Author: Holly Mae Haddock

Categories
General

Meet Villa Kali Ma’s Program Director

Ashley Amundson has worn many different hats at Villa Kali Ma, working her way from her starting position as a Resident Advisor (RA) in 2017 to RA Manager in 2018 and then to Program Manager in 2019. She was promoted again to her current position as Program Director in early 2020. Ashley has grown right alongside the company, having joined Villa Kali Ma’s team shortly after the program grew from a Transitional Living Program to a licensed Residential Treatment Center. Ashley leads with enthusiasm and a fun-loving lightheartedness that keeps the staff smiling even when there are heavy situations to manage.

In addition to running the day-to-day operations and overseeing a team of clinical therapists, holistic practitioners and staff, Ashley is the first point of contact for all new clients considering treatment with Villa Kali Ma. Acting in the additional role of Admissions Director, Ashley is able to empathize with women who are seeking help and offer a truly compassionate ear for those who are about to walk the path that she herself has walked. We are truly blessed to have her as the first person that potential clients interact with when they consider our program for themselves or their loved one.

Keep reading to learn more about Ashley’s story and why we are so happy to have her here at Villa Kali Ma!

Can you tell me about your role at VKM?

Ashley: So my role here at Villa Kali Ma is that I’m the program director.

What that means is that I am in charge of the operations and the day-to-day business, but I’m also the very first person that the clients speak to over the phone. So I set up the intake, and I get the inside scoop of the story of their lives. Establishing that initial connection is so very important because it’s very lonely on that side of the phone—a lot of people who reach out to me are feeling disconnected and isolated.

As their very first initial contact, I get to build that connection and that rapport beforehand and guide them to see if Villa Kali Ma will be a great fit for them. A big part of that role is answering all their questions. Because I have been in their position before, I’m able to do so efficiently, with authenticity and genuineness.

I find that, of all the jobs that I have had here, that one is the most special.

Do you have much interaction with the women once they arrive?

Ashley: I’m on-site more than I’m not. I’m a part of the day-to-day operation and usually the one that clients will go to if they have some concerns or questions. My role is to help ease their anxieties.

I also teach breathwork here. Breathwork is a powerful trauma-informed modality that we use as a part of our holistic program. I have the opportunity to bring that gift and share it with the clients.

Having a dual role—by participating in the healing modalities and the program operation—gives me a lot of insight into their trauma. Because I have that background information, it lets me know where to work and how to feel their energy out a little bit more. So that’s really powerful.

A part of my role is also directing what kind of nature hikes they do or walks and other aspects of treatment. As I do the scheduling, I listen to how they’re feeling and what they’re needing. I ensure that their treatment is very mind, body, spirit and tailored to their needs.

How long have you been in the treatment field? When did you begin at VKM?

Ashley: My background is in customer service, but I’ve always known I wanted to work with women. I went to school and got my undergraduate degree in women’s studies, but I got very stuck. I didn’t know what to do with this degree. It took a lot of my own processing and internal work to get where I am as I navigated and plotted this course that led me to Villa Kali Ma.

My experience in the treatment field dates back to the beginning of 2017, about four years ago. That was when I started here at Villa Kali Ma as a resident advisor. I was one-to-one with clients all day long, 40 hours a week.

I worked my way up through every single role. I became a case manager and then the staff manager, then the program manager. Now my role is as program director. I’ve done every single part of this business, even the marketing and the client care sides.

While working here, I also got my master’s, and I’ll soon graduate from my doctorate program. It’s all flown together, and Villa Kali Ma has made it so that I can do this journey with them, and they have been very supportive of me throughout this journey.

What is it about VKM that you’re proud of? Anything that makes VKM stand out from other treatment centers?

Ashley: There are many things about Villa Kali Ma that stand out. For one, the CEO built this company because she was unable to find a program like this. Here, we work with women only as a gender-specific program. In this environment, with an all-women staff, our clients can feel safe to explore their experience of trauma. It’s so imperative that women have a place to go to feel safe and open up about these issues. So I think that having an intentionally small facility that only takes six women at a time is such a fertile environment to address these issues.

We take it one step further and offer treatment in a genuinely holistic way. We still have the clinical aspects covered—we offer EMDR and psychotherapy and CBT and DBT. On top of that, our program is infused with a unique holistic component, which extends all the way to our plant-based diet.

So our program here is truly encompassing of all elements of holistic change. To have a women-only treatment center focused on just six clients at a time that incorporates a plant-based diet has not been done, especially with an all-women staff. And I think that factor has been incredibly impactful for the women who have received treatment here too.

How have you seen holistic practices complement the healing that takes place at VKM?

Ashley: The mind, body and spirit approach to treatment has been left out of traditional programs throughout the history of addiction treatment. To reintegrate that component and speak to the needs of the whole person is imperative for healing. What we offer here is healing.

I think Villa Kali Ma does such a great job with treating each person as a whole and bringing attention to each of their needs—mind, body, and spirit.

How have you seen VKM change over the years?

Ashley: Yes, it has changed so much. I’m so proud to say how far it has come. Opening a center like this that’s only open to half the demographic with a very niche focus is such a scary venture—those of us who were around at the very beginning held this place up by our bootstraps. We put our hearts and souls and passion into it, and it was like a seedling taking root before our eyes. Like many other things, it is tough to build a business but to see how far and how much healing this place has done is remarkable.

To give you an example, our alumni program didn’t exist at first, because we only work with six women at a time. But over the last four years, we have grown our alumni network with women that have graduated from the program.
Each alumnus has their own experience and stories to share with those currently in the program or others who have graduated. From our main group, they have branched off and created their own subgroups. They have clubs and hiking groups, and they also have a codependency group and many more, just from the alumni of Villa Kali Ma.

Was there a single, defining moment that drew you to the treatment of mental health?

Ashley: I think it was a collection of defining moments. The interesting thing is that I didn’t even get a response from Villa Kali Ma when I first had applied because they were so new that they hadn’t even set up their hiring process yet.

I had to basically bang down the door and get myself that interview because I was so drawn to Kay’s story and what they treat and what their mission statement was. I found it all so unique, and I’d never heard of a place like this that I felt like I had to work there.

Interestingly, many of the staff members who have come here and been a part of the Villa Kali Ma journey have very similar experiences of this sense of being drawn here as if this is part of their path. Each woman on our team is so unique, and we each have all these different gifts that collectively come together and make this program work.
I truly believe that there is a reason that we’re all drawn here. But to work in the treatment center in the field itself, I think that decision was based on my own internal recovery path that allowed me to see that I wanted to work with women, and I wanted to do it in the recovery setting.

Who or what has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach your work?

Ashley: At first, coming here and working with these very powerful healing women was very intimidating for me, having just started out. The law attraction helped me tap into a new mindset.

Instead of running away, I decided to lean in and tap into my own abilities and my own empowerment. I found power in walking the walk and talking with talk and eventually learning that when you go through the fire and go through the fear, you come out the other side stronger.

