HOLIDAYS JUST AREN’T THE SAME:
STILL LIFE GOES ON
COPING STRATEGIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
1. Redefine your holiday expectations. Allow yourself scale back on activities. Plan ahead as to where and how you will spend your time during the holidays. Tell important people in your life that this is a difficult season and let them know what they can do to help. Don't expect people to remember or to know what to do. Plan to be with the people YOU enjoy.
SUGGESTION: Redefine your celebrations on winter: go to a mountain lodge; go Sledding or skiing, or just take a walk in the woods--time out to enjoy what nature has to offer in this season.
2. Select a candle in your loved one's favorite color and scent. Place it in a special area of your home and light it at a significant time throughout the holidays, signifying the light of the love that lives on in your heart.
SUGGESTION: Include the deceased in your conversations and celebrations. Hang a stocking for your loved one in which people can put notes with their thoughts or feelings. Look at photographs. Once others realize that you are comfortable talking about your loved one, they can relate stories that will add to your pleasant memories.
3. Give yourself permission to express your feelings. If you feel an urge to cry, let the tears flow. Tears are healing. Scientists have found that certain brain chemicals in our tears are natural pain relievers.
SUGGESTION: (Fill in with YOUR idea)
4. Call family members or dear friends and share your feelings. If they knew him or her, consider asking them to share some memories of times they shared with your loved one.
SUGGESTION:
5. Write an “un-sent letter” to your loved one expressing what you are honestly feeling toward him or her at this moment. After you compose the letter, you may decide to place it in a book, album or drawer in your home, leave it at a memorial site, throw it away, or even burn it and let the ashes rise symbolically.
SUGGESTION:
6. If you live within driving distance of the cemetery, decorate the memorial site with a holiday theme.. Decorating the site yourself can be helpful in remembering and celebrating your loved one's life during the holidays, and may free you to cherish the present holiday with your remaining family.
SUGGESTION:
7. Play music that is comforting and meaningful to you. Take a few moments to close your eyes and feel the music within the center of your being.
SUGGESTION:
8. Give money you would have spent for gifts for your absent loved one to a charity in your family member's name.
SUGGESTION: Do something for others: volunteer at a soup kitchen; visit the lonely and shut-ins; ask someone who is alone to share the day with your family; provide help for a needy family; volunteer at the airport to pour coffee for stranded travelers; or offer to volunteer in a hospital on the holiday.
9. DON'T BE AFRAID TO HAVE FUN. Laughter and joy are not disrespectful. Give yourself and your family members permission to celebrate and take pleasure in the holidays.
SUGGESTION:
10. TAKE CARE OF YOU. Set priorities! Grief is exhausting Be careful with excessive use of alcohol or medications. Try to keep on a routine. Eat as well as you can, get your rest, and keep up with your exercise program. If you need some quiet time, take it. Use relaxation techniques you learn here today. Give yourself something to look forward to after the holiday.
SUGGESTION:
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING: NIDA GOAL TWO
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com. This is an ongoing blog to educate the public about this new approach to addiction treatment, and to welcome feedback and suggestions for strengthening what has already been developed.
________________________________________________
As mentioned in previous blog entries the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM utilized NIDA’s basic goals of treatment to develop this new model. NIDA’s basic goals include:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
Today we look at how the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM address NIDA’s second basic goal.
NIDA GOAL TWO: Maximizing physical and mental health
Clients are assigned a HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION COUNSELOR that will be with them throughout their program.
During the first six months of treatment, HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION COUNSELORS guide the client through the detoxification process, develops a healing environment, share knowledge of addiction, strategize individual approaches for relapse prevention, address core issues and helps identify client’s religious/spiritual path.
Next time I will discuss NIDA’s third basic goal: Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
________________________________________________
As mentioned in previous blog entries the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM utilized NIDA’s basic goals of treatment to develop this new model. NIDA’s basic goals include:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
Today we look at how the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM address NIDA’s second basic goal.
NIDA GOAL TWO: Maximizing physical and mental health
Clients are assigned a HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION COUNSELOR that will be with them throughout their program.
During the first six months of treatment, HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION COUNSELORS guide the client through the detoxification process, develops a healing environment, share knowledge of addiction, strategize individual approaches for relapse prevention, address core issues and helps identify client’s religious/spiritual path.
Next time I will discuss NIDA’s third basic goal: Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Friday, September 4, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING GOALS
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com. This is an ongoing blog to educate the public about this new approach to addiction treatment, and to welcome feedback and suggestions for strengthening what has already been developed.
