It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

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Unknown Speaker 0:45
Good morning Las Vegas. This is Dr. G, and you are tuning in to it's where I am on 91.5 FM, K, u and v.

Unknown Speaker 0:58
If you've been missing Zondra polearm. While you don't have to wait much longer because she'll be returning full time to the show in the month of June. I'm David JENICE, clinical and public relations director for great mind counseling and Wellness Center. And it's been a pleasure to be your guest host almost now for the past six months, while Xander has been away, I have focused on identifying mental health resources and supports throughout the state of Nevada, really spotlighting different programs so that our communities and our listeners are aware of what exists and moments of crisis and and if they need assistance or help who to go to. And and by doing this, I really hope that I have been helping individuals to feel more empowered to want to extend their hand and to ask for help when they need it. And to really break away that stigma of wanting to participate and and

Unknown Speaker 2:07
learn more about mental health and mental health resources. So on this morning show on it's where I am, I'm very, very excited to welcome my friend, Natalie Davidson. Hi, Natalie. Hi, Dr. G. How are you? I'm doing so wonderful. And it's so nice to hear your voice. And I'm really excited to have you on the show. And to learn about what you've been doing and how you're supporting individuals today. And so let's just jump right in, if that's okay with you.

Unknown Speaker 2:41
Absolutely. So Natalie, now, who do you work for today?

Unknown Speaker 2:47
Today, I work for a program called recovery ways. Okay.

Unknown Speaker 2:54
So the program that is based out of Utah,

Unknown Speaker 2:58
and many other states, but yeah, and so in your role? And and please correct me if if I am butchering your title, but you are now the referrals, relations specialists for recovery ways. And so if you don't mind, can you kind of explain your role to our listeners? Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 3:21
My job as the referral relations is really to help people find treatments, and people meaning those who are suffering, those who are providing services to, and just ultimately being a resource for folks who are in need of care. And to be honest, it doesn't stop there. I can help with outpatient treatment, I can help with hospitalization, I can help with a really good doctor. And last week, I helped a guy fulfill his dream of purchasing a food truck. So it doesn't stop at mental health, where it stops is just how can I help people be happier? That's incredible. And you know, that's something Natalie that I feel has always drawn me to you. And just your openness and willingness really to listen and to identify how you can be an assistance and being kinda like that, that liaison, that connection between people and support and services. And so, I admire you for that. And one of the questions that I wanted to ask you because this is really important to me, and I think it's important to our listeners as well, is you know, oftentimes I think about if I had a family member that needed to go somewhere to receive support because of whatever was going on in their life. And you know, I am not in close proximity to them. I can't get

Unknown Speaker 5:00
Is it them every day? And you know, they are receiving treatment somewhere? You know, I always think about, you know, well, how would I want my loved one to be treated? And and who are the people that are actually providing care to my loved one. And and so just one of the questions that I had for you, Natalie is kind of what drives you, you know, to continue to do the work that you do and, and maybe if you don't mind sharing with our listeners, how did you get involved in the field.

Unknown Speaker 5:35
Um, I was complete accident how I got involved in the field. I am an avid horse rider, and equestrian enthusiast, and I teach lessons and I ride horses. And I got involved in the mental health field through eat through one of my clients, who actually did her master's thesis on equine therapy. So she pushed and pushed and pushed. And she's like, you've got what it takes, let me show you. And finally, I resisted, let me tell ya, finally I went, you know what, I'm gonna let you show me so we can get on with the day. And that was the end of it. Two weeks later, I had a full blown equine therapy business.

Unknown Speaker 6:17
Six months later, I had a real busy business, but then it just kind of moved into going and working for this this person program.

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I shortly thereafter became the director of business development. And all that means is I am the salesperson, I am the face of the company, I'm doing the marketing, that selling going to conferences, and meetings and so on. So I want to talk about that, though, because I don't think that that is is not just what you do, though, because I feel like

Unknown Speaker 6:51
you know, when you are the face of an organization, and you are

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talking about the care and the services that that the organization provides to the community. That's a very, very important role. And it's not just about sales, though, because I'm really going back to that thought that I just just spoke to, about, you know, do I feel comfortable referring my loved one to this specific provider? And, you know, am I comfortable with knowing though, the care that my loved one may receive and so, you know, I don't want you to sell yourself short, Natalie, because, you know, you're such a kind, loving person, and I think, you know, you kind of exude this energy that makes others feel welcome and supported and cared for. And that's really important. And and so as I've had the privilege, and the opportunity to, to guest host on, it's where I am, I really hopefully have emphasized when I've spoke to different providers,

Unknown Speaker 8:09
really, you know, asking questions where listeners could get to know better these service providers and really feel comfortable and accessing care and the event if they need it. And and so, and we're going to talk about that, though, so So Natalie recovery ways, can you speak to okay, what what are the some of the services that recovery ways provides?