It was very intimidating to be around these women who have long, extensive work histories in the field. Some have 20 years of therapy under their belt, some are Reiki practitioners, some are yoga practitioners, and they have this essence about them that takes over a room. To be in that room at first, it’s so scary, but I’m glad that instead of running from it, I was able to embrace it and say, these are the people that I want to surround myself with. These are the women I want to work with.

The string that connects all the women here is that we genuinely love our jobs. We love being here. We love being in this healing process, being a part of our client’s journey and even the connection afterward, seeing them in the alumni groups and seeing how that’s flourished.

All of our staff here at Villa Kali Ma absolutely love what we do—it gives us purpose in life. And we feel that we have helped women find their own purpose and their own empowerment to lead them to whatever makes them excited to get up in the morning.

How have you found this last year to be for your clients?

Ashley: COVID-19 has created this sense of isolation and disconnection for many people. Of course, some people were already suffering silently prior to this, and the pandemic was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Women are feeling further and further disconnected from their families, from their loved ones, and most importantly, from themselves. They can no longer keep up the drinking, the drugging and their souls are hurting.

While we are an addiction primary facility, healing those underlying concerns—the depression, the anxiety, the isolation, and disconnection from life—that’s what we’re trying to do.

Rightfully so, there are many procedures and safety precautions that we have to take, but this creates further disconnection and isolation. Our role in combatting this is 1) ensuring that our staff is safe—we’re all vaccinated—and 2) ensuring that community and connection remain a primary goal.

As a society, what we’re seeing is that alcohol sales are up. People are using more drugs. There’s a lot of fear around financial stability and the future and the like. As a program, we make it our mission to tend to all these anxieties and help women find something solid to hold onto when it feels like the world is a scary place.

What part of your career are you especially proud of that brings you the most joy when you look back at it?

Ashley: This whole journey has empowered me so much that looking back on it does bring me joy, just the journey itself. I was so inspired by Kay White’s story and followed in her footsteps for some of the soul-searching adventures. In the beginning, I took a leave of absence, went to Bali, and I did a lot of soul-searching spiritual work while I was there. It was scary to leave a job to take a leap like that, but I felt like the universe had my back in the sense that everything would work out. And I went, and I took a leap, and when I came back, I was welcomed with open arms. I think I was a better person for it and a better employee for it.

Looking back at the leaps I’ve made in my self-development because Villa Kali Ma empowered me to do so gives me a lot of joy. Similarly, seeing the different women who have come in and out of here and hearing their stories has been an enormous encouragement to me. I am blessed to be so involved that I hear all the updates and their leaps and bounds. Hearing from them keeps my joy, little sparks throughout my entire week here.

Here, I have also learned more about the holistic side of life that complemented the clinical training that I went to school for. I’m always learning and moving forward here, and that’s a really special feeling.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?

Ashley: If I could speak to a younger version of myself, I would say, “Lean in. Lean all the way in. The universe has your back. You are limitless, you can do whatever it is that your heart brings you to want to do. There are no obstacles, you are your only obstacle.”

I felt like, for a very long time, I was my own obstacle. My self-doubt was always tethering me back, but I knew internally that I had all the gifts, all the things locked up inside of me, but I was just too scared to see my own power. Marianne Williamson talks about “the fear of success.” That there’s not just the fear of failure, it really is a fear of success. Leaning into your own power can be terrifying, but once you can unlock that and embrace it and embrace who you are, then nothing else matters. You’re out of your own way.

Categories
Nutrition

Mexi-Style Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Vegan and Gluten-Free!)

This is one of the favorite dinners at Villa Kali Ma! It has six parts, and you will have to prepare each recipe and then put it all together at the end. It’s a little bit of work, but totally worth it!

I usually make it the day after Taco Tuesday so I can prepare extra portions of the Tofu Walnut Taco Meat, Smokey Chipotle Black Beans, and Cashew Sour Cream to be used the next day to make Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.  

In addition to the three items mentioned above, you will also need to prepare the Warm Roasted Corn Pico, Crispy Kale, and Baked Sweet Potatoes. Even though it seems like a lot, it should only take about an hour to prepare all of it. You can save time by doing some of the prep work earlier in the day or the night before, or just start 90 minutes before you want to serve the dinner. 

Of course, you could substitute each of the parts with store-bought options, but it will not taste anything like this amazingly delicious and gorgeous creation! Believe me; you won’t regret it. Put in the time and enjoy the process, and everyone you share this with will be gushing about what an amazing cook you are!

This recipe will make enough to stuff six potatoes, so if you don’t need that much or don’t want leftovers, then you can cut the recipe in half. However, you can always use the leftover ingredients to create other things like tacos, burritos, or a taco salad for lunch the next day.

Ingredients / Shopping List

(BUY EVERYTHING ORGANIC)

For the Tofu Walnut Taco Meat:
One 14-ounce package of Extra Firm Organic Tofu
2 Cups of Organic Raw Walnuts (halves and pieces)
2 Tbs of Tomato Paste
1 Tbs of Maple Syrup
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
Dash or 2 of Chipotle Powder (depending on how spicy you want it)
1 tsp of Chile Powder
1 tsp of Cumin
2 tsp of Smoked Paprika
1 Tbs Oregano
2 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Tbs Tamari or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 Tbs Water

For the Smokey Chipotle Black Beans:
2 cans of Organic Black Beans (do not drain)
1/2 of a small Red Onion
1/2 of a Red Bell Pepper
2-3 Cloves of Fresh Garlic (peeled)
1/3 of a bundle of Fresh Cilantro with stems removed
1 Tbs Smoked Paprika
1/4 tsp of Chipotle Powder (more if you want it spicier)
1 Tbs Coconut Sugar
1 tsp of Celtic Sea Salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp of Black Pepper (or to taste) 

For the Warm Roasted Corn Pico:
1 Ear of Organic Corn on the Cob (if not in season, you can use frozen corn to substitute)
1 tsp Vegan Butter
1/2 Red Bell Pepper – Diced
1 Green Bell Pepper – Diced
1 Red Onion – Diced
3-4 Cloves of Garlic – Diced
1 Jalapeño – Diced (remove seeds before dicing for less spicy)
1 small Tomato – Diced
2/3 of a bundle of Fresh Cilantro with stems removed
1 lime wedge

For the Cashew Sour Cream:
1 Cup of Raw Organic Cashews – Soaked overnight or boiled for 15 minutes
2 Cups of Filtered Water (for boiling or soaking cashews)
1 Cup Filtered Water
3-4 Ice Cubes
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 tsp Celtic Sea Salt

For the Crispy Kale:

One bundle of Green or Purple Curly Kale
1/2 tsp of Celtic Sea Salt
1-2 Tbs of Olive Oil (depending on how big your bunch of kale is and how much oil you like)

6 Baked Potato Sized Sweet Potatoes

Optional additional Topping Ideas:

Salsa
Hot Sauce
Diced Green Onion
Diced Avocado
Sliced Black Olives

Instructions

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. Place a rack in the upper middle of the oven and another rack under it in the center of the oven. You should have one rack space above your top shelf and one rack space below your bottom rack. This is because you will need to put the Tofu Walnut Taco Meat into the oven to bake while the potatoes are still cooking. Put the potatoes on the top rack and the taco mixture on the shelf underneath them. 

