With a background in psychology and a passionfor lifelong learning, Gina Buccola is dedicated to guiding families throughthe complexities of addiction and recovery. Having grown up in a householdimpacted by alcoholism and addiction, she intimately understands the challengesthat arise within family systems. Her own healing journey led her to Al-Anon,where she found a community of strength, hope, and invaluable tools thattransformed her relationships and overall well-being. Through these principles,Gina was able to mend and rebuild many of the relationships that had beenaffected by the disease of addiction.

Committed to deepening her expertise, Ginareturned to Stanford Medicine to study psychology and addiction and attendedthe Arizona Trauma Institute, where she earned her certification as a CertifiedTrauma Specialist for Addiction. This advanced training allows her to addressaddiction recovery through a trauma-informed lens, helping families navigatecomplex emotional dynamics with greater understanding and effectiveness.

At START UP WELLNESS, Gina provides compassionate yetstructured guidance to the families of clients, recognizing that true, lastingrecovery requires collective healing. She helps families navigate the emotionalterrain of addiction with empathy and accountability, offering newperspectives, tools, and strategies to foster meaningful change. By addressingthe family dynamic as a whole, she empowers loved ones to break cycles ofdysfunction, cultivate healthier communication, and create a foundation for long-termsobriety and harmony. Through her work, she ensures that healing extends beyondthe individual—transforming entire family systems and fostering deep, lastingtransformation