Therapy Dog Santino’s Official Portrait Unveiling
At the unveiling of Sanford therapy dog, Santino’s, official portrait, Founder David Green gave the following presentation: “It is a great honor for me to be officiating at the unveiling of the official portrait of Santino Green, to be known henceforth as the “Lord Santino Portrait”. Santino, while still a young man, has […]
Crying in Rehab – The Emotional Thaw
It’s springtime in Michigan. Early yet – the trees are budding, but there is still snow on the ground in places where the sun doesn’t reach. We all tiptoe around, hoping it isn’t a false spring, but knowing there will probably be at least one more “surprise” snow storm between the Ides of March and […]
Widening the Path in Recovery
I was having a conversation with David Green the other day – we were discussing the things I might get involved in now that I live in Grand Rapids. He mentioned the symphony and I said, “Perhaps this sounds cretinous, but I hate the symphony.” Then I paused and said, “Wait a minute, maybe […]
Secrets and Truth – Writing it Down in a Recovery Journal
Remember when you were twelve and kept a Dear Diary with a little gold lock and key? Remember the feeling of daring and hesitation when you wrote exactly how you felt about the boy who sat before you in science class or how mad you were at your best friend? Writing a journal in […]
50 Things I Love About Sobriety (Don’t Even Get Me Started…)
Yes, I love just about everything associated with sobriety (even though, being a grownup can be a little difficult at times…). Let me count the ways. I love: The mornings My hair, nails and skin Having a memory Not being afraid or regretful of what I remember… The free time No bags under my […]
Screening and Assessment in Addiction Treatment
There are two familiar terms in the addiction treatment field – “screening” and “assessment”. But do most people seeking treatment know the differences between these two processes? Or why screening and assessment are so important to the diagnosis and development of specific treatment recommendations? Screening, and assessment can also enhance positive recovery outcomes. […]
Sober Sex Part Two: Who is this Stranger in My Bed?
When I look back at the two men I dated in the lacuna after my divorce and before I quit drinking, I actually have trouble imagining I was a participant. The choices I made in romantic partners, seemed to be based on how different they were from my ex-husband and how bad they were for me. […]
Singing the Praises of the Adult Art Therapy Coloring Book
I am an art therapist. When I tell people about what I do, I get a lot of: “What the heck is that?” “Like on Law & Order?” “Oh, how New Age!” (Answers to those questions later). Art Therapy… We art therapists are a small community, and our work is often either unseen […]
A Clean, Well-Lighted Sanford House
For some reason, whenever I look back on my first visit to Sanford House, I am reminded of the Hemingway short story “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.” Which is weird when you think about it, because I’m not an old, deaf man and Sanford House is not a café and I no longer drink brandy […]
Eating Disorders – The Mean Girls of Addiction
After more than two years of sobriety, I still find myself qualifying my addiction. I’ll read someone’s biography and think to myself, “God, at least I didn’t drink my perfume.” As if guzzling the Chanel Number 5 is somehow worse than plucking a dead fly out of a glass of Chardonnay and taking a […]