If you have a double oven, then you can use both and cook them separately. 

Scrub the outside of the sweet potatoes and pierce the skin of each potato several times with a fork, then place them on a baking sheet. When the oven reaches 375 degrees, place the baking sheet into the oven and set a timer for 45 minutes.

If you didn’t soak your cashews overnight, then now is the time to get them boiling. Put the cashews in a small saucepan and add two cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Boil for 15 minutes. 

For the Smokey Chipotle Black Beans:

  1. Chop the onion and red pepper into chunks and place in a mini food processor with the cilantro and garlic cloves. Chop this until it’s like a chunky salsa or pico de gallo. If you don’t have mini prep, you can use a large one or chop it all by hand. 
  2. Put a tablespoon of olive oil into a small saucepan on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped veggies. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. 
  3. Add the beans and the rest of the ingredients and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat and let sit. 

For the Roasted Corn Pico:

  1. Remove the husk from the corn on the cob and rub the butter into it. You can also add salt and pepper if desired. Place the corn on the baking sheet next to the Sweet Potatoes in the oven. After 10 minutes, turn it over. After another 10 minutes, take the corn out of the oven and use a sharp knife to remove the corn from the cob. If you don’t know how to do this, try this method. Keep the corn in a bowl until ready to use. 
  2. Chop, dice, prepare all the rest of the ingredients while the corn is cooking. Now move on to prepping the Tofu Walnut Meat.  Wait until your Tofu Walnut Taco Meat is in the oven before continuing to step 3.
  3. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil into a sauté pan and heat it on medium to medium-low heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, bell peppers, and jalapeño and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the Garlic and the Cilantro and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
  5. Add the diced tomato and the prepared corn and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Remove from heat and squeeze the lime wedge into the mixture and stir. Season with salt and pepper if desired. 

For the Tofu Walnut Taco Meat:

  1. Prepare your tofu by opening the package, draining the water, and placing the tofu on a cutting board. Cut the tofu into several slices. Place a paper towel onto a clean dish towel, wrap a piece of the tofu up in the paper & towel, and press all the excess water out of the tofu. Repeat with each slice of the tofu. Now place all the tofu into a food processor and pulse a few times until the tofu looks crumbled like cooked ground meat. Pour the crumbled tofu into a large bowl. 
  2. Now, put your 2 cups of walnuts into the food processor and pulse until it is crumbled—just like the tofu. Pour it into the bowl with the tofu and stir to combine them.
  3. Mix all the remaining ingredients together in a small bowl until it forms into a thick sauce. Add the sauce to the bowl with the tofu and walnuts and mix until well distributed into the tofu walnut mix.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tofu walnut mixture evenly onto the parchment paper and set aside. Now you can make your Cashew Sour Cream. 
  5. When the timer on the potatoes is down to 15 minutes, put the taco meat into the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring once after 15 minutes. Now prep your Kale while your taco meat is cooking.

For the Cashew Sour Cream:

  1. Boil the Cashews in the two cups of water for 15 minutes if you did not already soak them. 

Drain the Cashews and rinse with cool water. 

  1. Put the cashews into a blender (I use a Vitamix) and add the salt, apple cider vinegar, ice cubes, and 1/2 of the water.
  2. Blend on low at first, and once the cashews have begun to break down, gradually turn up the speed until you reach the highest setting. Keep blending until it forms a creamy texture. Add water as needed and to your desired consistency and thickness. Pour into a serving bowl. 

For the Crispy Kale:

  1. Tear the kale into roughly 2-inch pieces, removing the stem down the middle. Place into a large bowl and add the salt and oil.
  2. Massage the kale with your hands until the salt and oil are well distributed and the kale begins to soften a bit. 
  3. Spread the kale onto a large baking sheet in a single layer. You may not be able to get all of the Kale onto one baking sheet, so you can do it in batches or use two baking sheets.
  4. Now, set aside and wait until the Sweet Potatoes are done baking before putting the kale in the oven. Now you can go back and begin cooking your Roasted Corn Pico. Come back to step 5 when the potatoes are done. 
  5. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees and cook your kale for up to 15 minutes but keep an eye on it, as it can burn easily. As soon as it’s crispy take it out.

For the Sweet Potatoes:

When the timer goes off, check your potatoes by sticking a butter knife into the center of the potato to make sure it goes all the way through easily. Check each one for doneness. If not entirely done, wait another 5 minutes and check again. Repeat till done. Remove done potatoes from the oven and place them on a plate. PUT YOUR KALE IN THE OVEN if it’s not already. Just before serving, cut a slit in the top of each potato from one end to the other and then squeeze the two ends toward each other to create a bowl out of your potato. You can mash up the inside a bit like you would if you were preparing a baked potato. 

Finishing Touches:

Prepare for serving any other toppings you plan to use and prep them if needed: diced avocado, green onion, olives, salsa, hot sauce, etc.

Once your taco meat is done, remove it from the oven. Complete all the recipes. Create an assembly line on your counter with your prepared Sweet Potatoes, Chipotle Black Beans, Tofu Walnut Taco Meat, Roasted Corn Pico, Cashew Sour Cream, and Crispy Kale. Now assemble your stuffed potatoes starting with a large scoop of beans followed by the taco meat, then the pico, then sour cream, and any other toppings you are using, placing the Crispy Kale on the top. 

Wow! You Did It!!! And it’s Amazing! OMG!

Categories
Substance Abuse

Understanding Substance-Induced Mood Disorders

Dealing with a mood disorder (or any mental health condition) can be very trying, difficult, and even lead to feelings of hopelessness at times. Living with an addiction to any substance can bring unwelcome havoc that can rip lives apart. 

What happens when you put them both together? 

Many may not understand the intricate connection between mood disorders and substance use. It is not uncommon for someone who has a mental health disorder to turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of soothing the condition. But then we have those substances that induce mood disorders when used regularly by an individual with no history of them. 

Today we are going to work on understanding substance-induced mood disorders. 

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are conditions in which your mood makes it difficult to function normally. Simply put, a mood disorder is your emotional state of mind. And let’s be real our emotions very easily impact how we act and behave. When we are sad, disappointed, worried or anxious, and so forth – the way we behave is impacted by this mood. 

Yes, we all have emotions. We have all certain moods that we get in that affect our behavior. So, when do these moods become mood disorders?

Mood disorders last longer than a few minutes. If you are sad and your friends visit with movies and ice cream, laugh with you, and leave you feeling much better – it’s not a mood disorder. You are just feeling emotions that are appropriate for the situation. 

Moods and emotions that come with a mood disorder last much longer than they should. You cannot shake the mood with an afternoon of laughter – and these moods begin to impact your life in all areas. Their grip is so tight that you lose your ability to function regularly. 

A few of the most common mood disorders are: 

  • Major Depressive Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorders
  • Depression Induced by a Substance Use or Medication

Substance-Induced Mood Disorders

The type of mood disorder that gets induced when a substance is used does not go away quickly. They have been known to last for weeks or months. Maybe even longer! 

