The Aftercare program at Brookhaven Retreat offers several options for continued support of recovery once you have left our facility. We do not feel that the completion of Brookhaven's program is the completion of your treatment. We recommend all of our client's receive continuing therapeutic care on an outpatient basis and participate in Brookhaven Retreat's aftercare services. We have four very specific services in place for our alumnae.

First, we have a weekly Aftercare group that is held every Monday night that works like a conference call. The group is semiformal and offers a chance for our alumna to connect/reconnect with others who are in all different stages of their recovery. Participants will share about their experiences of returning home and reintegrating in to their personal lives and the difficulties and challenges they have faced. A topic for each group means that alumna will experience a type of refresher session each week. This will assist in the application of coping skills learned in treatment for practice in the natural environment.

Second, we have a website set up specifically for the alumnae. It is a social networking site in which the alumna can create a profile, put pictures and send/receive messages to other alumnae. The web site contains news about Brookhaven Retreat, success stories, and links to information on support groups. For confidentiality purposes, the website is secure and requires approval from the Aftercare Coordinator to join. Click here to visit the myAlumnae community.

Third, we conduct follow-up interviews with all alumnae. The interviews are conducted at one month, three months, six months and one-year post discharge. During the phone interviews, the aftercare staff will check on your appointments, meeting attendance, and school/work. The aftercare staff will also check to see if they can be of further assistance.

Finally, to recognize the success of our graduates Brookhaven Retreat hosts an annual alumnae reunion. Alumnae from all over the country come together with their Brookhaven sisters to restore, renew and treasure the life changes they began while in treatment. Brookhaven Retreat is a very special place to the alumnae, helping them learn and redefine themselves. We want our alumnae to always feel that we are a continued source of support for them.

This gallery of images showcases the beauty of Brookhaven Retreat's secluded and natural location in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Coangla Ray received her schooling in Nursing from Erlinger University. She is a Licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Tennessee and has worked in the field of mental health for over 4 years. She has been an employee of Brookhaven Retreat since the opening of the facility.

Alle Wicker received her B.A. in Communications from DePauw University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has worked in the social services field for over 6 years. She has a breadth of experience and knowledge working with building community resources, domestic violence, and women in transition. She has completed training in Level 2 EAGALA, DBT, CBT, TFCBT and EMDR. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Meghan Phillips received her B. A. in Creative Arts Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Endicott College in Massachusetts. Meghan focuses on art and journaling as methods of therapy, using a variety of mediums and techniques in order to help create a unique and creative approach in individual self expression and reflection.

Carrie Fair received her B.A. in Therapeutic Recreation from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She has a Masters in Sports Management from the University of Tennessee and a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She is a Licensed Masters of Social Worker in the state of Tennessee and has worked in the field of mental health for over 9 years. She has breadth of experience and knowledge working as a forensic social worker, an addiction counselor and has worked as Recreation Therapist for a Residential Psychiatric Hospital in Douglasville, Georgia. Here she facilitated a variety of adventure-based activities; including both high and low ropes course. Her interests include trauma survival, substance abuse and empowering women. She is a member of the National Association of Social Work (NASW) and the National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW).

After being in treatment for almost four months, I can honestly say that I am a completely different person than I was when I walked into the glass-paneled doors of my treatment center. I have learned not to define myself by labels or diagnosis or even by the thought and feelings of others. I've learned to accept myself for exactly who I am-a perfectly imperfect individual. I now know what it is like to love myself and to respect the person that I am becoming. I have had to scrutinize every aspect of my behavior and of my life, and have admitted many truths about myself and have come through it with willingness and consequently strength. I have changed many things about myself but one of the biggest differences is my decision to live my life sober and free of all drugs and alcohol. I am immensely grateful to have made this choice to simply start living my life instead of watching it drive by. As just a 20 year old young adult, this may seem like a big task and one that will be very difficult to prove in a college environment. Though this may seem like an impossible task, I have courage, faith, and hope in myself. I know in my heart that going to treatment saved my relationships, my relationship with my higher power and my life.

April Chandler received her B.S. in Nursing from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. She is a Licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Tennessee and has worked in the field of mental health for over 4 years.

Lori Turner received her ASN in Nursing from Walters State Community College. She is a Licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Tennessee and has worked in the field of mental health for over 2 years.

McKenzie Hill received her B.S. in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, majoring in Human Resource Management. She is a member of The Society for Human Resource Management.