________________________________________________
As mentioned in a previous blog entry the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM utilized NIDA’s basic goals of treatment to develop this new model. NIDA’s basic goals include:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
We begin to address NIDA GOAL ONE: Maximizing motivation for abstinence during the admission process. Motivation techniques and areas that are addressed are in goal setting, finances, addressing fears of moving into the unknown, importance of structure, education/knowledge, building integrity.
GOAL SETTING: The biggest goal the client commits to is living a healthy lifestyle. Goals are reviewed and reset at least monthly with the client. Goals include health, abstinance, family, relationships, career, education.
FINANCIAL MOTIVATION:
Lifestyle Changes also sees money as an extrinsic motivator for meeting lifestyle changes goals. Individuals must financially commit to the entire one-year program with payment in advance. Most services are projected and included in the cost; there may be services unique to the individual that would be extra. The program has been priced at an affordable discount rate while establishing efficacy points.
MOVING INTO THE UNKNOWN:
One of the first tools clients are given in the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM is identifying, understanding, and developing strategies to deal with their fears. Understanding that fear of failure and/or fear of living life without self-medicating, this tool is utilized throughout the process. Clients are constantly reminded that they are not on this journey alone. Clients are encouraged to change their thinking using positive words even to describe the program they are in: ie: This isn’t about relapse, this is about living a healthy lifestyle.
ONGOING ACTIVITY:
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM is very structured. Within that structure there are always changing activities: exercise, counseling sessions, family sessions, field trips, etc, that are used to keep the client interested in the process and to help the client experience healthy changes and reactions to those changes. Many healthy “rewards” are given at different points of the program. Ie: Massages, facials, dinners.
KNOWLEDGE:
During the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM assessment process it is determined the best way that the client learns: reading, writing, seeing, touching, hearing. Information is disseminated in the best form for the individual client. The clients are also taught how to research information, access resources, and network to find answers they need to make healthy lifestyle changes.
INTEGRITY:
Learning to build integrity through reclaiming the self of the spirit.
Next time I will discuss NIDA basic two: Maximizing physical and mental health
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
________________________________________________
As mentioned in a previous blog entry the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM utilized NIDA’s basic goals of treatment to develop this new model. NIDA’s basic goals include:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle.
We begin to address NIDA GOAL ONE: Maximizing motivation for abstinence during the admission process. Motivation techniques and areas that are addressed are in goal setting, finances, addressing fears of moving into the unknown, importance of structure, education/knowledge, building integrity.
GOAL SETTING: The biggest goal the client commits to is living a healthy lifestyle. Goals are reviewed and reset at least monthly with the client. Goals include health, abstinance, family, relationships, career, education.
FINANCIAL MOTIVATION:
Lifestyle Changes also sees money as an extrinsic motivator for meeting lifestyle changes goals. Individuals must financially commit to the entire one-year program with payment in advance. Most services are projected and included in the cost; there may be services unique to the individual that would be extra. The program has been priced at an affordable discount rate while establishing efficacy points.
MOVING INTO THE UNKNOWN:
One of the first tools clients are given in the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM is identifying, understanding, and developing strategies to deal with their fears. Understanding that fear of failure and/or fear of living life without self-medicating, this tool is utilized throughout the process. Clients are constantly reminded that they are not on this journey alone. Clients are encouraged to change their thinking using positive words even to describe the program they are in: ie: This isn’t about relapse, this is about living a healthy lifestyle.
ONGOING ACTIVITY:
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM is very structured. Within that structure there are always changing activities: exercise, counseling sessions, family sessions, field trips, etc, that are used to keep the client interested in the process and to help the client experience healthy changes and reactions to those changes. Many healthy “rewards” are given at different points of the program. Ie: Massages, facials, dinners.
KNOWLEDGE:
During the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM assessment process it is determined the best way that the client learns: reading, writing, seeing, touching, hearing. Information is disseminated in the best form for the individual client. The clients are also taught how to research information, access resources, and network to find answers they need to make healthy lifestyle changes.
INTEGRITY:
Learning to build integrity through reclaiming the self of the spirit.
Next time I will discuss NIDA basic two: Maximizing physical and mental health
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING: GROUPS
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
________________________________________________
An adjustment that was difficult for my case study to make was not “going to meetings”. She had been attending 12-step meetings for 15 years; even though she agreed that the program wasn’t working, she enjoyed the socializing that went along with belonging to the group. She said that she also liked “listening to others stories…..knowing I’m not the only one screwing up.”
