Beneath The Symptoms
Unhealthy behaviours are symptoms. They are symptoms that stem from unprocessed feelings and unmet needs. Chronic unhealthy behaviours may reveal the needs and feelings that went unmet as a child.
Addiction is a symptom of both unmet needs and unprocessed feelings, many of which have been buried in the subconscious for years.
Conditions (“disorders”) such as ADHD, BPD, DID, behavioural and substance addictions for example, are likely a symptom of an underlying trauma.
When we begin healing from trauma, we begin healing the “disorders”.
-Ashauna,
RYT-200, CYA, Registered Yoga and Meditation Teacher,
Certified Trauma-Informed Coach
Reiki Level I & II
A Journey through Addiction, Trauma and Recovery
My name is Ashauna and I am stepping out of my comfort zone to share my personal road to recovery journey.
My views, opinions and thoughts about addiction, trauma and recovery are based on my perspectives which were adopted throughout my journey. I survived many years in the dark world of addiction. I would like to pay it forward by sharing my story and by offering support and hope to those who are still feeling lost and alone.
I created this website because I feel that there is a need for connection. It is important for all people to feel seen, heard and – accepted. Vulnerability that comes through sharing our story allows for connection.
Finding my site may be a sign that you are ready for growth and expansion. Maybe you are seeking a lifestyle change or looking for hope. We often find comfort in knowing that we are not alone through challenges and struggles.
I would like to keep this a safe space. A place for you to open up, share, read, listen and/or get curious about the possibility of new beginnings. A time to slow down and practice self-awareness
I believe that people are sent to us in for a reason. If my writing resonates and you would like to connect please feel free to contact me via email.
We are all in this together, finding wellness through sharing and connection.
Enjoy the Journey
A Personalized Approach to Recovery
Have you tried the 12-step program but still feel stuck in perpetual cycles and unhealthy patterns?
Are you feeling restless and sense that there is a piece to your life’s puzzle that is missing but you can’t quite put your finger on it? Whether you had a positive, negative or neutral experience with the step program, you may still have a desire to go deeper to find that missing piece.
With 13 years in and out of the program I have boldly stepped outside the traditional 12 steps to design an integrative (body, mind and spirit) approach to recovery. I believe in a compassionate approach which is customizable to fit your needs. Holding a safe space which allows for fear, grief, anger and resentment to be seen, felt, processed and accepted.
Befriending our Shadow Parts
I do NOT believe in character defects. I prefer to call “negative behaviours” or “character defects”- shadow parts.
We adopted shadow parts/unhealthy behaviours because they served a purpose at one time. They helped to keep us safe. Shadow parts were used as protection at a point in life. If not for our shadows we may not have survived.
Our shadow parts need to be acknowledged and befriended with kindness and compassion. Acknowledging and working through our patterns and self sabotaging behaviours will help us realize that we no longer need them to run our lives. If we find a way to embrace them ,,, they will no longer control us.
Accepting our WHOLE self, (the light and the dark), to feel freedom, inner peace and contentment.
We are not powerless… we have the power to BE and DO anything we dream. Empowered people, empower people.
Lean more about the shadow parts and how to own our personal story check out Debbie Ford’s #1 bestseller, ‘The Dark Side of the Light Chasers‘ and ‘The Secret of the Shadow’.
“BENEATH EVERY BEHAVIOUR THERE IS A FEELING. AND BENEATH EACH FEELING IS A NEED. AND WHEN WE MEET THAT NEED RATHER THAN FOCUS ON THE BEHAVIOUR, WE BEGIN TO DEAL WITH THE CAUSE NOT THE SYMPTOM.”
-Ashleigh Warner
Holistic Family Psychologist
“Remember Your Power”
“You have to Feel it, to Heal it”
“Let intuition be your guide”
For more on my unfiltered recovery journey check out my Blog and About pages. I also invite you to check out my ‘Healing‘ page to get a glimpse of the types of guidance I offer through body, mind, spirit awareness practices.
I will be adding more journal entries, integrative wellness posts and inspirational material. If you choose to sign up you will receive occasional emails including updates and new blog posts.
This site is intended to be used as a self-discovery, reference builder. It is solely based on my integrative healing path. I’ll provide references including books, websites, quotes and guides that were helpful along my journey. This website is not to be used as a substitution for professional therapy. It provides general recovery information and customized coaching. I hope you will find the tools helpful in understanding and beginning your process of recovery from addiction and trauma.
Please be advised: TW (trigger warning)Some of my stories, experiences and insights which are included on this site may be triggering. If this is the case, please take time for self-care and allow yourself to take a pause. If you are new to recovery I recommend finding an experienced counsellor or therapist.
On some of the blog entries you may notice the initials “TW” which stands for trigger warning.
