1. Steps Recovery Centers and Deer Hollow

Starting in 2016, I was in and out of hospitals, residential facitilities, and treatment centers. I was finally discharged in 2018 to a therapist who promised to work as hard as I was willing. Prior to changing to this new therapist, I would discharge from one facility to be readmitted a few days to a couple weeks later to another.

It wasn’t until 2020 when my resources were low that she and I made the decision to admit me to the local psychiatric hospital. I was there for 3 weeks and came out in rough shape. I worked through it, but several months later spoke with my therapist about my need to have more intensive care while receiving trauma therapy. I needed a jump start in a safe place. The two of us did some research and found Deer Hollow in Draper, Utah!

I did not personally qualify for Deer Hollow because I am not a first responder or veteran, but I did qualify for one of the other Steps Recovery Center facilities. Three days after Christmas of 2020, I boarded a plane to Salt Lake City for Annie’s House, also in Draper, Utah. Annie’s House has been absorbed by Steps Recovery Center and Deer Hollow, but they have blown other facilities out of the water with their experience and success working with individuals with PTSD and all symptoms that go with it (think addictions, whatever that means to the individuals fighting PTSD).

I was at Annie’s House from December 28, 2020 to March 5, 2021. It was an incredibly difficult few months, and it was life-changing. It was unlike any other facility I had been to. No doors were locked, emphasis was placed on responsibility (from chores and cooking to personal growth and assignments to enhance therapies), and EVERYONE was involved. At least once per week, the owner, Tyler Hansen, and other business “big wigs” would stop in. They knew everyone at the house. They cared. They sometimes attended or led groups. Each of the members of that team had a story of recovery, and Ty was no exception. He would often share parts, if not all, of his recovery story to inspire and push those of us at the center to work a little harder or challenge ourselves just beyond what we thought we were capable of.

I met lifelong friends at Annie’s House, and I remain in contact with several of the employees I met while in Utah. Ty, once again, is no exception to that. He is an incredibly busy man (he is a member of the Utah County Sherrifs Office, donates time at the Gunnison prison, presents at conferences, and runs several facilities throughout Utah). Yet, he will still take the time to answer a message, tell me how proud of me he is, and make sure other people know he cares.

If you find yourself in need of help with addictions (drugs, alcohol, self-harm, sex, whatever) and/or have PTSD, this is one of the places that challenged me to take my recovery by the horns. Here is my disclaimer too: Not everyone will find what I found helpful. We all have our own preferences and needs. I did the research and was ready with goals and intentions. I still had moments of anger, frustration, and wanting to chech myself out. It was all worth it for me, though. So, if I could recommend a place, it would be Steps Recovery and/or Deer Hollow!

On a side note, one of the therapists who conducts group and some individual therapy, Matt Quackenbush, has a podcast. If you are interested in hearing about some of the work being done and some testimonials of individuals he works with both privately and through Steps/Deer Hollow, that is a great resource to check out.

*Photo is taken at Tibble Fork Reservoir where we could opt to do a polar plunge on Sundays. This was just one of many “field trips.” Others included CLAS Ropes Course in Provo, UT and equine therapy in Payson, Utah with an amazing couple (Allison and Scott).