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM initially did not have a group component to it. Looking at the 12-Step program and the format of the meetings, I had a few problems with the concepts of the program. Having knowledge of how the brain functions provided my biggest challenge with the 12-step meetings. Having someone standup (sometimes three or more times per day) and say “Hi, my name is John; I’m an alcoholic(/drug addict)” made me cringe. I kept picturing strong pathways in the brain being negatively reinforced with “This is who I am.”
Another problematic area in the meetings was debating what “Higher power” meant. What if someone is an atheist? Do they not get to be healthy? Many long-time programmers admit that “the meetings are my higher power.” Since this is Step 2, does that mean people can’t get healthy until they accomplish that step?
I am building an addiction treatment program that will address the needs of individuals. I hear my clients saying they miss groups. So the challenge was to come up with a group that would be open to everyone, whether in addiction or not (after all, everyone is working on being healthy on one level or another: physically, emotionally, spiritually); a group that would provide the social aspects; but, more importantly would nurture an atmosphere of positive growth.
I have been dropping in at different groups in search of one that would meet my three requirements. Most recently I attended an Intenders of the Highest Good. The Intention Process is the power of everyone supporting each other’s positive intentions. People that attend the Intenders Circles learn how to set positive intentions to achieve their “desires easily and effortlessly as possible”. The group helps people to become clear about the power of words and thoughts. This group is not attached to any one specific religious beliefs.
This is one group that I am considering. Do you have any other suggestions? The three criteria for the group would be: (1) open to everyone that wants to improve their lives and be healthy; (2) provides a nurturing atmosphere for positive growth; and, (3) has a healthy social component.
I look forward to receiving your feedback.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
________________________________________________
An adjustment that was difficult for my case study to make was not “going to meetings”. She had been attending 12-step meetings for 15 years; even though she agreed that the program wasn’t working, she enjoyed the socializing that went along with belonging to the group. She said that she also liked “listening to others stories…..knowing I’m not the only one screwing up.”
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM initially did not have a group component to it. Looking at the 12-Step program and the format of the meetings, I had a few problems with the concepts of the program. Having knowledge of how the brain functions provided my biggest challenge with the 12-step meetings. Having someone standup (sometimes three or more times per day) and say “Hi, my name is John; I’m an alcoholic(/drug addict)” made me cringe. I kept picturing strong pathways in the brain being negatively reinforced with “This is who I am.”
Another problematic area in the meetings was debating what “Higher power” meant. What if someone is an atheist? Do they not get to be healthy? Many long-time programmers admit that “the meetings are my higher power.” Since this is Step 2, does that mean people can’t get healthy until they accomplish that step?
I am building an addiction treatment program that will address the needs of individuals. I hear my clients saying they miss groups. So the challenge was to come up with a group that would be open to everyone, whether in addiction or not (after all, everyone is working on being healthy on one level or another: physically, emotionally, spiritually); a group that would provide the social aspects; but, more importantly would nurture an atmosphere of positive growth.
I have been dropping in at different groups in search of one that would meet my three requirements. Most recently I attended an Intenders of the Highest Good. The Intention Process is the power of everyone supporting each other’s positive intentions. People that attend the Intenders Circles learn how to set positive intentions to achieve their “desires easily and effortlessly as possible”. The group helps people to become clear about the power of words and thoughts. This group is not attached to any one specific religious beliefs.
This is one group that I am considering. Do you have any other suggestions? The three criteria for the group would be: (1) open to everyone that wants to improve their lives and be healthy; (2) provides a nurturing atmosphere for positive growth; and, (3) has a healthy social component.
I look forward to receiving your feedback.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
PREDATORS ONLINE
ONLINE PREDATORS & SCAMS:
What Every Practitioner Needs to Know
A Report by OWA Member: Michael McKinley, C. Ht.
Nearly every day we hear the horror stories. Some are about predators who engage and victimize young people online. Others, show trusted counselors, who have betrayed their adult clients through fraud or exploitation. Currently, the Internet has flooded cyberspace with online practitioners preying on the unsuspecting and vulnerable person in crisis who does not know how to verify the credentials of “professionals” who advertise their services online. Who do you trust?
This is a natural consequence of our modern technological society. Therapists, counselors, and other wellness providers are now able to reach right into our living rooms by offering services online, often in communities where services are not currently available. Just as it is easy for qualified practitioners to offer services, it is easy for the unqualified, uncredentialed, or even criminal individual to attract people in an unregulated environment such as the Internet.
How can the average person know for certain whether or not an online professional has the education, experience, or credentials to provide services?
Who am I?
Read this entire article FREE at http://www.onlinewellnessassociation.com
What Every Practitioner Needs to Know
A Report by OWA Member: Michael McKinley, C. Ht.
