Horizon Health Blog

Placidly amid the noise & haste remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter; for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

 Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection, neither be cynical of love; for in the face of all aridity disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of the spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have the right to be here.

Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with GOD whoever you conceive him to be. Whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Horizons outpatient services provided me with a sense of structure while I was in Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Inc. residing in both half-way house and supportive living environments. Instead of focusing on my actual drug and alcohol use, the groups and one-on-one appointments I participated in focused more on my behavior and attitudes leading up to and throughout my active addiction, which I found to be extremely helpful. I especially loved women’s group and I honestly think Horizons should consider mandating every female to that group throughout their entire treatment process. I had the opportunity to connect with other women on a deeper level, women from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different ages, different races and different religious beliefs. Every time I left that group, my heart was joyous and my spirit, uplifted.

I also appreciate the vocational program and I am eternally grateful to Kanchan for guiding me through the VESID process and helping me apply for school and for financial aid, a task I found especially daunting. I don’t know how many times Kanchan pointed out the pros and cons of every decision I made regarding my educational goals and really prompted me to think long-term. This shows me that she really cares about her clients and takes a personal interest in each individual.

My primary counselor, Iris is awesome! I have a deep sense of respect and admiration for her, which is rare, unfortunately. She somehow knew not to push me too hard (which causes me to shut down and naturally resist anything that even so much as looks like authority) but instead calmly pointed out and suggested things that caused me to think instead of rebel. She never put up with any of my crap and I knew better than to give her any. Iris is gentle, yet firm and that makes her an amazing counselor.

I want to thank Horizons Outpatient Services, Inc. for everything you guys have done, especially Iris and Kanchan. I would be eternally grateful if the director considered a pay raise for both ladies when their next evaluation is due, they deserve it, also Elizabeth, who facilitated the women’s group.

Available Therapy Groups

Life Skills: 6 weeks. This group is for anyone experiencing difficulties with anger issues and expressing their feelings effectively. This group focuses on skills to manage anger, learn about where anger comes from, and practice assertive communication. In some cases, this will fulfill court mandated anger management requirements.

Mood Management and Chronic Illness: 6 weeks. This group is for anyone who may be living with a chronic illness such as diabetes, MS, lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or neuropathies. As these illnesses contribute to aggravated depression and anxiety symptoms, this group will enable consumers to talk about these issues and receive information about coping skills and symptom management specific to chronic illness.

Depression Group: 6 weeks. The goals of this group are to understand what depression is in regards to symptom identification, understanding of treatment options (medication management, psychotherapy, cognitive restructuring), identification of healthy and unhealthy coping skills, and how to increase support.

Anxiety Recovery Skills: 6 weeks. In this group, consumers will learn what causes anxiety and where the symptoms come from, and will develop skills that will allow you to change habits in order to decrease and prevent feelings of anxiety and panic.

Mood Management Group: 6 weeks. In this group, consumers will learn to identify triggers to and control mood swings. Information is provided on how to cope with sleep disturbance, rapid mood changes, how to utilize cognitive restructuring as a coping skill, and the importance of medication compliance.

Women’s Emotional Health Group: 6 weeks. The focus of this group is to identify appropriate expression of feelings, improve self-esteem and mood management skills. These groups are focused on issues and concerns relevant to women’s lives and well-being.

Mindfulness Group: Open group. This group focused on helping consumers build skills, increase awareness and create balance in the day to day stressors of life. The aim is for clients to learn how to validate themselves, and learn skills that will lessen their suffering and build a life worth living.

Skills Groups: This group follows Mindfulness Group to work on specific core skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Each of the core skills runs for approximately 6 weeks at a time. Group sessions are 1.5 hrs each week. *Must attend mindfulness group as a pre-requisite and may enter core skills sessions at mindfulness review points.

Men’s Emotional Health Group: 6 weeks. The purpose of this group is to identify appropriate expression of feelings, improve self-esteem and mood management skills. These groups are focused on issues and concerns relevant to men’s lives and well-being.

Dual Recovery Group: For clients with co-existing substance abuse diagnosis. Focus on group will be to learn how substance use affects mental health symptoms, and role mental health diagnosis has on substance use. This is an open group for additional supports in maintaining sobriety during periods of depression, anxiety, up and down moods, and increase in stressors.

Medication Management Group: 1 time group. This group is an education group to help in the understanding of why we take medication and why it is important to our recovery. Further topics will include importance of self-care, side-effects, interactions with other medications, and the stigma from society.

Open Women’s Group: An open group to any woman wishing to discuss everyday issues that are relevant to their daily functioning. This group will help you improve self-esteem, overall coping skills, increase sense of awareness, and build a positive sense of well-being.

Healing and Growth: 10 weeks. This group will reflect on various life themes as a means towards finding meaning and purpose, affirm a sense of community by sharing beliefs, values, and needs with others, discover sources of inner strength and hope, and find healing in your own spiritual story.

Relationships Group: 12 weeks. This was group was designed to meet the needs of consumers who have difficulty in relationships.  The group is divided into 3 separate units: relationship skills, communication, and codependency, with each unit lasting 4 weeks.  The group will focus on issues that are relevant to building and maintaining healthy relationships while referencing assertiveness, conflict resolution, and self esteem.

Clozaril Clinic: Open groups for individuals that are being prescribed Clozaril medication for psychotic symptoms. Individuals in this clinic are seen weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for symptom management, support, and medication management.

Open Men’s Group: An open group for men wishing to discuss and process everyday issues that are relevant to their daily functioning. This group will continue to process skills learned in the 6 week men’s group, including self-esteem, communication, and mood management.

Please see your counselor for more information

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Stay tuned!  We will post blogs from consumers in the treatment process, counselors and family members.