E t s ‘ N o t e
Natalie May
Natalie May
Recovering Hope
When Care Transforms Lives
Intheworldofhealthcare,thereisanarea,whichisnot
verypopularbutisactuallyverypowerful–rehabilitation.Whenweturnthepageofthismonth’sissuewe comeacrossthestorythatgoesbeyondmedicaltreatment andhighlightsthetrueessenceofthemiracleofhealingand strengthofahumanspirit.
TheWorldHealthOrganization’sgoalofincreasingthe availabilityofrehabilitationateverylevelofcareisa promisingstart,andaverylongtimecoming.Yet,thestark realityremainssobering:asmanyas50%ofthoserequiring itarestillunabletoaccessbasicrehabilitativeservices especiallyinL&MICs.
Thisisnotjustamatterofpercentages;itismillionsof people’sstoriesofpossibledisrupted,oflivesinneedof healing.Eachunaddressedrehabilitationneedisamissed opportunitytorebuild,toreconnect,toreclaimindependence.
However,thereishopeinthisdifficultenvironment.Thatis whyourfeaturecalled‘ChampionsofRecovery:RecognizingLeadersintheRehabilitationIndustry’focuseson theamazingpeoplewhorefusetoaccepttheselimitations. Itiswhattheirworkis,theoutstandingabilityofthespirit–turningthetreatmentintothestoryofvictory.Theyrefresh ourmemorythatmedicineisnotonlyaboutdiseases,but alsoaboutgivingpeoplebacktheirworth,chancestomake somethingofthemselves,andsomethingtolivefor
Whileflippingthroughthesepages,youwilldiscover successstoriesandinitiativesthatdefyexpectations, overcomeprejudicesandhighlighttheroleofrigorous professionalworkofrehabilitationspecialists.
Welcome to a celebration of recovery, resilience and remarkable human potential!
Assessing Rehabilita on Services for Survivors of Severe Illness
Person-Centered Rehabilitation Tailoring Recovery Strategies to Individual Needs
JD Kalmenson Enriching Lives through Compassionate Leadership
Therehabilitationindustrydemandsleadersdriven byaprofoundpassionforhelpingothersreclaim theirlives.Inthislandscapeofcarethereemergesa figurewhosededicationtothewell-beingofothersis nothingshortofinspirational—JDKalmenson,the visionaryFounderandCEOofagroupofbehavioral healthcompaniesincludingMontareBehavioralHealth, RenewalHealthGroup,ZenithBehavioralHealth,and ConsciousHealth,institutionsofhopeandhealingin SouthernCaliforniaandArizona.
UnderKalmenson'sguidance,thesecompaniesintroduce freshandinnovativeapproachestomentalhealthtreatment andholisticwellness.Thefacilities,strategicallylocated acrossseveralstatesandcities,specializeinaddressinga spectrumofdisorders,includingdepression,anxiety, trauma,PTSD,personalitydisorders,schizoaffective disorder,substanceabusedisorder,andbipolardisorder.
WhatsetsKalmenson'scompaniesapartisnotonlytheir commitmenttocutting-edgetherapeuticapproachesbut alsotheholisticphilosophythatencompassesthemind, body,andspirit.Thejourneyfromamodestsix-bed treatmentcentertoacomprehensivenetworkwithover sevenhundredstaffmembersreflectsnotjustgrowth,buta commitmenttomaintainingaboutiqueattentiontodetail.
Kalmenson'sdedicationextendsbeyondtheconfinesof directinghisvariousBehavioralHealthcompanies.Hosting thebi-monthlypodcast,"DiscoverU,"forMontareMedia, heengageswithindustryexpertsandauthorities,shedding lightoncomplexmentalhealthandchemicaldependency issues.
Our interaction with Kalmenson provides insights into his remarkable story, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and the driving force behind all of his behavioral health companies.
ElevatingLivesthroughBehavioralHealth
Kalmenson'searlycareertookrootinhisrabbinical training,leadinghimtovolunteerasachaplaininUS prisons.Encounteringdiversechallenges,heobservedthe capacityofsometotranscendmisdeedswhileotherswere hauntedbytheirpast.Reflectingonthoseearlydays,he remembersrealizingthat"Everysainthasapast,every sinnerhasafuture."Thisinsightmotivatedhimto contributetopreventingandtreatingtrauma.