You may question why anyone will want to continue to use a drug if it leads to these terrible feelings. That is because it does not happen initially. Those who use drugs and alcohol feel good after that initial use. After all, that is what gets them coming back for more, right? They continue to use, and, with time, the good feelings wear off and a mood disorder starts moving in. Without even realizing what is happening, you can be faced with a struggle that you do not know how to get out of.

How is it determined that the mood disorder is substance-induced? 

If you had symptoms of or had been diagnosed with a mood disorder before drug or alcohol use, then you would not meet the diagnosis criteria for substance-induced mood disorders. Though if you have no history of a mood disorder, but it appeared when you began using substances, then it would likely be considered a substance-induced mood disorder.

How Long Does it Take?

As previously mentioned, symptoms of substance-induced mood disorders do not appear after the initial use. In other words, you do not go out drinking and partying one night and wake up the next day with a mood disorder you cannot shake. Though, that doesn’t mean that seed hasn’t been planted in your body. 

Some professionals in the field claim that a depressive episode can kick in during the initial intoxication. For others, it can happen during the withdrawal. Keep in mind that depression itself is a symptom of withdrawal – and it should disappear once the withdraw is over. 

If it doesn’t? You could be facing substance-induced depression. 

Substances that Impact Mood Disorders

Different drugs can lead to various mood disorders – but the number one substance that leads to mood disorders (primarily depression) is alcohol. 

Other substances that may lead to substance-induced depressive disorder include the following: 

  • Opioids
  • Sedatives
  • Cannabis
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamines
  • Hallucinogens
  • Tobacco
  • Nicotine
  • Caffeine
  • Inhalants

Symptoms

Everyone who battles a substance-induced mood disorder will have their own symptoms. However, the following symptoms are most common: 

  • Lack of energy
  • Sadness or lack of interest
  • Insomnia
  • Sleep too much
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Foggy mind/Inability to concentrate
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Physical pains

Complications of Mood Disorders

If you have a mood disorder that is substance-induced, then you are subject to some risks that may require attention from professionals. These include: 

  • Thoughts/acts of harming one’s self
  • Thoughts/acts of harming others
  • Interpersonal issues
  • Difficulty at work – and time away
  • Lengthy hospital stays 

Additional Common Substance-Induced Disorders

It Is important to note that substances can induce mood disorders as well as other types of disorders. Here are a few disorders to pay attention to: 

And many more. These disorders appear to have a direct correlation to substance use. 

When to Seek Help

Mood disorders can greatly impact your quality of life and interfere with those people and things important to you. Seek help from a professional if you experience any of the following: 

  • Believe you may have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. 
  • Feel as though you have strong emotions that you cannot handle – emotions that are impacting your interpersonal relationships, work, social aspects of life, and your overall quality of life. 
  • Have thoughts of harming yourself or others. (In this case, seek help immediately)

Taking that first step is what will lead you on a journey to the rest of your life. 

Substance-induced mood disorders may appear unexpectedly and during different times of substance use. Yet, they may last for a long time. Don’t feel like you are doomed to suffer with them or feel as though you can’t break the cycle of your substance use.

Explore the benefits of joining a holistic healing program and begin your journey to addiction recovery and healing.

Categories
Substance Abuse

Detox for Women: The First Step to Addiction Recovery

Detoxification is the first step to addiction recovery. This step flushes your system of harmful substances and prepares you to continue forward toward a healthier lifestyle. A detox program for women will be specifically designed to cater to your needs as a woman as you seek to heal your mind, body, and spirit.

If you live with an addiction, your ability to think clearly is altered. And since addiction recovery involves being able to heal and transform your life by getting to compassionately know the real you, then you need to clear your mind. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at the process and benefits relating to detox for women.

Detox for Women

The detoxification process, or drug detox, is the first step to addiction recovery. It is the process of removing the drug and its toxins from within the body. 

Depending on the addiction and the length of use, the amount of time needed to detox will vary. During this period, the body will begin the process of physiologically healing itself. And, quite honestly, since there are many unpleasant experiences that one will go through when detoxing, the process also involves managing these symptoms. 

Here’s what you need to know about the process and benefits of a detox for women program

The Detox Process

Getting through the detox process means being ready to fight some tough, intense battles. Women are warriors, but even they need support during this course. It may take several hours after the last dose of a substance before the withdrawal symptoms may commence. Though it is important to note that these symptoms will vary depending on the type of drug used. 

The factors that play a part in determining the degree of the detox include:

  • The combination, if any, of drugs and alcohol use. Having more than one in your system can impact the withdrawal. 
  • How long you have been addicted. The longer the use, the more severe and lengthy the 
  • Whether or not there are any co-occurring mental health issues or physical disorders that may become magnified under the weight of the withdrawal. 
  • Amount of most recent usage. For instance, those who use knowing they are heading into detox may use at a higher level. 

Throughout the entire detox process, you should make sure you are monitored by medical and psychiatric staff. 

As far as the actual process for your detox, there are a couple of different methods. For instance, quitting the drug cold turkey means letting it go without any medication to calm the withdrawal. Should things get too bad, a medical team can step in but it is not usually part of the process. 

Short-term and long-term medicated detox is a method of detoxing that uses various medications overseen by a medical professional to ease the pain and discomfort associated with the process. The type of assistance and the length it is received will be dependent on the type of addiction. 

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person – primarily depending on the type of drug you are detoxing from. Generally, many people will experience intense cravings for the drug, flu-like symptoms, mood swings and agitation, and insomnia. Let’s take a brief look at a few of the most common detox symptoms based on the substance used. 

  • Alcohol: sweating, chills, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, anxiety. More severe symptoms include seizures, hallucinations, agitation, and confusion. 
  • Benzodiazepine: anxiety, irritability and aggression, hallucinations, tremors, and seizures. 
  • Heroin: sweating, anxiety, agitation/aggression, runny nose, insomnia, uncontrollable yawning, and body aches. 
  • Opioid: bone, joint, and muscle aches and pains, as well as gastrointestinal issues. 
  • Bath salts: depression, insomnia, shakes and tremors, and paranoia.
  • Stimulants: depression, thoughts of self-harm, and suicide. 

Depending on how bad the addiction is (and other factors as discussed), the withdrawal symptoms can be severe and perhaps even life-threatening. Choosing to detox in a facility that has the support necessary to handle these withdrawal symptoms should they become dangerous is something you may want to consider. 

Remember, amid detox, it is not always easy to see what may be best for you so relying on healthcare professionals may make a huge difference in the outcome. 

Detox Types

There are three basic different types of drug detox programs – outpatient, inpatient, and at home. While you will need to determine the one that fits best with your needs, there are a few things you should consider. 

An inpatient detox program is the most highly recommended choice thanks to the close monitoring and support of professionals throughout the entire withdrawal process. 

An outpatient detox program is not as ideal since you would not receive the same round-the-clock care and inpatient. However, for those with a strong support system at home and who will be willing to commit to checking in with the facility, this could be successful. 

