Expanding Holistic Wellness Services

When children and adults enter treatment at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health treatment center, they don’t always expect to enjoy spending time with a furry, four-legged therapist, reaping the calming benefits of yoga or tapping into their creativity through art.

But for Dinah, a former DLC Crossroads residential recovery client, spending time with horses was her favorite part of being in treatment. “It felt very comforting, very calm and peaceful,” she shared.

Now, thanks to a generous $30,000 healthcare and mental health grant from the Collier Community Foundation, DLC is expanding its holistic care which includes animal-assisted and expressive art therapies, fitness, yoga, and meditation for children and adults receiving care in its intensive treatment programs.

DLC works with several community partners to provide these specialized services including Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), which brings its miniature horses to DLC weekly.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Every time the horses visit, children and adult clients rush out to greet them. Together, they can take a break from their intensive therapy services and spend time grooming, petting, and painting the horses. They also walk the horses through obstacle courses and jog with them.

The time allows the clients to forget about their stressors. Plus, they can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being outside in nature and practicing mindfulness.

Nancy Dauphinais, DLC’s Chief Operating Officer, said that aside from the emotional benefits, equine therapy helps people open up. “Those who are hesitant to express themselves in traditional talk therapy or who may be nonverbal will connect with an animal and start sharing,” she said.

Dauphinais added that the Wellness Program helps clients better understand themselves, their symptoms, and how to manage their emotions. “This allows them to practice healthy coping and social skills while in treatment with us. It increases their chances of achieving and maintaining life-lasting wellness and recovery.”

Yoga and Recovery

Part of the grant funding pays for weekly yoga classes at Yoga House for DLC’s Crossroads residents. Yoga can be a powerful tool for people going through major life changes and recovery. Studies have shown that by helping reduce perceived stress and anxiety, yoga modulates stress response systems. The practice can also decrease physiological arousal such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

These self-soothing techniques—especially when combined with socializing through fitness—can reduce the impact of exaggerated stress responses. Additionally, it can help people manage anxiety, depression, and substance use challenges in a supportive environment.

Cory Webster, who sought treatment at DLC five years ago after spiraling into opioid addiction, stays sober by helping others as a DLC Peer Recovery Specialist and through her regular yoga practice as a yoga instructor.

“My underlying problem was that I was disconnected,” said Webster. “I felt unworthy and not loved. Once I realized I could be my authentic self, honest and comfortable in my own skin, I was then able to connect with others.”

Webster admits that the yoga community is a big part of the connection she feels today. Yoga can help individuals in recovery let go, have faith, and open themselves up to receive the love and support around them.

How To Support DLS’s Holistic Wellness Services

“Most clients cannot afford wellness services, making donor funding critical for our ability to provide these treatment-enriching activities to the growing number of children and adults in our care with acute needs,” said Scott Burgess, DLC Chief Executive Officer.

DLC Holistic Wellness Services are complementary and not generally covered by state funding or private insurers. DLC relies strictly on donations to fund these innovative, evidence-based programs. For more information or to donate, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.