Alternative Support for Recovery at Next Steps for Women

Next Steps for Women is a recovery program for women only.

Please meet my friend Shelley Richanbach.

I was intrigued by Shelley’s unique support program for women in recovery. I wanted to learn more about Next Steps for Women Shelley’s philosophy.

Please introduce yourself to the readers.

I’m Shelley Richanbach. I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 29 years now. Originally, I’m from Carter Lake, Iowa but met my husband, a bay area native, by sheer coincidence in the Kansas City airport, 1980. My six-word bio is, “Missed my flight; changed my life.”

Because I didn’t have a “career” it made sense for me to be a “stay at home” Mom and raise our 3 children. I was very involved as a volunteer in our kids’ elementary, middle and high schools as well as with Peninsula Girl Scout Day Camp.  When my youngest entered high school I knew I was ready to explore my career options. I wanted to contribute to the world in some way in the next season of my life. Little did I know exactly how.

My love of writing, drawing, and creative movement prompted me to study movement-based expressive arts therapy. It was during a 4-month immersion program at The Tamalpa Institute as I explored the question, “Who am I now?” that I found the secret I had hidden from my self.  My body held the answer that changed my life! I found sobriety and recovery from alcohol in 2004.

Tell us about Next Steps for Women and why you started it.

Next Steps For Women is an accessible and safe private studio. I’ve created the program for women of any age. Most want support in their exploration around substance use, early sobriety, as well as lifelong recovery from alcohol, drugs, codependency or any addictive behaviors.

I started Next Steps For Women because I was once that woman who yearned for a positive accepting place outside of the traditional programs. There are few choices, especially for gender-specific support. I was completely turned off by AA. I couldn’t find Women for Sobriety close by or anything that resembled it.

What are Women’s Circles?

When women sit in a circle, we form a sacred space to work and create together, listen, learn and share with one another. We get support from one other.

Each Women’s Circle has a different focus that is dependent on the curriculum. For example, to name three Women’s Circles, I use Stephanie Covington’s work, A Woman’s Way Through the Twelve Steps and A Woman’s Journal: Helping Women Recover, and Mary Ellen Copeland’s Wellness Recovery Action Plan–a system for monitoring, reducing and eliminating uncomfortable or dangerous physical and emotional difficulties.

A circle will meet once a week for 8 to 12-weeks. At each session the circle of women check-in from 4 levels of awareness: how am I physically, emotionally, imaginably, and spiritually in the present moment?

We then move in and out of the circle space. We use the studio like a moveable feast: to write, draw, move, relax or practice mindfulness. This approach supports the particular curriculum they’ve chosen to explore.

What inspired you to start the program?

I wanted to offer alternative creative resources for women outside of a treatment program, a traditional 12-step program, and as an extension to aftercare. My intention is to offer programs that complement life, psychotherapy, and 12-step programs.

At this stage, what are the top 3 things you’ve learned about alcoholism and /or drug addiction and recovery?

Can I name 5?

1.) That any addiction is best described by the Biopsychosocial model:  biological, psychological (which entails thoughts, emotions, and behaviors), and social factors. All play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease or illness.

This model recognizes that there are many pathways to addiction. The significance of these individual pathways depends on the individual. It also recognizes the importance of treating the whole person, not just the addiction.

2.) One’s brain chemistry is forever changed once one crosses into the disease of addiction.

3.) Relapse happens as it does for asthma or hypertension, diabetes, etc. The idea is to acknowledge the relapse for what it is. Forgive one’s self and get back into sobriety as soon as possible.

The work is to then learn one’s personal triggers and to create action plans to deal with them in healthy ways. Of course, the work is easier with support. I’m a firm believer that Hope, Personal Responsibility, Education, Self Advocacy & Support are the 5 Keys to optimal health and wellness.

4.) Genetics plays a large role in one’s propensity to addiction

5.) Trauma, especially early childhood trauma, plays a significant role in one’s choice to use substances.

What advice do you have for parents who are just coming to terms with the diagnosis or suspicion of their son or daughter’s substance use?

Substance use can turn into an addiction. It can happen to you and your family.  Your child and your family are not exempt. Don’t ignore it and don’t wait to guide your child towards help.

A counselor, therapist or doctor certified in alcohol and drug use studies is optimum. Most MDs, nurses, MFTs and LCSWs only have 3 hours of AOD training in their entire course of studies!

Addiction is a disease with adolescent origins. According to the June 29, 2011, national study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) 9 out of 10 Americans who meet the medical criteria for addiction started smoking, drinking or using other drugs, including marijuana before 18.

AND….marijuana is proven to be addictive! Humans naturally have the neurotransmitter for THC. This is a new science. Don’t believe that if your son or daughter is “getting high on pot” that it’s okay. It’s changing your child’s brain chemistry.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?   

I love to dance, take walks with my husband and our dog. I practice yoga and meditation, read, bake, and entertain family and friends in our home.

Shelley Richanbach, CADC-II, is a certified drug and alcohol counselor and an expressive arts practitioner. She brings dance and the arts to her students and clients with a special focus on addiction/recovery. Shelley’s teaching is informed by her expertise and own experience and belief in lifelong learning, self-discovery, and transformation; her intention is to help each and every participant on their personal path and unique plan.

Shelley founded Next Steps For Women in 2010, and for over a decade she has led expressive arts workshops, environmental arts and play programs. She has provided development, support, counseling, and coaching for women of all ages and ambitions. Her passions include working and playing in nature, performing with an intergenerational dance company with a focus on social justice, and as an activist for reducing the stigma attached to Behavioral Health and Recovery. At this writing, Shelley is the Associate Producer for The Creative High, a film project inquiring into the lives of artists who have faced addiction.

What do you think about this unique concept? Do you know of an alternative recovery program that is gender-specific?  Join the discussion and please share. If you liked this post, please share on social media. Thank you!