It’s hard to understand addiction sometimes. It’s really hard to understand when it’s someone you care for and they are looking back at you, clearly intoxicated by whatever their favorite form of controlled dissociation is (drugs, alcohol, sex, food/not eating food, gambling), and they are again lying, again manipulating and again doing all the things … Read More
By: Brandy Harris, MA, LMHC-I Intensive Outpatient Program Manager I have been at The Refuge Transitions since May of 2012. We work with individuals from all walks of life; some have experienced multiple treatments, some are stepping down from residential treatment, and others are coming to us for treatment for the first time. A common … Read More
By: Annie Kaja Reed, BA, CAS Counselor, The Refuge – A Healing PlaceFor me, the process of recovery from mental disorders such as addiction and PTSD, is one of returning into the beauty, love and inherent goodness of life. PTSD, addiction, depression and other ways our bodies and minds enter dysfunction shut us off from experiencing … Read More
When my father died several years ago, I received a number of sympathy cards from coworkers that suggested that I let my wonderful memories of my relationship with him from childhood and onward comfort me. As a grief counselor my thoughts immediately went to how interesting it is that people who knew nothing about my … Read More
“There are receptors to these molecules in your immune system, in your gut and in your heart. So when you say, ‘I have a gut feeling’ or ‘my heart is sad’ or ‘I am bursting with joy,’ you’re not speaking metaphorically. You’re speaking literally.” – Deepak Chopra The body holds strong messages for us and … Read More
What is it like to carry the secret of trauma for many years and maybe even decades? This is the reality that trauma therapists around the world and especially at The Refuge face daily. Many of our clients show up for treatment in crisis as a result of bearing the emotions associated with many years … Read More
A few weeks ago I was preparing to present for the first time at a national conference in Nashville. In an effort to distract myself from the fear of public speaking, I took the first day of the conference to hear a speaker I have always admired as a pioneer in the field: Bessel Van … Read More
I was leaving Sedona, not on a fast train, but on a 10 passenger shuttle to the Phoenix airport and as I entered I realized what bad planning I had created. This was a 2 hour ride and the seats were filled from other hotels and 3 people including myself who were in a really … Read More
Symptoms of PTSD can be devastating and treating individuals with PTSD can often be difficult. For example, getting a trauma survivor to discuss past traumatic events can sometimes feel impossible as just talking about these haunting stories can lead to complete and total dissociation and detachment. The pre-frontal cortex goes off-line. Thus, you will have a client … Read More
It feels like I have lived on an airplane for the last 2 months. I know that’s a real issue when the TSA folks greet me with, “Hello Ms. Crane, I love the new color you have added to your hair.” I have added a strip of pink….ok so I seek attention!! And yes when … Read More