Nearly every day we hear the horror stories. Some are about predators who engage and victimize young people online. Others, show trusted counselors, who have betrayed their adult clients through fraud or exploitation. Currently, the Internet has flooded cyberspace with online practitioners preying on the unsuspecting and vulnerable person in crisis who does not know how to verify the credentials of “professionals” who advertise their services online. Who do you trust?
This is a natural consequence of our modern technological society. Therapists, counselors, and other wellness providers are now able to reach right into our living rooms by offering services online, often in communities where services are not currently available. Just as it is easy for qualified practitioners to offer services, it is easy for the unqualified, uncredentialed, or even criminal individual to attract people in an unregulated environment such as the Internet.
How can the average person know for certain whether or not an online professional has the education, experience, or credentials to provide services?
Who am I?
Read this entire article FREE at http://www.onlinewellnessassociation.com
HEALTHY HEALING:EXERCISE & NUTRITION
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual.This is an update on the end of the first month of the year long test case for the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM.
-Addicts, particularly long-term addicts, deplete their bodies of important nutrients, their eating habits are usually filled with non-nutritious foods. Sometimes they overeat, sometimes they go days without eating. Exercise is almost non-existent; they usually count their work as exercise--and, often, it is the only movement they have through the day.
For the first two months of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM clients are focused on getting physically healthy—increasing oxygen to the brain. We do this by having the client work with a trainer a minimum of three times per week. We were fortunate to find an excellent facility, OZ FITNESS, Springfield, OR, http://www.ozfitness.com, with professional trainers that could work confidentially with our clients. So far, our client has kept all her gym appointments and has fully cooperated with the trainer. She also added jogging on her own, and is coordinating that with the trainers program at the gym. In the world of drugs being thin is important—thus, methamphetamine addictions. There are also mental health issues that are centered around image, like eating disorders, that must be evaluated. The Healthy Healing counselor reinforces that going to the gym is about health more so then appearance.
Clients also meet with a Health Coach to work on nutrition. Years of living an addiction lifestyle plays a toll on addict’s bodies including affecting the liver, pancreas, heart, and lungs. For this case we are using DR. DEBRA MARTIN BELLEVILLE, Eugene, OR. Drdebra82@yahoo.com. Dr. Debbie does blood work to determine what the client is going to need to eat to be healthy; she also checks for allergies. The client is given a food plan tailored to meet their individual need. The doctor works with the client to teach how to eat better, shop smarter, and understand the effects foods have on the body. Again, reinforcement by the Doctor and the counselor about diet and exercise being for health more so then appearance.
Lessons for this month from the exercise and diet piece is: what an important piece this is for any recovery program. After just the first thirty days, our client is so much more focused on the individual counseling sessions. The communication between OZ FITNESS and the counselor, and DR. BELLEVILLE and the counselor, helps the counselor pace how much he wants to push the talk sessions with the client. The focus on exercise and diet gives the counselor the ability to LISTEN in the first thirty days of treatment, and to allow the client to vent and express fears without feeling judged is extremely valuable. One of the important things to listen for is: what addiction the client may be transferring to. HEALTHY HEALING is about teaching balance in a person with addiction tendencies.
Tomorrow I will share some of the adjustments the client has to make in accepting a new style of addiction counselor.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual.This is an update on the end of the first month of the year long test case for the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM.
-Addicts, particularly long-term addicts, deplete their bodies of important nutrients, their eating habits are usually filled with non-nutritious foods. Sometimes they overeat, sometimes they go days without eating. Exercise is almost non-existent; they usually count their work as exercise--and, often, it is the only movement they have through the day.
For the first two months of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM clients are focused on getting physically healthy—increasing oxygen to the brain. We do this by having the client work with a trainer a minimum of three times per week. We were fortunate to find an excellent facility, OZ FITNESS, Springfield, OR, http://www.ozfitness.com, with professional trainers that could work confidentially with our clients. So far, our client has kept all her gym appointments and has fully cooperated with the trainer. She also added jogging on her own, and is coordinating that with the trainers program at the gym. In the world of drugs being thin is important—thus, methamphetamine addictions. There are also mental health issues that are centered around image, like eating disorders, that must be evaluated. The Healthy Healing counselor reinforces that going to the gym is about health more so then appearance.
Clients also meet with a Health Coach to work on nutrition. Years of living an addiction lifestyle plays a toll on addict’s bodies including affecting the liver, pancreas, heart, and lungs. For this case we are using DR. DEBRA MARTIN BELLEVILLE, Eugene, OR. Drdebra82@yahoo.com. Dr. Debbie does blood work to determine what the client is going to need to eat to be healthy; she also checks for allergies. The client is given a food plan tailored to meet their individual need. The doctor works with the client to teach how to eat better, shop smarter, and understand the effects foods have on the body. Again, reinforcement by the Doctor and the counselor about diet and exercise being for health more so then appearance.
