September marks recovery month and this year the theme was Recovery is REAL: Restoring Every Aspect of Life, highlighting the holistic nature of recovery. Keeping that in mind, I asked several amazing women in recovery to talk about different aspects of life they feel have been restored in their recovery journey and what specifically helped them. Read below to hear how these women have experienced that restoration firsthand.

“The benefits of Al-Anon for me would be the progressive restoration of balance and truth, in and around my life.  I am learning to keep the focus on myself and not become swept up in others’ lives where it is not my place to intervene/interfere. In this process of awareness I am realizing that my Higher Power/ spiritual compass has been alongside me the entire time; this has brought about a realization that I feel better when I invite my Higher Power into my life versus alongside.  Al-Anon meetings and having a sponsor have been monumental over the last year and I am grateful I have a place where I belong and a Sponsor who shows me how she has walked through the program”.

“I went to Celebrate Recovery because I was looking for something faith-based and geared towards all kinds of people. It’s for anybody with any hurts, habits, and/or hang-ups. I also liked the fact this one was on a Friday night, my spouse and I could attend together, they had childcare, and provided dinner.  My spouse never went.  God had other plans. I kept attending and I eventually found it to be a meeting for me.  The music brought comfort, the prayers brought me comfort, the testimonies brought me comfort, and the lessons brought me comfort. Celebrate Recovery brought me comfort and it was a safe space.  Eventually there was no other place I wanted to be on a Friday night My faith started to grow, and I was eager to learn more.  I knew I wanted what I remembered my grandparents, who were people of strong faith, having.  I was able to be open about my doubts without judgment. I was able to share my struggles, addictions, and grief.  No matter what I did or thought- they accepted me. I was able to surrender many many times! I was also able to branch out and join a church.  I was in my early thirties with a young child struggling with so much and I needed help. Celebrate Recovery was exactly the help I needed.  Celebrate Recovery helped me grow spiritually and allowed me to just show up.  It opened many doors for me and my daughter and still does.  Celebrate Recovery not only watered that seed that my grandparents planted, but it branched out and continues to grow. Celebrate Recovery has restored my faith”.

“Before entering recovery and attending AA, I was so isolated from the security in my relationships with my family and friends; the idea of a romantic partner felt so distant to me. I went through many painful things that left me disgusted by love and questioning if it even existed. I didn’t think anybody could ever love me or that I truly deserved it. I was crippled in fear and alone for many years. I was forced to be okay with myself, learned to respect myself, and eventually I began to love myself. Now, I am in an amazing, fulfilling and trusting relationship that challenges me, changes me, and on the best days it is pure harmony. My friendships are so honest and authentic that I feel overwhelmed by connection and opportunity. I’ve been able to truly appreciate my family of origin and build a family of my own with a beautiful and joyful daughter and a son on the way. I don’t forget the days where I felt incapable of giving and receiving love. Whether the future holds sunshine or thunderstorms I know I will be okay, because thanks to those years- I know myself. Recovery helped me restore myself, my relationships, and my belief in love.”

Recovery Month may have ended, but recovery itself is lived one moment at a time. Each story shared is proof that even in struggle, there is resilience; even in loss, there is renewal. Recovery is not only possible – it’s happening every day, in real and beautiful ways!

Happy Pride Month from all of us at Chrysalis Center!

Pride is more than just a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and beauty of the LGBTQIA+ community. At Chrysalis, we are proud to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ clients, staff, and community members this month and every month. We are committed to creating an affirming, inclusive space where everyone feels seen, supported, and safe to be their full selves.

Pride Month is a time for joy and visibility—but it’s also a time for reflection and advocacy. For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, Pride is about reclaiming space, honoring those who have paved the way, and finding community in the face of ongoing marginalization. It’s a time to both celebrate progress and recognize the work that still lies ahead.

Why Pride Matters in Mental Health
LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face higher rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. These disparities are not due to identity itself, but to experiences of discrimination, rejection, and systemic barriers to care. Research consistently shows that having access to affirming mental health care and strong community support can significantly reduce these risks and foster resilience.

That’s why Pride—and the spaces it creates—is so vital. It provides moments of visibility, belonging, and affirmation that can be profoundly healing. It reminds us that everyone deserves to live authentically and without fear.

