Avalon Malibu: Rejuvenate and Recover

Malibu SunsetThis is a purposeful dual diagnoses treatment program with psychiatric licensure in a pristine, sunny & warm bluff ocean setting. It has two substantial houses, independent of each other to separately house the addiction clients and psychiatric clients. The program incorporates the principles of tried true therapeutic treatment modalities, and 12 step recovery, along with other eclectic approaches, such as meditation, four agreements of buddhism, ropes courses, yoga. Nutritional orienting and planning is integrated into the daily planning. Treatment promotes strength and purpose based perspective to the individual and the family, using timeline projects and core schemas.

Avalon also incorporates a family therapy program to include interactive activities, and engaging the family throughout the experience. It also plans out and utilize aftercare opportunities, such as out patient and sober living. Avalon House

What sets Avalon apart is staff and surroundings, and the integration of aftercare into the treatment planning. They empathic and warm, yet directing and supportive. The psychiatrists are trained in alternative and Eastern Medicine.

The admissions staff (Rob and Dea) are sensitive and thorough and work with the referral source. This is not an internet based referral program, and want to work with professional referents, a refreshing approach to promote integrity and ethical health care. It is an insurance – friendly option, and for the right client and a formidable treatment plan it’s a win-win. Call us to see if Avalon is the right choice for you or your family member.

Where will you study in 2014?

Prague

Consider what you know of the international landscape. Much of the study abroad options for US citizens revolve around Western Europe locations, such as UK, France, Italy. How about the Czech Republic? In traveling through Europe this winter, it is clear that amazing opportunity to immerse in a culture that is as rich as Paris, as intellectual as London, as cultured as Italy is vibrantly present in Prague.

Czech father and daughter

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So, you ask — how can Prague introduce me to European culture?

From the people to historical sites, Prague has a unique presence, unlike other major European cities. A safe city with a culture of family values, Prague provides opportunity to learn from history and politics. From IB programs to language courses, to undergrad and graduate university studies of Franze Kafka, and international marketing and accounting, the Czech Republic has opportunities to share, and we can guide you to them! Affordable, yes. Unforgettable? Guaranteed.

Today is the 1st Day of the rest of your life….

IMG_1456I received an email today from a program in US where I placed a young lady. It was the second placement from quite a structured therapeutic setting to a more traditional boarding school in Utah that ‘knows’ emotional growth. The combination has worked for this young lady and her parents couldn’t be more pleased. An excerpt: “It is starting to get cold in Utah. We have had a little snow, but not enough to stay on the ground. [She] is, as always, a rock star. She’s doing great academically and I often see her around campus hanging out with her friends. She mentioned to me that she has applied to a couple colleges all ready. I’m glad that she is so on top of it.”

Another one just came through just now: “[Our son] is doing so well he is enrolled full time at university of southern Maine. All his credits transferred from Vermont. He is sponsoring several guys and is very active in the community.”

Proof that proper educational consulting is indeed effective.

www.drburdick.com

Golden Opportunity — Partnerships with over 500 schools & programs

WEBA Switzerland!

WEBA Switzerland!

Fashion? How about Paris?

Fashion? How about Paris?

Idle hands....

Idle hands….

This year’s WEBA conference in Locarno Switzerland was in a word — exceptional. Amazing opportunities for families who care to invest in their children’s education in ways unthought of even 10 years ago. Hotelier schools and advanced boarding schools in Switzerland, Fashion schools in Paris, Wilderness Programs in the US, Culture & Language programs for adults in Italy, summer programs in Switzerland — if you can THINK it, it’s available. John F Kennedy International School caught our eye this year in providing a family with a ‘harder to fit’ profile in need of a scholarship with opportunities to learn, skiing and lots of outdoor activities. 90 Children, 20 nationalities, provide a large family feel. MOD’ART International Fashion in Paris is another with a bent on design and management, particularly useful for the over 18 English speaker who need applied study and internship in France. G’staad International in Switzerland is exceptional for the right family of a young lady or man who needs an extraordinary boarding experience. All and all, we have new opportunities with partners throughout Europe.

Best from our new office here in Amsterdam, where, yes, we are finding youth with “too much time” on their hands, just like youth in the US. We are providing opportunities in bringing the best of US programs to the Netherlands and Western Europe through aftercare. Aftercare services include curriculum, coaching, skill building, and communication. We are teamed up with the best therapists here in the EU and in the US. We don’t market ‘troubled youth’, ‘exceptional youth’, rather, we are skilled in helping youth who lack a concrete, creative approach to their own development. They learn to ‘pull their own wagon’, so to speak, and motivate to excel beyond their own expectations.

Sincerely,

Dr Burdick — International Expert in Consulting for education and treatment

Identify Trauma in Substance Abuse

DrR copyDelivering Trauma informed Care. Let’s face it, many addiction centers don’t “do” trauma. However, as Carolyn Baird points out at this year’s CCSAD, 90% of public mental health clients in substance abuse programs have been exposed to trauma, most have experienced multiple trauma, and most homeless with SMI have experienced severe physical and sexual abuse.

How this relates. A licensed referral source who is specifically trained in the co-occurrence of trauma and substance recognizes the importance during intake to thoroughly check for trauma, as well as substance abuse. In knowing the correct way to phrase questions, and the patterns of the patient’s behavior, it becomes clear what impact that trauma has upon the individual’s life and the need for a intact treatment protocol to be in place. This is where theĀ real work begins.

 

Be aware — In program placement, “one size does NOT fit all”, and an acute and sensitive “ear” or awareness is what it takes. Plus collaborative relationships with local private practitioners with expertise in “traumatology” or trauma-specific therapy is crucial for aftercare.

Think about it. Substance abuse is one thing. Trauma generally follows. If you need an informed and sensitive referral source who knows what to look for in your family member’s profile, start here. We will find the “right” program to treat your loved one’s substance and trauma.

Dr. Mark Burdick 877-571-2524 or www.drburdick.com