Lessons for this month from the exercise and diet piece is: what an important piece this is for any recovery program. After just the first thirty days, our client is so much more focused on the individual counseling sessions. The communication between OZ FITNESS and the counselor, and DR. BELLEVILLE and the counselor, helps the counselor pace how much he wants to push the talk sessions with the client. The focus on exercise and diet gives the counselor the ability to LISTEN in the first thirty days of treatment, and to allow the client to vent and express fears without feeling judged is extremely valuable. One of the important things to listen for is: what addiction the client may be transferring to. HEALTHY HEALING is about teaching balance in a person with addiction tendencies.
Tomorrow I will share some of the adjustments the client has to make in accepting a new style of addiction counselor.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING COUNSELORS
We have completed the first month with our subject client going through the entire HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM. I would like to share a few of the insights so far starting with this one:
-Not only are the clients vested in 12-step recovery treatment plans, so are the counselors. On the counselors part it seems more reactionary then anything. All of the counselors presently working on this case are committed to offering an alternative approach to addiction. Yet, after their first meeting with the client and/or client’s husband, they each reached into their counseling tool bag and pulled out—you guessed it!—12-step! All the counselors were willing to back-up on what they did, and we had a great discussion about what happened. Reaching in their tool box and pulling out 12-step was more reactionary then therapeutic. Even if Healthy Healing had a 12-step component, it was not appropriate for either client or husband in this particular case. Following a few more sessions with each, the client and husband, two of three counselors stated “This is hard work.” And it is. Developing a treatment plan that is exclusively for a particular client IS hard work—for the client and the counselor. What I do know from years of developing this program is that, after a while, you wouldn’t think of doing it any other way. There are so many good therapies out there—both Western and Eastern—that we short the client if we try to make one plan fit all.
What I have learned from this insight is that I need to get really busy creating curriculum to train counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM. Also, addiction counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM will have to have a minimum of a CDCII (requires Bachelor’s Degree).
The other thing I personally learned from this first month is that I don’t like being a Program Director. Guess I also need to get busy on a job description for a Program Director.
Tomorrow I will talk about introducing exercise and diet up front into the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
-Not only are the clients vested in 12-step recovery treatment plans, so are the counselors. On the counselors part it seems more reactionary then anything. All of the counselors presently working on this case are committed to offering an alternative approach to addiction. Yet, after their first meeting with the client and/or client’s husband, they each reached into their counseling tool bag and pulled out—you guessed it!—12-step! All the counselors were willing to back-up on what they did, and we had a great discussion about what happened. Reaching in their tool box and pulling out 12-step was more reactionary then therapeutic. Even if Healthy Healing had a 12-step component, it was not appropriate for either client or husband in this particular case. Following a few more sessions with each, the client and husband, two of three counselors stated “This is hard work.” And it is. Developing a treatment plan that is exclusively for a particular client IS hard work—for the client and the counselor. What I do know from years of developing this program is that, after a while, you wouldn’t think of doing it any other way. There are so many good therapies out there—both Western and Eastern—that we short the client if we try to make one plan fit all.
What I have learned from this insight is that I need to get really busy creating curriculum to train counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM. Also, addiction counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM will have to have a minimum of a CDCII (requires Bachelor’s Degree).
The other thing I personally learned from this first month is that I don’t like being a Program Director. Guess I also need to get busy on a job description for a Program Director.
Tomorrow I will talk about introducing exercise and diet up front into the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
INTEGRATED SERVICES
HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM recently launched by Lifestyle Changes, Eugene, Oregon, is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This approach addresses the three dimensions necessary for individual healing: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Methods used include, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral modification, rational therapy, family systems, and, rational behavioral emotive therapy, along with an array of alternative approaches. Healthy Healing guides the clients from active chronic addiction/relapse to sobriety, into a maintenance recovery, to ongoing healing. This is an integrated services model that requires the client to make a minimum of one-year commitment to the program.
