Beyond the Window – by La Ventana Treatment Programs

La Ventana Treatment Programs
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Recovery isn’t just about stepping through the window—it’s about what lies beyond it. Join clinicians, staff, and special guests as we explore addiction recovery, mental health, trauma, and breaking stigmas with honesty, hope, and expert insight. Through raw conversations and transformative stories, we shed light on the journey of healing—because every voice matters, and no one walks this path alone. La Ventana means "The Window" in Spanish—and this podcast is your invitation to look beyond it.

  1. Is Manipulation Always Bad? Therapists Explain

    MAR 23

    Is Manipulation Always Bad? Therapists Explain

    In this episode, we sit down with the clinical team from La Ventana’s Outpatient Programs (PHP/IOP) to tackle one of the most "charged" words in mental health and addiction treatment: Manipulation. While often viewed through a negative lens, our clinicians—Lori Holdren Scott, Christina Navarro, and David Ruda—explore manipulation as a neutral, learned skill that begins in infancy as a way to have needs met. They discuss why clients (and all of us) use social influence to survive, how to distinguish between malicious intent and "maladaptive" coping, and how setting healthy boundaries can disrupt the cycle of manipulation in families and relationships. Whether you are a clinician, a family member of someone in recovery, or simply curious about human behavior, this conversation offers a refreshing, non-judgmental look at how we all navigate the world to find connection and safety. Episode Notes Meet the Panel: Lori Holdren Scott, LMFT: Director of Clinical Supervision at La Ventana Outpatient.Christina Navarro, LMFT: Clinical Director for the Outpatient Program.David Ruda, PhD, APCC: Primary Therapist in the Outpatient Programs.Key Highlights: The Origin of Manipulation: Why it starts as early as 12 months old and how it evolves from a survival skill into a social tool.Neutrality vs. Nefariousness: Comparing manipulation to "fire"—a tool that can be used to warm a home or cause destruction, depending on the intent.Substance Use & Survival: Understanding why manipulation is often a symptom of addiction and personality disorders, and why it shouldn't be taken personally by loved ones.The "Mean Girls" Dynamic: A deep dive into social influence using the "Regina George vs. Cady Heron" comparison—identifying transparent vs. insidious behavior.Clinical Benefits of Outpatient (PHP/IOP): Why group therapy provides a unique "360-degree view" of a client’s behavior that private practice often misses.Breaking the Cycle: How family systems can disrupt manipulative feedback loops through education, curiosity, and firm boundaries.Top Takeaways for Listeners: Be Curious, Not Judgmental: When you feel manipulated, ask why the person feels they can't be transparent about their needs.Secrecy vs. Transparency: Manipulation becomes harmful when secrecy is involved; transparency allows both parties to maintain their autonomy.The Role of Social Media: How "influencer culture" is a modern form of mass manipulation and the importance of digital detoxing.Connect with La Ventana Treatment Programs: Website: laventanatreatment.comInstagram: @LaVentanaTreatmentFacebook: La Ventana Treatment Programs

    21 min
  2. Healing From Addiction and Shame: Turning Pain into Purpose

    MAR 9

    Healing From Addiction and Shame: Turning Pain into Purpose

    In this powerful episode of Beyond the Window, host David Lascher sits down with counselor and longtime recovery mentor Tye Whelen to explore what real change in recovery actually looks like. David shares his journey of returning to sobriety after a relapse and how approaching recovery differently the second time led to a deeper transformation. Together, he and Ty break down the process of change through the 12 Steps, focusing especially on steps four through nine and the life-changing power of doing the work rather than just understanding it intellectually. They discuss how unresolved shame, fear, and childhood experiences can shape addictive behaviors and how the inventory process helps uncover the underlying patterns that keep people stuck. Through honest conversation, they explore how writing things down, identifying character defects, and taking responsibility can create the awareness needed to heal. The episode also dives into topics such as: • Why real recovery requires a complete personality change • The difference between intellectual understanding and lived experience in recovery • How resentment, fear, and shame drive destructive patterns • Why connection is the true antidote to addiction • The role of heart-brain coherence and emotional healing in recovery • How self-forgiveness, healthy boundaries, and self-care help repair the past • Turning painful life experiences into purpose by helping others Tye explains how many of the struggles people face in addiction stem from deep, unresolved shame and insecure attachments, and how the recovery process allows individuals to rebuild healthy connections with themselves and others. The conversation ultimately highlights one of the most powerful ideas in recovery: your past does not have to be your burden. It can become your greatest asset. This episode is a thoughtful and honest look at what it really takes to change, heal, and build a meaningful life in sobriety.

