Addiction & Recovery
Confidential Coaching
Addiction destroys the lives of millions of people every year. At Zen Wellness Academy we offer confidential innovative substance and behavioral abuse coaching programs to help clients break the cycle of abuse and repair the damage it has caused in their lives.
ADDICTION LIFE COACHING
Addiction Life Coaches deal with alcoholics, drug addicts, gamblers, sex addicts, kleptomaniacs, and any number of other types of addicts. They also work with people who have just left jail and need help adjusting to life outside while overcoming their criminal addiction. Recently divorced people or over spenders benefit from Addiction Life Coaching, by gaining the skills to recover financially and fix their credit. The main purpose of an Addiction Life Coach is to help guide you toward improving your life and reaching your goals for sobriety and/or abstinence. Together, we will come up with a plan and a specific set of objectives; a holistic method of healing that works under the assumption that enjoying life in recovery will usually lead to maintaining recovery. The main goal is to form solid recovery groundwork; focusing on finding your strengths; like resourcefulness, creativity, and resilience; to overcome challenges… discovering within yourself the things you truly want to achieve in life ~ reaffirming that recovery is worth the hard work. During the coaching sessions, we will discuss what you want to talk about. This type of coaching focuses mostly on “doing” and living in the here and now, rather than “feeling” or focusing on the past. This helps an addict feel less alone and have someone to talk to at any time. The coach acts as a guide to staying sober and on the right path by imputing new decision-making skills. Addiction Life Coaches are partners in finding the solutions from within, and clearly defining one’s own life path in recovery. Addiction Life Coaching touches many aspects of an addict’s life. Discussing important issues with someone whose opinions are completely unbiased can impart a new outlook and provide perspective into what really matters. People who have worked with Addiction Life Coaches report gaining a whole new awareness of the world around them. They are amazed that suddenly, everything they do seems charged with purpose. They know what they will and will not tolerate, and begin making choices that lead to greater health and happiness. They also begin to realize that life should be taken seriously and bad decisions have consequences. With these new skills, recovery can mean being able to enjoy life more fully.
RECOVERY COACHING
Thousands of people go to inpatient treatment centers to recover from addiction every year. These programs provide a safe, structured environment for learning and developing a new, healthy and satisfying way of living. While “Rehab” can be difficult and challenging, the most troubling times for a person attempting recovery is often the first 90 days after leaving treatment. Returning home, familiar sights like drugs and alcohol left in the home can be triggering, while the realities of life—job pressures, family tension, bills piling up—can all be overwhelming. This is when a Recovery Coach can be most helpful.
ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT
Recovery Coaches can help the recovering client navigate the treacherous path of early sobriety. They provide a bridge between the safe and secure world of inpatient treatment to the real world where all the old temptations lie in wait, ready to sabotage your recovery. Recovery Coaches continue working with clients on a daily basis to help them establish habits and behaviors that encourage and reinforce a healthy lifestyle. They also help them connect with the local recovery community to find the resources they need to support their sobriety:
- Appropriate twelve-step meetings
- Therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical support staff
- Outpatient programs that ensure clients get an appropriate level of support
- A gym, yoga studio, or athletic activity groups, such as a running or cycling club
- A sponsor to take them through their 12-step recovery program
The goal of a Recovery Coach is to allow the client to find their own niche in the recovery world, reminding and encouraging them to have fun and explore new activities that are healing and supportive.
WHY USE A RECOVERY COACH WHEN YOU CAN GO TO AA AND GET A SPONSOR FOR FREE?
A Recovery Coach is not an AA sponsor. They possess many characteristics of a good sponsor, but a Recovery Coach does much more. Assessing what the client’s needs are and recommending more than one suitable option is just the beginning. It’s like having your own personal case manager:
Unlike a volunteer sponsor, a Recovery Coach is a professional who works for you. They can be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will help you devise a plan with realistic daily goals, help keep you accountable to it, and continually reassess and make adjustments as you progress.
A good Recovery Coach leads by example. They share what’s worked in the past and what’s working now. They relate on a personal level with the client, meeting them exactly where they are, spiritually, mentally and physically. They not only help clients stay sober but also show them how to be happy and enjoy their sobriety.
Recovery Coaches can help create healthy boundaries in all areas of your life. They can teach communication skills to help you relate openly and honestly with family members and challenging relationships in your life. In the workplace, they can guide you on how to respond to questions and concerns of co-workers, customers, and colleagues, helping you learn what to say and what not to say.
IN PERSON:
Zen Wellness Academy offers empowering and goal-oriented 55-minute in person sessions, providing hands-on treatment and education you can take home with you, enabling you to become an active participant in your recovery and future overall wellbeing. Coaching sessions are to help clients learn coping skills, improve their overall wellness, and achieve long-term success in the areas of:
- Addiction & Recovery
- Health & Fitness
- Life Purpose/Life Transition
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Relationship/Discernment
- Spiritual Connection
- Weight Loss / Weight Management
In Person Office Consultation Request
PHONE SESSION:
While my preference is to meet with you in person, I do provide the option of phone coaching sessions if needed. I understand sometimes you are ill, unable to make it back to Dallas, there is inclement weather, or you live elsewhere so we will want to make appropriate accommodations. I also know many of my clients are busy professionals, and a phone call is much easier to work into your schedule than an in-office visit. In addition, it can take a significant amount of courage to begin coaching sessions. Starting with phone coaching session(s) can be less intimidating and you may feel freer to open up and express yourself without being face to face.
How to Prepare:
My preference is to meet with you for your first session in person if at all possible. This gives us better insight into how you interact and an idea of what your body language might be expressing. At this time, discuss with me your need for phone sessions. If an in-person session is not possible, just let me know and we’ll talk about your needs and how the first session will proceed.
