Westborough SAP Testing

Substance Abuse Professionals – Thriveworks in Westborough, Massachusetts

If you are in need of a SAP evaluation in Westborough, Massachusetts, contact:

Thriveworks Counseling
5 East Main St., Suite 3
Westborough, Mass. 01581
Tel: (774) 377-4939

If you perform safety-sensitive functions in the transportation industry, you have the responsibility to provide a safe work environment for your co-workers and the millions of people who travel in numerous modes of transportation throughout the nation each day of the year. In order to ensure a safe work environment, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established work rules, including rules on drug use and alcohol misuse. The rules related to the drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees include those individuals in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries.

Why are Safety-sensitive Employees Tested?

According to the U.S. DOT, the short answer is that safety-sensitive employees are tested for the safety of the traveling public, co-workers and themselves.

The longer answer is that the U.S. Congress recognized the need for a drug and alcohol-free transportation industry, and in 1991 passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, requiring DOT Agencies to implement drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees.

Testing Positive or Refusal to Test

According to the U.S. DOT, when you test positive or refuse a test, you are not permitted to perform safety-sensitive duties for any DOT-regulated employer until you have seen a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and successfully completed the return-to-duty process, which includes a Federal return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test.

Working in a safety-sensitive position before successfully completing the return-to-duty process is a violation of the regulations.

What will a SAP Do?

Under DOT regulations, SAPs are Substance Abuse Professionals that play a critical role in the workplace testing program by professionally evaluating employees who have violated DOT drug & alcohol rules. SAPs recommend appropriate education, treatment, follow-up tests and aftercare.

SAPs are required to have a certain background and credentials, which include clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse-related disorders. They must also complete qualification training and fulfill obligations for continuing education courses. While SAPs do make recommendations to the employer about an employee’s readiness to perform safety-sensitive duties, SAPs are neither an advocate for the employee or the employer, and they make return-to-duty recommendations according to their professional and ethical standards as well as the DOT’s regulations.

Note: Even if a SAP believes you are ready to return to work, an employer is under no obligation to return you to work. Under the regulations, hiring and reinstatement decisions are left to the employer. Also, under FAA regulations, SAPs cannot return a pilot to duty without the prior approval of the FAA’s Federal Air Surgeon.*

*U.S. Department of Transportation

If you have failed a random drug test or one that followed an accident that occurred on the job, and your position falls under the guidelines of the U.S. DOT, it is necessary for you to see a (SAP). The responsibility of the SAP is enormous, and the safety of the millions of people who use the nation’s transportation systems is of paramount importance. The SAP is certified, trained and has the knowledge to be in the role. Thriveworks SAPs, in accordance with the guidelines of the DOT, are the professionals who:

  • Evaluate employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation.
  • Make recommendations about the education, treatment, follow-up testing and aftercare of the individual.
  • Monitor the process.
  • Represent the major decision point—and, in some instances, the only decision point—an employer may have in choosing whether or not to place an employee at the steering wheel of a school bus, at the controls of a plane, at the helm of an oil tanker, at the throttle of a train, in the engineer compartment of a subway car or at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline, according to the DOT.
  • The ability to say that the employee has—or has not—complied with his recommendations.

What a SAP Does Not Do

In is important to note that a SAP is not an advocate for the employer or the employee. The role of the SAP is to protect the public interest in safety by professionally evaluating the employee and recommending the appropriate education/treatment, follow-up tests and aftercare.

It is also essential to know that the SAP does not provide counseling to the employee.

SAPs do not make a “fitness for duty” determination as part of the re-evaluation (unless required to do so under an applicable DOT agency regulation). The employer (the DOT) decides whether the employee should be placed back to work in a safety-sensitive position. In short, the SAP is the person who verifies if the employee has successfully complied with his initial recommendation.

Thriveworks SAPs

At Thriveworks, the SAPs are professionals who are knowledgeable of the DOT guidelines. They meet the following criteria:

  • Clinical experience in the diagnosis of substance abuse-related disorders.
  • An understanding of how the SAP role relates to the responsibilities employers have for ensuring the safety of the traveling public.
  • Meet all SAP standards and training requirements.
  • Hold qualifications and credentials to fill the role of SAP.
  • Regularly attend continuing education activities.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of reporting that the employee has or has not complied with the SAP’s recommendation.
  • A passing score on the examination for the role of SAP.
  • Understand the U.S. DOT’s expanded and revised drug use and alcohol misuse prevention rules for the commercial transportation industries.
  • Possess the background and reasoning of the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing program.
  • Know the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing rules.
  • Knowledge of DOT drug testing requirements, such as laboratory testing and collections.
  • Understand the role of the SAP in the initial employee evaluation, referrals for education and/or treatment, the follow-up evaluation, continuing treatment recommendation and the follow-up testing plan.
  • Knowledge of reporting and record-keeping requirements.

How Quickly Can I Get an Appointment With a Thriveworks SAP?