The HEALTHY HEALING program uses integrated services, both Western and Eastern methods, in order to address all the needs of an individual. The services are estimated at the time of assessment and are very individualized on a treatment plan. All services are performed by experts in their field. These services can include, but are not limited to, approaches for:
Academic Planning
Addiction education
Anger Processing
Behavior modification
Career Planning
Community Integration
Couples Counseling
Criminal Thinking
Eating Disorders
Emotional Freedom Techniques
Employment Assistance
Environment
Exercise
Family Counseling
Family Systems Work
Fitness program
Functional Medicine Physician
Grief and Loss
Health Assessments
Health Coach
Hypnosis
Massage
Meditation
Mental Health Practitioner
Movement
Naturopathic Physician
Nutrition
Parenting Classes
Peer Addiction Counselor
Peer Counselors
Post Traumatic Stress
Primary Physicians
Psychiatric Practitioner
Reiki
Sexual Abuse
Social Modeling
Spiritual Guidance
Time Empowerment Techniques
All aspects of the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT program are composites of evidenced-based individualized treatment approaches.
HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT may not be like other treatments presently offered, but, then, the goal of this program is to meet addiction professional’s challenge to “redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom.”
Initially the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT program will be limited by the location it is offered. Conceived and launched in Eugene, OR, the program will eventually move to other areas as professionals are trained in this innovative approach. Seminars are being planned for 2010.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM AT
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
The HEALTHY HEALING program uses integrated services, both Western and Eastern methods, in order to address all the needs of an individual. The services are estimated at the time of assessment and are very individualized on a treatment plan. All services are performed by experts in their field. These services can include, but are not limited to, approaches for:
Academic Planning
Addiction education
Anger Processing
Behavior modification
Career Planning
Community Integration
Couples Counseling
Criminal Thinking
Eating Disorders
Emotional Freedom Techniques
Employment Assistance
Environment
Exercise
Family Counseling
Family Systems Work
Fitness program
Functional Medicine Physician
Grief and Loss
Health Assessments
Health Coach
Hypnosis
Massage
Meditation
Mental Health Practitioner
Movement
Naturopathic Physician
Nutrition
Parenting Classes
Peer Addiction Counselor
Peer Counselors
Post Traumatic Stress
Primary Physicians
Psychiatric Practitioner
Reiki
Sexual Abuse
Social Modeling
Spiritual Guidance
Time Empowerment Techniques
All aspects of the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT program are composites of evidenced-based individualized treatment approaches.
HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT may not be like other treatments presently offered, but, then, the goal of this program is to meet addiction professional’s challenge to “redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom.”
Initially the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT program will be limited by the location it is offered. Conceived and launched in Eugene, OR, the program will eventually move to other areas as professionals are trained in this innovative approach. Seminars are being planned for 2010.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM AT
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
ADDICTION: NIDA’S BASIC GOALS
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The following is an excerpt from an unpublished article presently being written:
In addiction to NIDA’s 12 (see blog entry from 8/26/09) Principles for effective addiction treatment followed to develop the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM, the three NIDA basic goals of treatment were taken into consideration:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle
By following the guidelines set forth by NIDA, HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM has been able to offer a true alternative to outpatient treatment of addiction.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The following is an excerpt from an unpublished article presently being written:
In addiction to NIDA’s 12 (see blog entry from 8/26/09) Principles for effective addiction treatment followed to develop the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM, the three NIDA basic goals of treatment were taken into consideration:
1. Maximizing motivation for abstinence
2. Maximizing physical and mental health
3. Rebuilding a drug-free (healthy) lifestyle
By following the guidelines set forth by NIDA, HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM has been able to offer a true alternative to outpatient treatment of addiction.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Thursday, August 27, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING STEPS TO RECOVERY
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual. HEALTHY HEALING also recognizes that there are three distinctive steps needed for treatment: SOBRIETY/ABSTINENCE (refraining from the ingestion of alcohol or other drugs.), RECOVERY (the process by which the ingestion of alcohol or other drugs is recognized as problematic and action needs to happen to avoid use), and HEALING (when the spiritual hole is filled, or the spiritual disorientation is resolved). According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) “Individuals who have participated and completed treatment programs are considered to be ‘in recovery’.” Thus, recovery is recognized as an ongoing process of improvement—biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually—while maintaining abstinence from alcohol and other drugs. Spiritual growth continues to be the basis for living a healthy lifestyle after treatment.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual. HEALTHY HEALING also recognizes that there are three distinctive steps needed for treatment: SOBRIETY/ABSTINENCE (refraining from the ingestion of alcohol or other drugs.), RECOVERY (the process by which the ingestion of alcohol or other drugs is recognized as problematic and action needs to happen to avoid use), and HEALING (when the spiritual hole is filled, or the spiritual disorientation is resolved). According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) “Individuals who have participated and completed treatment programs are considered to be ‘in recovery’.” Thus, recovery is recognized as an ongoing process of improvement—biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually—while maintaining abstinence from alcohol and other drugs. Spiritual growth continues to be the basis for living a healthy lifestyle after treatment.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
HEALTHY HEALING: NIDA PRINCIPLES
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
While developing the contents of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM NIDA’s 12 principles for effective addiction treatment were also considered:
1. Clients to be matched to the most appropriate treatment setting, intervention, and services
2. Readily available
3. Needs to attend to multiple needs of the individual including associated medical, social, psychological, vocational, and legal problems
4. Treatment must be an adequate period of time for effectiveness
5. Combine individual and/or group counseling and other behavioral therapies
6. Medications when indicated
7. Integrated treatment of coexisting mental disorders
8. Detoxification as first stage of treatment
9. Voluntary, as well as, enticements and/or sanctions by family, employment, criminal justice system are means to treatment
10. Monitoring of possible drug/alcohol use during treatment
11. Assessment for sexually transmitted diseases
12. Stressing that recovery is a long-term process
Learn more about this program at http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com .
