville, Madison, Substance Abuse, Counseling, FMCSA, Rule Violation
Reviewing the Situation
A month into my own business and I am just beginning to be profitable. I have paid the rent for February and have already had paying customers this month. The mixture of excitement and terror about making my own way is nearly an addiction of it’s own.
Most of the business I have had so far has come from my online presence and advertising. When I started laying the groundwork for this venture in November and December, I got myself this website, a facebook account and gmail. I already had a linked-in page; but, had not done much with it.
I figured out that whenever I post so much as a photograph, I need to tag it with something related to my business using a number of key words such as counselor, substance abuse, North Little Rock. There is some sort of algorithm that is used to figure out which posts get put on top. Some of it has to do with the number of views; but, some of it is promoted by meeting certain criteria.
One thing that I need to do is make a youtube video that promotes my business. I have been told that I have a face for radio, so I may use my daughter’s stuffed animals as prospective clients seeking services.
Anyway, that’s about all for now. I have to get back to actual work so that I can keep this thing going.
Hours, Contact Information, Etc.
I am generally available most weekdays from 9 to 5. If you need another time or day, just contact me and we will figure something out.
I try to never answer the phone when I am doing something important such as driving, talking with a client, or eating dinner. If you get my voicemail, leave a message and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as i can.
Texting or email in o.k. for setting or changing appointments; but, i will not be discussing clinical issues via text or email.
All that said, it is easiest to reach me by calling: (256) 885-5193
My email address is: christopherhgerhart@gmail.com
christopher h. gerhart, mac SAP/DOT (256) 885-5193 