Unknown Speaker 8:36
So, some of the services that recovery wave provides is,

Unknown Speaker 8:43
first and foremost, it's they do primary mental health, specific care, separate from addiction treatment programming. So unlike a lot of different programs, the people who are at you know, who are residents of that program will program together and live together where this particular program separate. So it really allows the clinicians and the programming to be specific to are we struggling with primary mental health, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or are we struggling with substance use primary, so whether it's drugs and alcohol or whatever is is the addiction focus? We do have every clinician that works for our program is a fully licensed master's level clinician. Very nice. We have a Yeah, so we have a board certified addictionologist psychiatrist on staff.

Unknown Speaker 9:41
We have 24 hour nursing in both of our detox and our residential facilities. And one of the things that that does for us is it allows us to provide the highest level of care at anytime, for a person that's in our care.

Unknown Speaker 10:00
So whether it you know,

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whatever that means whatever that need may be, we have a registered nurse taking care of them.

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We go as far as we have recreational therapy, we have a specific program called the valor program, which is targeting our first responders and our veteran.

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trauma that those folks go through is significantly different, and needs a little bit different approach than what we would do with some weight, you know, with someone else. We also provide comprehensive case, case management.

Unknown Speaker 10:39
That's the person who helped your implement your goals, if it getting a job, if it's filing for disability, whatever your goal may be gearing and when you get out of the treatment program, that's what your case management is doing is helping you be successful teaching you along the way.

Unknown Speaker 11:04
And so on. We also have some specialty services. And not just for Nevada, but we do address gambling addiction, we have a tech addiction program, we have a PTSD program and other trauma disorders that are very specific to the individual struggle. I really liked hearing, Natalie, because yeah, what I really look for is how service providers are capable of individualizing treatment specific to the consumer, which which is the individual and the family. And I have observed because you know, I've been working in the field for a long time. Sometimes, service providers provide cookie cutter treatment, or what I refer to as cookie cutter treatment, where it's kind of like one stop shop, or if you will, like one one size fits all. And in in mental health and substance use treatment, I find that that's really not the best way to meet people's needs. And that we as providers need to really individualize in terms of how we're providing care, to best meet the individual and family's needs. So I'm really delighted to hear that that is something that recovery ways hold in mind as far as from a treatment planning perspective. Now, I heard something that stood out to me, and I want to just talk about this a little bit, because I think it's interesting. And I think it's important for the listeners to kind of hold in mind too. And think about this when they're contemplating you know which service provider might be a good fit for themselves or for a family member. Now, you said that you have a mental health primary program that is completely separate from your substance use treatment program. And I see the benefit in that, because of how

Unknown Speaker 13:10
a patient may present clinically, and and what their needs may be.

Unknown Speaker 13:17
It's different. And so you know, someone who's solely focused on treating mental health need, may present much, much, much differently than an individual who primary focus at that time might be on substance use treatment. And so I'm holding in mind though, because, you know, your programs, I believe, are a dual diagnosis program. And, and so can you explain, like, what does that mean for our listeners, just so that they have a broader context of what dual diagnosis means? Certainly, dual diagnosis, just in the most generic sense is two diagnoses at one time. So that's why it's the dual. So somebody can come into our program with

Unknown Speaker 14:09
general anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder, and we can address both of those struggles, because they're most likely interlinked. We can address both of those separately. And together. Yeah, so we can also go ahead, sorry, no, no, I'm sorry to interrupt you.

Unknown Speaker 14:30
This this way of treatment is

Unknown Speaker 14:36
not necessarily separating. What comes first and I always think about, you know, the chicken and the egg. You're gonna be Yeah, yeah. And and that, you know, we're going to treat both the substance use need as well as the mental health symptoms concurrently. So we're not like choosing one over the other

Unknown Speaker 15:00
Are, we're making sure and I read this on on your website, Natalie for recovery ways that like the I think the language, that verbiage was 360 holistic approach

Unknown Speaker 15:14
in in that you really are assessing the individual from every area, and then identifying you know how best to help this person help this family? So,

Unknown Speaker 15:28
you know, can you speak a little bit more about that just in terms of like in the substance use programming part of recovery ways, like what that looks like,

Unknown Speaker 15:37
of course, so the 360 piece and the dual diagnosis piece.

