Woody Giessmann

Musician and Artist Woody Giessmann spent years touring as the drummer in the rock band, The Del Fuegos. After struggling with addiction and getting treatment, he wanted to use his art to help others. Woody is a renowned visual artist and musician, and is a Licensed and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC-I and CADC) and Certified Interventionist (CIP) for the treatment of substance use and mental health disorders.

He took his skills and experience and created the non-profit Right Turn Inc. to help creative artists who are struggling with addiction disorders. “Right Turn is a welcoming place where creative people in recovery can experience a sense of purpose and belonging. We have developed a continuum of evidence-based approaches and services along with a creative expression to assist individuals seeking treatment on their way to a productive lifestyle. Right Turn brings people together in a safe haven where they can explore their recovery and preserve their creative gifts.”

THEN:
Before COVID, Woody played music to roaring crowds in big arenas one night and sang his own songs in intimate coffee shops the next, all while running his nonprofit to help musicians deal with the perils of addiction. As a certified therapist and the founder of Right Turn, he helps fellow artists through recovery, using art and music therapy to enhance their recovery and help them preserve and expand their artistry. In person group sessions and one-on-one consults were the norm before COVID. Woody has even toured with major artists in the peaks of their careers, helping the members on their own roads to recovery.

A 2013 benefit concert for Right Turn featuring Blues and Jazz artist Glen David Andrews. Woody is at the piano.

(Photo credit Michael Sparks Keegan)

Woody, surrounded by fans before the shutdown

All the while, Woody paints and paints. His art is featured on the walls of galleries, cafes and homes across New England and beyond.

NOW:
When COVID struck, in-person therapy sessions became unsafe, music venues shuttered, and cafes closed. Even the art galleries shut their doors. Right Turn Inc., in it’s 18th year, remains committed to helping their clients and the wider community. Woody writes,  “Our services have transitioned to virtual technology to accommodate our clients. We continue to do Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral therapies along with music and art mindfulness practices to assist people with depression, trauma, and anxiety expected in early recovery. While our clients continue to benefit from working with our multidisciplinary staff, we have all adjusted to a virtual world, but miss meeting in person and having the connection.  We have managed to maintain the program, but look forward to a time we can all make music together again.” Transitioning to virtual is costly, but Right Turn Inc. has made the conversion and absorbed the costs without any interruption in services to their clients.

Woody at his home piano in Arlington, MA

Woody in his backyard in May 2021, holding a commission he completed at the start of quarantine.

HOPE:
Woody knows better than anyone the power that music and art have to build connections, tell stories, heal, and enhance therapy. He has no doubt that the creative arts and the artists and musicians who make the art will be vital to the recovery of our community after COVID. It will be a long road, but Woody Giessmann—artist, musician, therapist, member of The MA Board of Registry in Medicine, and founder of Right Turn—will be there to lead us to a better place!