Thriveworks SAPs typically schedule initial evaluations within five business days. In addition, the SAP’s recommendation about appropriate education and/or treatment program is dependent on your specific needs, which includes the presence of and, if identified, severity of your drug or alcohol problem. The SAP will identify the level of drug and/or alcohol use in order to make the recommendation about education and/or treatment.

Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 39 5 1 39 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Donna hayes

★★★★★
Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I’ve had a wonderful experience.

★★★★★
I’ve had a wonderful experience. The staff is punctual and kind.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

My therapist is very supportive and communicative.

★★★★★
Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I love my therapist

★★★★★
I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

My therapist is thoughtful

★★★★★
My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Attentive, note-taking, observant

★★★★★
For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Just met Greg today so far everything went well.

★★★★★
Just met Greg today so far everything went well.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Good chat with Stephanie

★★★★★
Good chat with Stephanie
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I’m so grateful to have found this practice.

★★★★★
I’m so grateful to have found this practice. This is the first person that I felt truly confident in their ability to help me.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Stephanie was great!

★★★★★
Stephanie was great! AJ seemed very comfortable talking to her. Thank you!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I really enjoyed speaking to Ayala

★★★★★
I really enjoyed speaking to Ayala and I’m looking forward to future appointments.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Counseling

★★★★★
My husband and I were having great difficulties in our marriage and seeing Ayala was the last thing we were willing to try before divorce. Ayala helped save our marriage! Not only did she listen and offer support and guidance, she was not judgmental and did not take a side. Ayala was amazing and I would recommend her to any couple who is experiencing marital difficulties.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I had my first visit with Stephanie

★★★★★
I had my first visit with Stephanie the other day and I instantly felt very comfortable with talking to her. She was so nice and was ready to accommodate for my 15 month old son in case he needed to stay during my appointment (and for future appointments) as well!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I had a great experience!

★★★★★
I had a great experience! I was really nervous and anxious going into it, but I felt comfortable as soon as I got there.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

I loved meeting Vivian.

★★★★★
I loved meeting Vivian. She seemed to really understand where I was coming from and what my goals are. So warm, engaging and smart. Really looking forward to working with her.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Great experience!

★★★★★
Great experience!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Excellent, very welcoming.

★★★★★
Excellent, very welcoming. Looking forward to continuing to work with thrive works
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Vivian

★★★★★
Vivian is an exceptional therapist. Our family sessions with her have been an investment in our family's health. We get to the issues quickly and sort out what needs addressing. Vivian validates how we are feeling and helps us to process solutions. It feels like a team effort, and Vivian treats us with the type of care one receives from a family member. She combines her professional skills with a compassion that is rarely found in a therapist. We leave each session with much accomplished and strategies to help us reach our family goals. She greets each session with great enthusiasm, so even the beginning of the session feels like we will get the answers we are seeking.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Vivian

★★★★★
Since this past summer, I found myself having to deal with residual anxiety, PTSD, depression and (what I felt like, was life changing psychosis) that came after the death of my very best friend in a horrific car accident. Long story short, I thought I’d never be normal again, I was sure I’d carry the weight of my problems around with me forever. Not to mention I had all of these issues AND the undeniable pressure of trying to be a college student and working full time. I stumbled into Vivian’s office not long after I realized I was falling apart. Over the course of about six or seven weeks of visiting Vivian, my life has changed completely. I’m a healthy and happy person, planning to move to Worcester at the end of this summer. It’s hard to think that just a few months ago, I had to move home from college to be under the supervision of doctors and my parents. There are not many people in a lifetime that help you dissect the truth of who you are as a person and how you can embrace it. Vivian is an amazing woman with truth and insight beyond what I could achieve on my own. She has an awesome way of saying really intellectual concepts very simply, which helps me to think about myself in a different, more positive way. Vivian went far past just helping me develop strategies to deal with my panic and trauma; she went to the verity of what was making me feel this way. It’s impossible for me to explain the growth and strides I’ve made since going to thrive works. Vivian has made me feel proud, brave and sure of my ability to overcome anything in my life with a new understanding of myself and who I am.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Vivian Sockol

★★★★★
My family and I have been with Vivian for years now. She is an amazing person and goes above and beyond for her clients.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Greg is a Svengali (In a good way)

★★★★★
After only one year of seeing Greg I have transformed my personal and professional life. Battling substance abuse, a marriage on life support, despondent children, unable to hold down a job, financial ruin and depression was what I gave Greg to work with. Undaunted, he listened and did something I did not expect. He never asked me about my Mom or upbringing as a way to lay blame or explain my condition, instead he focused on giving me the tools and encouragement to reverse the cycle and put me on a positive path to rebuild my life. He is a master of individual and couples therapy because of his decades of experience but his approach is less clinical and more conversational. I look forward to my sessions because I always leave feeling energized and motivated to make up for lost time. Thank You Thriveworks for staffing such a high quality individual in Westborough.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Insightful

★★★★☆
Only had 2 appointments, but so far we feel Stephanie is very knowledgeable & insightful!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Excellent therapist

