Our team has a strong set of clinical values and is committed to maintaining fidelity to those values, as well as to our practice culture. These clinical values evolve as the field changes, as society changes, and as we all learn and grow. 

Full Life Counseling & Recovery Clinical Values Statement

To formally define what it is that we believe about use of alcohol or other drugs, general mental health concerns, addiction, recovery and client services, and the culture of our practice, the following value statements have been identified:

It is not only common but frequent for individuals of all ages to experience a range of needs, distress and challenges related to mood, anxiety, personality, relationships with other people, and relationships with alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs. Therapy, supportive counseling, education, coaching and clinical support resources are some of the ways Full Life team members can choose to aid and encourage healing and wholeness. 

Use of substances is common in American culture and therefore not, in and of itself, a wrong, bad, sinful or shame-worthy behavior. Certainly, the laws of the land apply, but even these vary by location and culture.

While alcohol is legal for those over 21 years old in the US and many people believe marijuana should be legal, these most-commonly abused substances can cause very real and destructive problems in the lives of those who abuse them. Legality of a substance is not what defines whether or not it is acceptable or unacceptable. What matters is what happens in the lives of those whose use of substances creates pain, unhealthy relationships, and/or unmanageability in their lives. 

Some people who use substances develop problems, but not all people who demonstrate the symptoms of substance abuse are destined to develop the disease of addiction. Our job as addiction professionals is to help such individuals understand their risk for developing more serious problems (including addiction) and introduce them to alternative methods for getting their needs met. This means helping them identify other ways to relieve stress, work through problems, set boundaries, accept personal responsibility, experience joy and fun, and find a peer group that supports healthier lifestyles and relationships. 

Those who do develop the disease of addiction should be treated with the same respect and dignity afforded to any sick person. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the disease are often offensive to others. Symptoms include dishonesty, deception, manipulative behavior, irresponsible and/or impulsive behavior, denial, and minimizing, rationalizing and justifying their use of alcohol and/or other drugs. As distressing and challenging as these symptoms are, it helps us to keep in mind that they are symptoms demonstrated by a sick person in need of compassionate care.

Similarly, when addicts and alcoholics demonstrate the symptoms of the disease, it is our responsibility as addiction professionals to take steps to encourage treatment as soon as possible. While waiting for the addict or alcoholic to “hit bottom” is well-established conventional wisdom, failure to make every effort to encourage treatment (even for those who don’t know they are sick) could result in considerable unnecessary suffering or even death. Compassionate, respectful intervention is a loving and responsible act for families and friends to consider when the individual truly cannot see their disease. 

All strategies for helping individuals, couples or families must demonstrate professionalism, respect and dignity. “Hot seat” confrontation methods, shaming intervention approaches, and deliberate stripping away of defenses of the addicted person are not appropriate at Full Life. Such methods may be appropriate in some contexts under other circumstances, but not here. Our intervention services follow the tenets of the Love First-model. 

Full Life is deliberately open to a variety of strategies and therapeutic interventions to help individuals and families experience a full life in recovery. Traditional interventions include talk therapy in groups and individually, EMDR, Comprehensive DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gorski/CENAPS Relapse Prevention strategies, and mutual support groups.

We feel strongly that the need to get relief from specific stressors, symptoms and distress often contribute to our clients’ use of substances. We are committed to being willing to both take that need for relief seriously and to explore alternative therapeutic solutions. For that reason, we offer some alternative services “in house” and refer out for others. Activities such as equine-assisted psychotherapy, clinically-directed aromatherapy, therapeutic breathwork, yoga, mindfulness training, Reiki, and experiential therapy can be helpful ways for our clients to safely find relief without having to use alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs.

For some though, symptoms of depression, insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, OCD or bipolar disorder can complicate recovery and may necessitate prescription medication to manage symptoms. While use of intoxicating medications, like benzodiazepines, should be avoided whenever possible, use of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, non-habit-forming anxiolytics and sleep aids have their place in the spectrum of care.

For those without a history of substance use concerns, psychiatric and naturopathic medications can provide additional relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, rumination, and other mental health conditions. While some may be reluctant to consideration medications, our clinicians may recommend collaborating with an appropriate healthcare provider to explore symptom relief as part of a comprehensive plan towards relief, growth, and wholeness. 

For those with substance use concerns, the use of non-addictive medications to assist recovery may be appropriate for some individuals. Vivitrol, Trazodone, Campral, naltrexone, Neurontin, Topamax, Antabuse and other medications that can support recovery and be appropriate when administered by a physician who is well-versed in addiction medicine. 

Use of some prescription and over-the-counter medications can begin legitimately and evolve into physical dependency with or without psychological dependency. Those who have physical dependency without psychological dependency and who have never abused other substances may be excellent candidates for physician-only care, including the use of opioid maintenance programs such as Suboxone. Those who have developed dependency on opioids as part of a larger experience of substance use with symptoms commonly associated with addiction are better suited for a more comprehensive plan towards relief, growth, wholeness and sustainable recovery. 

While we are hopeful that all our clients can achieve sustained, abstinence-based recovery from all intoxicating substances, we accept that some individuals may actually need medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and harm reduction strategies to stay alive so that they have a chance at recovery. While we are hopeful that all clients on MAT eventually choose to move towards abstinence-based recovery, we partner with MAT prescribers to provide the essential therapeutic and recovery-focused aspects of care.

While we all have something to learn from those who are different and there is value in a diverse culture, often the best recovery experiences occur in the company of one’s peers. Full Life makes every effort to match those needing services with a treatment or recovery group who is of similar age, professionalism, recovery experience and/or gender whenever possible and most therapeutic.

Professionals providing counseling on behalf of Full Life are all seasoned and credentialed. Despite our experience, we are all are in need of support, objective perspective and clinical supervision. When the stressors of the job get the best of us, we are all challenged to take care of ourselves by reaching out, taking time off and striving to maintain meaningful relationships outside of work.

It is the responsibility of both the addiction professional and the person in recovery to explore and develop a full array of activities and practices that support recovery. While 12 step groups are well-recognized as the most accessible, most affordable and highly effective for many, there can be various paths to successful, sustainable recovery. Generally speaking, mutual support, structured self-reflection, sober fun, productive/purposeful lifestyle, and some form of spirituality are ingredients for successful recovery, regardless of what path or program is chosen.

We stand firmly against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, white nationalism, white supremacy, and religious intolerance. We acknowledge that the predominant models of psychotherapy originate from White, upper-class, cis-gendered, heterosexual men, therefore we seek to explore and embrace models that recognize differences in culture, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and an array of spiritual traditions in our work. 

Last revised, November, 2020