Integral to each and every treatment plan is a focus on individual therapy and/or chemical dependency counseling. The privacy and confidentiality of the individual therapy setting gives residents the freedom to truly be themselves, and open up in a way they might not have been able to with friends, family and other loved ones. While focusing on current issues and past traumas, the residents build relationships with their counselors while also learning communication skills and healthy coping mechanisms that will carry them into recovery.

The support of loved ones is crucial when it comes to healing from substance misuse. Addiction doesn’t occur in a vacuum, and it affects more than the individual suffering from the addiction. Family relationships can begin to disintegrate, and a lack of honesty and transparency can hurt friendships and working relationships as well. Family counseling sessions, mediated by licensed professionals, give family members a safe space to discuss the effects of addiction and the importance of recovery and support, all while keeping loved ones up-to-date on the resident’s journey.

Our trauma-focused approach takes into account not only the lived experiences of each client, but the cultural history of generational trauma and institutionalized oppression, often left out of treatment plans at other residential facilities. When residents begin to process their trauma and learn healthy coping techniques and skills from our staff, transformation happens. In addition, being able to process trauma in a group setting with other people who have gone through many of the same things lends a sense of community and camaraderie to residents, helping them to harness their inner strength.

Talking Circle is a traditional way of building community and understanding, while increasing positive communication within the community. “The Wellbriety Movement is an interconnected web spreading across our Native Nations carrying the message of cultural knowledge about recovery for individuals, families and communities.” https://wellbriety.com

Residents put their newfound communication skills to work through healthy relationship-building groups, house governance, and community groups. Aligning with New Moon Lodge’s emphasis on personal responsibility, each resident’s role at the Lodge provides something of value to the other residents, as well as to the staff and to the community as a whole.

Sobriety is a continued journey, not just a destination, and after detox, it’s important for clients to surround themselves with others who have similar values and goals in their lives. That’s where our drug and alcohol education group and relapse group come in. These groups offer clients the chance to communicate honestly and openly about present and past behaviors, fear, and challenges, and build and search for new answers to old questions – together

New Moon Lodge understands the particular challenges of life as a Native American, and how lived experiences aren’t always fully understood at other residential facilities. We hold space for clients to not only explore their heritage, but also celebrate it in treatment and through cultural activities. These talking circles, a traditional method of building community and conflict resolution, cultural identity groups, attendance at tribal feasts; and year-round agricultural projects via gardening, greenhouse work and livestock care. Traditional healers are also brought in as requested.

When it comes to improving one’s mental health, one’s physical health should not be ignored. New Moon Lodge’s therapeutic recreation program brings physical fitness and exercise into the daily routines of the residents, helping them gain strength, work as a team, and become empowered to make mental changes by seeing physical ones every day.

Access to recovery meetings and 12-step meets, both on- and off-site, are key to maintaining a sober lifestyle not only during residency but after it’s ended. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and one that requires the support of like-minded people. Our deep roots in the community allow us to connect current and former residents to the absolute best groups available.