At-home detox is an option, but not recommended at all. It misses the professional care and attention, as well as the comforts that the other options can bring. This also means, of course, that they are not as effective. 

Treating Addiction

Treating addiction comes after detox. You cannot treat the addiction if your mind is not clear and focused on loosening the grip it has on you. 

Once detox is over, treating addiction means getting to the bottom of any pain, trauma, or mental health issue that may have led to substance abuse in the first place. Many treatment programs will put together a personalized treatment plan that will encompass any needs you may have. In fact, many of these plans include services, such as: 

  • Individual, family, or group counseling
  • Medical attention
  • Educational relapse prevention classes

Teaching you how to reintegrate into society safely means re-learning life skills. But it also means healing your mind, body, and spirit. This is the only true way to heal and transform your life as the strong woman that you are. 

A healthy addiction treatment program will help you discover who you truly are by ways of artistic expression, mindfulness training, learning how to love yourself and treat your body right through proper nutrition, and more. You can’t expect to detox and go back to living the life you lived before the drug abuse. You must compassionately heal yourself from the inside. 

When you are ready to detox and grow into the woman you were made to be, take that first step. 

If you’re interested in starting your journey toward recovery and healthier living, contact Villa Kali Ma to learn more about our unique Detox Program.

Categories
Trauma

Trauma-Focused Therapy For Adults

As the addiction treatment world has developed, we’ve broadened our understanding of what is considered best practice in trauma-focused therapy for adults. Not only is it essential for us to address the cognitive impacts of trauma, but it is increasingly important to address where trauma is stored in the body as well. Holistic modalities designed to address this aspect of trauma are fundamental to long-term sustainability in addiction and trauma recovery. 

There are two different categories of diagnosable trauma: acute and complex. Acute trauma occurs when a person survives an event such as warfare, a car accident, an assault, natural disasters, etc. On the other hand, complex trauma is the result of pervasive and consistent instances of traumatic experiences. These are typically repeating circumstances that compound upon one another, such as domestic abuse, neglect, or bullying. The effects of these traumatic experiences may lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, which is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation, hypervigilance, and more. 

Often, a diagnosis of PTSD accompanies other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use. We as a treatment community recognize the impact that traumatic experiences have on many women today and that it may feel impossible to know where to begin in the healing journey. 

Six Holistic Healing Therapies for Trauma 

Here at Villa Kali Ma, we utilize an integrative holistic approach to treat trauma that includes the following modalities. 

Yoga therapy

Many of us hold trauma and stress in the body and brain without even being aware that we do so. The practice of yoga allows us to connect to our bodies in a safe, yet enlightening way. We can learn to notice our physical sensations and psychological experiences and integrate them to become more aligned with our highest self. 

Yoga can teach us how to hold space for and honor all parts of ourselves. Doing yoga is much more than physical poses, but rather is a holistic philosophy consisting of various practices of connection with body and spirit.  

Meditation and mindfulness therapy 

As defined by one of its pioneers, Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is “awareness that arises by paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindfulness activates the part of the brain associated with stress, anxiety, and emotional processing, allowing for increased mental flexibility and relaxation. Targeting these brain functions can have a direct impact in reducing trauma symptoms and cultivating more peace in the present moment. 

Meditation is one of the ways to practice mindfulness. A consistent meditation practice includes emotional awareness, body movement, and breathwork and will promote focus, peace, and healing. Practicing meditation and mindfulness will also enhance body-awareness, stability, and balance. 

Massage therapy 

Massage therapy has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce physical and emotional pain due to trauma stored in the body. Massage therapy alters EEG activity, increases activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, and decreases cortisol levels. These physiological changes result in a reduction of anxiety and calm both the body and the brain. 

Reiki therapy

Reiki therapy is energy healing designed to stimulate energy fields to relieve stored trauma in the body and its emotional effects. The Reiki practitioner uses gentle touch to manipulate and transmit healing energy throughout the patient’s body. Reiki has reduced PTSD symptoms and relaxes the body, mind, and nervous system, inviting alignment and integration of the being. Additionally, Reiki attends to the chakras, rebalancing and unblocking them throughout the practice. 

Acupuncture therapy

Acupuncture is a practice that involves inserting tiny, thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate different nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. Acupuncture views the body as a system of interconnected pathways, and if each path is unable to flow freely, physical and emotional distress occurs. Through stimulating the different acupressure points, the energy through the body regulates, and negative symptoms decrease. This practice helps balance the flow of energy and restore harmony in the body.

Mental health therapy 

We can use trauma-informed therapeutic approaches in individual, family, and group therapy sessions to process and heal the effects of PTSD. There are a variety of treatment modalities that address unprocessed and repressed trauma symptoms. Somatic approaches such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) allows the client to heal their trauma without being re-traumatized. At Villa Kali Ma, we use EMDR and breathwork synonymously to maintain a sense of calm throughout the exercise and release trauma stored in the body. We complete breathwork sessions with clients twice a week for an hour at a time. 

More traditional talk therapy approaches, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), are evidence-based practices that have effectively treated trauma in a number of people. 

Mind, Body, & Spirit Healing

Villa Kali Ma enlists a team of trained professionals in a variety of the modalities mentioned above, allowing us to provide integrative, holistic services to heal the mind, body, and spirit. 

Each client’s treatment plan is personalized to their individual needs to ensure the most effective treatment. We commit to cultivating a welcoming and non-judgmental environment offering a safe space for you on your healing journey. 

Connect with us today to learn more about how we help women heal from trauma and addiction!

Categories
Wellness

How to Be Kind to Yourself

We are reminded regularly to treat others with kindness, but when was the last time you were reminded that you are deserving of it yourself? There are a lot of things we need to hear right now, but there are three I want you to walk away from this blog today knowing: 

Kindness isn’t the same thing as niceness.
You deserve kindness. 

And, most importantly:  You owe yourself kindness. 

Often, the thought of being kind to ourselves feels indulgent. Like a privilege we must earn for good behavior or as a reward for notable achievement. It is not. You do not need to hold yourself hostage to receive grace in your life- not from everyone else, and especially not from yourself. 

Let’s talk about how to be kind to yourself (and why it’s imperative that you do). 

Spend time on self-care

Investing time and energy into the things that nourish your soul is a critical element of self-kindness. Caring for yourself can be guilt-inducing and challenging work, but it is the foundation of showing yourself kindness. Recently, the term seems to have evolved into a new way of saying treat yourself, but realistically, caring for your mind and body can be a challenge. 

Self-care includes more than just relaxation. Things like getting enough sleep, nourishing your body with food and movement, or setting boundaries are essential elements of caring for yourself. Doing those things may feel like denying yourself of other things you want to do, but meeting your needs with grace and surety instead of punishment is good self-care. 

Balance fun and function 

While self-care may not always look like the indulgence we’ve come to view it as, it’s essential to take time for those genuinely indulgent forms of care. Make time for your favorite hobbies and relaxation, and make it just as non-negotiable as you would an obligation to someone else. Balancing those obligatory forms of self-care with more relaxing or rewarding forms is a critical facet of ensuring you are giving space to your peace. 

