The Clearing

Healing Underlying Core Issues
Non 12 Step Recovery Program Specializing in Dual Diagnosis
The Clearing is an innovative residential treatment Program focused on addressing the underlying core issues which fuel substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other challenges to our mental health. We’re a non 12 step rehab and our Program is dual diagnosis.

Participants join a small group of 10 for an uninterrupted, immersive, 28-day curriculum-based program in a serene, secluded recovery center located on San Juan Island, in the Puget Sound of Washington State.

What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis means, along with substance abuse, you may be experiencing:

Depression
Anxiety
Self-loathing
Grief / Loss
Sadness
Hopelessness
Estranged relationships
Self-harming behavior
Low self-esteem
Lack of confidence
Ambivalence
Shame / Guilt
Regret
Health issues
Relationship problems
Suicidal ideations
Suicidal attempts
Trauma
Job loss
Isolation
Financial distress
Apathy
Lack of purpose
Loss of passion

We are a licensed dual diagnosis inpatient residential treatment program in Washington State.

What is a Non 12 Step Rehab?

A non 12 Step rehab is just that, an alternative to traditional 12-Step addiction treatment. AA doesn’t work for everyone. If it doesn’t work for you, you have your reasons, and yours is the only opinion that truly matters.

Your task is to be proactive and empowered in finding something that works for you.

What are Underlying Core Issues?

Underlying core issues represent the point in time when we began responding to experiences in unhealthy ways. We can see our physical, mental or emotional reactions feel out of proportion or unrelated to the event at hand. When traced to their origin, our feelings make sense and are easy to understand.

This is the first step to being able to change.

Every individual is unique and there’s no yardstick to measure a “traumatic” event. Trauma may be as subtle as a painful playground encounter or as horrific as the outer boundaries of assault, abuse or violation.

But in the uniqueness that is you, some events on the scale may vastly impact your life.

What If I’m Not Experiencing Substance Abuse?

A difficulty for people who are not challenged by substance abuse is “where can I go for healing?”   Looking at the chart above, you may find you can relate to these examples.

Unfortunately, your options for treatment are often less structured; these may include relying heavily on medications, weekly counseling, and perhaps even mental hospitalization. Hospitalization is an option because, frankly, most addiction treatment programs would be very poor choices for your needs given their focus on substance abuse as the primary issue.

In our remarkable and substantive Program, healing your issues will be in lock-step with our curriculum.

We don’t focus or address individual substances because we know that’s not the problem.

Regardless of the origin, our focus is entirely on the issues causing life to be out of balance.

Substances are merely the coping mechanisms some have chosen to deal with ‘underlying core issues.’ In your particular experience, you may cope in other ways: isolation, self-loathing, feelings of hopelessness, excessive exercise, ignoring or powering through your feelings; the list goes on and on.

The absence of substance abuse has no impact on your experience of healing in this Program.

Why We Are Here

Listen to co-founder Betsy Koelzer explain the powerful transformation she experienced in discovering an alternative path.

How is The Clearing Different?

We’d like to call your attention to these key features of our Program you may want to consider as you research different residential treatment programs.

1. Our focus on healing underlying core issues
2. Small cohorts of 10 begin and end each session together
3. Approximately 120 hours of uniquely individual counseling
4. Compassionate, safe, supportive and respectful environment
5. A profound, evidence-based, transformative teaching program