ANCIENT SPIRITUAL RESOURCES TO HELP GUIDE RECOVERY “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis The process of recovery from addiction is fraught with many arduous challenges and tasks, not least of which is recovering what I call our ‘deep heart.’ Every layer of pain that we … [Read more...]
Where Is the Hope?
One of my Clinical Team members at the Center for Relational Recovery told me the other day that in her betrayed partner’s group the women were talking and one of them said, “There is just no hope…I mean, even Michelle is divorced…there is just no hope with this addiction.” When I heard this, the thought that popped into my head was, “She’s missing the whole point!” I want very much for … [Read more...]
CRR Team Spotlight, Robert Rubinow
Over the coming weeks we want to introduce you to members of CRR’s Clinical Team who you may not yet know. This week we invite you to take a few minutes to get to know a little bit more about Robert Rubinow. Robert Rubinow is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Center for Relational Recovery. Robert has many years of experience (both clinically and pastorally) treating individuals and … [Read more...]
March Recommended Reading
The ACoA Trauma Syndrome: The Impact of Childhood Pain on Adult Relationships By Tian Dayton PhD ACOA stands for adult child of an alcoholic. Despite the prominent placement in the title, this book is really for any adult child of a dysfunctional family. If you grew up with a parent or caregiver who was alcoholic, this book will help you understand how addiction negatively impacts the family … [Read more...]
Spotlight on Recovery Resources and Inspiration
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION APPS The practice of mindfulness and meditation is effective for developing skills in self-regulation, stress relief, anxiety management, improved attention skills, and increased physical health. The practice involves allowing yourself to be aware of your body and brain – as felt through physical sensations, experiences in your sensory systems such as vision, hearing, … [Read more...]
February Recommended Reading
Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp This memoir about alcoholism and its effects is a gripping read, pulling you into the author’s story and immersing you in her ongoing affair with drinking. Caroline Knapp was what we often refer to as a ‘functional alcoholic’. She was successful at her job, had friendships and relationships. But her hidden life revolved around the next drink and the … [Read more...]
Betrayal and Self Blame
One of the things clients have told me helps them to ‘get it’ that they are not responsible for their partner’s behaviors is sitting in group therapy or 12-step meetings with other betrayed partners. When they hear other’s stories they are able to see clearly that this other person is not responsible for their partner’s behaviors. This in turn helps them to consider that they also might not be the … [Read more...]
Spotlight on Recovery Resources and Inspiration…
I’ve recently discovered a great podcast called Thanks for Sharing. Dubbing their program as “the place for all things recovery, healing, and relationships,” the podcast Thanks for Sharing is hosted by Jonathan Taylor and Jackie Pack. Their style is warm and conversational as they interview guests or discuss their own issue of the day. Both Jonathan and Jackie are therapists - licensed clinical … [Read more...]
January Recommended Reading
Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions By Russell Brand If you are not familiar with Russell Brand allow me to introduce you. He is an English comedian, actor and activist who is a little bit on the intense and zany side. In addition, he is 15 years sober from alcohol and drugs and is also a recovering sex addict. In 2017, Brand published the book Recovery: Freedom from our Addictions and … [Read more...]
Betrayal Blindness
As someone who has experienced betrayal, I am guessing that somewhere along the way someone used the word “denial” with you. Maybe you were told you that you were in denial, or that you needed to get out of denial. And in reality, denial can be a very dangerous place to be, or to stay long term. However, I believe that a better way to think about the issue of denial is to look at it through the … [Read more...]