Unknown Speaker 15:44
One of the things that I think that a lot of us who work in the mental health field are learning is people don't just choose to have a substance use disorder, that there is something underlying whether it be trauma, whether it be

Unknown Speaker 16:00
depression, anxiety, something of that nature. So what we're doing is, we're identifying that, yes,

Unknown Speaker 16:08
you are using substances as a maladaptive coping mechanism, but we also need to address the reason why we are using these substances. Why are we numbing? And why are you know, why is this happening? So we are taking, when it when we say a holistic approach, it's not necessarily like, what we know holistic, the word to be in the in the western medicine sense. So we're not necessarily using herbs and things like that. But what we're doing is we're tailoring the approach per person. So again, going back to what you had said about the cookie cutter version, this program is so far from that, that a person who is coming in, you know, to the program with substance use and depression, or a person who's coming in who's just struggling with depression and can't get out of bed, and it's interfering with their, their livelihood, and their job, you know, their job, their family, etc. Those two, those two programs are completely different. So it is tailored to the individual, which, which is where the holistic approach comes in as it's person by person, nobody, no two people are the same. No, two struggles are the same. No two depression, no two addiction. So we're doing it individually as as much as we possibly can. Yeah, I like that. And so,

Unknown Speaker 17:30
you know, you said something, Natalie, that that moves me and I caught it.

Unknown Speaker 17:37
You said that an individual does not decide that they want to have a substance use disorder. And when you said that, you know, what popped into my mind was the word compassion and compassionate care. You know, that just speaks to the, I feel that delivery of services and how you're attempting to be present, and supporting another human being through that challenge. And,

Unknown Speaker 18:14
you know, that goes a long, long way, I am supporting an individual who is struggling with alcohol use. And we've made some pretty significant gains, but it's it's taken us a minute. And so as the as the primary clinical provider, treating the substance use disorder, I really rely on other team members to meet other needs, so that I can really make sure that this person is being wrapped with the most appropriate, least restrictive level of services and what she needs to function and to be healthy. And her primary care physician was really focused on the fact though, that she is an alcoholic, and that she drinks a lot and and that the piece that this medical provider was missing was what all the stuff that led up to this young woman using alcohol as a coping skill to manage significant trauma. And it really, really frustrated me to learn of how she was treated. And quite frankly, my response was, I thought it was disgusting, because, you know, we're, we're all human beings. And, and, you know, I always say this, you know, I don't think I'm better than anybody else. I just might have a few more letters at the end of my name, but how I exist and how I treat people is that, you know, I could become homeless, just like anybody else, you know. You know, I believe that we as a society as a community, need to do better

Unknown Speaker 20:00
and treat others kinder. And it doesn't cost us anything to put a smile on our face and to engage with somebody and to ask questions. So as a search area, yes, yes, thank you, Natalie, that's my word. Be curious. Because that's gonna just help us gain insight into really what's happening in someone's life and to try to help the individual, the family create a plan that is going to hopefully move, move an individual forward, where they can be safe, and learn how to be healthy, and then eventually, we're helping them maybe even having more days and not feeling happy. I feel like you know, as as, as a society as a community, that there is a common thread, there is a common bond that we all share. And And as I've practice longer, as a service provider, I think I've figured this out that all of us are on a similar pursuit that may look differently, though,

Unknown Speaker 21:05
to be happy, to be happy to be connected to others. And, and that is part of being human. And, and so for me, you know, I felt like it was really a duty of mine to be mindful of who I brought on to the show, and introduced to the state of Nevada listeners, community members, because, you know, listeners may reach out to some of these providers that I brought on the show. And I really want to make sure, though, that they're being connected to providers that are compassionate. And that is going to help the situation help the family help the individual move forward, and not not create other stuff as a result of how they deliver services.

