John Perkins is a licensed State of Minnesota Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 20 years experience counseling patients and their families. He has worked with the Regions Hospital New Connections Program, and as a counselor with the Hazelden Center for Youth and Families. John was hired as the first counselor at Minnesota CarePartners’ Roots Recovery program, where he assisted in growing from zero patients to three full tracks, serving all genders and focusing on BIPOC communities. John was the Lead Counselor, ISR Specialist and Speciality Courts Counselor with Restoration, Counseling & Community Service (RCCS). He is described by supervisors as having “been a key contributor and stabilizer in the agency’s operations” during his three years there, and was selected as Employee of the Year in 2020. RCCS Founder Paul Kustermann says “John presents both a professional and personable approach in working with clients and co-workers alike.”
John’s counseling philosophy is closest to the Person-Centered approach. He strives to offer clients a genuine listener, to operate with the classic Rogerian unconditional positive regard and sensitive empathy.
John has been a lifelong civil rights activist and environmentalist, working as the Assistant Director for the Minnesota Greenpeace office, and as the Director of the Minneapolis offices of Citizens for a Better Environment.
John says he loves to spend time outdoors, walking with his puppy-mill rescue dog Rae, is an avid reader and enjoys listening to music. He is active in his community as a volunteer and has performed with a number of local musical projects.