July 6-12, Brookhaven Retreat staff and clients participate in “Turning the Mind” week.
Women with mood disorders and substance abuse issues benefit greatly from learning and practicing dialectical behavioral therapy skills. One of these skills, turning the mind is the first step toward radical acceptance. It focuses on continually redirecting the mind to a commitment to accepting truth.
As part of the treatment and recovery process, each week at Brookhaven Retreat incorporates a therapeutic skill into all of its educational groups. By doing so, women learn to utilize these skills in every aspect of their life from self-care to family relationships.
In Brookhaven Retreat’s nutrition group, led by its registered dietitian, women learn to incorporate turning the mind by changing the way they shop for food. Program counselors also led groups focusing on individual projects and mindful assignments that practice using this DBT skill.
Women also participate in a book club centered on the weekly theme. The books are handpicked by Brookhaven Retreat’s owner and founder Jacqueline Dawes, and are conducive to a woman’s journey to recovery.
Brookhaven Retreat believes in preparing women to excel and succeed in life outside of residential treatment. Learning the skills necessary to cope with everyday stressors and pressures is the first step, and being able to incorporate these skills into every aspect of life helps ensure long-term healing and recovery.