Send your comments and inquiries to maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
While developing the contents of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM NIDA’s 12 principles for effective addiction treatment were also considered:
1. Clients to be matched to the most appropriate treatment setting, intervention, and services
2. Readily available
3. Needs to attend to multiple needs of the individual including associated medical, social, psychological, vocational, and legal problems
4. Treatment must be an adequate period of time for effectiveness
5. Combine individual and/or group counseling and other behavioral therapies
6. Medications when indicated
7. Integrated treatment of coexisting mental disorders
8. Detoxification as first stage of treatment
9. Voluntary, as well as, enticements and/or sanctions by family, employment, criminal justice system are means to treatment
10. Monitoring of possible drug/alcohol use during treatment
11. Assessment for sexually transmitted diseases
12. Stressing that recovery is a long-term process
Learn more about this program at http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com .
Send your comments and inquiries to maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
OWA: HEALTH SERVICES
ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION members are dedicated to their professions. They share the same principles and approaches that drive the OWA Mission: “OWA’s goal is to provide a SAFE platform for practitioners to build successful practices online and for potential clients to feel safe when choosing a practitioner.” The practitioners and staff of ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION share this philosophy:
“Health & Wellness: therapists, counselors, coaches, and guides in the health and wellness field, integrate various techniques to align mind, body, spirit, and relationships through the use of both traditional and nontraditional therapies. Cognitive and mind-body health techniques are used to achieve presence and peace of mind. Natural diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation, and prevention is emphasized to strengthen and heal the body. Spiritual connectiveness is emphasized to achieve a healthy connection with the mind, body, and external factors. Fulfilling relationships with our work, purpose of life, family, friends, and acquaintances are achieved through learning to free the ego. Achieving wellness means alleviating anxiety, drama, and disease to attain a more fulfilling and peaceful quality of life.”
Have you applied for membership with ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION? Go to
http://www.onlinewellnessassociation.com
“Health & Wellness: therapists, counselors, coaches, and guides in the health and wellness field, integrate various techniques to align mind, body, spirit, and relationships through the use of both traditional and nontraditional therapies. Cognitive and mind-body health techniques are used to achieve presence and peace of mind. Natural diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation, and prevention is emphasized to strengthen and heal the body. Spiritual connectiveness is emphasized to achieve a healthy connection with the mind, body, and external factors. Fulfilling relationships with our work, purpose of life, family, friends, and acquaintances are achieved through learning to free the ego. Achieving wellness means alleviating anxiety, drama, and disease to attain a more fulfilling and peaceful quality of life.”
Have you applied for membership with ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION? Go to
http://www.onlinewellnessassociation.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
ADDICTION: NEW TREATMENT APPROACH
The following is an excerpt from my article in progress introducing the Lifestyle Changes Healthy Healing Addiction Treatment Program: HEALTHY HEALING AN INTENSIVE-INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM: A Year Long Alternative Approach to Healing From Addiction; By MA Fabry, BA, CADCII, June, 2009
“Dr. Mark Willenbring recently wrote an article for ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL magazine (Sept/Oct 2008` Vol 6 No 5, page 12) suggesting that a fundamental change needed to be done to redefine alcohol treatment. Among the topics of this article were who, and who did not receive specialty addiction treatment and why; continuum of need, and structural barriers. One of his suggestions was for expanding the elements of the continuum of need and care. Willenbring said “Since no one behavioral approach has better overall outcomes than others, clients should have a choice of available, effective treatment…Because most people in need of specialty treatment have chronic, relapsing dependence as well as co-existing physical mental disorders, specialty addiction treatment should seamlessly integrate addiction, primary medical, and psychiatric treatments” Dr. Willenbring is just one voice of many addiction experts calling for addiction specialists to step out of the traditional box of treatment and come up with new approaches.
