What is Psychodrama?
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. –William Shakespeare Developed by social scientist, Jacob L. Moreno, MD, psychodramaContinue Reading
5150 Psychiatric Hold: What You Need to Know
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC There are many misconceptions regarding the detention of mentally disordered people for evaluation and treatment. This article will help to explain the ins and outs of a 5150 Article 1 psychiatric hold under the state of California. In addition, differing facilities and health insurance policiesContinue Reading
Birth of a Nation
by Chris Prentiss Tomorrow, July 4th, 2018 is the two hundred and forty-first day since the thirteen original Colonies signed our Declaration of Independence, declaring that we were no longer thirteen English colonies, but thirteen states of the united states of America and that we would no longer be dominatedContinue Reading
Sexuality and Substance Use Disorders
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”–George Takei Substance use disorders do not discriminate based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. In fact,Continue Reading
Outside-the-Box Approaches to Overcoming Addiction
by Kimberly Hayes The 12-Step program is what comes to mind when you hear someone talk about recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. However, there are many treatment methods out there that offer personal empowerment beyond breaking bad habits. Here are a few alternative therapies that can be pursued onContinue Reading
Dance/Movement Therapy at Passages Rehab
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. Bodies never lie.” –Agnes de Mille Dance/Movement Therapy—(DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement (a core component of dance) to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. Used asContinue Reading
Passages Malibu Teaches Resilience and Assertiveness in Addiction Treatment
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” –Steve Maraboli Learning from past negative experiences including substance use and addiction can actually serve as your greatest asset when building a life free from drug and alcohol use. The cultivation ofContinue Reading
How to Ask for Help
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” –Albert Camus When it comes to personal struggles with drug and alcohol use, asking for help can seem like an impossible feat. Individuals who have suffered from substance useContinue Reading
Crisis Hotline Myths
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela Many people are afraid to ask for help—especially when in crisis.Continue Reading
5 Ways to Confront and Heal Your Inner Demons
By Jennifer McDougall “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” – August Wilson Facing your inner demons takes great courage.Continue Reading
Building Healthy Self-Esteem
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammad Ali Self-Esteem begins to form in early childhood. It is shaped by our thoughts, relationships, and life experiences. Understanding self-esteem and theContinue Reading
Fitness in Addiction Recovery
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”-Bruce Lee Exercise is an excellent tool for individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. It provides for practicing healthy coping mechanisms and an increased confidenceContinue Reading
Visual Arts Therapy at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All art intuitively apprehends coming changes in the collective unconsciousness.” -Carl Gustav Jung Using imagination to create something fresh symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and rejuvenation. At Passages Malibu, art therapy is used by some of our life purpose counselors as a way to help youContinue Reading
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicide
by Jennifer McDougall “There is no cell culture for depression. You can’t see it on a bone scan or an x-ray. Not everyone with depression will show the same behavioral symptoms.” ― Chris Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure Suicide has become one of the nation’s biggest causes of death amongst teens,Continue Reading
Healing Through Writing at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” -Ernest Hemingway Writing can be a healing process for those struggling with substance use and addiction. By reflecting on and reframing life events, the act of writingContinue Reading
What is Art Therapy | Substance Abuse Treatment at Passages Rehab
By Susan Finley, Ed.D., NCC “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” -Michelangelo Artistic and creative expression has a connection to our mental health. In recent years, the use of art therapy has successfully been incorporated into substance use and addiction treatment plans.Continue Reading
Getting Sober at Passages Malibu- A True Testimony
It was 10:00 AM. I’d already consumed 10 shots of Svedka vodka and had just poured another 5 shot glass when the phone rang indicating the cab had arrived for my trip to the airport. Next stop, Passages Malibu, where I hoped to conquer my addiction to alcohol. I grabbedContinue Reading
An Addiction Philosophy: Step Three for Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you.” –Dr. Stephen R. Covey There is a way to end addiction. But before you can experience it, you must believe that it’s possible. Currently, you have a philosophy on what addiction is whetherContinue Reading
Discover and Heal Underlying Causes of Addiction: Step Two in Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we cease to be sick.” –The 71st verse of the Tao The problems underlying dependency always have both physical and psychological components, and both have to be treated simultaneously. At Passages Addiction Treatment Center in Malibu, itContinue Reading
Believe: Step One in Treating Addiction
by Dr. Kerri Heath “…the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” -Saint Augustine Do you believe that you can create a better life for yourself than the one you are living? Do you believe that it is possible to be free from the binds of addiction? American’sContinue Reading


