What Can Allies Do During Pride Month—and Beyond?
Being an ally is about more than waving a rainbow flag. It’s about showing up, speaking out, and committing to continued learning. Here are a few ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community this month and every month:

• Show up: Attend local Pride events, marches, and workshops. Presence matters.

• Give back: Donate to organizations that support LGBTQIA+ youth, trans healthcare access, housing initiatives, and advocacy efforts.

• Shop intentionally: Support LGBTQIA+ artists, creators, and small businesses.

• Educate yourself: Read books, watch documentaries, and engage with media created by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Your local library is a great place to start.

• Listen and uplift: Center the voices of LGBTQIA+ people. Share their stories. Pass the mic.

Local Resources
We encourage you to check out and support these local organizations doing incredible work in our community:

• Trans-friendly healthcare providers

• LGBTQIA+ support groups

• Community centers and advocacy organizations

Resources for Allies
Want to learn more about how to be an effective ally? Here are a few trusted starting points:

• PFLAG’s Guide to Being a Supportive Ally

• The Trevor Project – Ally Training Resources

• Human Rights Campaign – Allyship Resources

This Pride Month, we invite you to take time to celebrate, to listen, and to stand alongside the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re attending your first Pride event or continuing a lifelong journey of advocacy, we are grateful to be in community with you.

From all of us at Chrysalis: we see you, we affirm you, and we’re so glad you’re here. ️‍

This week marked Chrysalis’ 22nd year in business! Since I frequently request that clients make gratitude lists, I’ll do the same to celebrate this anniversary. In no particular order, here are 22 reasons I’m grateful to be a part of “Restoring Hope, Empowering Change” at our practice: 

1. Our clients. In everything we do, we put forth our best efforts to be client-centered and treat the whole person. We’ve been fortunate to be a part of thousands of recovery journeys over the years and it certainly fuels our passion for what we do and keeps hope alive for future clients. 
2. Our clinical amazing team! We wouldn’t be who we are without the dedicated group of professionals who show up day in and day out for their clients and for each other. 
3. Our hardworking administrative team. We truly have the “dream team” assembled and we are so grateful for the multitude of behind-the-scenes and front-of- the- house things they do to keep Chrysalis running so smoothly. 
4. The variety of specialties we offer. Although eating disorder treatment is in our name we have so many talented clinicians with so many different niches. From OCD to menopause to bariatrics to narcissistic abuse (just to name a few), our team is rich in experience and wisdom beyond just eating disorders. 
5. Group programming. Many of our clinicians offer outpatient groups that serve a need and help build community for those seeking support from others going through similar struggles. Connection is such a powerful healing tool! 
6. Eating Disorder IOP. Our intensive outpatient program for eating disorders is the only in-person program within a 135 mile radius and offers valuable programming and meal support to adults with eating disorders who would otherwise have to travel, participate in virtual programming, or go without the right level of care. 
7. Trauma-focused IOP. Our newest clinical endeavor has demonstrated great success via outcome measures tracking PTSD symptoms. Beyond those scores, we’ve seen the difference a community of support has created for patients who’ve endured so much and often felt very isolated. 
8. Our training programs. We precept interns from many different disciplines and schools, in addition to family practice residents and psychiatry residents. This is something we do to give back to the community and to educate future clinicians about mental health and eating disorders. 
9. Outreach opportunities. We love to spread awareness to the community and to other professionals whether it’s tabling at events, speaking at conferences, or volunteering for causes that are important to us. 
10. Providers that we collaborate with. From medical professionals to other dietitians and therapists, we are so grateful for the healthcare community that we connect with day in and day out to bring the best care to our clients. 
11. Referral sources. We appreciate each and every referral that comes our way and are always happy to see if we are the right fit for a client. Whether it’s a medical provider giving a formal referral or a friend or neighbor giving a word-of-mouth recommendation, we are glad to be trusted with a client’s care. 
12. Higher level of care options. We frequently have to refer clients to more intensive treatment and we are glad that there are a variety of specialty programs out there that we feel comfortable ensuring our clients’ care to. 
13. Technology. As much as I gripe about it, technology enables us to reach those that might not otherwise be served. One of the best things to come out of the pandemic was the ability to offer virtual sessions when appropriate. 
14. Continuing education opportunities. Our fields are ever evolving and the ability to learn cutting-edge treatment techniques keeps us stimulated and able to offer clients the best possible care. 
15. Mentors. Our diverse clinical staff has been fortunate to have so many knowledgeable professionals train, supervise, and mentor us along the way, adding to the wisdom we can now pass on to future generations of clinicians. 
16. The recovery community in Wilmington. Whether it’s AA, NA, Al Anon, Celebrate Recovery, NAMI, or other groups, there are so many resources for our clients to obtain additional support and learn from others who’ve been in their shoes. 
17. Our location. Nothing better than living at the beach and having beautiful nature and weather (most of the time) to keep us grounded and brighten our spirits. 
18. Our website. Recently updated by our clinical director, Lauren Francis, it provides so much information not only regarding our services and staff, but also valuable resources for clients and professionals.
19. Our vendors. Whether it’s the folks who clean our office or our healthcare attorney who advises us on important matters, there are many other professionals who help keep Chrysalis up and running. 
20. Our values. Chrysalis has 8 core values that are important to us: compassion, acceptance, hope, wellness, integrity, ethics, quality, and TEAMWORK!  
21. Humor. We are a group that loves to laugh and builds in time to “banter” at our meetings. This is a hard business to be in and we can’t take ourselves so seriously or we’d burn out. 
22. Our loved ones. Doing the work we do can be draining, so we appreciate all the support we get from our friends and family who help renew our energy.

