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
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
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
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
Today I read a post on Facebook from someone who finds joy and motivation in the writings of Joel Osteen: “GOD is called the Great I Am, not the great I will be. He wants to show you HIS favor today.” I am not espousing a religion or a faith but I am inviting the … Read More
When you Unravel the Trauma Story You Understand the Addiction/Behavioral Story and you can Create the Recovery Story Trauma is visceral, Sensory, cellular. It’s a Soul Wound that impacts the very core of who we are, what we believe about the world and our place in it. We experience trauma with all of our senses; … Read More
Working with the human condition is like trying to solve all of those puzzles… There is a reason for human behaviors that are difficult to make sense of, but our behaviors always make perfect sense when we Unravel our story. Each piece of the puzzle that we discover adds to the story and ultimately allows … Read More
Sometimes I look over and see just a hint of a wistful breath, coming from her mouth, a longing in her eyes to be connected, to be loved, to be part of, to be like the others. Sometimes I can feel the yearning for her tribe, to be protected and taught how to BE. An … Read More