Inthepursuitofpreventativehealth,Kalmenson emphasizestheimportanceoffeelingaffirmed,seen,and loved,andfindingone'sroleinsociety.Hebelievesthese experiencescoulddeterfeelingsofhelplessnessand hopelessness,primeemotionsleadingtoalifeofcrime.
Thisinspirationsparkedajourneywithco-founderElliott Liebhardintobehavioralhealth.Theyestablishedtreatment centersaddressingsubstanceusedisorders,primarymental health,eatingdisorders,adolescentacutecare,and outpatientclinicswiththecentraldirectivetohelpfolks discoverpurposeandmeaningintheirlives.QuotingMark Twain,henotes,"Thetwomostimportantdaysina person'slifearethedaytheywerebornandthedaythey figureoutwhy."
Kalmensonemphasizes,"Bringingthat"why"backinto mentalhealthiscentraltoourphilosophy,sothatit'snot merelyviewedasacrisisinterventionandsymptom stabilization,butasanopportunityforfolkstogetintouch withapartofthemselvesthattheymayhaveneverrealized theyhad."
ThePowerofEmotionalConnectioninMentalHealth Care
Kalmenson'searlyexperiencesasachaplainleftalasting impact,inspiringhimtorestorebasicdignityandexistential
valuetothosesufferingfrommentaldisorders.This inspirationledhimandhispartnerLiebhardtothe establishmentoftreatmentcentersgroundedinauthenticity, empathy,andpurpose.
Onememorableencounterhighlightsthetransformative potentialofemotionalconnection.Kalmensonrecounts sittingwithatall,intimidatinginmateduringspiritual meditations.
Despiteinitialreservationsaboutahug,Kalmenson embracedtheopportunity.Recountingtheexperience,he shares,"Iwassomewhatcautiousaboutgoinginforadeep hug,justthinkingaboutwherethosehandsmight'vebeen, orwhattheymight'vedone.Asheinvitedmetothehug,I initiallygavehimaratherlimpfrozenhug,butasIfelt myselfbeingliftedoffthegroundslightly,Idecided'I'm goingallin.'IgavehimahugwithalltheauthenticityI couldmuster.Afterwhatseemedlikeaneternity-Isawthat hegotveryemotionalafterthehug,andhelookedatme andhesaid,'perhapshadIhadmoreofthosehugs,I wouldn'tbeheretoday.'"
Kalmensonfurtherexpresses,"Somoreofthosefigurative emotionalhugsandembraces,moremakingpeoplefeel valuedandrecognizingtheirintrinsicandnon-negotiable dignity,isnotonlyapartofourintervention,butan essentialcomponentinthepreventionofthetraumasand therelapsesthatsooftenoccur."
Intheirexplorationoftreatmentcentres,Liebhardand Kalmensonnoticedagapbetweenspokenvaluesandactual implementation.Kalmensonstressestheimportanceof cultivatingaculturewherestaffpersonifiesempathyand authenticity,creatingasafespaceforclients.Hestates,"We believethathavingaculturewherethestafftruly personifiesempathyandauthenticityandcreatesaspaceof safetyandnon-judgmentfortheclientstobeableto discovertheirpurpose,isequallyimportanttotheactual interventionsthemselves."
ASharedPhilosophyforEmpowermentand Compassion
LiebhardandKalmensonshareacohesiveleadership philosophy,emphasizingalignmentwithindividualswho resonatewiththeircorevalues.Seekingthosewhoembrace empowerment,competence,andcompassion,theyintegrate theseprinciplesintotheircollaborativeefforts.While adherencetoestablishedmanagementsystemsiscrucial,
I try to live my life according to a solu on-oriented paradigm—seeing challenges as opportuni es to contribute, and to give whatever talents God gave me towards making this world, our world, be er than it was before I entered it.
JD Kalmenson CEO & Founder Montare Behavioral Health
grantingautonomyindecision-makingisequally prioritized.
Kalmensonemphasizes,"Ourbeliefhingesondiscovering individualswhosevaluesalignwithours,valuingawork ethicsteepedinthoroughnessandempathyovera standardizedrésumé."Encouragingleaderstosetan example,theychampiontheintegrationofuniquestyles intoleadership,fosteringasenseofownershipandpridein contributions.Thisinvestmenttranscendsajob,becoming anintrinsicpartofprofessionalidentity
Increatingsuchanenvironment,thefocusisonreducing burnoutbyensuringfulfillmentandrecognition.This approachaimstoinstillaprofoundsenseofpurpose, makingworkmorethanjustajob,andcontributingtothe overallwell-beingofindividualswithinthehealthcare setting.
