I want to go to rehab but I don't have a habit!
September 20, 2010 12:30 PM Subscribe
Where would I find something like rehab... but without the drug bit? So basically like a retreat, but with talks/mutual feedback (trying to avoid the word "therapy")... and not excrutiatingly expensive.
Earlier this year I went into a private clinic for a month due to some issues that I'd rather not elaborate on non-anonymously. The therapy was entirely group-based so although there was a counsellor guiding the sessions, a lot of the feedback we received was from other patients.
I really enjoyed this and got a lot out of it, so now I'm wondering if there is something like this in a more informal and less "in need of immediate help" setting. I was reminded of it when reading this question about someone returning from a meditation retreat. Something like that isn't an option though as being left alone with my thoughts would drive me batty.
Being able to "shut out the world" is part of it, but so is the actual talking bit (so this doesn't have to be actual therapy, since I realise that will make it quite specific)... but I honestly have no clue if there is such a thing, and where to find it, or what to even look for.
I'd be open to creative stuff too (both writing and fine arts), but I'd want it to revolve around the people, not the art ("that's a nice picture, what made you draw it?", not "that's interesting, is that an Edward Hopper reference?").
Any suggestions? As hinted at above, this wouldn't have to be free, but I wouldn't fork out $10k for it either.
(I realise some of you may say this is a bad idea if not done under the right supervision, and you may be right, so feel free to say it!)
Thanks!!
Earlier this year I went into a private clinic for a month due to some issues that I'd rather not elaborate on non-anonymously. The therapy was entirely group-based so although there was a counsellor guiding the sessions, a lot of the feedback we received was from other patients.
I really enjoyed this and got a lot out of it, so now I'm wondering if there is something like this in a more informal and less "in need of immediate help" setting. I was reminded of it when reading this question about someone returning from a meditation retreat. Something like that isn't an option though as being left alone with my thoughts would drive me batty.
Being able to "shut out the world" is part of it, but so is the actual talking bit (so this doesn't have to be actual therapy, since I realise that will make it quite specific)... but I honestly have no clue if there is such a thing, and where to find it, or what to even look for.
I'd be open to creative stuff too (both writing and fine arts), but I'd want it to revolve around the people, not the art ("that's a nice picture, what made you draw it?", not "that's interesting, is that an Edward Hopper reference?").
Any suggestions? As hinted at above, this wouldn't have to be free, but I wouldn't fork out $10k for it either.
(I realise some of you may say this is a bad idea if not done under the right supervision, and you may be right, so feel free to say it!)
Thanks!!
Or maybe try searching "ashram."
posted by hermitosis at 12:37 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by hermitosis at 12:37 PM on September 20, 2010
I googled "retreat centers" and there was a lot of noise. I know about a few, but not all would be of interest to you. For instance, Pendle Hill offers a number of creative/spiritual retreats. it's run by Quakers but not all the offerings are Quaker-specific. Local to where I live. in Central Michigan, the Leaven Center does similar things.
I see you're in the UK. I'm not sure how to go about finding these things although I am sure they exist. The ones I've gone to, I've found because of communities I'm part of (Quakers, lesbians, glbt writers). But I got some very appealing (to me) hits when I googled "creative retreats for women UK."
posted by not that girl at 12:42 PM on September 20, 2010
I see you're in the UK. I'm not sure how to go about finding these things although I am sure they exist. The ones I've gone to, I've found because of communities I'm part of (Quakers, lesbians, glbt writers). But I got some very appealing (to me) hits when I googled "creative retreats for women UK."
posted by not that girl at 12:42 PM on September 20, 2010
Response by poster: Oh yeah sorry, an important point I should have included that I'd very much prefer it not being (Western) faith-based. The one thing I struggled with where I was was the.. hum... faith-based tenets underlying some of it.
I could perhaps work with the Eastern approaches. Ideally though there would be none of that at all. I know that limits my choices considerably.
[sorry for forgetting that! Thanks for the answers so far tho]
I'm quite open to not limiting myself to the UK or even Europe btw. Thanks for the (obvious, ha) Google keywords not that girl!
posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:46 PM on September 20, 2010
I could perhaps work with the Eastern approaches. Ideally though there would be none of that at all. I know that limits my choices considerably.
