Created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Recovery Month is designed to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover. To honor this month, The Lovett Center clinicians took the time to reflect on what recovery means to them. Here are their thoughts, compiled in hopes of sparking encouragement, introspection or inspiration for you and your loved ones.
Ametis Cederberg, LPC, CRC
When I think about long term recovery I think of three headliners:
- Nourish Your Soul
- Find Yourself
- It Takes a Village.
Recovery takes reflective introspection, tapping into and honoring once again our authentic selves. For me, it’s about nourishing the deepest parts of who I am, celebrating my personality, strengths and the change made along the way while engaging in meaningful ways that attribute to that. It’s a journey that cannot be done alone, that’s why getting help from different avenues (i.e. therapists, psychiatrists, dietitians, sponsors, etc.) and connecting with friends, support groups and family is vital to the healing process that is any form of recovery.
Rama Gerig, LMSW
Addiction is likened to a cocoon — the soul is tethered to darkness, despair, and hopelessness.
Recovery embodies the miracle of transformation from the cocoon to the butterfly.
Julie Cunningham, LCSW, LCDC
Recovery is about transformation and hope you don’t have to “hit rock bottom” to change. As long as you are alive there is hope. Hope that you can become the person you’ve always wanted to be, hope that you can learn to deal with the things you run from, hope that tomorrow will be better.
Matthew Browning, LMSW
Take a moment each day to just breathe. Even if it feels like your breath is the only thing you have, pause and honor it with intention. Offer gratitude to your breath; give thanks and return to your day.
Greta Bellinger, LMSW
Recovery is an archaeological expedition – unearthing the authentic self and changing the future.
Emily Netherton, LMSW
Recovery is not a linear process. Times of struggle and challenge are to be expected no matter if you are one year in or twenty.
The path to recovery looks different for each person so try not to get stuck in comparing yours with someone else’s.
Firoozeh Tuller, LCSW
Recovery is about the discovery of who we already are and the person we are becoming in each moment. If we live this moment with integrity, the future will take care of itself.
Michael Lassoff, LMSW
In recovery, we’re less concerned about breakdowns. Those are to be expected. But treatment is about turning breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Laura Bowen, LPC-S, MAC
Recovery is moving in the direction of being the best version of yourself.
Marsha Chin, Psy. D, LMSW
Commitment, perseverance, strength, confidence, self-value and integrity are some of the key players needed to maintain success with recovery.
The Lovett Center provides access to more than 30 clinicians that represent a broad base of specializations. To work with a clinician to explore your history, any challenges you may be currently facing and the pathways to move you forward towards healing, contact us confidentially.
Illustration: Jorde Matthews
Robert is deeply committed to serving others and is passionate about hope and despair in clinical treatment. With over 20 years in addiction and mental health, he has experience in private practice, clinical supervision, and program management, co-founding The Lovett Center and Ethos. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, which honored him as a 50 for 50 Alumni in 2019. His education includes fellowships at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and The Menninger Clinic, where he held leadership roles and received the Menninger Clinic Pillar Award for Integrity. The Houston Business Journal recognized him as a 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 Honoree.