PioneeringPersonalizedCare
Kalmensonemphasizestheuniquenessoftheirphilosophy, focusingontherevivaloftrulycustomizedtreatment. Drawingacomparisontoatailorcraftingapersonalized suit,whohasonlyonefabricandstyletoworkwith,he commentsthatinmostbehavioralhealthcenters,the commonapproachistosizeupasetofmodalitiesbased solelyonsymptoms.
"Webelievethatnotwoidenticalsymptomsnecessarily havethesamecausationorthesameunderlyingissue," Kalmensonasserts.Understandingtherootcauseis fundamentaltodesigningeffectivetreatmentandaftercare. Toachievethis,theyemploytheproprietary"Discovery Model,"craftedbyKalmensonandChiefClinicalDirector, Dr TiffanyNauman.
ThehallmarkoftheDiscoveryModelliesinitstruly individualizedbatteryofassessments.Thisapproachgoes beyondmerelyanalyzingsymptomstoexplorethe pathwaysandcausationsthathaveledtothesymptoms.By exploringtheuniquecircumstancesofeachindividual,they aimtoprovidetreatmentthatistailoredtothespecific needsandunderlyingissuesoftheperson,adeparturefrom theone-size-fits-allapproachoftenfoundinbehavioral healthprograms.
Kalmenson'sApproachtoChallengesandContribution
Kalmensoniscommittedtoasolution-orientedparadigm, wherechallengesareviewedasopportunitiestocontribute,
andtoutilizehistalentsforthebettermentoftheworld. Reflectingonhisapproach,heshares,"Weareallfaced withtimeswhenthingsdon'tgoaswe'veplanned,and insteadofgettingfrustrated,Imakeaconsciouseffortto seechallengesasopportunitiestogrowandcontribute,and togivewhatevertalentsGodgavemetowardsmakingthis world,ourworld,betterthanitwasbeforeIenteredit."
ForKalmenson,theessenceliesinlivingthebestversionof oneself,andgivingone'sall,withoutcomestakingaback seattotheeffortinvested.Heexpresses,"It'snotnecessarily abouttheoutcomesasmuchasitisaboutgivingitmyall."
Maintainingoptimism,Kalmensonacknowledgesthat makingadifferenceisn'tsolelydependentonhim.He emphasizestheimportanceofdoingone'spartand remainingpatientamiddelaysandtemporaryfailures. "Veryseldomdowegetthetypeofambitious,satisfactory resultsthatwewantfromthefirstround.Ittakespractice. Andhavingthatpatienceisvital,andthatpatienceis predicatedonhumility."
Assessing
for Survivors of Severe Illness
Patientswhohaveexperiencedsevereillnesses,such
asstrokeandothersevereillnesspatients,andarein needofintensivecare,canbenefitfrom rehabilitationservices.Thisismeanttohelpthemregain theirphysiological,cognitive,andpsychologichealthstatus suchasinordertooptimizetheirqualityoflife.
This article discusses the current rehabilitation service landscape and their utilization and barriers to access, concluding a general appraisal about overall effects on recovery among survivors.
UnderstandingRehabilitationServices
RehabilitationServicesaretherapeuticservicesprovided withanobjectiveofaspiringforgoodfunctioninthe patient’slifespan.Someofthefrequentonescontain PhysicalTherapy-atreatmentthatconcernsimproving physicalfitness,OccupationalTherapy-atreatmentthat aimstohelponeregainskillsherequirestocarryoutbasic tasks,SpeechTherapy-atherapythatinvolvesorganizing correctspeechandswallowingdisorders.
Finally,thePsychologicalSupportispresenttodealwith thepsychologicalproblemswhicharecausedbytheillness. Alltheseservicesareveryusefulforpatientswithsevere illnesses,becauseafterthetreatmenttheyhavesignificant physicalandcognitivedisabilitiesandareunabletocarefor themselves.
GLOBAL SUBSCRIPTION
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
About the Author:
Tony Budden is passionate about changing the way we see and use natural medicines. As the CEO of PsyLabs, he works to ensure that psychedelic therapies are developed safely and responsibly, helping people nd healing when they need it most. With a background in wellness, plant medicine advocacy, and sustainable business, Tony believes in using science, compassion, and education to improve lives.
