Short: If you truly want a new life, go to WWR.
I have struggled with mental health and suffered from addiction for 13 years. I have been a psychiatric patient at every hospital in Austin, Georgetown, and Round Rock-as well as going out of state for residential trauma treatment.. And though they helped some, nowhere has changed my life to the core of my being like Windmill Wellness Ranch. First and foremost, the owner and her husband, ans their family, are personally invested in the 'business of saving lives'- and it truly shows every day.
To start, it is on a beautiful property in the hill country that has an aura of healing and love I that the only thing that ever came close was the native american land in New Mexico. Secondly, the staff here are second to none-and I can say that with experience. Every single person; therapists, counselors, recovery coaches, technicians, kitchen crew, clinical team, nursing staff, are all empathetic as fuck. Excuse my enthusiasm. But anytime I was having a hard time, I could pull literally anybody aside and be heard, understood, and cared for. Most of the staff here are in recovery themselves, so they actually get it. I was paired with a therapist that worked with me to come up with a treatment plan that perfectly met my individual needs, and was given a personal recovery coach to help with anything that came up also.
Additionally, the treatment modalities that are offered are, again, second to none (sorry not sorry if that seems cliche) ;) ITMS, though at first was alien to me, genuinely changed the functionality of my brain to it's ideal state (that i never thought was possible)- so that I could fully embrace the teachings and find a new way of acting. The individual EMDR and complex trauma group, amongst others, and daily processing groups went to a depth I never could have imagined. The 12 step and smart recovery groups have educational opportunities beyond anything else.
Also, the programming schedule here were the greatest ever-balancing in depth study with socialization time, off campus outings and in house recovery meetings. They also have weekly family visitation, along with weekly family therapy that educates and involves the family-and helped us to heal for future generations to come. You can (and I do) attend family therapy for the rest of your life after discharge- FOR FREE. PLUS a monthly music jam session and drum circle that was SO.MUCH.FUN!! Also, an amazing DAA meeting open to alumni also. They also have clean living on campus, and thw recovery coaches will help you find a job to get back on your feet.
Did I mention they have their own chef who makes 3 BOMB meals every single day?! Gonna be in on a holiday? No worries, I was there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and my sons and my birthdays. Best holidays and birthdays Ive ever had. Real talk.
You get a detox buddy when you come in, a client who will show you the ropes and be your first friend. But no bullshit, everyone was my friend. The love and community at Windmill was life changing. Everyone pays it forward, because thats how its always been and always will be.
But all good stuff aside, shit does hit the fan sometimes- clients;going through withdrawal, trauma therapy, or challenging lifetime beliefs and behaviors-get emotional. They are changing their entire being. But clients truly care for one another and are there to offer support, as well as staff taking time to help them through it. Nobody gets ignored, guilted, or overmedicated.
All in all, I could go on for dayssss. From the yoga and gym time, to leaving your mark by painting a rock- WWR is on point.
If any of this sounds interesting to you or for someone you know, I emplore you to give them a call. From the first call, I could tell a difference.
I urge you to know that you are worth it, you can heal, we do recover, and there's hope for ANYone!
Even myself, who has overdosed on every drug, has multiple complex traumas, multiple personalities, you name it!
Today, I have a peace of mind I never ever EVER thought possible- no matter what!