Making the decision to get into treatment is a huge step! We at Belair have every intention on making that decision a positive one. Like I tell my clients “treatment is a little scary, but you already know where the addiction is going…so let's wander into the fear of...

Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have been around a long time. They have stood the tests of time, helped countless people find sobriety and live better lives. However, the 12 step philosophy is not for everyone and there needs to be good alternative approaches to...

Here in NW Washington it is clear that social isolation, uncertainty and financial hardship has lead to increased use of alcohol and drugs along with an uptick in mental health problems. There is nothing more important than our social health as human beings; and while...

In Buddhism there is a myth about a hell-realm populated by beings whose appetites exceed their capacity for satisfaction. Their stomachs are huge but their throats are tiny. No matter how much they try to eat, their hunger remains. In ancient India, they are called...

In recovery, nothing is more important than forgiveness. We need to forgive others for harming us, and we need to forgive ourselves for all the harm we have caused. Below is the practice of forgiveness by Jack Kornfield.

We are inherently a deeply social species. There is nothing that will help heal a broken human then compassion and care from another human (Gabor Mate). In these difficult times it seems as though we are more disconnected than ever. First it was social media that...

Most of our clients present to treatment with a primary concern of substance use, yet most have underlying and untreated mental health issues as well. We are fully capable of helping clients wander through difficult feelings like sadness, anxiety and grief. When a...

Whatcom County has experienced an increase in suicides, drug related deaths and mental health issues. Nothing has highlighted the importance of social support quite like living in a pandemic over the last year. 2020 was a very difficult year for people in active...

Among all the things standing in the way of our well-being one particularly issues stands out as paramount: the stigma of counseling. According the American Counseling Association (2014), and authors like Bradley Erford (2018), counseling is focused on a wellness...

THOUGHT DEFUSION: An Alternative Approach to Handling Intrusive Negative Thoughts by Ericka | Feb 23, 2018 | Coping, Depression, Obsession Automatic negative thoughts are a natural part of the human experience. For the most part, we don’t conjure them up or think them...