A New Frontier in Palliative Care
Astheglobalconversationaroundmentalhealth
evolves,newtoolsandtreatmentsareemerging thatchallengeconventionalapproaches.Oneofthe mostpromisingandprofoundoftheseispsychedelicassistedpsychotherapy(PAP)—atherapeuticmodelthat combinestheresponsible,controlleduseofpsychedelic compoundswithguidedpsychotherapytohelppatients navigatedeeppsychologicaldistress.Nowhereistheneed forsuchreliefmoreurgentthaninthefieldofpalliative care
WhatisPsychedelic-AssistedPsychotherapy?
PAPisastructuredtherapeuticprocesswherepatientsare givenacontrolleddoseofapsychedelicsubstance,suchas psilocybin(theactivecompoundinmagicmushrooms),ina safe,supportive,andprofessionallyguidedsetting.Thisis notrecreationaluse.Itisaclinical,intentionalexperience supportedbytrainedtherapistsandrootedinresearch protocols.
Thepsychedelicexperienceiscombinedwithpreparatory sessionsandfollow-upintegrationtherapy,helpingpatients processtheinsights,emotions,andmeaningthatoften emergeduringtheirjourney
ResearchinPalliativeCare
Overthelastdecade,severallandmarkstudieshave exploredtheimpactofPAPonpatientsfacinglifethreateningillnesses,particularlycancer.Trialsat institutionslikeNYU,JohnsHopkins,andUCLAhave shownthatasingledoseofpsilocybin,combinedwith psychotherapy,canleadtodramaticreductionsinanxiety, depression,andexistentialdistressinpalliativecare patients—witheffectslastingsixmonthsormoreafter justonesession.
Participantsinthesestudiesconsistentlyreport:
• Aprofoundsenseofpeace
• Reducedfearofdeath
• Adeepersenseofconnectiontothemselves,their lovedones,andtheworldaroundthem
• Anincreaseinacceptanceandemotionalwell-being
HowDoesItWork?
Psychedelicsworkbytemporarilydisruptingthebrain’s defaultmodenetwork—thepartresponsibleforego,selfnarrative,andrumination.Thisallowspatientstostep outsideoftheirhabitualthoughtpatterns,experiencea greatersenseofunityandconnectedness,andoften confrontandreleaseunresolvedemotionaltrauma.
Whenguidedsafelybytrainedprofessionals,thisalteredstate can help patients reframe their relationship with death, leading to reduced suffering and a renewed ability to find meaninginthetimetheyhaveleft.
PotentialBenefitsinPalliativeCare
Forthosefacingaterminaldiagnosis,thepsychological burdenisoftenasheavyasthephysicalsymptoms.PAP offersauniquetoolto:
• Alleviateanxietyanddepression
• Reduceexistentialdistressandfearofdeath
• Improvequalityoflifeintheirfinalmonths
• Fosterasenseofpeace,forgiveness,andclosure
Itisnotamagicpill,butformany,itcanbeadeeply healingexperiencethattraditionalmedicationsandtalk therapyhavestruggledtoachieve.
ThePathAhead
Whileregulatoryhurdlesstillexist,psychedelic-assisted psychotherapyisgainingtractionworldwide.Health authoritiesinCanada,Australia,andpartsoftheU.S.have alreadygrantedcompassionateaccessexemptionsfor terminallyillpatients.Intime,thismodelmaybecomea standardoptionwithinthebroaderfieldofpalliativecare.
Aswecontinuetoresearch,refine,andresponsibly integratethesetherapies,psychedelicassistedpsychotherapy hasthepotentialtorevolutionizeend-of-lifecare—notby prolonginglife,butbyimprovinghowweliveanddie.
Tailoring Recovery
S t r a t e g i e s
to Individual Needs
Intheareaofhealthandrehabilitation,the
acknowledgmentoftheuniquenessofeveryone's recoveryhasledtocustomizedrecoveryplans. Customizedrecoveryplansaddresstheparticularneeds, preferences,andcircumstancesofeachindividualtohavea moreefficientandinteractiverecoveryprocess.
This article covers the importance, development, advantages, and elements of tailored recovery strategies.
