First, let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Brooke Gilbertsen and I am a clinician here at Nourished Wellness Group. My clinical experience includes 11+ years working and helping individuals navigate their relationship with substances. I feel passionate about offering my clients a holistic approach to their struggle with substances, as it often impacts both the mind and body in complex, layered ways.

So, let’s dive in.

If you’ve found your way here, you may be wondering about your own substance use, or you have a family member, friend, or loved one who is grappling with substance use. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here.

First, we have to recognize that individuals diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder is not only common (20.4 million diagnosed individuals in the U.S last year) but also generally misunderstood. We have so many cultural narratives around “addiction” built upon media presentations that often perpetuate bias and misinformation.

When we take a step back, we need to recognize there is often a root struggle(s) that is tied to substance use, especially substance use that impacts life functioning. For example, perhaps an individual experienced the death of a parent at a young age. They may not have been given the space to properly grieve or understand the loss. This childhood trauma may have created intense feelings of rage, anxiety and depression. If these big feelings aren’t addressed adaptively, both the mind (e.g. rumination, excessive worry, inner critic) and body (e.g. sleep disturbances, digestive issues, disconnection from body all together) can become impacted. In order to cope (and survive) they may have turned to alcohol. Alcohol could have been the best way to escape or distract them from what they were feeling in their mind and body. Without intervention or support, this coping mechanism can then turn into a much bigger struggle or diagnosed disorder.

At the end of the day, we can view usage as self-soothing.

When we fail to look at this struggle from a holistic lens, we miss the opportunity to treat the entire person, as substance use impacts the WHOLE being. Here at Nourished Wellness Group, we seek to integrate the best of Western science with Eastern principles to support our client’s intentions and goals.

Now, let’s explore our four main pillars when it comes to treating substance use…

1. Integrated

The patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process. The relationship between client and therapist is essential for the healing process. The same goes for the medical, psychiatric, and other providers, such as nutritionist, physical trainer, acupuncturist, etc. Good medicine is based in good science, and integrative care is inquiry-driven and open to new models of care. As clinicians we lean towards empirically-based models of care. We want to stay with the tried & true when it comes to treatment. At the same time, we want to be curious and open. We aim to integrate emerging models of care that offer (still evidence-based) new perspectives and interventions. Finally, we don’t assume to know all the answers. One of my favorite sayings to tell clients is, “you are the expert on you. Let’s work together, and I hope you are open to trusting this process. Let’s collaborate so I can best help.”

2. holistic

As I’ve mentioned above, it is critical to build out a holistic care plan. Holistic care addresses the whole person, including body, mind, and spirit in the context of community. In addition to traditional forms of treatment for substance use, we also want to bring in effective, alternative interventions as much as possible. This includes modalities like acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and breathwork. They’re natural, less-invasive, and work to place the client in a grounded state of homeostasis. When it comes to substance use, not only is the mind impacted by the usage, the physical body is as well. Thus, it is critical to incorporate the physical body into treatment. It’s also important to note that each individual is truly unique. As clinicians, we need to tailor individualized treatment to best address our client’s unique conditions, needs, and circumstances.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL

Treating the whole person addresses both the patient’s immediate needs, as well as the effects of the long-term and complex interplay, between a range of biological, behavioral, psycho-social, and environmental influences.

As human beings, we are profoundly impacted by our surroundings. Part of working holistically with substance use is addressing triggers and digging deep to identify small pitfalls that can turn into big downfalls. Looking at environmental factors enhances the ability of individuals to not only get well, but most importantly, to stay well. Building a solid aftercare plan is crucial to maintaining sobriety beyond treatment, so the foundation can continue to cement. In the same way that environment can negatively impact recovery, it can also uplift, support, and bolster clients against the challenges ahead. A strong and supportive sense of community is an essential consideration in a holistic approach to treatment.

4. SPIRITUAL

This really is where East meets West. Part of a holistic approach to healing from Substance Use Disorder is connecting with ourselves, embodying our values & beliefs, and finding an intrinsic sense of meaning. Especially with the busyness of today, it is so important to be emotionally connected to ourselves. While it’s tempting to seek external things and people to validate us, the only way out is in. Getting close to ourselves, spiritually, allows us to sit with the difficult truths of lives and move forward in a more aligned and authentic way.

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, we cannot live without a spiritual life.”
- Buddha

Whenever I meet a client, I take a holistic approach. Viewing them from this lens -- treating mind, body, and spirit -- leads to a much more comprehensive understanding, where better treatment and integrated care can take place. I believe true healing, and getting to the root, is the birthplace of profound change and creation. Through holistic care, recovery from substance abuse is possible

I hope this offers you support and hope on your journey!