Spirituality: A Powerful Force in Women's Recovery
September 15-16, 2003

Description of Symposium

The purpose of this symposium was to better understand the role that spirituality plays in the recovery process for women from various ethnic and racial backgrounds, and to help service providers integrate spirituality into their work with women in recovery. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: (1) What do we mean by spirituality? (2) How is spirituality distinct from religion? (3) How is spirituality core to the healing process for women? and (4) How can we help women to address the spiritual dimensions in their lives and recovery? Experts in the connection between substance abuse and spirituality presented information and guided discussion groups to help participants explore and gain a better understanding of these issues. Biographies for featured speakers are available here.

Agenda:

Monday, September 15, 2003

8:30 –9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 –10:15 Welcome and Keynote: The Upward Spiral: Women and Recovery

Stephanie Covington, PhD

Addiction can be described as a process of looking outside oneself in order to obtain something to fill an inner void, something that will make one feel whole and complete. Women can develop addictions to all kinds of things, but none of them can fill the emptiness that is often called a spiritual void. Recovery can reveal a spiritual path toward inner wholeness, congruence, and integrity. Introspection, openness to what is, willingness to take responsibility for one’s choices, to “let go,” and to surrender are all means by which we can begin turning our focus inward. Dr. Covington will discuss themes from the spiritual tradition that are inherent in this process, and general strategies for incorporating these themes into work with women in recovery.

10:15 –10:30 Break

10:30 –12:00 Panel: How to Integrate Spirituality into Work with Substance Using Women

Geneva Berns, Mat will provide information and tools to help workers explore their own spirituality as a critical first step toward integrating spirituality into work with clients.

Dusty Miller, EdD will use case examples to present specific, concrete strategies that blend psycho-educational, process and expressive activities to help women discover their own spirituality and explore sustaining spiritual resources as part of their healing process.

Sweets Wilson, PhD, LADC will discuss lessons learned from faith-based communities and treatment providers that have begun to recognize the value of working together to seek solutions for African American women. She also will discuss the use of meditation with this population. Recovery is healing and healing is human growth. Without the discipline and joy of meditation, that growth is lost.

12:00 –1:15 Host Lunch

1:15 –2:45 Group Discussions:
The morning presenters will lead groups of participants through a list of questions and applied activities to further explore the ideas and strategies identified in their presentations.

2:45 –3:00 Break

3:00 –4:30 Group Discussions continued

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

8:30–9:00 Continental Breakfast

9:00 –10:15 Keynote: Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being

Rosalinda Ramirez, MCSP
To realize the spirit within is to be fully natural, fully who we were born to be. Realizing the life of the spirit within is spirituality. How we pursue that realization and how we express it in our external relationships, that is culture. Participants will have the opportunity to explore an understanding of the dynamics between culture and spirituality and its significance.

10:15–11:00 Break and Poster Presentations

Poster presentations on programs, models, and services related to spirituality and women’s recovery will be displayed, and presenters will be available to answer questions about their presentations.

11:00–12:30 Concurrent Workshops

Mascara
Barbara Kappos, MSW, and Sherry Smith-Hampton, MSW
This workshop will describe the art of creating your own personal mask and explore ways that your mask covers true feelings and painful struggles. The process of making the mask through words and art will allow us to look deeply at our own lives and allow the process of healing to begin, reconnecting us with our true self. Participants will experience this process themselves and learn how to incorporate it into their own programs.

Reconnecting to the Rhythms of the Universe to Reclaim Your Spiritual Self
Tracie Robinson, MA
When there is a lost awareness of connection to spirit, there is also a lost capability to turn to this connection for nurturance, support, growth and a sense of “oneness” with the universe. Through various mediums, participants will explore several techniques to promote the letting go and reclaiming of their core self. They will utilize movement to access past experiences that remain held in the soul and impede the psyche while affecting the physical body. These exercises will enhance a direct experience of embodied deep listening—to self, others and a higher power. This workshop will facilitate an awakening of one’s inner source of infinite wisdom to promote courage to let go and the joy to reclaim self (mind, body & spirit). In addition to providing a first-hand experience for participants, Ms. Robinson will discuss strategies for incorporating these techniques into work with women in recovery.

Writing as a Pathway to Healing: Letting Words Lead the Way to Spirit
Thea Sullivan, MFA, MAT
Author Nina Holzer writes, "Talking to paper is talking to the Divine." This workshop will explore creative writing's potential as a powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and spiritual connection. Through lively, experiential, and easily adapted exercises, participants will put pen to paper and emerge with a deeper understanding of the power of writing to aid in the healing process. Participants will take away strategies for creating a safe, supportive environment, encouraging the reluctant writer, and guiding their clients through this process.

12:30 –2:00 Closing Luncheon Keynote: Freeing the Spirit

China Galland, MA
Ms. Galland will present stories, slides, and tales of the divine feminine from a multiplicity of cultures throughout the world. Weaving ancient narratives of the sacred together with powerful images of the sacred feminine, China will highlight one of the most ancient images of the divine feminine found the world over—the powerful, benevolent, healing Dark Mother or Black Virgin. Additionally, through short experiential exercises, participants will discover what we need to do in our own lives to free our spirits. In freeing ourselves, we become free to help liberate our sisters in recovery. China will include a short handout of ideas and resources to help maintain a spiritual context for working with women in recovery. This is based largely on “Free Spirits,” the national pilot project China founded to take these transformative images into incarcerated women and girls.

2:00 Adjourn