Beyond the Window – by La Ventana Treatment Programs

In this episode of Beyond the Window, Daniel Gil (Case Manager and Group Facilitator) sits down with certified counselor Shawn Deffenbaugh to dismantle the myths surrounding "hitting bottom" in addiction recovery. Sean shares his 12-year journey—from homelessness and legal trouble to finding a profound spiritual connection that changed everything.Whether you are navigating the 12 steps for the first time or supporting a loved one, this conversation explores the mechanics of surrender, the traps of the ego, and why abstinence is only the first step toward true freedom.Key Topics Discussed:The Ego Trap: Why successful professionals (lawyers, doctors, veterans) often struggle most with the admission of powerlessness.Redefining Surrender: Shifting the perspective from "giving up" to surrendering to a new way of life.The Spiritual Malady: Addressing the "ick" that remains once substances are removed.Agnosticism & Recovery: How to build a higher power of your own understanding when traditional religious concepts don't fit.Follow Us:Learn about our treatment programs: www.laventanatreatment.comFollow us on Instagram: @laventanatreatmentWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WUMPIerdWeg

Beyond the Window: The ADHD Advantage with Dr. Carol KiriakosIn this episode of Beyond the Window, Sharon Volner sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Carol Kiriakos to explore a powerful reframe of ADHD, not as a limitation, but as a unique cognitive advantage.Dr. Kiriakos shares insights from her clinical experience and her book The ADHD Advantage, breaking down how ADHD shows up across different stages of life, why it’s often misunderstood, and how individuals can learn to work with their brains instead of against them.This conversation goes beyond surface-level symptoms and dives into the deeper patterns behind attention, motivation, self-esteem, and performance.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why do many people with ADHD have high intelligence but struggle with consistency?  How ADHD impacts attention, focus, and decision-making  The concept of hyperfocus and why pressure can improve performance  How ADHD presents differently in children vs adults  Why ADHD often goes undiagnosed until later in life  The connection between ADHD, self-esteem, and rejection sensitivity  How ADHD can influence career paths, relationships, and daily life  The link between ADHD and substance use or self-medication  The truth about stimulant vs non-stimulant medications  Practical, behavioral strategies to manage ADHD without relying solely on medication Key Insights from Dr. KiriakosADHD Is Not an Intelligence ProblemMany individuals with ADHD are highly intelligent and creative. The challenge lies in attention regulation, not ability.Hyperfocus Is a Hidden StrengthPeople with ADHD often perform best under pressure, using urgency and deadlines to activate deep focus and productivity.ADHD Evolves Over TimeWhile hyperactivity may be more visible in childhood, ADHD in adults often shows up as overwhelm, inconsistency, and difficulty managing responsibilities.Compensation Can Mask ADHDMany individuals develop coping mechanisms early on, only to reach a breaking point later in life when demands increase.ADHD and Self-Esteem Are Closely LinkedRepeated struggles despite high ability can lead to internal doubt and the question: “What’s wrong with me?”Practical Strategies for Managing ADHD Use structured breaks to maintain focus and avoid burnout  Work during your most productive times based on your natural rhythm  Introduce controlled background noise to reduce internal distractions  Break large tasks into smaller, manageable segments  Use external tools like reminders, notes, or AI to support the organization  Create small rewards to stay motivated  Prioritize sleep, exercise, and overall balance Medication vs Behavioral ApproachesDr. Kiriakos explains that ADHD treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Stimulants may help improve focus and motivation for some individuals  Non-stimulant options can be beneficial, especially for those with anxiety or other conditions  Behavioral strategies are essential, whether or not medication is used  Proper treatment can reduce the likelihood of self-medicating with substances Important Topics Discussed ADHD medication shortages and access challenges  Misconceptions about ADHD in boys vs girls  The overlap between ADHD and other conditions, like anxiety, OCD, and autism spectrum traits  How ADHD can impact communication and social interactions Who This Episode Is For Adults who suspect they may have ADHD  Parents are trying to better understand their child’s behavior  Professionals struggling with focus, consistency, or overwhelm  Anyone interested in mental health, performance, and productivity Learn More About La VentanaFor more details about our process at La Ventana, call us at (800) 560-8518. We pride ourselves on real people picking up the phones seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.Final ThoughtADHD isn’t just about distraction. It’s about how the brain prioritizes, processes, and responds to the world. When understood and managed correctly, it can become a powerful advantage rather than a limitation.

