Author Archives: Drew Powell

Roll With the Good Times

leisure activity

Recovery is a lot of hard work, and maintaining one’s sobriety takes a lot of responsibility. Going to group therapy sessions, diving into difficult memories, or working to reestablish relationships are all tough parts of the journey, all while an individual is asked to stave off urges and cope with unforeseen stressors, continuously reevaluating their […]

Finding Stabilization in Recovery

stabilization in recovery

The complicated addiction recovery process can feel intimidating, as an individual is faced with a number of lifestyle changes and new mental frameworks introduced on a daily basis. However, before a person can begin to establish their newfound sober lifestyle, they must first stabilize themselves in their current situation. Stabilization is something that each person […]

Transitioning With Sober Living

sober living

Engaging in a professional detox program is essential for beginning one’s journey through the recovery process. While accomplishing such a difficult phase of the recovery process is cause for celebration, it doesn’t mean that an individual is necessarily prepared for the stresses that they will encounter outside of the recovery sphere. While some may want […]

Self-Sabotaging Behaviors in Recovery

behavior in recovery

Recovery is a long and difficult process with any number of personal hurdles throughout, and while the resulting change can be profound and define the person, there are also ways that an individual may inhibit their recovery process. Self-sabotaging behavior is common throughout the recovery process, whether due to uncertainty regarding the future of change, […]

Finding Your Family in Recovery

family in recovery

Family plays an integral role throughout many aspects of each individual’s life. However, the idea of a “family” can mean many things, with each individual having their own understanding of the word. Finding one’s supportive and empathetic family throughout the recovery process can be crucial in establishing effective support systems and creating an atmosphere of […]

Trust and Trauma in Recovery

trust and trauma

Trauma impacts an individual in many unique ways, any of which can make it difficult to cope with daily events. Those suffering from traumatic experiences can find their thoughts invaded by unwanted and harrowing images, and even a good night’s sleep can feel like a distant impossibility. However, before an individual can begin to tackle […]

Allowing Yourself Time to Rest

time to rest

After enduring hardship, one of the most core components of trauma or recovery is rest. To allow yourself the time to heal from everyday mishaps to tragedy, sleeping makes all the difference in the world. During sleep, your brain processes your experiences, and sleep is vital to your ability to process as you recover. You […]

How Emotional Landscaping Can Help You

man-outdoors-Valiant-Living-Recovery

If you could picture your emotion as a landscape, what would you draw? Where would you be? If you could place yourself in the image, where would you place yourself? Mapping out your feelings can be a helpful exercise to sit with discomfort and embrace the message your emotion is trying to send. This is an […]

The Relationship Between Therapist and Client

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The relationship between the therapist and the client is a working relationship that depends on how the client wants to direct conversations. In this relationship, there are varying degrees of transference and countertransference. The relationship evolves over time, and in a healthy, working relationship, the client will disclose some of the most intimate aspects of […]