Unknown Speaker 21:56
I feel over the years that I have been in this role of speaking to clients and helping families, my question has evolved and matured, and I hope can't wait for the day that this kind of takes off in the mental health community and the medical community, instead of asking the question of why are you doing this? It's the question then transformed to what happens to you and how can we help? Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So So Natalie, now if if listeners, community members,

Unknown Speaker 22:34
like, you know, if they contact recovery ways, what can they expect? So say if I, if I was the individual that recognize who I'm pretty stressed out, man, and my life is starting to be impacted by the level of stress that I'm enduring. And I recognize that I need some support. And so finding the strength and the courage to make that first phone call, is that's a very pivotal moment in an individual, determining if they're going to participate in some type of, of substance use, or mental health services. So as as the individual making that phone call for the first time, what can I expect? So when the other person on the other side of that phone picks it up? What can I expect will happen?

Unknown Speaker 23:21
Well, given that I'm gonna give you my cell phone number, hopefully, what you're going to expect is Me on the other side of the phone. So hello, this is Natalie, how can I help kind of a thing, we're going to have a conversation about? What are your struggles like? Or what I'm feeling right now, in this moment? What made you pick up that phone? We're going to talk about that we're going to talk about planning just the general information, who are you? How old are you?

Unknown Speaker 23:51
Do you have insurance? Do you you know things like this, that I then compile it all the information? I just did an a conversation that's screaming is what we call it the other day, yesterday, actually. And about a 20 to 30 minute phone conversation. And it's a safe space. It's an open forum, you can tell me what you think I need or what you just need to get off your chest. I'm good with either. I take that and I create a summary for my admissions team. I then give them the information. They do all of the checks. So there's a clinical check. Are you clinically appropriate for our program? And then there's a

Unknown Speaker 24:41
totally having a giant blank on the word give me two seconds like and find it.

Unknown Speaker 24:46
So let's say Natalie, that if if

Unknown Speaker 24:53
recovery ways determined that an individual did not meet the

Unknown Speaker 25:00
Then medical necessity for specific level of care and which caller was reaching out for, what would you do then? Like, how would you support that individual?

Unknown Speaker 25:13
how that how that works? Is your, your conversation with me continue. And I then work with you to find another program that you are

Unknown Speaker 25:27
not that you know, that can take you as a patient. Okay, so you're not just leaving the color high and dry? No, gosh, no, no, no way. No that and that's the, that's the best, one of the coolest parts of my job is getting to know what's available and who is out there. And I will only send people to somebody to a program that I would send myself or my own son to. It's not just who's available today, it who is the best out there that will provide the kindest, most comprehensive, most empathetic work, the best of the best. Who's out there? And I'll find that person to be there. I've done this long enough to where I know most of them personally. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's, that's what the wonderful thing about, you know, remaining in the field for a period of time is that you get to know everybody, you get to meet people, and you get to learn about the different resources that are available. So I know that recovery ways right now, many of the programs are located in Utah, and I, myself as a service provider, have recommended and helped be the bridge for several individuals to receive clinical services in Utah based upon the need. And that's very common, because here in the state of Nevada, we do not have the mental health workforce to be able to meet the needs of the communities. So it is not uncommon where we have to refer out of state. But I wanted to highlight Natalie, with your new employer that you had shared with me they intend later this year to bring some services down here in or to Las Vegas. Can you talk a little bit about that? Oh, yeah, I sure can, but actually, recovery ways purchased a program a few years ago. And based on some of the

Unknown Speaker 27:28
red tape is the nicest way I can say that. It's been not a beneficial thing to open the brick and mortar program in the state of Nevada. They have had a virtual IOP, which is intensive outpatient available, but this year and 24, they are pulling the trigger to get that program open, they've identified the fact that the state of Nevada has so few REIT primary mental health resources, and really solid substance use resources that now is the time they have done what they needed to do as a company to

Unknown Speaker 28:10
build itself up to then be able to open and support the IOP in Nevada. So this is excited about exciting news. And so

Unknown Speaker 28:20
again, I want to thank you so much for being a guest on it's where I am. And now the most important thing is if if any of our community members need to get in touch with you, because they want to ask more questions about the services that potentially they can access through recovery ways. What's the best way to get in contact with you?

Unknown Speaker 28:42
77568603101 more time, it's 775-686-0310. And also, there is just www dot recovery. ways.com. Excellent. Well, you know, I really hope that listeners today found our conversation to be informative as it's really my mission. While I'm guest hosting on it's where I am to reduce the stigma to access mental health services and to just really keep the conversation open and on the table where people feel comfortable talking about mental health and substance use. So again, Natalie, thank you so much for being on the show. And for listeners. Absolutely. I am Dr. David Janis, clinical director accurate mind counseling and Wellness Center. And until next time, I look forward to speaking to all of you again on it's where I am

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