In this episode, we sit down with the clinical team from La Ventana’s Outpatient Programs (PHP/IOP) to tackle one of the most "charged" words in mental health and addiction treatment: Manipulation.While often viewed through a negative lens, our clinicians—Lori Holdren Scott, Christina Navarro, and David Ruda—explore manipulation as a neutral, learned skill that begins in infancy as a way to have needs met. They discuss why clients (and all of us) use social influence to survive, how to distinguish between malicious intent and "maladaptive" coping, and how setting healthy boundaries can disrupt the cycle of manipulation in families and relationships.Whether you are a clinician, a family member of someone in recovery, or simply curious about human behavior, this conversation offers a refreshing, non-judgmental look at how we all navigate the world to find connection and safety.Episode NotesMeet the Panel:Lori Holdren Scott, LMFT: Director of Clinical Supervision at La Ventana Outpatient.Christina Navarro, LMFT: Clinical Director for the Outpatient Program.David Ruda, PhD, APCC: Primary Therapist in the Outpatient Programs.Key Highlights:The Origin of Manipulation: Why it starts as early as 12 months old and how it evolves from a survival skill into a social tool.Neutrality vs. Nefariousness: Comparing manipulation to "fire"—a tool that can be used to warm a home or cause destruction, depending on the intent.Substance Use & Survival: Understanding why manipulation is often a symptom of addiction and personality disorders, and why it shouldn't be taken personally by loved ones.The "Mean Girls" Dynamic: A deep dive into social influence using the "Regina George vs. Cady Heron" comparison—identifying transparent vs. insidious behavior.Clinical Benefits of Outpatient (PHP/IOP): Why group therapy provides a unique "360-degree view" of a client’s behavior that private practice often misses.Breaking the Cycle: How family systems can disrupt manipulative feedback loops through education, curiosity, and firm boundaries.Top Takeaways for Listeners:Be Curious, Not Judgmental: When you feel manipulated, ask why the person feels they can't be transparent about their needs.Secrecy vs. Transparency: Manipulation becomes harmful when secrecy is involved; transparency allows both parties to maintain their autonomy.The Role of Social Media: How "influencer culture" is a modern form of mass manipulation and the importance of digital detoxing.Connect with La Ventana Treatment Programs:Website: laventanatreatment.comInstagram: @LaVentanaTreatmentFacebook: La Ventana Treatment Programs

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Window, host David Lascher sits down with counselor and longtime recovery mentor Tye Whelen to explore what real change in recovery actually looks like.David shares his journey of returning to sobriety after a relapse and how approaching recovery differently the second time led to a deeper transformation. Together, he and Ty break down the process of change through the 12 Steps, focusing especially on steps four through nine and the life-changing power of doing the work rather than just understanding it intellectually.They discuss how unresolved shame, fear, and childhood experiences can shape addictive behaviors and how the inventory process helps uncover the underlying patterns that keep people stuck. Through honest conversation, they explore how writing things down, identifying character defects, and taking responsibility can create the awareness needed to heal.The episode also dives into topics such as:• Why real recovery requires a complete personality change • The difference between intellectual understanding and lived experience in recovery • How resentment, fear, and shame drive destructive patterns • Why connection is the true antidote to addiction • The role of heart-brain coherence and emotional healing in recovery • How self-forgiveness, healthy boundaries, and self-care help repair the past • Turning painful life experiences into purpose by helping othersTye explains how many of the struggles people face in addiction stem from deep, unresolved shame and insecure attachments, and how the recovery process allows individuals to rebuild healthy connections with themselves and others.The conversation ultimately highlights one of the most powerful ideas in recovery: your past does not have to be your burden. It can become your greatest asset.This episode is a thoughtful and honest look at what it really takes to change, heal, and build a meaningful life in sobriety.

