By Dr. Susan Finley “Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song” — Roberta Flack Great musicians/bands CONNECT people. All over the world, fans gravitate to music that makes them FEEL something: “I relate to the lyrics,” “I feel theirContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Poison is in everything, and nothing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.” – Paracelsus. Imagine yourself staring down a hungry saber-tooth tiger. Your natural reaction would be: (a) try to escape or (b) defend yourself. In dangerous situations,Continue Reading
By Dr. Kerri Heath A person gets addicted to feeling good, so they use anything they can to find that state. If you or a loved one is addicted to something, it is essential to realize that you are really addicted to the feeling that substances bring. Addiction is aContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC Mindfulness is the ability to steer clear from worry and anxiety bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with life’s challenges is not uncommon early in sobriety. The use of drugs and alcohol is no longer an option, norContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC Google “online dating tips” and you will be inundated with article after article ranging from top ranking dating sites to online dating safety tips, to rules of dating, to how to set up a winning profile (or avoid a terrible one). “The Dating Game” ThereContinue Reading
By Dr. Kerri Heath I look forward to meeting with the owner of Passages Malibu, Chris Prentiss, who has dedicated his entire life to helping others reach their highest potential. Being in the same room with someone who is committed to helping you expand and grow is not an opportunityContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this world” -John Locke Sound Therapy—the use of vibrations to affect cellular resonance (the frequency at which an object naturally vibrates). Cellular resonance is found in eachContinue Reading
By Dr. Kerri Heath “Being in Flow is a mystical or transcendent state where you go beyond your sense of self and you experience exceptional feats of strength and endurance of creativity.” –Glen Gerreyn One of the best ways to overcome addiction is to find your flow. Your flow isContinue Reading
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”- Michael Jordan One fact remains true: Individuals who have struggled with substance use and addiction within their lifetime learned to develop a level of resilience and grit thatContinue Reading
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 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 “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
By Jennifer McDougall If you’ve struggled in the past to find motivation and continue to run into the same walls, that leave you feeling blocked in terms of being able to be your ultimate self– the greatest version of yourself, then you have come to the right place. This articleContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall A restful night’s sleep is crucial for our well-being, but the activities we engage in before bedtime significantly influence the quality of our slumber. Here are five essential habits to incorporate into your evening routine to ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. “It’s in theContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall Are you preparing for a Spring or Summer music festival, but want to stay sober? At Passages, we have these 5 helpful tips to keep you from straying the course in your sobriety and staying sober while at these heavily drug and alcohol infused music festivals. 1.Continue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall Are you ready to eliminate stress from your life and become more at ease without fear and doubt? At Passages, we are here to help you achieve and maintain a stressfree lifestyle to help avoid from straying the course in your sobriety. Here are 5 of theContinue Reading