Fortify those boundaries 

If you find yourself struggling with finding kindness or compassion for yourself, you likely need to work on boundaries. Boundaries don’t just apply to when and how people touch you or to needing that meeting to end on time. Boundaries extend into every aspect of your life and of the self. We are most disrespectful to our own needs by allowing our emotional boundaries to fall away or be violated with little to no resistance. 

When you enforce a boundary on the availability of your time or emotional space, it reinforces to others and yourself that your needs are not negotiable. Boundaries communicate autonomy, emotional awareness and help prevent burnout from the things that seek to threaten your peace. Every time you hold a limit in place, you show yourself kindness by telling others that your self-respect is not negotiable. 

Forgive and accept

Who you think you should be and who you are are different people. It’s a hard thing to accept, but it’s an important one. Every time you measure yourself against an idealistic version, you are letting yourself down. Instead of meeting those misalignments with criticism and judgment, it’s vital to your well-being that you practice radical self-acceptance. 

When you fall short of a behavior or ideal you feel you should have obtained, forgive and accept. Practice offering yourself these things in the form of saying, “It could have gone this way, but it didn’t. That’s okay.”. Compassion for the self begins with kindness toward the self, and acceptance is the first step toward both. 

Stay curious

What if we replaced the focus we put on self-esteem with a focus on self-compassion? The distinction between the two holds an important insight: self-esteem relies on our evaluation of our worth. At the same time, self-compassion implies offering grace for our existence. Imagine if we stopped trying to bolster our value to ourselves and others and instead took that energy and poured it into curiosity for our passions. If we didn’t allow these to define our worth, the world becomes a playground for exploration instead of an exam to prove our validity. Recognizing your humanity, making room for it in beautiful and trying times, and asking questions to explore the depth and value in each is a powerful way to embrace kindness toward yourself. 

There is no denying that our global society puts an emphasis on cultivating kindness to one another. Even if we often fall short, that goal is still primarily a shared one. But where is the focus on being kind to ourselves? When we are on airplanes, the flight attendants always insist on securing our own oxygen masks first. Being kind to yourself is much the same practice. Put that compassion to work in your own heart, and turn your thoughts toward kindness when speaking to yourself. 

If you’re unsure where to begin, and you recognize how your history of addiction has eroded your sense of self, self-compassion therapy at Villa Kali Ma can guide your journey toward a kinder and more vibrant you. 

Categories
Mental Health

How to Break Codependency Habits

There is a particular joy that comes from making a loved one feel special. On occasion, that may mean silencing how you feel, although, to many, it still seems worth it to ensure you are meeting your partner’s needs. Many women believe that it’s their responsibility to keep their partner happy. Often at the cost of their very selves. 

There’s a difference between making a sacrifice for the sake of compromise and violating your boundaries. When those concessions become a habit, it is a slippery slope into codependence. Overcoming those tendencies involves a much more strenuous climb back to balance in your relationship. Still, it can be achieved with a commitment to following through. 

This article will let you know how to break codependency habits after recognizing that they’re present. 

What is codependency? 

To learn how to permanently break codependency habits, we’ll begin by taking a closer look. Though its definition has evolved from describing instances seen entirely in relationships where one or more partners are in active addiction, over time, the word has come to include a more expansive set of behaviors. Codependency is broadly defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “a person who has a close relationship with somebody in which they rely too much on each other emotionally, especially when one person is caring for the other one”. The moment when the desire to give someone what they want over honoring your own needs is the moment a relationship becomes codependent. 

Where do I begin in codependency recovery? 

As with all things, we must start at the beginning. Consider how your relationships began, how they developed, and where you find yourself today. 

Become Aware

To start healing codependent tendencies, you must first find where they exist. When you consider decisions made in your partnership of any scope—from where you plan to move to what you’ll be having for your next shared meal—observe the space you make for yourself. In considering your loved one’s preferences, do you overlook your own? Is there equilibrium in the way weight is given to these considerations?

Awareness is both a passive and active step in reclaiming your own standing. Where you lost the thread of remembering to care for yourself in tandem with caring for others is where the work begins. Finding that place is the first step in unraveling the codependent habits and finding healthy roots in your relationships.

Check-in with yourself

Everyone needs and deserves a support system that includes people who offer love even when it’s challenging to offer it to ourselves. However, if that love or validation is substituting for your own on a full-time basis, it could mean trouble. It’s time to get back to your roots, reconnect with your own thoughts and feelings, and answer some fundamental questions: What do you want? What matters to you? What do you need from your partner? 

Whether it’s removing yourself from the codependent relationship or just establishing boundaries to make time to reflect on your own needs, to break codependent habits you will need to have a plan. You will need to get down to the nitty-gritty with yourself to untangle the traditions that alter your partnership and turn it into reliance. This can be messy and uncomfortable, but it’s critical to differentiate between compromise and self-sacrifice in your relationships. Using tools like mantras, self-check-ins, or even worksheets can help you examine and alter your behaviors to actively choose the former. 

Reframe your priorities

Depending on your attachment style, the way you feel love and the urgency with which you respond to emotions in your relationships may vary. Secure and healthy attachments make it simpler to recognize and adequately weigh how power is divided within the relationship. In more anxious or insecure attachment types, everything can feel like an emergency. You may be rushing through emotional processing toward solutions to alleviate discomfort for your loved one, fearful of their anger or that they may leave you. Remember, discomfort is not an emergency, nor is it our enemy. Neither is fear. You cannot plan through your fear effectively, but you can burn yourself out trying. 

Count your small steps

It can be difficult to see progress as you’re making it, so learn to count every step forward as a success instead of just the end goal. Make a note of each victory you achieve, no matter the scale, toward self-reliance. Empowering your self-worth is a beneficial energy expenditure. All progress, even little progress, counts. Take that step forward and celebrate every time. 

Put your oxygen mask on first 

Just as we’re told when boarding airplanes, it’s crucial that you put on your oxygen mask first before you can help anyone else. No matter how counterintuitive it feels or how much supporting others makes you feel useful, there is no good to come of it if you do not also care for yourself. Make your needs a priority, and do it ruthlessly. Putting yourself in harm’s way to provide care to others does not benefit anyone. 

___ 

Codependency is often a collection of habits that shapes itself around pure intentions, but it’s a slippery slope. Re-prioritizing the way love and energy are doled out in your world can be a frustrating and painful experience, but it’s the first step toward a healthier and more fulfilling future. Start at the beginning and work diligently toward a life without those codependent habits. There is no one you need to love harder than you protect yourself, and you are worth the energy that may cost. 

Categories
Mental Health

Signs Of Codependency In A Relationship

Have you ever started a relationship making concessions to keep your partner happy and then struggled to stop? Compromise becomes a habit that often leads to codependency. Sometimes it’s immediate, and others, a more slippery slope. Either way, there are signs- sometimes screaming red flags- that can alert you to codependent tendencies within a relationship. 

What is Codependency? 