    1h 2m
  3. From Party Girl to Therapist: The Concert That Felt Like Therapy

    FEB 20

    From Party Girl to Therapist: The Concert That Felt Like Therapy

    What happens when a concert becomes more than entertainment: it becomes an experience that makes people feel seen? In this episode of Beyond the Window, hosts Sharon Wner and Jennifer Enriquez sit down with Carrie Simmons, LMFT, a clinician-turned-musician whose story blends recovery, creativity, and self-mastery in a way that’s both raw and inspiring. Carrie shares her journey from a rebellious, angry teen searching for belonging to navigating addiction, reinvention, and sobriety: all while building a creative life in Los Angeles. Along the way, she recounts a bold Hollywood moment that says everything about her personality: pulling over on Sunset Boulevard to rap for Dr. Dre. The conversation also explores how Carrie uses music and performance to create a safe, welcoming space where people can feel connected, drop the mask, and remember they’re not alone. This is a powerful episode about turning pain into purpose, embracing vulnerability, and building a life rooted in truth, community, and hope. In This Episode, We Cover Clinician to musician: how Carrie’s path evolvedThe Whiskey a Go Go show that felt “therapeutic” to the audienceIdentity, belonging, and finding your voiceAddiction, sobriety, and the work behind long-term changeWhy vulnerability, community, and spiritual discipline matter in healingTurning pain into purpose, and using creativity to give backGuest Links: Carrie Simmons Instagram: @carriesimmonsofficial Website: carriersimmonsofficial.com YouTube: Carrie Simmons Channel About Beyond the Window Beyond the Window is a podcast from La Ventana Treatment Programs, featuring conversations about mental health, recovery, and real stories of transformation. La Ventana Treatment Programs Learn more: loveatreatment.com Disclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

    45 min

  4. 09/30/2025

    The Frontline of Men's Mental Health: Clinicians & Staff Share Their Experiences

    What does it really take to support men's mental health? In this episode of Beyond the Window, we go inside La Ventana Treatment Programs with the people on the front lines. Hear from Clinical Directors Bryce Colvard, LMFT and Carla Fernandez, LCSW, Staff Trainer Allison Silipigni, and Mental Health Technician Joshua Peraza as they pull back the curtain on their work. They share raw stories about breaking down stigma, why "anger is just the surface emotion," and the transformative power of holding a boundary with empathy. This is a candid look at the challenges, breakthroughs, and human connection that define modern mental health treatment. Listen to discover: How to see past surface-level behaviors (like anger) to the real issues.The unique experience of women and men working in men's mental health.Why a "safe space" is built on structure and boundaries, not just comfort.The powerful, reparative work that helps clients rewrite their stories.#MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Therapy #BreakTheStigma #LaVentana

    42 min

  5. 09/02/2025

    Why Your Child's Behavior Isn’t Personal with Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D.

