Who to Refer to The Bridge
In addition to WHAT the client may be experiencing, on our page Seeking Help for a Client, we discuss WHEN to refer a client to The Bridge. Here, we discuss in a bit more detail on WHO to refer to our program.
Learn more about how to help a client or patient seek treatment at The Bridge to Recovery.
The Bridge to Recovery is a residential workshop dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals affected by trauma, including anxiety, depression, codependency, and other challenging behavior patterns, by addressing the root causes of emotional pain. Guided by a commitment to affordability, exceptional quality, and ethical practices, our program offers a comprehensive path to healing.
As a non-profit organization with over 50 years of experience, we stand apart through our unique approach: fixed admission dates, structured stays of 2, 4, or 6 weeks, small group sizes, and a concentrated focus on group work. This creates an intimate and supportive environment for deep, meaningful healing.
The Bridge to Recovery is a 501c3 nonprofit residential program with five decades of experience helping individuals heal from unresolved trauma. Our clients report emotional recovery and a renewed enthusiasm for life.
There are many reasons therapists often reach out to us as a resource for their clients:
This can be frustrating for both the therapist and the patient. If something in their past is preventing them from breaking through and progressing in therapy, referring them to The Bridge is a great option.
“I was relieved when they canceled their appointment.”
We have had therapists reluctantly and with guilt admit this to us before when referring their stuck clients. This is not a reflection on your work with them or their work with you. This means you are likely BOTH feeling at an impasse and could use some partnering help.
When a therapist finds their valuable time spent in a constant state of crisis de-escalation because the negative behavior patterns of the client have continued to escalate, referring to The Bridge is a valuable tool.
“I spend all session with them on day-to-day crises that I never get to help them dig into the why of their behavior.”
Our goal with this client is to provide a safe setting where they can get away from the day-to-day triggers, have the space to really dive into the underlying issues, and begin to move forward with their healing. Then, our aftercare team works with them to transition back into your care to continue their treatment plan.
Therapists are amazing and talented humans who have devoted their lives to helping others. However, with large caseloads and limited time in sessions, they often report that while they recognize their client’s trauma needs, they feel frustrated at their time constraints.
“I wish I had more time with my clients to really dig into their deep stuff, but I can’t open and close someone up within an hour.”
Trauma is tricky and requires a lot of deep healing work in a safe space where clients can work on their own timeline. The Bridge to Recovery can provide that for your client. Our team will work with you throughout their time with us and then ensure they return back to you to continue their healing journey.
Therapists tend to work with many clients who express hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and often even a plan for suicide. This can be a stressful time for both the therapist and the client.
“My client feels hopeless and expressed to me they were feeling suicidal. I knew I needed a plan of action.”
Hospitalization is often a resource for a therapist with a suicidal client. The Bridge to Recovery also works with individuals who need a higher level of care due to hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and sometimes even plans for suicide (especially if there have been previous hospital stays). While mental health stabilization is sometimes necessary, we are happy to discuss with you how we may also be a longer-term option for a client ready to deal with their unresolved trauma but has come to an impasse due to hopelessness.
Working in the addiction and mental health industry, we all try hard to make sure our programs are the best fit for our clients. When we are not the best fit, it can alter the whole state of the client milieu. Additionally, when other behaviors and issues begin to seep in, it can affect the client's overall experience and recovery success.
There are times when The Bridge to Recovery is a good resource for a client in another treatment program.
We have found that when trauma is left unresolved, clients can sometimes struggle in primary treatment and find themselves stuck. Their inability to progress in their treatment plan becomes a frustration for staff and for the client and absolutely impacts their chances of long-term recovery.
Clients finding themselves stuck in primary treatment will find it beneficial to attend our program to work on what is keeping them stuck – their trauma. We work to keep you and your team involved during their time at The Bridge, and then once complete with us, they return to your program to continue their primary work.
