The Benefit of a Good Cry

There are many theories that debate the benefit of crying. Different “crying theories” have said crying is part of the recovery process, it is a release of emotion, it detoxifies the body, and even that it can reduce pain. While this study found no reduction in pain, it found that crying may help provide internal signals to help people manage distress. This study found no harmful effects in crying. Meaning, when you feel a good cry coming, there’s no reason to hold it back. Let it out, regulate your mood, and seek support from people who care about your well-being.

Click here to read more.

Jessica Lewis - Intern

West Grove Clinic Expands!

Now Open! West Grove Clinic Expands to Oak Creek and Kenosha

In an effort to maximize their potential to facilitate lasting healing and growth to their clients and the larger community, West Grove Clinic has expanded their compassionate, cutting-edge care to new locations. The clinic is excited to announce the opening of their two, new clinics, which are located on South Howell Avenue in Oak Creek and on 75th Street in Kenosha. The opening of these clinics presents an exciting opportunity for the communities of Southeastern Wisconsin, who will now have more convenient access to a clinic providing care on the leading edge of substance use and mental health treatment. 

While at these new locations, West Grove will continue to offer individualized care to meet the specific needs of their clients. The clinic recognizes and celebrates these differences by highlighting the client’s strengths and working collaboratively to design unique healing journeys. This will be achieved through offering two new intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for substance use treatment in both the Oak Creek and Kenosha locations. In addition, both locations will offer individual, outpatient counseling for substance use and mental health treatment, as well as medication management for substance use and mental health treatment in Kenosha. West Grove Clinic looks forward to the opportunity to be a new source of community support in the Kenosha and Oak Creek areas, while continuing to listen to the needs of their clients, integrate the latest advances in healthcare, and provide collaborative, effective care.

From the darkness to the light

This is a very proud moment for West Grove Clinic. One of our former art therapy interns and now current provider, Holly Majerus, SAC-IT, completed her art therapy program research at WGC. For this project she helped facilitate our Intensive Outpatient Program and had group members engage in therapeutic art directives. Holly then pulled themes form the group members art and created her own art in response, entitled “From the darkness to the light.” .

West Grove Clinic feels that this depicts what the journey of recovery can look like for many of the clients that we serve. Our goal is to help clients find the light in the mist of darkness created by the beast of addiction.

Want to increase your happiness???

While many approaches to treatment solely aim to reduce suffering, the study of positive psychology focuses on optimizing client happiness and flourishing while also resolving presenting concerns. Expressive exercises rooted in positive psychology can help individuals in recovery to increase their in-the-moment happiness. Specific writing prompts, such as reflecting on happy moments, have been found to promote positive affect for individuals in recovery.

Click here to read more about writing exercises that can improve mood during a trigger, craving, or difficult situation.

Ali Devine, SAC-IT, Intern

Expressive Treatment Options

No single treatment approach is perfect for everyone. Here at West Grove Clinic we strive to provide ample amounts of options to adapt to meet each person's unique needs. That is why we offer a variety of options that include both traditional, holistic, and expressive therapies. 

Please click here to learn more about Expressive and Art-Based Therapies!

Sarah Canty, Intern