What to Expect:
Phone coaching will be very similar to in-person coaching. I will possibly ask more questions to get a better idea of your thoughts and feelings because I’m unable to see your facial expressions or body language.
While your confidentiality is important to me, I cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality because the session is conducted over the phone. Make sure you are in a private place possibly at home, your office, or in your car. We adhere to the same confidentiality guidelines as an in-person session that you will read about in your intake form.
Coaching sessions are to help clients learn coping skills, improve their overall wellness, and achieve long-term success in the areas of:
- Addiction & Recovery
- Health & Fitness
- Life Purpose/Life Transition
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Relationship/Discernment
- Spiritual Connection
- Weight Loss / Weight Management
Phone Session Consultation Request
SKYPE OR VIDEO CHAT:
As technology increases so do our options for coaching avenues. I recognize that many of my clients are busy professionals who are often away from the DFW area, suffer from disabilities that impede office visits or experience unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from coming into the office.
For these clients, Zen Wellness Academy offers the convenience of online Skype coaching sessions.
Skype is a free online service that allows users to make free online phone/video calls and instant messaging.
How to prepare:
I prefer to meet with you face to face for your first session. If this is not a possibility, the first session may be held over the phone. During that session, we can discuss the possibilities of using Skype for subsequent sessions. I will explain the process and be able to answer any questions you may have regarding online coaching.
You will need to install the free Skype software onto your computer prior to your session and create an online ID. Once you have your ID, you will e-mail me with that ID – in return, I will give you my Skype ID so that we may connect.
Prior to your session you will sign into Skype and ensure you are listed as “online.” I will initiate contact and “call” you at the designated appointment time. I will make 3 attempts to contact you via Skype.
What to expect:
Once connected via Skype, your session will proceed in the same manner as a face to face office visit. It is important to remember that while I will work to protect your confidentiality as much as reasonably possible, I cannot guarantee complete confidentiality with Skype coaching.
The client will be responsible for ensuring they are in a private area where their conversation with me cannot be overheard. Likewise, the client must understand that any electronic communication has the possibility of being breached through technological means.
Coaching sessions are to help clients learn coping skills, improve their overall wellness, and achieve long-term success in the areas of:
- Addiction & Recovery
- Health & Fitness
- Life Purpose/Life Transition
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Relationship/Discernment
- Spiritual Connection
- Weight Loss / Weight Management
Video Chat Session Consultation Request
WALK & TALK SESSION:
Zen Wellness Academy is one of the few groups in the DFW area offering Walk and Talk coaching sessions. This unique and innovative form of coaching incorporates walking into your coaching sessions. At Zen Wellness Academy we know the importance and impact that the mind-body connection has on all of us. If you are among the many people who think better on your feet, or like the idea of therapy but aren’t sure if sitting in an office discussing your challenges and life history is right for you, then Walk and Talk therapy may be the answer.
The physical act of walking and literally moving forward can often be a catalyst to change. Some clients find it’s easier to connect with their therapist and with themselves when they have the distraction of walking during sessions. When we feel stuck in a situation, movement can often propel us into action and help us process the emotions that have been keeping us in one place.
How to prepare:
When deciding if Walk-and-Talk therapy is right for you, first ensure you are healthy enough for 50 minutes of walking. Keep in mind that session length, objectives, and techniques will be the same as in a traditional coaching setting. While your first visit will take place in our office, your subsequent Walk and Talk sessions will be in a predetermined location that has been set up with Dr. Carla. It is important to arrive a few minutes early to ensure there are no complications with finding one another. Finally, be prepared to be on your feet for much of the coaching session, thus dressing accordingly will provide you with a more comfortable and effective session.
What to expect:
Your initial session will be held in our office. At this time Dr. Carla will ask you some guided questions meant to create an overall understanding of who you are, your history, and your subjective world view as well as what challenges brought you to coaching.
Dr. Carla will then work with you on developing a set of collaborative goals for coaching to get an idea of what you would like to accomplish and how we can help you achieve that. From there, Dr. Carla will help you determine if Walk and Talk therapy are right for you. Understand that it may take more than one initial session before beginning to meet for walks as we work to build a trust relationship and momentum for coaching.
Dr. Carla can answer any questions you may have concerning how the process works as well as cover the limitations to confidentiality. Because the sessions take place in a more public environment than our offices, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. Should you encounter anyone you know during the session Dr. Carla will defer to you on how to handle the situation. Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us and we will respect however you choose to proceed. Should Dr. Carla be approached, she will not make introductions of other people and will quickly disengage from the conversation. We encourage you to let Dr. Carla know if at any point you would like to stop and rest during your walk. The pace will be determined by you, and we may choose to speed up or slow down depending on your level of comfort or to increase privacy.
Once determined that Walk and Talk coaching is the right fit for you, a convenient location will be decided upon by you and Dr. Carla. Venues may include White Rock Lake, the SMU campus, the Katy Trail, the Galleria or North Park Mall, or another agreed upon location. If your session is set to occur outdoors and inclement weather prevents an outdoor session you may choose to have your session in the office or reschedule with no cancellation fee.
Results:
Increasing research on the Mind-Body connection has shown a vital interdependence between the two, which is why we at Zen Wellness Academy place a high level of importance of focusing on both the mind as well as the body. Walk and Talk coaching incorporates aspects of both physical activity and emotional discovery to facilitate a higher level of awareness and fulfillment. This new and unique modality is meant to create a sense of confidence and strength as well as highlighting the unity of the Body and Mind.
Coaching sessions are to help clients learn coping skills, improve their overall wellness, and achieve long-term success in the areas of:
- Addiction & Recovery
- Health & Fitness
- Life Purpose/Life Transition
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Relationship/Discernment
- Spiritual Connection
- Weight Loss / Weight Management
Walk & Talk Consultation Request