While codependency began as a term to describe typical patterns of relating to someone with an alcohol addiction, the meaning has evolved. The term has expanded to include a scope of relationships where one person relies on another for their fulfillment and often enables their partner’s negative behaviors. Instead of meeting their own needs first, a codependent person will repeatedly relinquish their boundaries and sacrifice their happiness for their partner. Rarely do they find the balance of celebrating their partner or working toward mutual satisfaction.

This pattern frequently begins organically, where the “codependent” partner feels good and comfortable with their altered boundary because making their loved one happy feels good. Over time, as they continue to concede and rearrange to keep the relationship alive or keep the peace, that feel-good effect of their sacrifice becomes unsustainable. Engaging in codependent behaviors resembles love addiction in that the self-sacrificial nature of the relationship can be damaging. 

Recognizing the signs

Codependency is a term that can be a catch-all for behaviors that lead to one person in a relationship feeling reliant on the other for their fulfillment, with or without their consent. Some of the most common signs of a codependent relationship, or a person who has headed that direction, can be recognized internally. Paying attention to the impact or ripple effect of the misplaced priority on other areas of life can help identify codependency. 

Low self-esteem

A codependent person often struggles with believing they deserve to feel fulfilled or should fight for the things that matter to them. Offering their own expectations up to be trampled may feel like the natural order of things to someone who struggles with recognizing their own worth. Low self-esteem is the fertile ground where we easily move from insecure to codependent.

People pleasing 

Wanting to bring joy to loved ones is one thing, but people-pleasing is another entirely. When the desire to create happiness or pleasure for someone else causes us to choose to deprive ourselves, we call this people-pleasing. Needing someone else’s approval over our own to feel validated creates an imbalance of power that may disguise itself as something to celebrate, but in truth, it is a finite joy. Working for external validation instead of internal validation likely feels good but will only cause harm to both parties as it wears on. 

Boundary trouble 

If your boundaries are lacking, non-existent, or survive through strict implementation, you may find co-occurring challenges with codependency. After all, relying on someone else’s approval to feel any sense of self-worth can make it rather difficult to develop and enforce limitations that preserve your own needs and values. No matter which way it falls, boundary issues spell trouble. 

Blurry boundaries are easy to dismiss and may be moved without much awareness. Contrarily, too rigid boundaries may push people away, reinforcing the codependent person’s belief that they are unlovable. 

Conflicting emotions 

An inability to regulate and respond to emotional input is another hallmark of a codependent relationship. It can be tricky to find stable ground. A tendency toward being passive to appease others’ needs may lead to reactive emotions in other areas of life. Loss of control when people-pleasing may heighten the desire for control in work or home aspects that feel more easily kept in line. Ricocheting from emotion to emotion based on external stimuli can make a codependent relationship feel as tumultuous as the turning tide. 

Signs of Codependency

Not everyone will have every sign on this list. Still, checking in with the ways emotions are felt and received can be a powerful indication of whether or not codependency is at play in a relationship.
Low Self Esteem Trying to rescue people
Poor or inconsistent boundaries  Strong sense of guilt
Obsession Need for control 
Rigid Emotions  Dysfunctional communication
Denial Fear of being alone 
Chronic Anger Fears of abandonment
Difficulty expressing emotions Change aversion

Many of these emotional coping mechanisms begin as an attempt to protect or correct childhood trauma. The way we love, the way we are shown love, and how we form attachments can shape our perception of self and what healthy relationships could look and feel like. Many puzzle pieces make up the picture of who we are and how we experience relationships. 

Whenever others’ needs or opinions supersede our ability to recognize those things within ourselves, we are treading dangerous waters. However, codependent behaviors do not always mean a codependent relationship. Beginning an honest conversation with yourself about how you seek validation and satisfaction in relationships can be a valuable tool in recognizing codependency. Healing requires taking action to return power where it belongs- with the self, always. 

Our next article will focus on how to break codependency habits once you recognize them. Check back for the latest update, or explore our website to learn more about how we help women heal from the trauma of addiction. 

Categories
Addiction Treatment

The Benefits of Holistic Addiction Treatment

Substance abuse and co-occurring disorders impact women in many different ways. For this reason, holistic addiction treatment is often the best approach to overcoming destructive behavior patterns and thought processes that prevent inner peace, self-love, and lasting happiness.

In this article, we will explore the many benefits of holistic addiction treatment.

The Benefits of Holistic Addiction Treatment

Holistic addiction treatment involves a unification of mind, body, and spirit. This unification is driven by positive emotional, mental, and relational experiences.

The more that we learn to treat ourselves with love, kindness, and compassion, the more readily we are able to extend this grace and joy to others. This beautiful interaction between ourselves and others is the catalyst that both births and sustains our holistic journey of recovery from substance abuse and addiction.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the many benefits of holistic addiction treatment.

Mind

The mind is an intangible concept, comprised of the invisible influence of our thoughts, feelings, and experiences on our daily lives.

Many of the current treatments for mental health tend to focus on the chemistry and connections going on within our brains, but our minds are much more than the organ contained within our skull.

Holistic treatment views healing as taking place with the restructuring of our subjective realities in a way that brings peace and wellness. Learning to direct the orientation of our minds can improve our mood, our relationships, and our future.

Mindfulness

Many of the negative experiences that we endure center around our failure to accept things just as they are. In our attempts to argue with ourselves, cast blame, and frantically find solutions, we are often making the situation worse.

With mindfulness, we learn to quiet our inner critic and roll along with the waves of our daily journey.

Mindfulness allows us to maintain a nonjudgmental perspective, which, in turn, creates the space necessary to make sound and rational life decisions.

Talk Therapy

There are many distinct types of talk therapy available, each with a specialty in working with individual personality preferences and treating specific disorders.

Talk therapy is useful in addressing hindrances to individual growth, assisting in navigation of relationships with others, and overcoming difficulties with moving forward from traumatic experiences of the past. The connection that is made with the therapist within the privacy and confidentiality of the session creates a safe space for self-exploration, emotional expression, and healing of old wounds.

Coping Skills

While it is preferable to not have to deal with uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and temptations at all, the reality is that these unwelcomed experiences are part of our journey as human beings.

The most effective approaches toward these inevitable occurrences involve the use of coping skills. Holistic treatment will provide you with a customized tool kit of mental tips and tricks to use when coping with the ups and downs of your recovery.

Body

Our bodies are the vehicle which allows our conscious minds to navigate around the planet. When the health of our body is compromised, it can be difficult to obtain the mental clarity necessary for becoming the successful authors of our lives.

Treating our bodies with attention, care, and kindness rewards us with both life-giving energy and an increased connection with our inner selves.

Nutrition and Exercise

The body is a biological machine. Just as with other types of machines, the body benefits from regular maintenance and high-quality servicing. The foods that we eat provide the fuel for our bodies to continue to function, and the physical exercise that we engage in keeps the gears running smoothly.

A holistic approach to wellness will include a focus on education surrounding the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise on our overall wellness. As we take charge of our physical health, we gain the confidence to take on even more challenges.

Yoga

The practice of yoga has increasingly been integrated into holistic treatment.

