By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. Bodies never lie.” –Agnes de Mille Dance/Movement Therapy—(DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement (a core component of dance) to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. Used asContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” –Steve Maraboli Learning from past negative experiences including substance use and addiction can actually serve as your greatest asset when building a life free from drug and alcohol use. The cultivation ofContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” –Albert Camus When it comes to personal struggles with drug and alcohol use, asking for help can seem like an impossible feat. Individuals who have suffered from substance useContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela Many people are afraid to ask for help—especially when in crisis.Continue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” – August Wilson Facing your inner demons takes great courage.Continue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammad Ali Self-Esteem begins to form in early childhood. It is shaped by our thoughts, relationships, and life experiences. Understanding self-esteem and theContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”-Bruce Lee Exercise is an excellent tool for individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. It provides for practicing healthy coping mechanisms and an increased confidenceContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All art intuitively apprehends coming changes in the collective unconsciousness.” -Carl Gustav Jung Using imagination to create something fresh symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and rejuvenation. At Passages Malibu, art therapy is used by some of our life purpose counselors as a way to help youContinue Reading
by Jennifer McDougall “There is no cell culture for depression. You can’t see it on a bone scan or an x-ray. Not everyone with depression will show the same behavioral symptoms.” ― Chris Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure Suicide has become one of the nation’s biggest causes of death amongst teens,Continue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” -Ernest Hemingway Writing can be a healing process for those struggling with substance use and addiction. By reflecting on and reframing life events, the act of writingContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” -Michelangelo Artistic and creative expression has a connection to our mental health. In recent years, the use of art therapy has successfully been incorporated into substance use and addiction treatment plans.Continue Reading
It was 10:00 AM. I’d already consumed 10 shots of Svedka vodka and had just poured another 5 shot glass when the phone rang indicating the cab had arrived for my trip to the airport. Next stop, Passages Malibu, where I hoped to conquer my addiction to alcohol. I grabbedContinue Reading