Written by executive director and founding mother, Kelly Broadwater, who is full of gratitude and apologizes to anyone she may have left off this list. 

When I first began my career as a therapist, I dreamed about someday stepping into a leadership role. Therapy has always been my passion, and the vision of guiding healing and growth—both in my clients and among fellow clinicians—was a lifelong goal. I vividly remember the ambitious “plans” I created as a teenager, imagining myself working within a collaborative team of specialized providers, developing and nurturing a diverse and skilled group of clinicians, and, most importantly, surrounding myself with professionals who shared my deep passion for therapeutic work.

Initially, stepping into the role of Clinical Director felt daunting. This opportunity presented itself earlier than I’d expected, and I knew I had big shoes to fill (shout out to Meghan Shapiro!). Change has never been my favorite thing, and I knew this transition would require me to stretch outside of my comfort zone. However, the same people whose roles I stepped into have also been my greatest mentors, offering immense support and guidance that shaped me into the clinician I am today. Their belief in me strengthened my own confidence, allowing me to embrace this new chapter fully.

My time thus far as Clinical Director has been filled with diverse emotions—surreal moments, excitement, fulfillment, and reward. Above all, though, one feeling stands out clearly: pride. Not pride solely in my personal achievements, but immense pride in the entire Chrysalis team. At the beginning of this year, Chrysalis underwent significant transformation, and each team member embraced this change with resilience and dedication. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable growth, demonstrated through providing exceptional clinical services, cultivating meaningful relationships in our community, and supporting one another through every challenge and success.

A particularly impactful experience in my first quarter was leading our second round of the Trauma-Focused Intensive Outpatient Program (TF IOP). Our pilot cohort launched successfully last October, and this round similarly surpassed expectations. Across both cohorts, clients experienced notable progress thanks to their dedication and commitment to treatment. Outcome measures indicated a significant reduction in trauma-related symptoms from intake to discharge for all clients completing the program. Witnessing such tangible growth and healing has been profoundly inspiring, fueling our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can truly thrive.

Reflecting now, I can confidently say my teenage self would be thrilled to see those once-distant dreams realized. I am deeply honored to lead and collaborate with an exceptional team of talented, compassionate clinicians at an organization genuinely committed to prioritizing client care. The future at Chrysalis feels bright and filled with promise, and though change can indeed feel intimidating, it can also lead to something incredibly beautiful. After all, as we often remind ourselves here: without change, there would be no butterflies!

