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Expanding Holistic Wellness Services

hen children better understand themselves, their symptoms, and how to manage
W their emotions. “This allows them to practice healthy coping and
and adults enter
treatment at
social skills while in treatment with us. It increases their chances of
David Lawrence Centers for achieving and maintaining life-lasting wellness and recovery.”
Behavioral Health (DLC), Yoga and Recovery
Collier County’s only Part of the grant funding pays for weekly yoga classes at Yoga
comprehensive, not-for-profit House for DLC’s Crossroads residents. Yoga can be a powerful tool
behavioral health treatment for people going through major life changes and recovery. Studies
center, they don’t always expect to enjoy spending time with a have shown that by helping reduce perceived stress and anxiety,
furry, four-legged therapist, reaping the calming benefits of yoga or yoga modulates stress response systems. The practice can also
tapping into their creativity through art. decrease physiological arousal such as heart rate, blood pressure, and
But for Dinah, a former DLC Crossroads residential recovery respiration.
client, spending time with horses was her favorite part of being in These self-soothing techniques—especially when combined
treatment. “It felt very comforting, very calm and peaceful,” she with socializing through fitness—can reduce the impact of
shared. exaggerated stress responses. Additionally, it can help people manage
Now, thanks to a generous $30,000 healthcare and mental anxiety, depression, and substance use challenges in a supportive
health grant from the Collier Community Foundation, DLC environment.
is expanding its holistic care which includes animal-assisted Cory Webster, who sought treatment at DLC five years ago
and expressive art therapies, fitness, yoga, and after spiraling into opioid addiction, stays sober by
meditation for children and adults receiving care helping others as a DLC Peer Recovery Specialist
in its intensive treatment programs. and through her regular yoga practice as a yoga
DLC works with several community partners instructor.
to provide these specialized services including “My underlying problem was that I was
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), disconnected,” said Webster. “I felt unworthy and
which brings its miniature horses to DLC weekly. not loved. Once I realized I could be my authentic
Animal-Assisted Therapy self, honest and comfortable in my own skin, I was
Every time the horses visit, children and adult then able to connect with others.”
clients rush out to greet them. Together, they can Webster admits that the yoga community is a
take a break from their intensive therapy services big part of the connection she feels today. Yoga can
and spend time grooming, petting, and painting help individuals in recovery let go, have faith, and
the horses. They also walk the horses through open themselves up to receive the love and support
obstacle courses and jog with them. around them.
The time allows the clients to forget about How To Support DLS’s Holistic Wellness Services
their stressors. Plus, they can enjoy the therapeutic “Most clients cannot afford wellness services,
benefits of being outside in nature and practicing making donor funding critical for our ability to
mindfulness. provide these treatment-enriching activities to the growing number
Nancy Dauphinais, DLC's Chief Operating Officer, said of children and adults in our care with acute needs,” said Scott
that aside from the emotional benefits, equine therapy helps Burgess, DLC Chief Executive Officer.
people open up. “Those who are hesitant to express themselves in DLC Holistic Wellness Services are complementary and not generally
traditional talk therapy or who may be nonverbal will connect with covered by state funding or private insurers. DLC relies strictly on
an animal and start sharing,” she said. donations to fund these innovative, evidence-based programs. For more
Dauphinais added that the Wellness Program helps clients information or to donate, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.

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