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"Maybe if people had somewhere safe and supportive to go, they could heal better, maybe even heal quicker. Someday I am going to open a center for people like me. It will be … a quiet, safe place for people to rest and heal … There will be regular house visits by doctors, therapists and social workers, a van with a driver for shopping, errands, and appointments. There will be regular support groups and healing circles. Maybe there could be a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and herbalists as well. … Maybe some of the residents would even be able to take classes or go to lectures at the college.

"I imagine people would read, write, or even paint, maybe learn small crafts. There could be a study room with books and a computer hooked up to the Internet. There could be an exercise room with a treadmill and weights and whatever else would help for body treatment … The house will be in the forest near the ocean. Damaged and hurt people need to be surrounded by nature. There could be a garden for those who want to tend it, with fresh vegetables and herbs…

"What would be really different about this house is that there will be house-helpers, caring individuals … who would volunteer their time … to help operate the house. They would help cook meals, clean, and just offer a loving, supportive presence to the house. Maybe as residents get better, they can return in later years as house-helpers themselves."

--Paige Alisen in Finding Courage to Speak: Women's Survival of Child Abuse (2003)

Our mission in the next few years is to open a women's residential healing center for women recovering from trauma-related conditions, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) as a result of childhood abuse and victimization.

A supportive and nurturing place to heal is critical for trauma survivors. We envision a large house or cabins on a private, quiet parcel of land with up to a dozen residents at any time. A view of holistic health is fundamental to our belief that mind, body, and spirit are intricately connected in one's healing. Various therapeutic approaches, involving group and individualized forms of mental, physical, and emotional support, will be offered. One to two trained therapists or mental health professionals will be on staff, perhaps one living in residence. A clinical coordinator will supervise the treatment programs and assist the residents in developing attainable goals. Body therapies, such as massage therapy, acupressure, and yoga, will be offered depending on the needs of the current residents. Connecting with nature can be extremely therapeutic. Nature walks, a small garden, and other outdoor activities will be an integral part of daily life for residents. The possibilities for such holistic, caring residential treatment seem endless and exciting.