[sorry for forgetting that! Thanks for the answers so far tho]
I'm quite open to not limiting myself to the UK or even Europe btw. Thanks for the (obvious, ha) Google keywords not that girl!
posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:46 PM on September 20, 2010
Best answer: The Omega Institute has a wide variety of offerings, some of which might be the kind of thing you're looking for. I've never been there, as it's not my bag, but the people I've talked to who have been have been very pleased with it. It's in upstate New York.
posted by OmieWise at 12:51 PM on September 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by OmieWise at 12:51 PM on September 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
This may not be relevant to the particular kinds of problems you're working through, but have you tried looking for "______ support group" where the blank contains the name of your issue?
posted by richyoung at 12:58 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by richyoung at 12:58 PM on September 20, 2010
Something like that isn't an option though as being left alone with my thoughts would drive me batty.
This does make meditation seem scary, but it's also one of the best reasons to try meditation. Meditation is all about learning to simply exist and be aware. If existing without being entertained is a difficult idea for you (it sure as hell is for me), then meditation might have something to offer you. See if you can find a meditation center near you - google tells me of the Buddhist Center in Brighton, which could be a good place - hard to tell without trying it. They sponsor various classes, many of which seem to be geared towards beginners.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 1:03 PM on September 20, 2010
This does make meditation seem scary, but it's also one of the best reasons to try meditation. Meditation is all about learning to simply exist and be aware. If existing without being entertained is a difficult idea for you (it sure as hell is for me), then meditation might have something to offer you. See if you can find a meditation center near you - google tells me of the Buddhist Center in Brighton, which could be a good place - hard to tell without trying it. They sponsor various classes, many of which seem to be geared towards beginners.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 1:03 PM on September 20, 2010
Best answer: Check out the options at kripalu.org. Especially with your interest in arts and such, you might find programs there that will work for you. Bonus: it's an incredible place, a gorgeous setting, and the food rocks.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 1:13 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by pixiecrinkle at 1:13 PM on September 20, 2010
Best answer: You might also like Kripalu, a yoga-oriented retreat in Western MA. Obviously, yoga and meditation are significant parts of the program (and I know you said you're not looking for meditation), but there's also dance, cooking, movies, hikes and a lot of personal growth programs, too. No TV (there's internet in the coffee shop), so you do feel cut off in a good way.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:15 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:15 PM on September 20, 2010
The place I am familiar with is Iona. It is Christian in foundation but the eccumenical focus is on peace and social justice. In the weeks where they are not doing general Gathering Place programmes, they do things like October's peace and justice week. While it's not precisely what you asked for, it's very group based and structured and I wonder if that might appeal.
It's also cheap. And beautiful.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:15 PM on September 20, 2010
It's also cheap. And beautiful.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:15 PM on September 20, 2010
Also, sorry... I feel like I should say: I am not a Christian. I have been through rehab and through NA/AA and I totally get what you mean regarding discomfort with faith-based tenants. It's an extremely common complaint and one often discussed on Ask, in fact.
I found this all far more palletable when I decided that I was OK with the idea of a higher power because I do not, in fact, think I am the most powerful force in the universe. The fact I am defining that in a much broader way than the person next to me defining it as, say, the holy trinity makes no difference to my own work.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:22 PM on September 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
I found this all far more palletable when I decided that I was OK with the idea of a higher power because I do not, in fact, think I am the most powerful force in the universe. The fact I am defining that in a much broader way than the person next to me defining it as, say, the holy trinity makes no difference to my own work.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:22 PM on September 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Best answer: It sounds like you're looking for self-awareness workshops, in which guidance from the facilitator and support/feedback from other participants can help you identify the ways you are subtly sabotaging yourself or otherwise preventing you from achieving what you want. I could recommend some within the US, but have no experience with those in the UK or Europe.
