Julie Mermelstein, LMFT After 20 years of working as a therapist I came to the conclusion that the “why” behind maladaptive behaviors is not as important as the “what” you can do to change them.  Understanding negative and destructive patterns can provide enormous insight but does not always translate into change.   Through a personal and professional need My Life Recovery (MLR) was created to navigate the often difficult yet profound process of transformation. Releasing the past, acceptance, forgiveness, taking action and transformational coping are critical elements in my approach to growth, change and recovery.  I incorporate traditional aspects of humanistic psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral techniques, 12-step work and spiritual guidance. I specialize in sober coaching with individuals, teens, and families as well as business settings.   I work with people in all stages of recovery as well helping people to heal from trauma, achieve goals, change negative thought patterns/behavior and live their life to the fullest. Coaching involves a professional partnership between a coach and client that supports the client’s personal growth. Through the process of coaching, client’s focus on the skills and actions needed to successfully produce their personally relevant results. Coaching may include physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of the client’s life.  Life coaching is used by a growing number of both credentialed and non-credentialed practitioners to aid clients with transitions in their personal life and in the process of self-actualization.  Currently no official regulatory standards exist and thus no degree or formal training is required to become a life coach. How do you know if My Life Recovery is right for you?  If you are struggling with an addiction or feel your life is not where you want it to be MLR could be a beginning to a life you could not have planned for yourself. Here are some questions to consider: Are you thriving or surviving? Do you use substances or negative behaviors to escape and/or not deal? Does your life feel like it has a purpose? Do you want it to? Do you repeat the same behavior over and over expecting the same results? Does fear dominate your life? Do you feel disconnected? Numb? Going through the emotions? What brings you joy? Do you have a spiritual practice or connection to something greater than yourself? Are you of service to others? If some of these questions spark something in you and you are ready to collaborate on the next phase of your growth consider MLR as a step in a new direction.  There is a solution, change is inevitable and obstacles are just opportunities for growth.   "It is not the strongest of species that survive nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change." -Charles Darwin-