Dr. Willenbring’s article added fuel to my fire of thoughts about how addiction treatment appears to be limited to one or two models—almost a cookie-cutter approach for wellness. Because addicts are individuals, and I have never treated any two addicts that are the same, the cookie-cutter traditional approach to treatment didn’t feel right to me. Further, the results never appeared to be too impressive and/or inspiring. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) validates this observation “No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.” I started researching behavioral approaches for addiction and mental illnesses; I also looked at pharmaceutical and medical models. I developed a program called LIFESTYLE CHANGES: HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM, to accept the challenge set forth by Dr. Willenbring “to begin to redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom among addiction professionals.”
HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT may not be like other treatments presently offered, but, then, the goal of this program is to meet addiction professional’s challenge to “redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom.’”
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
“Dr. Mark Willenbring recently wrote an article for ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL magazine (Sept/Oct 2008` Vol 6 No 5, page 12) suggesting that a fundamental change needed to be done to redefine alcohol treatment. Among the topics of this article were who, and who did not receive specialty addiction treatment and why; continuum of need, and structural barriers. One of his suggestions was for expanding the elements of the continuum of need and care. Willenbring said “Since no one behavioral approach has better overall outcomes than others, clients should have a choice of available, effective treatment…Because most people in need of specialty treatment have chronic, relapsing dependence as well as co-existing physical mental disorders, specialty addiction treatment should seamlessly integrate addiction, primary medical, and psychiatric treatments” Dr. Willenbring is just one voice of many addiction experts calling for addiction specialists to step out of the traditional box of treatment and come up with new approaches.
Dr. Willenbring’s article added fuel to my fire of thoughts about how addiction treatment appears to be limited to one or two models—almost a cookie-cutter approach for wellness. Because addicts are individuals, and I have never treated any two addicts that are the same, the cookie-cutter traditional approach to treatment didn’t feel right to me. Further, the results never appeared to be too impressive and/or inspiring. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) validates this observation “No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.” I started researching behavioral approaches for addiction and mental illnesses; I also looked at pharmaceutical and medical models. I developed a program called LIFESTYLE CHANGES: HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM, to accept the challenge set forth by Dr. Willenbring “to begin to redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom among addiction professionals.”
HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT may not be like other treatments presently offered, but, then, the goal of this program is to meet addiction professional’s challenge to “redefine alcohol treatment that may challenge the conventional wisdom.’”
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
ADDICTION: HEALTHY HEALING
I introduced the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM (HH) the middle of July 2009. This is an alternative holistic approach to the more traditional programs. For the past three years, my colleagues and I have used all the methods that are components of the HH program with remarkable results. Starting with this blog, I would like to share some of the findings from the work I have done to date, then, take you along on the single subject test I have just started at the beginning of August. My purpose in blogging this information is (1) it forces me to write about the program; (2) it helps me identify patterns coming up during the case study; and, (3) I want very much to have your feedback as I go along working the kinks out of the program. Who I would like to hear from are:
ADDICTS: Resisting going into treatment and why. Ever been in recovery? How long? What happened to throw you back?
RECOVERING PEOPLE: How did you get there? How long have you been in recovery? How do you maintain your recovery? How is life different for you? What is the ONE thing that made all the difference for you being where you are today?
PRIVATE PRACTICE PROFESSIONALS: If you specialize in addiction counseling, I want to hear from you. Comment on what I am doing, offer what you are doing.
ADDICTION COUNSELORS WORKING FOR AGENCIES: Share with me what your agencies are doing differently these days. What are the strengths of the program you work at?
Please let me know if it is alright to reprint your comments in my blog, articles, or other publishings. I will NOT use your name unless you give permission to do that.
To learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM go to:
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
You can also send your comments directly to me at
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
ADDICTS: Resisting going into treatment and why. Ever been in recovery? How long? What happened to throw you back?
RECOVERING PEOPLE: How did you get there? How long have you been in recovery? How do you maintain your recovery? How is life different for you? What is the ONE thing that made all the difference for you being where you are today?
PRIVATE PRACTICE PROFESSIONALS: If you specialize in addiction counseling, I want to hear from you. Comment on what I am doing, offer what you are doing.
ADDICTION COUNSELORS WORKING FOR AGENCIES: Share with me what your agencies are doing differently these days. What are the strengths of the program you work at?
Please let me know if it is alright to reprint your comments in my blog, articles, or other publishings. I will NOT use your name unless you give permission to do that.
To learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM go to:
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
You can also send your comments directly to me at
maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com
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