By Dr. Sandra Betancourt, Ph.D., MCAP, ICADC, CMHP – Clinical Director
Welcome to Headwaters!
I would love for everyone to experience Headwaters for a day. But since this is not feasible at this time, I would like to give you an idea of what happens here daily so you can enter into our world thru your imagination and begin to understand better how our patients and loved ones start to heal. I love what we do here because rather than asking our patients to abandon who they are and their identities, we teach them how to have fulfilling and meaningful lives based on integrating who they are. If you are ready to join me, allow me to introduce you to a day in the lives of our Headwaters patients and staff.
First, let me review a couple of essential principles that guide our daily routines and inspire and inform our interactions.
- It’s all about connection. Our main goal is for patients to begin developing and renewing their relationships with their Higher Power, themselves, and others (patients, families, and staff).
- We will treat whatever shows up. In other words, we don’t expect perfect patients or families. Instead, we meet everyone right where they are.
- We want our patients to learn new evidence-based skills for life. Experiential and integrative opportunities are a must at Headwaters.
- Our population has often been objectified and labeled. Thus we thrive on being transparent and respectful in all of our dealings.
Our beautiful bedroom suites foster relaxing nights so when patients get up in the morning, they can be ready for a rewarding but challenging day.
When the sun rises, they enjoy a nutritious breakfast at our state-of-the-art cafeteria, where they can pick from various healthy and delicious food. Right after breakfast, they can stop by medical services and take their medications if they need to.
From there, they can walk into our mindfulness group. Our yoga master and personal trainer are waiting to help them focus their day with a peaceful and mindful meditation activity. This is followed by an experiential segment where they will contact their feelings and enhance their positive sense of self.
Next, Headwaters patients are energized and encouraged to visit our beautiful walking trail or use the gym to strengthen their body-mind connection. After a quick-but-refreshing refreshing bath, they are ready for a challenging group with our seasoned therapists.
By using experiential activities, such as psychodrama, and other expressive therapies, combined with evidence-based, educational, and therapeutic groups, Headwaters patients strengthen their mind/body connection and work through disconnection issues with themselves and others.
After a great lunch in our cafeteria, the patients have some time to refresh and relax until the next group starts. They continue to learn and solidify the information discussed in the morning.
Next, Headwaters patients participate in various activities that may include meeting with their counselors and attending family sessions. They may also visit with our psychiatrist or psychologist or have a rejuvenating massage, reflexology, or acupuncture appointment. During this afternoon, the patients may meet individually with the personal trainer or simply go to their rooms to rest, work, or talk to family members.
Sooner than expected, it’s dinner time. Headwaters chefs have prepared a three-course meal of the patient’s choice. Served in a four-star restaurant atmosphere, they have a chance simply to relax, interact with each other, and enjoy their meal.
After dinner, the activities become more reflective and conducive to wrapping up their day. They may attend an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting and participate in a subsequent “when we retire” meditation. They’ve worked hard, interacted with others, practiced their learning skills, and are ready for a good night’s sleep. You may think that everything is quiet in Headwaters at night, but even during that time, learning and connections continue until the last patient retires to sleep.
Weekends have the same clinical focus.
Attention is given to socialization skills for recovery. Patients can enjoy participating in safe, monitored outdoor activities and practice their skills for sustained recovery. Swimming, walking, biking, fishing, and more are happening in a relaxing, cohesive atmosphere.
So long. Thank you for joining us to explore a day at Headwaters. We will continue to work hard to support our patients as they journey to sustained recovery. May you also be well.
HeadWaters at Origins is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-270-1753.
