May-June Issue of Suburban Woman Magazine
A Treatment Program Specifically for Women
At Riverwalk Counseling Center, every patient is treated as an individual. Treatment plans are tailored to a person’s needs for optimal results. While the center offers a range of services, the six-week intensive outpatient program for women who are living with substance abuse disorders is new and growing.
Why are women seeking gender-based treatment? Because solutions on how to treat someone with a substance abuse disorder were all originally designed by and for men. For decades, women have been trying to fit their recovery into male inspired programs.
Healing in a male environment can be difficult for women. Women often have much more shame surrounding their addiction and are socially embarrassed by their substance abuse, particularly when they identify as the caregiver in the family. Plus, some women have had experienced trauma with men. In order to pave a path to healing, all of these topics need to be addressed, which is not easy to do in a mixed group.
“We want each person to feel secure expressing themselves. It is important for women to address self-esteem issues and feelings of shame,” says Char Scott, President of Riverwalk Counseling Center. “We see substance abuse in women growing in our culture. When women ask about how to know if they have a problem, we share that substance is a problem when it impacts a major life area, whether that be in your family life, professional life, or a combination of both. If loved ones are expressing concern, or if you wake up realizing you’ve been promising yourself over and over you will stop, it’s time to seek help.”
Remember, addiction does not discriminate. Women of all ages and cultures are impacted by substance abuse disorders. These women could be your best friend, your sister, your daughter, or even you. It is common for women to delay seeking help because they put the health of their family members before their own. But your health matters, you need to take care of yourself first.
Understanding that women have multiple roles to fill, in their family lives and professional lives, the women’s program at Riverwalk Counseling Center is structured as three half days over six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Since the treatment at Riverwalk is individualized, the groups are much smaller than a hospital based treatment program.
Part of the program is also learning self-care and stress management. Yoga and mindfulness are practiced at the center every day, in addition to counseling and story sharing.
After a woman has completed the 18 sessions, her healing path continues with gender based aftercare groups that meet once a week. The therapists at Riverwalk Counseling Center are available for additional support at any point in a woman’s recovery journey. The plan can be adjusted for each individual, depending on what she needs.
Interested in learning more? Assessments can be done the same day you reach out and make the phone call. The center is always available for walk-ins, too. The experienced therapists have an informed and helpful administrative staff onsite to facilitate insurance coverage questions as well. Major insurance plans are accepted and self-pay is also a possibility for individuals with Medicare or Medicaid. Riverwalk Counseling Center has a dedicated staff member, Lori, to verify insurance so you will know what, if anything, you need to pay.
Char Scott earned her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola, is a certified interventionist, and teaches at University of Southern California in the School of Social Work. She has worked to heal addiction issues for over 25 years.
“Women drinking has become so much more the norm than it was in the past. The industry is targeting young girls with flavored drinks and women are victimized by this aggressive marketing. At least 10% of the population develops a substance abuse problem,” continues Char. “There are a lot of people who benefit from treatment and, for me, helping people heal is a gift. I see people change their lives every day. Women stop drinking and then learn the illness has to be managed. It takes strength to stay sober and build a happy, successful life.”
Riverwalk Counseling Center understands the need for individual care. If you are a woman seeking help, know that the center provides an opportunity to recover in a safe and secure setting.
The success of the Women’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) has led to more programming at the center. An evening Women’s IOP and a Men’s IOP program are in development.
Start the conversation today. Call Riverwalk Counseling Center.
A Treatment Program Specifically for Women
At Riverwalk Counseling Center, every patient is treated as an individual. Treatment plans are tailored to a person’s needs for optimal results. While the center offers a range of services, the six-week intensive outpatient program for women who are living with substance abuse disorders is new and growing.
Why are women seeking gender-based treatment? Because solutions on how to treat someone with a substance abuse disorder were all originally designed by and for men. For decades, women have been trying to fit their recovery into male inspired programs.
Healing in a male environment can be difficult for women. Women often have much more shame surrounding their addiction and are socially embarrassed by their substance abuse, particularly when they identify as the caregiver in the family. Plus, some women have had experienced trauma with men. In order to pave a path to healing, all of these topics need to be addressed, which is not easy to do in a mixed group.
“We want each person to feel secure expressing themselves. It is important for women to address self-esteem issues and feelings of shame,” says Char Scott, President of Riverwalk Counseling Center. “We see substance abuse in women growing in our culture. When women ask about how to know if they have a problem, we share that substance is a problem when it impacts a major life area, whether that be in your family life, professional life, or a combination of both. If loved ones are expressing concern, or if you wake up realizing you’ve been promising yourself over and over you will stop, it’s time to seek help.”
Remember, addiction does not discriminate. Women of all ages and cultures are impacted by substance abuse disorders. These women could be your best friend, your sister, your daughter, or even you. It is common for women to delay seeking help because they put the health of their family members before their own. But your health matters, you need to take care of yourself first.
Understanding that women have multiple roles to fill, in their family lives and professional lives, the women’s program at Riverwalk Counseling Center is structured as three half days over six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Since the treatment at Riverwalk is individualized, the groups are much smaller than a hospital based treatment program.
Part of the program is also learning self-care and stress management. Yoga and mindfulness are practiced at the center every day, in addition to counseling and story sharing.
After a woman has completed the 18 sessions, her healing path continues with gender based aftercare groups that meet once a week. The therapists at Riverwalk Counseling Center are available for additional support at any point in a woman’s recovery journey. The plan can be adjusted for each individual, depending on what she needs.
Interested in learning more? Assessments can be done the same day you reach out and make the phone call. The center is always available for walk-ins, too. The experienced therapists have an informed and helpful administrative staff onsite to facilitate insurance coverage questions as well. Major insurance plans are accepted and self-pay is also a possibility for individuals with Medicare or Medicaid. Riverwalk Counseling Center has a dedicated staff member, Lori, to verify insurance so you will know what, if anything, you need to pay.
Char Scott earned her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola, is a certified interventionist, and teaches at University of Southern California in the School of Social Work. She has worked to heal addiction issues for over 25 years.
“Women drinking has become so much more the norm than it was in the past. The industry is targeting young girls with flavored drinks and women are victimized by this aggressive marketing. At least 10% of the population develops a substance abuse problem,” continues Char. “There are a lot of people who benefit from treatment and, for me, helping people heal is a gift. I see people change their lives every day. Women stop drinking and then learn the illness has to be managed. It takes strength to stay sober and build a happy, successful life.”
Riverwalk Counseling Center understands the need for individual care. If you are a woman seeking help, know that the center provides an opportunity to recover in a safe and secure setting.
The success of the Women’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) has led to more programming at the center. An evening Women’s IOP and a Men’s IOP program are in development.
Start the conversation today. Call Riverwalk Counseling Center.