What happens when a concert becomes more than entertainment: it becomes an experience that makes people feel seen?In this episode of Beyond the Window, hosts Sharon Wner and Jennifer Enriquez sit down with Carrie Simmons, LMFT, a clinician-turned-musician whose story blends recovery, creativity, and self-mastery in a way that’s both raw and inspiring.Carrie shares her journey from a rebellious, angry teen searching for belonging to navigating addiction, reinvention, and sobriety: all while building a creative life in Los Angeles. Along the way, she recounts a bold Hollywood moment that says everything about her personality: pulling over on Sunset Boulevard to rap for Dr. Dre.The conversation also explores how Carrie uses music and performance to create a safe, welcoming space where people can feel connected, drop the mask, and remember they’re not alone. This is a powerful episode about turning pain into purpose, embracing vulnerability, and building a life rooted in truth, community, and hope.In This Episode, We CoverClinician to musician: how Carrie’s path evolvedThe Whiskey a Go Go show that felt “therapeutic” to the audienceIdentity, belonging, and finding your voiceAddiction, sobriety, and the work behind long-term changeWhy vulnerability, community, and spiritual discipline matter in healingTurning pain into purpose, and using creativity to give backGuest Links: Carrie Simmons Instagram: @carriesimmonsofficial Website: carriersimmonsofficial.com YouTube: Carrie Simmons ChannelAbout Beyond the Window Beyond the Window is a podcast from La Ventana Treatment Programs, featuring conversations about mental health, recovery, and real stories of transformation.La Ventana Treatment Programs Learn more: loveatreatment.comDisclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

What does it really take to support men's mental health? In this episode of Beyond the Window, we go inside La Ventana Treatment Programs with the people on the front lines.Hear from Clinical Directors Bryce Colvard, LMFT and Carla Fernandez, LCSW, Staff Trainer Allison Silipigni, and Mental Health Technician Joshua Peraza as they pull back the curtain on their work. They share raw stories about breaking down stigma, why "anger is just the surface emotion," and the transformative power of holding a boundary with empathy.This is a candid look at the challenges, breakthroughs, and human connection that define modern mental health treatment.Listen to discover:How to see past surface-level behaviors (like anger) to the real issues.The unique experience of women and men working in men's mental health.Why a "safe space" is built on structure and boundaries, not just comfort.The powerful, reparative work that helps clients rewrite their stories.#MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Therapy #BreakTheStigma #LaVentana

Why do our children's actions trigger us so deeply? Our CCO, Sharon Volner, LMFT sits down with renowned clinician Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D. for a game-changing conversation that flips the script on parenting. We explore the profound idea that our kids' behavior is often not a personal attack, but a mirror reflecting our own unmet needs and childhood wounds.Dr. Talei offers her direct, compassionate wisdom on how to break the cycle of projection, stop taking things personally, and learn to parent the child you actually have—not the one you're trying to heal through. We tackle tough topics like setting boundaries without guilt, why doing your teen's homework (or college applications) hurts them, and how to move from reactive parenting to responsive understanding.This episode is a must-listen for any parent, guardian, or caregiver who wants to build a healthier, more resilient relationship with their child—whether that child is 15 or 50.Key Topics:Why we take our children's behavior personallyHealing your own wounds so you don't pass them onThe danger of over-involvement (helicopter parenting)The importance of letting kids fail (especially in middle school!)How to model emotional regulation and accountabilityPractical steps to parent from a place of understanding, not reactionFind Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D.https://www.centerdcs.com/https://www.hiveofhope.org/Learn more about our treatment programs:https://laventanatreatment.com/

What if your struggles aren’t entirely your own? In this raw and revelatory episode of Beyond the Window, Clinical Directors Carla Fernandez, LCSW and Jennifer Enriquez, LMFT and Steve Zamarripa, MBA, President and CEO of La Ventana, discuss how to unpack how generational trauma shapes addiction, mental health, and family dynamics. From personal stories of survival to groundbreaking science (like the "cherry blossom mouse study"), they explore:How trauma embeds itself in our DNA—and behaviors.Why breaking cycles requires more than willpower.The cultural stigmas that keep families silent.Practical steps to heal and reclaim your narrative.Whether you’re navigating your own legacy or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and a path forward.🔹 Follow Beyond the Window for more on mental health and addiction recovery.🔹 Visit [La Ventana’s Website] for resources.#GenerationalTrauma #BreakTheCycle #MentalHealthPodcast

What if everything you’ve been told about addiction is incomplete—or even wrong?In this profound episode of Beyond the Window, La Ventana Clinical Director,  Sharon Volner, LMFT, sits down with TJ Woodward—author, recovery expert, and creator of Conscious Recovery—to challenge the myths of brokenness and explore seven transformative principles for healing.From “There is nothing wrong with you” to “The only prayer is thank you,” TJ shares how his own journey from addiction to ministry reveals a path back to wholeness. You’ll hear:• Why addiction is a “brilliant strategy” (not a life sentence)• How to heal trauma without retraumatizing yourself• The shadow side of the treatment industry—and what’s changing• Why connection, not willpower, is the antidote to shameFor those tired of “fixing” themselves and ready to remember their inherent worth.🔗 Explore TJ’s work:www.consciousrecovery.comwww.tjwoodward.com💬 Join the conversation: What’s your “brilliant strategy”? Share in the comments below.#AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #ConsciousRecovery #BeyondTheWindow