★★★★★
Excellent therapist
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Great first meeting

★★★★★
Great first meeting. Greg is awesome and I'm looking forward to my next appointment.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Thoughtful and direct

★★★★★
Our counselor was thoughtful and direct...after one session I feel very motivated to work towards our goals.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Vivian is wonderful

★★★★★
Vivian has such warmth about her that you feel right at home in her office. She has no judgements but a helpful ear that has made me have what I call "dawning moments". She has helped in a way that has felt empowering to me. I always look forward to our appointments because I know I will always leave feeling as if I have accomplished something substantial. Thank you Vivian!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Excellent experience

★★★★★
Stephanie is a great listener and is very good at getting right to the issues that matter. We've seen others previously who seem to drag out the process, and never want to get involved. Stepanie is the opposite - She is extremely skilled at zooming in on the key issue, unbelievably helpful. Highly recommended!
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Great Referral

★★★★★
I have referred several people in our organization to Greg. The feedback is consistently positive with comments like "helped me figure out the next steps I needed to take", "he walked me through a really tough time" and "very kind."
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Patient focused help

★★★★☆
I have been a client of Greg Handel for about a month and I have already put into practice many of his suggestions to help me. I have been to a few other therapists who continually ask "how does that make you feel", and Greg really guides our conversations into points that will not only benefit me moving forward, but assist me in understanding how I got into the challenges in the first place.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Review

★★★★★
Outstanding environment and very professional staff. Decor of waiting room very conducive to wholeness and well being. Very accessible location and appointment availability is prompt
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Greg is awesome

★★★★★
Amazing ..beyond words ..in only a short time he helped me realize ..that I was standing in my own way ..by letting me figure things out and advising me ..nit pushing me or making me see his viewpoint ..lime more therapist do...Everyone that dees his is very fortunate and blessed to have chosen him...thank you Greg ..you ate a true blessing .. Trish Silva
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Constructive guidance

★★★★★
Thriveworks, Westborough has been both a place of solace and a source of empowerment for me. After being urged to talk with a professional by my family, Iheduled an appointment with Greg Handel. Greg has dispelled the stereotype of what I assumed a therapist to be. Instead of being distant and abstruse, Greg has been relational and engaged, empathetic and pragmatic. The tools that Greg has provided have helped me take steps toward greater confidence and well-being. The combination of reliable competence and patient-focused support has made my experience at positive.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Should’ve done this sooner

★★★★★
Dr. Greg Handel has been fantastic. Although our journey is just beginning its as if I've known him my whole life. really makes it easy to trust and open up. Anyone going through hard times or even just looking to work on themselves should definitely check out this practice..
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Greg is excellent

★★★★★
From my first session with Greg I knew I would make progress quickly in resolving my anger and depression issues. Greg was highly skilled at getting to my root causes immediately, practical with his suggestions and compassionate. I recommend Greg and (a really nice, professional welcoming environment) to all.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Trustworthy Care

★★★★★
Over the past few years, I have referred some clients to Greg Handel. He has been exceptional in handling delicate situations and providing quality counseling services.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Review

★★★★★
I am very happy and thankful that I found Thriveworks. Greg Handel has been great in helping me overcome many obstacles. I look forward to every session.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Understanding with compassion

★★★★★
I have known Greg for a few years and he is always ready to listen and act. He understands complicated situations and handles with grace and tact (a difficult combination). He is always accessible and willing to step in and be resourceful.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

friend

★★★★☆
Greg is immediately engaging with a warm smile and uplifting personality. He has great insight about people and situations, showing genuine concern and desire to help people be the best they can be.
Thriveworks Counseling Westborough

Maybe a great place but yearly fee turned me off

★☆☆☆☆
So I was referred to Thriveworks from a different therapist who was not able to work with me. So I called Thriveworks, desperate for help, and as I talked to a support staff, who was very nice, and thought I found the right place for me. When I was informed that I’d have to pay $80-100 for the year in addition to my co-payments and insurance being billed, I was taken aback. I have the money to pay it, that is not the issue. What about others who may not? Yes I know it’s because there are “support staff” on call or whatever the fee was for, but this deterred me from following up for services, as I have never heard of any counseling office doing this and I work in the mental health field. So Thriveworks, you seem like a great office, but your yearly fee for “supports” or whatever it is for, that you may or may not utilize, doesn’t make sense.
See fewer reviews

Thriveworks Counseling

Schedule your first appointment with a Thriveworks Counselor or Life Coach!

  • 5 E Main St Suite 3,
    Westborough, MA 01581

  • Mon-Fri:7AM-9:30PM
    Saturday:7AM-6PM
    Sunday:8AM-5PM

It’s Time to Start a Relationship with a Thriveworks Counselor

It’s not easy, but we’re extremely selective about the counselors, psychologists, and coaches that join our practice. Experience a provider with skill and passion for helping clients make meaningful advances in their lives, relationships, careers, and happiness.


Get Started Today!

Pin It on Pinterest