Mindful Alternatives is a Washington State certified agency for treating substance abuse and mental health issues. Our aim is to foster a strong sense of self-acceptance and self-worth, empowering the individual to develop a lifelong commitment to personal growth and happiness. This positive approach contrasts with the current accepted practice of processing DUIs and other crimes with limited attention given to treatment and healing.

Mindful Alternatives provides a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment for discovering the root causes of each person’s unique struggle with substance abuse and any co-occurring mental health issues that are also treated together.

We include mindfulness practice as a key component of therapy along with a cognitive-behavioral based approach. Research indicates that including mindfulness practice in treatment reduces relapses over the long-term.

Assessments more often than not will uncover a dual diagnosis, i.e., a problem with addiction as well as co-occurring mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. We do not see these as two separate diagnoses but take an alternative view that substance abuse is an attempt to treat the mental illness. We also teach professionals, such as attorneys and therapists about addiction and how to negotiate the right care for the client.

Life inevitably brings challenges. Mindful Alternatives holds what Roman philosopher king Marcus Aurelius stated: “What stands in the way becomes the way." We honor what we see as each person’s innate drive to return to wholeness. This is accomplished by recognizing the intrinsic goodness in people and utilizing a cross-disciplinary approach to address the complex issues impacting people and their families. Mindful Alternatives works with individuals and groups using cognitive therapy and mindfulness practice, among other modalities, to uncover the underlying issues that drive the patient’s addictions. They enroll in a program customized for them that teaches self-reliance and an approach to life that facilitates self-love, understanding, and happiness.