Hagerstown: 301-739-7748
Holistic and Experiential Therapies
Wells House is excited about the potential benefits of holistic and experiential therapies to our patients, who are new in recovery and awaken every morning to face the struggle of whether to drink, use a drug, or stay committed to their recovery. The more tools we can offer them to strengthen their recovery, the better their chances of not only surviving the devastation of their substance use disorder, but going on to live healthy lives as productive members of their families and the communities in which they live.
TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA
There is a growing recognition of yoga and meditation as effective forms of adjunctive therapy for recovery from substance use disorders and relapse prevention. Increasingly, trauma informed yoga has been proven to help individuals heal physically spiritually and emotionally. A new Georgetown Law report states that because the effects of trauma can be physical as well as emotional, “mind/body” interventions such as yoga are uniquely able to address special populations, such as people in recovery. The specific yoga components of regulated breathing, and learning to stay in the moment, are valuable relaxation and recovery tools. Wells House seeks to provide as many treatment opportunities as possible to our patient population.
Yoga Instructor, Louise Holcolm, comes to us from Yogamour Yoga & Healing Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland. Yogamour’s mission is building safe, mindful spaces for healing, growth and empowerment. We have learned from our different yoga instructors that trauma lives in the body and has no voice. Trauma informed yoga poses are designed to help calm the body and release stored up stress. This type of yoga uses gentle verbal cues, respectful of the individual’s need for personal safe space. Trauma informed yoga can empower individuals in recovery and teach them healthy ways to self soothe. Louisa’s trauma informed yoga sessions for our patients are held on site. One-hour sessions are held on Friday afternoon; for up to 15 people per session.
Thank you to our partners at Yogamour Yoga & Healing Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland for assisting us in making this recovery tool available to our patients.
MUSIC THERAPY
We will be offering a ten-week Music Therapy sessions to our male patients in Frederick. The sessions will be provided by therapists at Noteable Progressions Music Therapy Services, led by founder and director Darcy L. O’Daniel (shown here pulling some musical instruments together for a session). Several studies have identified a positive relationship between music therapy and healthy self soothing and a reduction in anxiety, depression and stress among persons in recovery from substance use disorders. The feedback we have received from patients about Music Therapy has been better than we imagined. They really connect with the therapist and feel the benefits of Music Therapy immediately. Sessions will be held starting in this winter and extend into the summer.
Thoughts from our patients about Trauma Yoga and Process Painting sessions at Frederick location, March 2018
“I really liked it, especially the meditative process. You come out of it feeling completely different than you went in. You can be all stressed out with a lot on your mind, and by the end of the session, you feel peaceful. Yoga was always something I planned on trying. I didn’t ever have the money to do it. I’m really impressed that I have been able to do it here. I hope you can continue to offer it. It’s a good spiritual, mindful exercise.”
– Connor
“The Yoga was the most relaxing and inspirational time I have had while I’ve been here. It taught me so much. The instructor showed me where to find guided meditations on my phone and I fall asleep to them every night now. Did the yoga support my recovery? Absolutely 100 percent! The meditating and breathing exercises I learned in the sessions have really helped me learn how to get tuned into my body and helped reduce my stress levels, and the pain that has resulted from my back surgeries. I didn’t think yoga could help with back pain and it has alleviated it so much; that’s how I got addicted to pain meds in the first place! The yoga and the breathing are incredible. I still have my days, but it has really helped me learn how to calm myself and just breathe through stressful times.”
– Charlene
“I really liked the Yoga. I used it for overall relaxation and stretching. I drive my bike all over Frederick and the Yoga really helped my body from getting too stiffened up. It was one of the better hours I’ve spent here. I would go in and relax, stretch, and release any stress for an hour. You could also tell that the instructor really cared and was very conscientious that she was doing movements that we could follow too.”
– Pete
“For me the process painting class has been great. It’s unbelievably relaxing. I like that each painting is totally different. It’s nice to be able to tap into a different side of me that before I started was totally unexplored. This painting, in particular represents a variety of different emotions. Using the process painting technique allows me to express my emotions in a different and healthy way.”
– JH
