Being a student intern at Soberman’s Estate has been one of the greatest experiences of my academic and personal journey. From the first time I stepped onto the property and was greeted by our amazing CRC team, I instantly was welcomed into the supportive environment this is. I was surrounded by beautiful desert views and the gentle rhythm of horses grazing nearby, reemphasizing how special of a place this truly is. What I didn’t realize at that moment was how much I would end up learning. I didn’t only learn about addiction recovery, but how to approach my own practice with empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection. %20%20(40).jpeg?width=672&height=480&name=(672%20x%20480%20px)%20%20(40).jpeg)
Jacob Baird- Addictions Therapist Intern
As someone who walks through life in my own recovery for alcoholism and drug addiction, this experience means something more to me. It is something personal and something deeply relatable. The work I do here, along with the staff, is a way to give back to people like I have been helped. Getting to walk alongside clients as they navigate and form their own path reminds me of my journey and how patience, compassion, and support is absolutely key to succeed on this road to recovery. I can’t emphasize enough how much of a privilege it is to be able to sit in a chair across from my brothers and help guide them to the life they want to start living.
Under the supervision of the clinical team, I have been blessed to see healing take place each and every day while at Soberman’s Estate. Each therapist is unique in their approach, yet they all want the same result: have our clients rebuild their life in the way they want it to be while maintaining sobriety. Through the guidance of the team, I have learned how to better understand the delicate balance between clinical structure and emotional support. Their mentorship has helped shape my identity for who I want to be as a counselor, how to deeply listen when others speak, and how to remain rooted in empathy.
One of the many aspects of Soberman’s Estate that I love is the wide range of therapies that are offered here. There is at least one form of therapy that will really work for our clients, it’s just a matter of finding which one. Luckily, Soberman’s offers a plethora of just this.
First and foremost, how Individual and Group Therapy are set up is what really sold me to apply for internship at The Estate. Soberman’s therapy is catered to each individual. We do not take a “one size fits all” approach. By doing this, the clinical team is able to provide a healing space that empowers deep personal reflection. It allows clients to receive the kind of support that meets them exactly where they are in their recovery process. For some clients, that might mean developing coping skills or working on their trauma. For others, it might mean rebuilding trust in relationships with their loved ones, or just strengthening them overall. By respecting each client’s needs and making this personalized for them, it helps them feel understood, seen, and empowered to take ownership of their healing.
Secondly, I have seen the transformation of people throughout Equine Therapy. I do not facilitate Equine, and for good reason. What our team is able to do with the horses and clients is truly transformative. I have seen clients come in and be very skeptical about this form of practice. By the end of treatment, I witness people seek out work and therapy with horses for their aftercare plan due to the success it had with them. There is something special about being able to bond with the horses, while feeling the energy of healing they possess. By providing this for the men who come to Soberman’s, they are able to practice mindfulness every morning; as well as, see how amazing it feels to let their guards down to be emotionally in touch with the horses.
This internship has been much more than a learning opportunity for me. This has been a period in my life where I have grown to be the therapist, and person, that I want to be. Soberman’s has taught me how to become more compassionate, more confident, and more aware of how important and transformative therapeutic work can be. Every day I walk through those doors, I am offered a new learning lesion and new perspective. Through this, I have been able to gain a deeper appreciation for the courage it takes to seek help and asking for guidance to heal.
As my time continues here, I carry with me the lessons not only the team and staff has taught me, but the clients, as well. This experience has inspired me to be the best possible therapist I can be for those who seek out help. This is a journey we will take together. One that is built on compassion, trust, and hope. Soberman’s Estate has not only helped countless men create their own path, but they have helped me do the same.
Jacob Baird- Addictions therapist intern
