Process – Basic Steps Mental Health

Nine Life Lessons

Scott Alpert — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:00:05 +0000

Thirty-two years. That’s how long I have been in this industry. It is hard to believe I lasted so long. You either sink or swim. I remember being fired for healing the clients too quickly at one facility in Malibu. Strange but true. Fortunately, it inspired me, and I vowed to open up my own […]

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The 12 “Basic Steps” to Issue Resolution

Scott Alpert — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:00:48 +0000

It had been 15 years since I was reunited with my paperwork from school. Like an ancient treasure that I vaguely remembered, all of the handouts we used at the University of Santa Monica lay before my grubby hands! I was over the moon with excitement because what lay before me changed me from a […]

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Holiday Story

Scott Alpert — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:45:46 +0000

Happy holidays to you and yours. I don’t know about you, but when the holidays come around, memories of the past come rushing to mind—both good and bad. Luckily, I have plenty of tools to support me through the old anger and hurt, and I try to hold onto the good memories for as long […]

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So, You Want to Help People?

Scott Alpert — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:06:12 +0000

I learned, on my first day in graduate school, that I couldn’t fix people. Frustrated, I had to find another strategy to help myself feel better. At that time, emotionally, I felt broken and tried to win the hearts of people so they would not hurt me. You see, I came from years of childhood […]

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12 Steps vs Spiritual Psychology

Scott Alpert — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:23:55 +0000

When somebody remarked in group that our program is not the 12 Steps, a fire was ignited. And no, it is not. When I was admitted into graduate school, I had been working at a 12-Step facility for years and quickly learned that this was the real thing. This is not to say that the […]

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Trauma Treatment

Scott Alpert — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:00:11 +0000

Trauma treatment needs to be handled carefully, or a person can be re-traumatized again and again. This has been happening to a person I am treating in family therapy, by their personal counselor. The old models of healing trauma can cause more trauma because, in an approach named Gestalt therapy, a patient is asked to […]

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Am I Burning Out?

Scott Alpert — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:00:46 +0000

I had a first-of-its-kind week — every session was filled! In fact, even our IOP program was at maximum capacity. Because of this, I am exhausted. Running a facility is interesting. I am, first and foremost, a counselor and have done this for 30 years. I know what I am doing in this regard and […]

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Try These Psychological Tools

Scott Alpert — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:00:14 +0000

Do you know how to calm yourself naturally? We live in a fast-paced society and want quick results but the quick fix may not be that beneficial for you. I knew I was doing damage to myself when using substances, but somehow I forced myself to make a stand and fundamentally heal. To be honest, […]

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Managing a Crisis

Scott Alpert — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:00:57 +0000

When situations are too much to handle, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, shut down, panic, and regress to a childish state. If you ever have felt like this before you are not alone – one out of five people suffer from conditions that warrant serious treatment, but how many actually get the help they […]

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Out of Control

Scott Alpert — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:50:20 +0000

We have no control over anything. Not our children, the dog, people at work, or the neighbors that are driving you crazy. This is because each person is in control of themselves. We have a very powerful mind and our mind determines our actions “and” nobody has access to another person’s inner workings but themselves. […]

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