Most clients would say that there are times in life when even a single step can be hard to imagine.  Let’s face it, many obstacles can interfere and make it seemingly impossible to find freedom no matter how recovery is defined. I like to compare these types of frustrating experiences with that of a river carving out a channel. The longer the water flows through the channel, the deeper it becomes. This makes it harder for the river to breach its banks. Rivers can become so deeply entrenched that they can carve their way through the highest of mountains! Since beginning my career in 2011 as an addiction counselor, I have made it my goal to meet my clients where they are on the path of recovery. This quest has been tempered with understanding underlying issues at the core of the emotional pain and becoming proficient with interventions that can lead to relief from the pain, no matter the origin. I have learned the power the brain has to reorganize pathways that create new connections. Some of you may have heard, “Neurons that fire together, wire together. Alternately, neurons that don’t fire together, don’t wire together and will fall apart”. These neural connections are pathways in the brain formed by life experience, and just like a river can create channels, repeated trauma can reinforce these pathways’ construction, forming the foundation for PTSD, depression, or addiction. Fortunately, the neurons in the brain have the power to bring healing with new and stronger neural pathways when experiencing new sensations, different activities engaged in, redirected thoughts and beliefs, as well as positive feelings that are returned to over and over. 

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Take a moment right now and imagine what it would feel like to have freedom from layers of disturbing memories and mounting physical and emotional pain! In other words, that sense of relief from getting unstuck from the muddy riverbed. I have walked beside many clients who have discovered freedom by taking intentional steps. I have celebrated with them when they have developed a new eye-opening focus and worked to build a more positive lifestyle. What would these intentional steps look like for you? Perhaps it means realizing that recovery from the stronghold of addiction does not occur merely by distancing from your drug of choice, but embracing the possibility of taking back control from the drug or drink of choice. Perhaps it means noticing that taking these steps toward freedom is less about talking about the trauma or other illnesses and more about allowing this process of healing to work. 

 

As an EMDR therapist I have learned to come along side my clients to help them to build bridges between different neural networks in the brain and claim access to essential resources for themselves. This process is fundamental to building lasting relief in recovery from traumas, addictions, and other symptoms. You have shown that you have what it takes within yourself to discover this kind of freedom by taking the time to even read this statement. The bottom line is you deserve to take these steps toward freedom and have a better experience in your life and with your relationships. Struggling with daily survival keeps you focused on the problem and it feels like being stuck in the bottom of a murky riverbed, rather than helping you see life from the perspective on the “the bridge”. I have invested over 9 years in working with individuals and groups helping them to view life from “the bridge”.  As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor coupled with certification in EMDR,  and two other certifications specific to providing substance dependence counseling which are Medication Assisted Treatment and CADAC II I hope to help you find your bridge to freedom that leads to thriving rather than merely surviving life.