UnderstandingCustomizedRecoveryPlans
Acustomizedrecoveryplanisacomprehensivetreatment thattailorshealingstrategiesbyaddressingtheneedsof particularpeople.Thismeansdoingindividualized rehabilitationprogramstakenintoaccountnotonlyaspects ofphysicalhealthbutalsomentally,emotionally,and sociallyrelatedones.Theaimisthereforetoprovidea holisticframeworkforsupportthatempowersthese individualstotakechargeofthemselvesandtheirrecovery journey
TheCreationProcess
Acustomizedrecoveryplanhasverycriticalsteps.There shouldbeacomprehensivereviewoftheclient'smedical history,currenthealthstatus,andpersonalgoals.This reviewenablespinpointingspecificchallengesand strengthsthatwillinformtherecoverystrategy Thejointly definedclear,achievablegoalsarewhatenablepeopleto knowwhattheywanttododuringtheirrecoveryprocess.
Withthisevaluationandgoals,healthcareproviderscan selectappropriatetherapiesandinterventions.Somemaybe intheformofphysicaltherapy,cognitive-behavioral therapy,orholisticapproachessuchasyogaandnutrition counseling.Family,friends,andcommunityresourcesare engagedtoensureastrongsupportnetworkforallaspects ofrecovery
BenefitsofTailoredCustomizedRecoveryPlans
Thebenefitsofimplementingcustomizedrecoveryplans aremanywhenpeoplefeelthattheirtreatmentistailoredto theirneeds,theyaremorelikelytobeactivelyinvolvedin theprocess.Suchafeelingofownershipencourages commitmenttotherecoveryplan.Adefinedplanoffersa clearpathtoindividuals,leadingthemthroughtheir recoveryprocesswithstructuredsupportdesigned accordingtotheirspecificcircumstances.
Customizedplanscanreallyaddresstheunderlyingissues thatbringonetotheirknees.Thus,targetingtraumaor mentalhealthconditionsmaymakecliniciansmore successfulindevisingeffectivecopingstrategies.Recovery israrelylinearandoftenfullofsetbacks.Personalizedplans areamenabletoadjustmentsbasedonongoingassessments andchangingneeds.Treatmentissuretoremainrelevant andeffective.
ComponentsofCustomizedRecoveryPlans
Acomprehensivecustomizedrecoveryplantypically includesseveralkeycomponents:
• PersonalizedTreatmentModalities:Eachplan encompassesseveraltypesoftherapydependingonthe caseofthepersoninneedofaplan.Thismayinvolve takingapatientthroughmedicationdependent treatmentforanycasesofsubstanceusedisordersor availingtherehabequipmentinviewofoffering physicaltherapytreatmenttoanypatientneedingitdue toaninjury.
• HolisticApproaches:Thesehealthcarepracticeslike mindfulnessornutritionists’classesincludestepsfor anall-embracingapproachtotouchthepatient’s physicalandmentalaspectsduringthetimeof recovery
• RegularMonitoringandEvaluation:Monitoringthe effectivenessofthetreatmentprocessguaranteesus
thattheprocessisstillbeneficialanduseful.Habits enableneededcorrectionstobemadewhentheeventis happening.
• AftercarePlanning:Continuingproperpreparations whentheformaltreatmentplanisatanendisamajor keytoovercomingobesity.Someformoffollowup caremayinclude,counseling,administrativeand referralforaftercareserviceswhenthepatientisready tobedischargedfromtheprogrambutnotfully recoveredfromthesickness.
ChallengesinImplementingCustomizedPlans
Althoughthebenefitsaremany,challengesdoexistabout thewide-scaleimplementationofpersonalizedrecovery strategies.Ascareistailored,itnecessitatesprofessional, well-trainedpractitionersandsufficientcapital.Inthelight ofthesedisadvantages,mosthealthcarefacilitieslackthese necessitiesastheyattempttofulfillthecurrentincreased demandsforindividualizedservices.
Balancingstandardizedprotocolsthatensureefficiencywith personalizedapproachesthatenhanceindividualcarecan becomplex.Healthleadershavetofindwaystoincorporate flexibilitywithinestablishedframeworks.
Conclusion
Theshifttowardstailoredrecoverystrategiesreflectsthe mostsignificantstepmadesofarintermsofapproachto healthandrecovery.Itrecognizesthespecificjourneyof eachindividualasdifferent,thusprovidingcarethatnot onlycatersfortheimmediateneedsbutfosterslong-term wellnessalso.
Aspersonalizedapproachesadvancethroughvariousfields, startingfromaddictionrecoverytopostoperativecare,the prospectforimprovedoutcomesisclearinitself. Ultimately,tailoredrecoveryplansempowerpeopleby providingthemwithtoolsformeetingtheirspecificneeds alongthetrajectoryofrehabilitationandhealing.
-Pearl Shaw
Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step. “