Factors to consider in evaluating them, though, are: how many participants there are (somewhere between 15 and 25 is probably best), the professional qualifications of the facilitators (they should have some psychological training or certifications, imo), what sort of follow-up opportunities they provide (not a deal-breaker, but worth considering), and what types of people they seek as participants (you'll have a far different experience if they are businesspeople than if they are "troubled" folks, for example).
posted by DrGail at 1:24 PM on September 20, 2010
Factors to consider in evaluating them, though, are: how many participants there are (somewhere between 15 and 25 is probably best), the professional qualifications of the facilitators (they should have some psychological training or certifications, imo), what sort of follow-up opportunities they provide (not a deal-breaker, but worth considering), and what types of people they seek as participants (you'll have a far different experience if they are businesspeople than if they are "troubled" folks, for example).
posted by DrGail at 1:24 PM on September 20, 2010
A friend spent time at the Hoffman Institute in Napa Valley, California and it has, quite literally, changed her life. (I don't have personal experience with it so it may be total quackery...but she bought into it. YMMV, obviously.)
posted by hapax_legomenon at 1:42 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by hapax_legomenon at 1:42 PM on September 20, 2010
Response by poster: Wow, lots of ideas and suggestions to research! Thanks all!
Kripalu definitely sounds interesting. Will look at it all in more detail later, just wanted to express my thanks, as always, to this wonderful community!
posted by ClarissaWAM at 2:04 PM on September 20, 2010
Kripalu definitely sounds interesting. Will look at it all in more detail later, just wanted to express my thanks, as always, to this wonderful community!
posted by ClarissaWAM at 2:04 PM on September 20, 2010
You might find a program of interest at the Esalen Institute.
Note: I do not have personal experience with it, aside from riding by on a motorcycle. But I really want to go to their hot springs.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:42 PM on September 20, 2010
Note: I do not have personal experience with it, aside from riding by on a motorcycle. But I really want to go to their hot springs.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:42 PM on September 20, 2010
You might do well to separate things out a little into group therapy and residential personal development/retreats. Assuming your profile information is correct you live somewhere that is well served for both options. You might want to look group therapy (as opposed to support group (see here for local self groups). If anything, Brighton is over-served with therapy/counseling and there plenty of options for group therapy (that was just a quick googling and you should be able to find more.
I haven't lived in Brighton for a while but there used to be a new-agey free listings magazine which would be a good place to start looking for the personal development side of things if its still around, Brighton is a center for all this knid of thing. Locally Emerson College. a Waldorf/Steiner adult education college, springs to mind, they are based not far from Brighton but if you look around you should find plenty of residential courses in personal development as well creative arts that are person rather than arts centered.
There is also a very active Bhuddist community in Brighton. I've taken a couple of classes at the Brighton Buddhist Centre who have connections with theRivendell Retreat Centre based in East Sussex. There are other Buddhist groups around too.
posted by tallus at 3:13 PM on September 20, 2010
I haven't lived in Brighton for a while but there used to be a new-agey free listings magazine which would be a good place to start looking for the personal development side of things if its still around, Brighton is a center for all this knid of thing. Locally Emerson College. a Waldorf/Steiner adult education college, springs to mind, they are based not far from Brighton but if you look around you should find plenty of residential courses in personal development as well creative arts that are person rather than arts centered.
There is also a very active Bhuddist community in Brighton. I've taken a couple of classes at the Brighton Buddhist Centre who have connections with theRivendell Retreat Centre based in East Sussex. There are other Buddhist groups around too.
posted by tallus at 3:13 PM on September 20, 2010
In a departure from the meditative suggestions others have offered, I notice that Outward Bound, famous for physically active retreats, has classes in the UK. A lot of people wouldn't see the rugged exposure to natural areas as "shutting out the world", but it is leaving the everyday world behind for a space of time and I've seen their courses change people's lives, interactions with others, and self-reliance for the better.
posted by thatdawnperson at 6:14 PM on September 20, 2010
posted by thatdawnperson at 6:14 PM on September 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
The (Catholic) retreats I've been on have been less "pray pray pray" and more "pause, reflect, plan." Might something like that work for you?
posted by elmer benson at 12:34 PM on September 20, 2010