An Interview with Sue Levitan, Primary TherapistStaff StoriesBy The RanchApril 26, 2013Sue Levitan is one of the first faces clients see when they begin detox and stabilization at The Ranch. She conducts psychosocial interviews and assessments to figure out who each client is, what their needs are and how she can help.
5 Fears About Trauma Therapy (and the Rationale for Overcoming Them)Articles>Recovery at The RanchBy The RanchApril 24, 2013There are a number of fears and misconceptions surrounding trauma therapy. When someone has already been through so much, why struggle more? In short, because trauma therapy heals.
Staring Down the Void: What to Do With Yourself After Quitting the BottleArticles>Early RecoveryBy The RanchApril 22, 2013Living in sobriety is more than subtracting “getting drunk” from your daily schedule. You are beginning to rebuild your life, overhauling it even, so it’s time to start looking at how to revamp your old routines. Following the same life patterns sans alcohol will not guarantee a fulfilling sober life. You may be able to… Details
‘Fat Talk’ and ‘Old Talk’ Don’t Do a Body GoodArticles>Eating DisordersBy The RanchApril 19, 2013The development of eating disorders is often linked to some perception of the thin ideal, a pie-in-the-sky notion of what women should look like, based on doctored media images. The images often show a celebrity or model who is exceptionally thin, with youthful skin and eyes.
An Interview with Leslie Binch, Primary TherapistStaff StoriesBy The RanchApril 18, 2013Like all great tales, Leslie Binch’s story begins with love and good food. A native New Yorker, Leslie moved to Tennessee for a man – a man she eventually married and joined forces with in pursuit of his lifelong dream: to own a restaurant. Together, the couple opened Papa Boudreaux’s Cajun Café and Catering Company… Details
Reading Faces Can Be Tough for Bipolar Patients, Study FindsArticlesBy The RanchApril 16, 2013One major challenge for individuals with a mental disorder is functioning in social situations. For individuals who meet criteria for disorders like anxiety, depression or any other mental health issue, there are cognitive functions that are impaired and may significantly impact the ability to interact with others and build healthy relationships.
Emotional ‘Un-Wellness’ at Heart of Eating DisordersArticles>Eating DisordersBy The RanchApril 14, 2013Regardless of whether a person struggles with an eating disorder that involves too little food (anorexia) or too much food (bulimia or binge-eating), the physical ramifications of the disease can be horrific. In addition, eating disorders can be just as devastating to a person’s emotional and mental health. Eating disorders stem from emotional un-wellness, but… Details
Multiple Sex Partners Increases Risk of Drug, Alcohol AddictionArticles>Addiction ResearchBy The RanchApril 11, 2013New research indicates that having multiple sexual partners leads to an increased risk of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. The effect is true for men and women, but more so for the latter. The researchers speculate that there may be several explanations for the connection, among them impulsivity, which can increase risky behavior of… Details
Where to Find Encouraging Words in RecoveryArticles>Early RecoveryBy The RanchApril 8, 2013Feeling alone and discouraged? Are your recovery efforts not going as well as you’d like? Do you feel as if you could really use some kind and supportive words for encouragement and motivation? If so, you’re not alone. Every person in recovery could use a few encouraging words from time to time – some, more… Details
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating DisordersArticles>Eating DisordersBy The RanchApril 4, 2013Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a relatively new psychotherapeutic weapon for counselors to aim at eating disorders. CBT has been around for a number of years, but its effectiveness at meeting the tremendous challenges eating disorders present has only recently been recognized. In relatively short order, CBT has become the gold standard treatment for… Details
