HOFH Elite Care Center Spotlight: Skywood Recovery
Situated on 300 pristine acres in Augusta, Michigan, on the grounds of what once was a golf course, Skywood Recovery is a residential treatment facility focusing its attention on the entire patient experience. Surrounded by woodlands, fields, ponds, and scenic pathways, residents are greeted by highly-compassionate staff members and a program that is rooted in research-backed, integrated methods that are proven to unearth the real you.
“When many people think of treatment for addiction, they think hospitals, they think these very cold buildings. Skywood is the opposite of that,” says Chad Koller, Chief Executive Officer of Skywood Recovery. “In this picturesque environment, the patient collaborates with the team to look at the underlying issues and drivers of their addiction. And from this, we craft the treatment plan. When you come to Skywood, you can expect to receive integrated care where we treat the whole person.”
The team at Skywood adamantly believes in the philosophy that you are not your diagnosis. With this “person-first” approach, the program addresses the entire person, not just a single area, with the understanding that each individual has a multi-faceted life and complex needs. For this reason, Skywood utilizes a highly integrated approach to restore a person’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The therapeutic treatment methods at Skywood include:
● Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
● Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
● Adventure Therapy
● Art Therapy
● Equine Therapy
● Nutrition And Wellness Sessions
● Family Therapy
● Anger Management Sessions
● Grief And Loss Sessions
● Physician-Directed Medication Management
● 12-Step And Peer Support Meetings
● Psychoeducational Groups
● Individual Therapy
● Group Therapy
● Yoga
“Skywood is a true co-occurring treatment facility with medical staff that is able to treat high-acuity patients,” adds Koller. “However, what’s unique about our program is not just its incredible location and a wide array of treatment options, but rather that we emphasize relationships. We adamantly believe that relationships are the key because addiction (and recovery) doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I can honestly say that I’ve never worked with a more impressive, compassionate group of people. The heart and soul of any program are the people who work there.”
The environment at Skywood invites healing in a variety of modalities. For example, there is a group that participates in experiential therapy where one of the activities is to sit around a fire pit that overlooks a field of wildflowers. Participants write something down on a piece of paper that they personally want to get closure on and then they throw the paper into the fire. In another example, a resident in the program took advantage of the 5-mile bike path in an effort to be healthier in all aspects of his life. He wasn’t an athlete at the time, but this activity sparked a new interest in him, and he is now in recovery and is now a competitive cyclist.
Skywood Recovery joins the Hall of Fame Health as an Elite Care Center. Part of the treatment center’s mission is to help bring attention to the accessibility of treatment and to also normalize the conversation around mental health and emotional illness.
“If you or a family member is suffering, there is help available. Together, we can break down barriers to access to care,” says Koller, who is also a former collegiate wrestler as well as a competitive boxer and mixed-martial artist. In addition to his role at Skywood Recovery, Koller sits on the board of directors of Fund Recovery, which provides financial aid and scholarships for mental health and addiction services.
“Skywood Recovery is doing something really special not just in Michigan, but in the world of treatment,” says Ryan Cain, President of the behavioral health program for Hall of Fame Health. “Each team member is truly committed to each resident’s recovery in supporting each unique individual through a myriad of programs, but also through being a compassionate presence.”
“When it comes to getting help, we have to normalize that taking that first step is scary. By the very definition of courage, you can’t be courageous unless there is some fear there,” adds Koller. “One of the core elements of addiction is isolation and feeling disconnected. In recovery, it’s the exact opposite. In recovery, you’re part of a community. You’re not in it alone.”
The HOFH Elite Care Centers is a network of elite facilities across the country that specialize in mental health and substance use disorders. Each treatment center is vetted and accredited to provide high-quality, customized care to former players and their families, veterans, and beyond. Financial aid options are available through Fund Recovery, which serves athletes, veterans, their families, and others seeking assistance for mental health or addiction issues.
For more information on Skywood Recovery, please visit https://www.hofhealth.com/elite-care-centers or call the HOFH concierge line at 866-404-HOFH.