Brookhaven Retreat® LLC, a unique residential treatment facility exclusively for women with emotional and mental health challenges, and/or substance abuse issues hosted a therapeutic outing for clients to attend The Gathering Fall in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park on August 22, 2015.
The event, a primitive and country gathering featuring antiques, primitives, handmade items, garden and seasonal items, was held in Knoxville in the same location where the first Appalachian Exposition was held in 1910, and the original bandstand built for the event still stands today. The Gathering was followed by a trip to Hobby Lobby to purchase art supplies for art therapy projects.
As part of The Lily Program®, a 90-day voluntary residential program offered exclusively at Brookhaven Retreat, regular recreational outings are held to help women working through depression, trauma, anxiety, personality disorders, and substance dependence among other diagnoses.
Founder of Brookhaven Retreat, Jacqueline Dawes, says, “There’s such joy and many benefits to going on excursions like The Gathering where clients can get out, get to know each other better and have an experience that offers a break from the hard work they’re doing with us. At the same time, it’s really a part of it because it falls under the category of experiential therapy, which is an integral part of the comprehensive treatment plan at Brookhaven Retreat. Outings offer an opportunity to practice important skills like social interaction, communication and mindfulness. There will come a time, after they leave us, that their normal lives will resume and they’ll have to do ordinary things using their new skills in order to have richer, more productive lives.”