Happy New Year from Chrysalis Center! As we embark on 2025, we look back upon all that was accomplished in 2024 and are excited about the prospect of what is to come moving forward. We are proud to share that our outcomes for 2024 were outstanding! First and foremost, client satisfaction was rated extremely high. Ninety-five percent of those who completed the survey strongly agreed or agreed that they were satisfied with the services they received and would recommend Chrysalis to family and friends. With acceptance and creating a healing environment being paramount to our vision and values, we were thrilled to see that 98% of respondents reported feeling welcome and comfortable at Chrysalis and 97% of clients saying their experience was helpful.

For Eating Disorder IOP participants, significant improvement occurred in all areas measured via the Eating Disorder Quality of Life index (ED-QOL), the Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire (EDE-Q), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Most notably, our EDE-Q scores on average were cut in half from the start of treatment to completion of treatment. One of the most positive changes to programming this past year was the addition of culinary group in ED-IOP, where clients plan and cook a meal together each week with the support of a registered dietitian.

Last year we also saw an unmet need within both our client population and the community at large, inspiring us to create and launch our Trauma-Focused IOP. This program is based in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which is an empirically validated form of trauma treatment. Originally used with the Veteran population, it has expanded and been shown to be successful with a variety of other populations who have experienced traumatic events. Our TF-IOP also includes groups such as compassionate coping, trauma-informed yoga, and art therapy. Scores on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (the PCL-5) for our first small cohort were also cut in over half! Since this was a new program, we looked to client feedback measured via the Client Satisfaction with Care (CPPSS) outcome tool. This measures satisfaction along nine different dimensions: Access/ Admission/ Orientation, Input, Rights, Assessment, Treatment Plan, Quality of Care, Quality of Life, Cultural Competency, and Accessibility. Every client rated Chrysalis a 4 or 5 out of 5 on every single item! We look forward to the next round of TF-IOP, starting the end of this month.

We want to especially acknowledge Meghan Shapiro, MA, LPA and Kaitlyn Patterson, MA, LPA who had the vision for TF-IOP and were instrumental in putting together the program. It was their grand finale to their successful tenure as leaders at Chrysalis. They have both stepped down from their leadership roles and are providing individual care to existing clients at Chrysalis. We thank them for their commitment over the past four years to making IOP programming truly client-centered.

Finally, I am very excited to announce the promotion of two long-term Chrysalis Center employees to leadership! Lauren Francis, MA, LPA is our new Clinical Director. Lauren has been with us for over a decade now in various roles (starting out as an undergraduate intern) and brings new ideas and energy to all aspects of programming here at Chrysalis. Don’t worry, she’ll still be leading the outpatient exposure meal group she created and has fostered over the past several years. Macy Baynor, MSW, LCSW is our new Assistant Clinical Director and will be heading up our training program and outreach efforts. Again, not to worry, she will also still run our Adolescent Recovery Circle (ARC) and exposure meal groups for teens. For those who don’t know, we precept doctoral practicum students, masters in social work interns, and counseling interns from various programs, hoping to share our clinical knowledge and eating disorder expertise with the next generation of professionals. I know that Lauren and Macy’s compassion, creativity, and commitment to exceptional care will surely contribute to Chrysalis Center’s mantra of “Thrive in 2025!”

September is National Recovery Month, which I honor annually with a blog on a topic related to addiction recovery. In deciding what to focus on this year I wanted to share my philosophy regarding the most important part of addiction treatment and recovery: connection! This is not a novel concept that I can take credit for, it’s based in research and also something that millions of people “in the rooms” already know about.

In a popular TED talk entitled “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong,”  journalist Johann Hari reviews the available research on the underlying causes of addiction and concludes that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection. This is echoed by many other researchers and addiction experts.

Going back to the 1950s, psychologist John Bowlby studied small children separated from their parents. When infants, toddlers, and children had safe and reliable caregivers, they become well-adjusted and emotionally healthier than those who don’t experience secure attachment early in life. Bowlby discovered that without secure early attachments, humans were more vulnerable to addiction.