Boundary issues, especially when working with clients with acute disordered behavior, are extremely common. However, we commonly partner with treatment programs to work with those clients who are:
It can be tough when you do not want to “give up someone” and send them home for having boundary issues when we recognize that with addiction and mental health issues, boundary struggles are part of it. By partnering with our program as a resource for your client, you will not have to make that choice. Refer them to our program, where they can do their trauma work, and our aftercare team will work with you to arrange their return to continue their primary work.
Many clients are able to work their program, often very successfully. But, one of the things clinicians tell us often is that the client needs more. Clinicians are trained to observe, treat, and recommend, and when a client has underlying trauma, they often spot it.
The Bridge to Recovery is a great aftercare option for those clients who have completed their program but, for their long-term recovery success, rely on continued care that includes trauma work.
Because addiction is often a family disease, family members can become equally as unwell as the identified patient. Family programs are great at providing an introduction to the needs of the family for the success of the individual. But what about when the family interferes with a client’s progress?
The Bridge to Recovery has helped countless families heal (although they are required to attend one at a time). Recognizing the toxic effects addiction has on the whole family, combined with intergenerational trauma, it is necessary (and helpful for you and your client) that the family members seek help as well.
In addition to WHAT the client may be experiencing, on our page Seeking Help for a Client, we discuss WHEN to refer a client to The Bridge. Here, we discuss in a bit more detail on WHO to refer to our program.
The client is no longer progressing in therapy, their program, etc.
The client’s behavior, emotions, response/reaction, consequences, etc. are escalating. The client can only stay in a state of crisis management.
It is apparent the client’s trauma is keeping them in survival mode, and the client will benefit from a more intensive opportunity; this may also include clients who have completed their residential program, but the clinical recommendation is continued care with a trauma component.
The client is struggling to follow expectations set forth; maybe the client’s M.O. needs to push boundaries in order to avoid addressing issues.
Family member(s) has become equally as unwell as the identified patient; may interfere with family member’s care; excessive control, caretaking, and enmeshment.
Because nearly everyone experiences trauma, we believe that most individuals would benefit from attending our program, as even small amounts of pain generated from trauma can impact our emotional wellness. However, there are a few scenarios in which our program is not likely the best fit.
This can include:
Resolution: Once the client has completed primary treatment or successfully participated in a 12-step program for at least 30 days, the client will be substantially more clear-minded and able to do the deep healing work we do at the BTR.
This can include individuals who:
Resolution: Once the client has been 30 days out from both a new diagnosis, beginning psychiatric care, AND starting/changing any medications, the client would be in a stabilized condition and able to focus attention on their needed trauma work.
Learn more about our Group Process here.
Resolution: the BTR is happy to provide referrals for trauma programs that offer personalized program options.
What does this mean?
The work is geared toward growing and strengthening emotional intelligence. These include (but are not limited to):
Our team of therapists, counselors, and support staff bring diverse backgrounds, degrees, licensures, and skill sets to meet the diverse and vast program specialties we offer. Our unique program foundation was personally developed decades ago by our co-founder, Carol Cannon, which we continue to use today with its proven track record of effectiveness. We also ensure our staff receives the most up-to-date and cutting-edge training in trauma care and incorporate those techniques into the program where they can be successfully utilized. This gives us the opportunity to provide one of the most unique care options in the world.
Our client’s work is not just “completed” at graduation. Throughout their time at The Bridge to Recovery, our clients work with our Clinical and Aftercare teams to create an aftercare toolbox that includes finding a therapist in their area (or arranging and coordinating their return to their referring therapist), Alumni opportunities, and 12-Step Meeting connection/support. After graduation, our growing Alumni Program provides supportive services to help our clients in their newfound emotional recovery.
The Bridge to Recovery receives referrals from all types of professionals. If you are curious about referring a client to our program and need help with how to do so, when to do so, or if we are the best fit, we invite you to reach out to our Director of Business Development to learn more.
Keats Komisar, Director of Business Development
keats@thebridgetorecovery.com