MacKenzie Gullo

Background

About MacKenzie Gullo

I’ve been working in the substance use field since 2020, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no two people take the same path to recovery. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered treatment, meeting people where they are and helping them build a future that works for them. I’ve worked with clients ranging in age from 12 to 78, supporting them through assessments, treatment planning, group facilitation, and collaboration with courts and probation officers. No matter their background or circumstances, my goal has always been the same—help them find hope and make real, lasting change. Currently, I’m with ECMC’s Downtown Clinic for Substance Use Treatment, working directly with individuals navigating the challenges of addiction and recovery. Before this, I helped design and launch an OASAS-approved DWI treatment program, built on CBT and harm reduction principles, to reduce recidivism among first-time offenders and high-risk impaired drivers. Beyond clinical work, I’m deeply committed to advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Many of the individuals I work with have been oppressed, marginalized, or left behind by broken systems, and I believe in standing up, speaking out, and fighting for change—both inside and outside of the treatment setting. I’m also pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Rutgers University, expanding my skills to better serve individuals and communities affected by substance use. I’m passionate about this work and believe in the power of compassion, connection, and second chances. Let’s connect!