Written by Sarah Jenkins, LCSW

Recovery Group to Inspire Connection and Social Wellness

Group therapy is a vital part of mental health and addiction treatment. I am excited to announce my latest venture, recovery oriented process group. I love how group naturally inspires connection and social wellness. Group builds a sense of connection and vulnerability that I am unable to do on my own in individual psychotherapy. The opposite of addiction is connection. So, I am excited to get back into group therapy.

As a therapist working in treatment for the last 8 years, I typically ran 3 groups per day and have been seriously missing group therapy since starting private practice almost 2 years ago (hard to believe). 

Somewhat selfishly, I enjoy groups because of how much I grow from all of the various perspectives and interactions. I am appreciative for all of the groups I have been a part of. Group allows me to hear many perspectives, see the world through other peoples’ eyes, and gain a more balanced view of reality.

To me, recovery means mental health and addiction recovery. Treating addiction means treating mental health. Addiction recovery and mental health recovery are the same thing. We don’t treat addiction by focusing on the addiction, triggers, symptoms, etc. That just feeds the addiction. We don’t treat mental health by solely focusing on the symptoms either. I prefer inclusion over separation. I like focusing on the whole person rather than the diagnosis or symptoms alone.

Holistic View of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Furthermore, I like using the holistic view by focusing on the whole person. To treat mental health, I focus on a person’s physical health, emotional health, spiritual health, and their environment. I enjoy understanding people’s strengths, dreams, and working with people to connect with others. My main goal is to get to the root cause of symptoms, to help people become their own therapist, so one day they no longer need me. Rather, they learn to trust themselves.

Additionally, my primary theoretical perspective is Jungian psychoanalysis. Carl Jung once said “Never diagnose (a client) until after their therapy is over.” Globally, I wish we supported this view, but that’s another post for another time… or I might write a book for that discussion.

This recovery oriented process group provides an amazing opportunity for people to see themselves in others, to find their value, their purpose, and see how their darkness can be someone else’s light. 

Pandemic Lessons and Realizations

Nevertheless, I have learned many lessons over the last 2 years, as I’m sure we all have. These realizations are a part of my motivation for starting this group. One day, I believe in eradicating social isolation and ending the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction that keeps so many from seeking treatment. This is one step to do my part toward these larger dreams. This group is just the beginning.

The 3 most significant lessons are:

1. Mental health is physical health.
   • See recent research on the gut brain connection.
   • This documentary Heal explains this concept well.
   • Here is a great resource to learn more about SAMHSA’s recovery oriented care model.
2. Mental health affects everyone.
3. Social isolation is detrimental to everyone and connection is vital for us all.
   • Check out this great lecture by Brené Brown, The Power of Vulnerability.

Recovery Takes A Village

All in all, I am grateful for all of the lessons, realizations, and transformations that have come out of this pandemic. I am thankful to my local colleagues willing to collaborate to make this group happen. Recovery takes a village, and I very much rely on the help all around me for my own spiritual growth. Even if we could do it all alone, why would we want to? Life is so much better with friends, family, and authentic connection.

I hope we can create a larger recovery oriented community where we are not separated by addiction or diagnosis. Where recovery is a goal for all, not just those who have been given a label.

If you are interested in starting therapy, check out some of our services here: https://www.recoverlife.us/services/. If you would like to join our group, please call Recover Life, Inc. at 813-693-2019 to schedule your free 15 minute consultation, or email Sarah Jenkins, LCSW, at sarah@recoverlife.us, or visit https://www.recoverlife.us/contact-us/

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