In this unfiltered episode of Beyond the Window, Director of Detox Gwendolyn Casella and La Ventana Alumni Laurie Sigelman go toe-to-toe with recovery’s hardest truths:💊 Gwen’s hospice analogy: Why treating patients like "rock stars" is non-negotiable🔗 Laurie's Ferragamo betrayal: How selling her husband’s shoes for pills became her turning point🧠 The lie of ‘living clean’: Laurie's year of faking sobriety—and what finally broke her👊 Jailhouse redemption: “I tell women behind bars: I was you. The difference? I surrendered.”This isn’t a recovery podcast. This is a war story.CONNECT:🔗 Share this with someone fighting their own battle🔔 SUBSCRIBE for raw conversations every Tuesday#RockBottomToRecovery #AddictionAndRedemption #NoFilterRecovery

"Dead is dead. There's nothing glamorous about a box of ashes on your bedside table." - Sheila ScottNine years after losing her son Luke to an overdose, Sheila Scott has since founded the LukeLove Foundation to prevent other families from experiencing this pain. In this raw conversation on Beyond the Window, she reveals:🔹 Why EVERY family needs naloxone (yes, even yours)🔹 How 3 grains of fentanyl can be fatal🔹 Why "good kids" are just as at risk🔹 How teens are becoming overdose first respondersSheila's story will change how you think about:• The opioid crisis• Teen drug use• Grief that transforms into actionTake action today:1️⃣ Get free naloxone training: www.lukelove.org2️⃣ Share this video to break the stigma3️⃣ Leave a comment with your thoughts#OverdosePrevention #NarcanSavesLives #AddictionRecovery #HarmReduction #GriefAndHopeSubscribe to Beyond the Window for more conversations that challenge perspectives and create change.

When you hear 'psychiatric hospital,' what comes to mind? Straight jackets? Screaming patients? Hollywood has painted a terrifying picture—but the reality is far different. In this eye-opening episode, La Ventana’s Chief Clinical Officer Sharon Volner, LMFT sits down with Carla DiCandia, Director of Business Development at Oceanview Psychiatric Facility, to pull back the curtain on modern mental health care. They debunk the biggest myths (no, you won’t be ‘locked away forever’), reveal what treatment actually looks like, and share why psychiatric hospitals are just healthcare—with a lot more compassion. Whether you’ve considered treatment for yourself or a loved one—or just want to replace fear with facts—this conversation will change how you see mental health care forever.For more information, visit www.ovphf.com

What if a piece of candy could pull you out of a panic attack? In this episode of Beyond the Window, La Ventana's Chief Clinical Officer Sharon Volner, LMFT sits down with team member Danielle Tilton, creator of Coca Candies—the first candy intentionally designed for mental health. From its origins in trauma therapy to its explosive sour-fizzy-sweet formula, discover how texture and flavor are revolutionizing grounding techniques. (Spoiler: Even our Chief Clinical Officer carries them on cliffside hikes.) Listen now—your toolkit is about to get sweeter.

"They’re in a better place" and other things we say to avoid sitting with grief. Debi Jenkins Frankle, M.S., LMFT, a grief specialist with 30+ years of experience, joins La Ventana Clinician Isabelle Pilato to dismantle myths about loss—including why it’s not a problem to solve, but a landscape to navigate. Learn how grief hides in your body, strains relationships, and reshapes your identity long after the world expects you to "move on."

What makes our residential treatment program different? It starts with meeting clients exactly where they're at. Today's Beyond the Window episode takes you inside our therapeutic home, for young women ages 12-17, with the clinicians and educators who help teens rewrite their stories. Hear how we pivot in real-time to what each client needs. Listen as Clinical Director Carla Fernandez, LCSW, Primary Clinician Alex Acerboni, and Director of Education, Deanna Ruby share the perspective shifts that create real breakthroughs in our residential home.

What happens when we finally admit, "I’m not okay"? In this first episode of Beyond the Window, La Ventana’s Clinical Directors Jennifer Enriquez, LMFT and Bryce Colvard, LMFT explore the pivotal moment between denial and healing—how trauma shapes our stories, why shame clings, and what it takes to start moving forward.This is a conversation about truth-telling, the weight of unspoken pain, and the small but brave steps toward wholeness. Because healing doesn’t begin with being "fine." It begins with honesty.