I’m grateful to be a part of many wonderful clients’ journeys who were extremely generous in sharing with me what part connection has played in their recoveries. Collectively, these women have over 75 years of recovery under the belts! Here is what they had to say:

“Recovery can often feel like a solitary journey, but my experience has shown me that connecting with others is essential. Engaging with like-minded individuals who understand the pain I’ve faced has been incredibly healing. These conversations remind me that I am not alone; there’s a community of people who share similar struggles. In sharing our stories, we create a bond that fosters belonging and mutual support, reinforcing the idea that vulnerability is a strength.

These connections have not only inspired me but have also redefined my understanding of recovery as a shared experience. Hearing others’ stories of resilience ignites hope and reminds me that setbacks are part of the journey. I am grateful for the connections I’ve had, as they illuminate the path ahead and emphasize that healing is possible. If you’re navigating a similar path, I encourage you to seek out those who resonate with your experiences—you may find the strength that comes from knowing you’re not alone”.

“Connection has created a network of people that are also in recovery-I’ve found people who share my common interest & passion for recovery.  I’ve got true friends now which is all I ever wanted in active use but never truly had.

This thing works as a “we” instead of “me”.  I need people who can show me how life is done in recovery.  I need support and I need to give it back too.  It all started for me in 12 step meetings & it’s grown in many different circles but 12 steps was my foundation & still my home.  Don’t let the “god” stuff freak you out! Addiction = Isolation and Recovery = Connection”.

“I didn’t feel all alone in the fact that I had problems that I felt were shameful and also somehow knew they were sick/not normal. Listening and sharing with other along the journey has really helped my self-esteem and to fuel my courage to continue my journey.  I then knew that I was not alone and it helped give strength and courage to strive for better habits/behaviors”.

“Connection is the key to recovery. In the first days of my recovery, my sponsor made me call three women from the home group list every morning. I was a bit baffled by that and asked her what I was supposed to say? She told me just call them and tell them you’re new and your sponsor made you call and everything will happen from there. Then my sponsor made me the greeter at the door. I have no idea what that was but as people came in, and I said welcome and introduced myself they got to know me before I knew it. I was going to different meetings all throughout the town where I first got sober and people were saying hi to me. Those are your people.

As I became connected with those folks I was calling and greeting, I developed a group of women in my life who like me had small children and similar interests and I was able to spend time with them outside the meetings. These women from AA were true friends- if I was going to move, a dozen people showed up with a moving truck unlike when I was drinking and “friends” were supposed to show up and help but nobody ever did. I travel my journey of recovery. My sponsor also encouraged me to develop a relationship with a higher power that today I call God (in the beginning I was very angry with God  and wanted no part of God, but as I grew in AA, I grew in my faith). I have a connection with my higher power that I never dreamed was possible. Every morning and every night I hit my knees and I thank God for another sober day. Connections in the rooms of AA have taught me that there’s so much more to life than sitting at a bar! I’ve done amazing things with the women in the program and the social activities that are out there. Without connection to God and to the women of AA, I would not be alive today”.

“Connection in recovery has given me the family I never had. It’s people that accept me where I’m at no matter what.  It’s tough love when I need it the most. It’s giving me a sense of belonging and knowing I’m never alone.  It’s people that love me until I can love myself.

Build your network.  Get all the numbers you can.  Go to meetings. Talk to people.   Keep coming back.  Get a sponsor. You can’t have too many people in your corner. It does get easier.  There is nothing you have done (or nothing anybody has done to you) that has not already been done.  We have all been at day 1.  You can’t get 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 20 years, etc. without day 1. Just stay clean/sober for today.  One day at a time.  We will worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.  If all you did was stay clean and sober today, you’ve done something right!  Do not try and do it alone”.

Kelly Broadwater, LPA, LCMHC, CEDS-C is the Executive Director of Chrysalis Center and has been treating co-occurring substance use disorders and eating disorders for over 20 years. She is grateful to all the women who’ve been willing to share their wisdom, strength, and hope in this blog and beyond.

To watch the TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?subtitle=en

To get connected to area recovery groups:

https://sober.com/aa-meeting/wilmington-area-intergroup/

https://aanorthcarolina.org/meetings/

https://celebraterecovery.com/

https://wilmingtonncal-anon.org/find-a-meeting

https://adultchildren.org/meeting-search/

Grateful Ground Counseling has a monthly Connections group: https://gratefulgroundcounseling.clientsecure.me/

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