    Why do our children's actions trigger us so deeply? Our CCO, Sharon Volner, LMFT sits down with renowned clinician Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D. for a game-changing conversation that flips the script on parenting. We explore the profound idea that our kids' behavior is often not a personal attack, but a mirror reflecting our own unmet needs and childhood wounds. Dr. Talei offers her direct, compassionate wisdom on how to break the cycle of projection, stop taking things personally, and learn to parent the child you actually have—not the one you're trying to heal through. We tackle tough topics like setting boundaries without guilt, why doing your teen's homework (or college applications) hurts them, and how to move from reactive parenting to responsive understanding. This episode is a must-listen for any parent, guardian, or caregiver who wants to build a healthier, more resilient relationship with their child—whether that child is 15 or 50. Key Topics: Why we take our children's behavior personallyHealing your own wounds so you don't pass them onThe danger of over-involvement (helicopter parenting)The importance of letting kids fail (especially in middle school!)How to model emotional regulation and accountabilityPractical steps to parent from a place of understanding, not reactionFind Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D.https://www.centerdcs.com/https://www.hiveofhope.org/ Learn more about our treatment programs:https://laventanatreatment.com/

    48 min

  6. 08/05/2025

    Breaking the Chain: Generational Trauma, Healing, and Hope

    What if your struggles aren’t entirely your own? In this raw and revelatory episode of Beyond the Window, Clinical Directors Carla Fernandez, LCSW and Jennifer Enriquez, LMFT and Steve Zamarripa, MBA, President and CEO of La Ventana, discuss how to unpack how generational trauma shapes addiction, mental health, and family dynamics. From personal stories of survival to groundbreaking science (like the "cherry blossom mouse study"), they explore: How trauma embeds itself in our DNA—and behaviors.Why breaking cycles requires more than willpower.The cultural stigmas that keep families silent.Practical steps to heal and reclaim your narrative.Whether you’re navigating your own legacy or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and a path forward. 🔹 Follow Beyond the Window for more on mental health and addiction recovery.🔹 Visit [La Ventana’s Website] for resources. #GenerationalTrauma #BreakTheCycle #MentalHealthPodcast

    1h 31m

  7. 07/29/2025

    Beyond the Disease Model: Rethinking Recovery with TJ Woodward

    What if everything you’ve been told about addiction is incomplete—or even wrong? In this profound episode of Beyond the Window, La Ventana Clinical Director,  Sharon Volner, LMFT, sits down with TJ Woodward—author, recovery expert, and creator of Conscious Recovery—to challenge the myths of brokenness and explore seven transformative principles for healing. From “There is nothing wrong with you” to “The only prayer is thank you,” TJ shares how his own journey from addiction to ministry reveals a path back to wholeness. You’ll hear: • Why addiction is a “brilliant strategy” (not a life sentence)• How to heal trauma without retraumatizing yourself• The shadow side of the treatment industry—and what’s changing• Why connection, not willpower, is the antidote to shameFor those tired of “fixing” themselves and ready to remember their inherent worth. 🔗 Explore TJ’s work: www.consciousrecovery.comwww.tjwoodward.com 💬 Join the conversation: What’s your “brilliant strategy”? Share in the comments below. #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #ConsciousRecovery #BeyondTheWindow

    57 min

  8. 07/22/2025

    Rock Stars & Rock Bottoms: Recovery Unfiltered

    In this unfiltered episode of Beyond the Window, Director of Detox Gwendolyn Casella and La Ventana Alumni Laurie Sigelman go toe-to-toe with recovery’s hardest truths: 💊 Gwen’s hospice analogy: Why treating patients like "rock stars" is non-negotiable🔗 Laurie's Ferragamo betrayal: How selling her husband’s shoes for pills became her turning point🧠 The lie of ‘living clean’: Laurie's year of faking sobriety—and what finally broke her👊 Jailhouse redemption: “I tell women behind bars: I was you. The difference? I surrendered.” This isn’t a recovery podcast. This is a war story. CONNECT:🔗 Share this with someone fighting their own battle🔔 SUBSCRIBE for raw conversations every Tuesday #RockBottomToRecovery #AddictionAndRedemption #NoFilterRecovery

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Recovery isn’t just about stepping through the window—it’s about what lies beyond it. Join clinicians, staff, and special guests as we explore addiction recovery, mental health, trauma, and breaking stigmas with honesty, hope, and expert insight. Through raw conversations and transformative stories, we shed light on the journey of healing—because every voice matters, and no one walks this path alone. La Ventana means "The Window" in Spanish—and this podcast is your invitation to look beyond it.

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