A unique characteristic of yoga is the ability to address all aspects of existence through the practice. While the focus of yoga can be adjusted according to preference, the exercises are designed to engage the physical body in a conversation with both the mind and spirit.

Skilled practitioners of yoga are able to obtain a state of inner peace and connection with themselves and others.

Physical Therapies

When our bodies are relaxed, it is much easier to calm our emotions and obtain a peaceful state of mind.

Holistic treatment programs will offer options for relieving your body of pent-up stress. Typical options for this include traditional massage therapy, acupuncture, sauna, and reiki sessions.

Spirit

Much like the concept of mind, the existence of spirit is not empirically observable.

While the outward manifestation of our minds can be categorized and observed by others, however, the nature of spirit is a very private and subjective experience. For those practicing holistic wellness, finding a way to connect with and nurture the spirit within us – as well as connect to the experience of spirit which transcends our own humanity – provides a path to the insight and revelation necessary for moving successfully forward along our individual life path.

The following are some of the options for spiritual healing which are offered during holistic addiction treatment.

Meditation

Meditation is comparable to an advanced state of mindfulness. With mindfulness, we learn to become aware of our inner experiences as they occur. With meditation, we are purposeful in crafting an environment and experience which provides us with the opportunity to connect with the invisible world in a way that transcends our daily reality.

Nature

For some, the connection to spirit lies in connection with Mother Earth. When we spend time in nature, we are feeding our souls. This spiritual experience can be gained by visiting places of natural beauty, interacting with non-human animals, or cultivating the foliage through planting trees or gardening.

Shamanic Journeys

It may seem counterintuitive to approach substance abuse by introducing another substance, but the healing power of ancient psychedelics is increasingly gaining the attention of our modern world.

Unlike the types of drugs that are used to escape the painful realities that we face, shamanic practices utilize carefully and focused drug applications for the purpose of increasing the awareness of our full reality.

Once we have gained the ability and courage to face our true selves, we are empowered to make the changes necessary for our own, inner, healing.

If you find yourself turning to prescription drugs or alcohol regularly to numb uncomfortable feelings, consider exploring our holistic healing program.

Take the first step to healing your mind, body, and spirit today.

Categories
Trauma

Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy: A Path to Inner-Peace 

If you struggle to cope with the symptoms of trauma, you may be interested in the benefits of trauma informed yoga therapy.

Trauma refers to the experience of an event that threatens or violates our basic sense of safety. While a traumatic event can be identified by external factors, our response to such an event varies according to our own psychological experience.

As our society becomes more attuned to the importance of mental wellness for all, our ability to recognize the lasting effects of trauma on those who have experienced it has increased.

In this article, we’re exploring the benefits of trauma informed yoga therapy.

Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy

Trauma response is the term used to describe our unique way of coping with having experienced the traumatic event. When our trauma response persists long after the actual event has passed, we are likely suffering from a trauma-related mental health disorder.

Symptoms of persistent trauma response can range from mild to severe and can include both mental and physical problems. Some of the more common symptoms resulting from the inability to move past trauma include guilt, fear, hopelessness, avoidance, and substance use. If not addressed properly, the consequences of untreated trauma response can spill over into all areas of our life. Those who find it difficult to move past the effects of trauma on their lives can find that they continue to struggle in romantic relationships, parenting, careers, and more.

Here’s what you need to know about trauma informed yoga therapy.

Trauma-Informed Care

Due to the need to treat trauma response as an underlying factor in several other types of mental health disorders, many types of existing therapies have evolved to incorporate a specialized focus. Seeking to treat the mental health conditions arising from trauma without addressing the effects of the trauma itself is like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.

Trauma informed therapy strives to provide a more holistic approach to healing by focusing on the root of the problem

Yoga as a Treatment for Trauma Response

By itself, yoga has been increasing in popularity in westernized nations since the 1960s. Long touted as a means of obtaining inner peace and overall health in eastern cultures, yoga is characterized by gaining a sense of emotional balance and mental clarity, while simultaneously strengthening the bodies which serve as the vehicles by which we navigate the planet. Yoga has become a staple in wellness programs that promote a holistic approach to treatment.

Yoga has also joined the ranks of treatment therapies which have recognized the devastating role that trauma can play in our overall ability to live a life of wellness. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) and Neurogenic Yoga are two of the leading approaches when it comes to utilizing the healing power of yoga to assist victims of trauma in regaining a sense of control over their lives. Sessions are carefully designed and moderated by yoga teachers who are specially trained in the needs and concerns of those who are living under the shadow of trauma.

Fostering Safety

The most dominating characteristic of trauma is that of experiencing a situation where your sense of safety has been taken from you. Whether this lack of safety has been experienced as a genuine life-or-death scenario, or as being in a mindset of fear that such may end up being the case, restoration of that sense of safety is at the heart of all trauma-centered approaches. As such, the format of a trauma-informed yoga session is designed to foster a sense of ease and unconditional acceptance for participants. There is no pressure to conform to the expectations of the group. Participants can come and go as they please, and are able to participate to the extent that they feel comfortable.

Relaxing The Nervous System

When we are faced with a threatening scenario, our nervous system goes into overdrive. Trauma response involves the activation of our primitive survival response, which includes the familiar flight-or-fight reaction, along with a few others. During the time that we are genuinely in danger, these responses are well designed to assist us in staying alive. After the danger has passed, a body that maintains that hypervigilance indefinitely is one that is also slowly tearing itself apart. Using yoga as a means of slowing down and mindfully encouraging the nervous system to relax not only has the potential to prolong your life but has the added benefit of reducing the brain fog that is created while living with constant feelings of anxiety.

Focusing on the Present

Mindfulness is a core tenant of yoga. Mindfulness involves turning thoughts away from the past or the future and disciplining the mind to focus on only what is in the immediate present. For many who suffer from trauma response, their thoughts are prone toward rumination about the past event or consumed with worry about the possibility of the event happening again in the future. Being mindful allows the opportunity to recharge without the past and future robbing you of energy. 

In trauma-centered yoga therapy, there is a specialized awareness of the impact that sitting in the present may have on a trauma survivor. Becoming acutely aware of oneself during a period of meditation or mindfulness may reactivate – or trigger – memories and sensations of the trauma that had previously remained hidden or dormant. Skilled facilitators will know to recognize, adapt, and support trauma survivors should the experience become too intense.

Regaining Control

The increased ability to connect with one’s inner voice is what draws many people toward the practice of yoga. In the case of those who are dealing with trauma, it may have been quite a long time since their inner voice has been loud enough to drown out the nagging chatter self-doubt, and the demanding attention of fear.

When we are driven by forces outside of ourselves, such as in the case of trauma response, we are operating under an external locus of control.

Our power to make decisions of our own free will has been replaced by outside influences. Practicing trauma-informed yoga provides a means of reconnecting with the inner self, learning to listen to the cues of the body, and learning to redirect thoughts and energy in a way that is self-nurturing.

With practice, you will learn to take back the power that has been stolen from you as a result of the experience of trauma. Learn more about our Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment here at Villa Kali Ma.

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