Experiential Therapies

Equine therapy uses a bond with horses to promote emotional growth and better communication.

This therapy helps participants become more self-aware. Horses often reflect the feelings and behaviors of the people working with them, which encourages growth in non-verbal communication. The bond with their horse can teach empathy and patience, helping to build positive relationships with others.

Being active helps people in early recovery sleep better, feel more confident and motivated, and boost their mood.

At Hope Valley, we encourage our residents to enhance their health and wellness by visiting the Alaska Family Fitness health Club several times a week. They can enjoy various facilities, including a pool, spa, sauna, and fitness equipment such as modern treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, weight machines, and free weights.

Relaxation Yoga is a group session that incorporates ancient breathing techniques with very simple stretches that are performed primarily in a chair.

Relaxation Yoga is a group session that incorporates ancient breathing techniques with very simple stretches that are performed primarily in a chair. This practice naturally and effectively brings relaxation to the body and calms the mind. In this class, emphasis is placed on conscious, deep breathing, and the power it has to positively affect our overall health. Some of the most important health benefits that can be achieved from Relaxation Yoga are the stimulation of the immune system, the soothing of the nervous system, and increased oxygen delivered to the entire body. This will all occur simultaneously.

The breathing and basic stretching techniques will become tools in developing and maintaining a general sense of well being. They will also prove to be an effective means of managing stress on a daily basis.

The first hour of group is a quiet time for the participants to practice relaxing and focusing at the same time.

Very tiny thin needles would be placed on your ears to help you deal with withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and stress. You’ll be guided to a very peaceful space in a sitting position.

The second hour is a time for movement. You’ll be surprised how each part of your body moves and speaks to you. You’ll find a way to get connected to yourself and others through movement, a very simple drawing, and words/voices. You will find vital energy in you, and a sense of being alive under your skin. It’s a fun time to play together as a group.

The Acupuncture Relaxation group concludes with hot tea and reflection.

While traditional therapies and medicine do wonders in healing the mind and the body, our soul and spirit experience recovery on different levels of awareness.

Inherently ethereal, art therapies allow program participants to explore their recovery through the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to better understand themselves, their addiction, and the fulfilling life waiting for them in recovery. These creative forms of self-expression are inner resources for healing and clarity.

A life coach aids their client’s relationships, their careers, and their day-to-day lives in order to achieve greater fulfillment.

Massage therapy involves the manipulation of muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and skin by a trained, certified medical professional (massage therapist).

Many medical conditions can be treated with massage. It may be used in conjunction with standard medical treatment at medical centers. Massage is generally considered an integrated part of integrative medicine.

Studies of massage benefits have found massage can:

• Help reduce stress
• Lessen pain and muscle tension
• Increase relaxation
• Improve immune function

By gently touching the body, Reiki practitioners are able to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, improve your body’s circulation, and encourage healing through energy.

Originally developed in the early 1900s, reiki was developed by Mikao Usui, who coined the word from the Japanese words rei, meaning “universal,” and ki, which means “vital life force energy.” Throughout the world, reiki is used to complement other forms of treatment in hospitals and hospices.