Higher Ground's New Clinical Manager
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ISSUE 70 | 2020
Higher
Ground’s
New
Clinical
Manager
Linda brought goals and plans
into the role of clinical manager,
Part of the clinical role is to provide an environment where clients feel but they were more about
a level of gratitude, says Higher Ground’s new clinical manager. strengthening what Higher
Ground already did well than
changing it. “I’m actually re-
Higher Ground’s new clinical and happily living in southern and their potential for growth. implementing rather than adding
manager Linda Thompson-Shaw England. Linda had no plans If you have an understanding to the programme.”
is not new to Higher Ground: to return to New Zealand until of the client group then you Phase progression interviews
she was a counsellor at Higher retirement. But she had very can see the person behind the have been brought back. Clients
Ground in Parnell over 20 years positive memories of “incredible” behaviour. I’m in recovery myself
get immediate feedback from
ago and loved it. therapeutic work done in her so I understand the behaviour peers as well as from staff. She
Linda was approached In two years on Higher Ground’s because I’ve done it myself.” says the process promotes
England by a recruiter on clinical staff. She applied, was It took four months before Linda self-efficacy – that is, confidence
behalf of Higher Ground who interviewed remotely by video was back in Auckland. Her New in the ability to exert control
suggested her skill-set and link and got the job. Zealand family had booked to over motivation, behavior, and
experience were a match for the In private practice after nearly 20 visit, and she had a practice to social environment, which may
advertised position of Higher years in different roles in alcohol wind up. She started work again be damaged or lost in active
Ground clinical manager. “I and other drugs services and the at Higher Ground last November, addiction.
thought initially ‘no’ then wider community, she missed no longer in the grand old house “Clients feel they have a say in
because it was Higher Ground I working in a professional team in Parnell but now in much their own process, they
thought ‘yes’.” and she missed the client group. bigger new premises on Te Atatu
Married to an Englishman “I respect their vulnerability Peninsula.
CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE
Breaking the
family cycle of
addiction
As a child, she felt no one was listening. That finally changed when of them watching through the
window, and when I followed her
she came to Higher Ground. After a lifetime of addiction, this graduate gaze she was watching her Dad
is no longer running from herself. Now over two years free of alcohol and her uncles laughing together
and using drugs.
and other drugs, this is her anonymous story.
She smiled, and my heart broke.
I realised then that my boys had
“Que Sera Sera, whatever will own issues. She tried to send streets who I felt could protect watched me and were now living
be, will be. I never knew how me home for a few weeks a year me. At least no one wanted out my story. I have reflected
much impact those lyrics would to my Nana up North who spoke to touch me like that. That’s on this memory many times
have on me. Over the years I only Maori. So at home although when I was introduced to my and though it brings sadness
put up with a lot, even though I I didn’t live in a Maori culture I first drugs (glue and methylated I am grateful for it. Because
hated it. knew what it was. spirits) and I felt an instant that was the start of the rest of
Que Sera Sera, whatever will After the loss of my brother to sense of nothingness. It took my life. I knew I had to change
be, will be. They were words terminal illness Mum got busier away the hurt and I forgot. I my story and show my family
Mum would sing to me when and Dad got reckless. More became an everyday user from another way. And that tsunami
she was going to say something drinking and gambling and it fell the beginning, and although the of emotion led me to find Higher
she knew I wouldn’t like. I to my older brother to take care drugs changed over the years Ground.
didn’t notice the sadness in her of me. Eventually the cracks got the behaviour didn’t.
Although I was ready, I was
voice as she sang. She was bigger and Mum left when I was I was 11 when I was taken away still fighting on the inside. I was
emotionally distant and kept eight. My Dad drank more and from my parents and sent to a scared and I was angry. I always
herself busy with work. when my brother could take no girls’ home. I got discharged knew why I needed drugs, but
You see Mum had been trying to more of the violence from Dad as a state ward when I was 15 never had the courage to face
escape from her own story long he left home. So it was just Dad because I was pregnant. By it. At Higher Ground I resisted
before we kids came along. She and me. the time my children were born every way I could but they didn’t
left the small East Coast town I got used to spending I was an addict. I liked to use give up on me. They heard me.
she grew up in and the ghosts weekends away from home with a cocktail of substances and I They heard me. And for the first
that it held as soon as she could. whoever would take me in the didn’t care what I used as long time in my life I knew I was safe.
Landing in the South Island, she extended family. I knew what as I found total annihilation. I It took time for the shell to break,
and Dad married young. Dad was right and wrong and when paid the price for this annihilation and Multiple Family Group really
was a hard worker, but he had a things I didn’t like would happen many times in my life and this helped with that. My Mum came
problem with the drink and was I would try to tell someone. But only fed into the ongoing cycle. to a few family groups, driving up
a compulsive gambler. I would no one would listen. I felt scared,
I did unsavoury things with from the East Coast and staying
see Dad in the morning for alone and helpless. No one unsavoury people and put the night. I had blamed my Mum
breakfast and not see him again heard me. I didn’t know what I myself in harms way frequently a lot of my life for not hearing me
till the next day. Mum would was trying to tell my parents. to support my drug habit. I and not being there for me. We
work and my brother would take One uncle was inappropriate lost everything and everyone had one-on-one counselling and
me to school and look after me which lead to abuse. When who had ever mattered to me. things started to change.
till Mum got home. he took over looking after me But it was my children who My big brother in Christchurch
My childhood wasn’t an I knew something was wrong. paid the ultimate price for my sent an impact letter that took
unhappy one, at least in the But it was the 80s and no one addiction. They were innocent him three weeks to write and me
beginning. My mum came from wanted to hear. casualties, whose lives had three weeks to get over, after it
a big family and she had moved been continuously affected by was read out in Multiple Family
I experienced some trauma then
to Christchurch with her three a mother running from her own Group by a counsellor who
that would change the way I
younger sisters. I remember story. looked like my brother. It was
saw the world and my place in it.
weekend camping trips, Que Sera Sera, whatever will be On a sunny ‘fish and chip’ Friday certainly the hardest thing I had
holidays, traditions and family will be... three years ago, I watched to hear. He remembered what
celebrations. There were lots of as my grandchildren played I was like as a child and as an
It was like everyone was saying adult. He wanted his relationship
parties. outside. They were laughing and
I lied. I was unsafe so I started back with his sister. It was hard
Mum tried to bring Maori values squealing as they chased each
running away from the age of for me to take in.
into our family but she had her other. I smiled. I noticed one
nine. I found people on theHigher Ground Locks Down
Keeping residents and staff safe and the programme
running.
The coronavirus pandemic presented Higher Ground with one The therapeutic programme continued. Says clinical manager
of its biggest challenges. Linda Thompson-Shaw: “I tried to make sure that residents
“The staff and residents worked exceptionally well together to weren’t going to miss out on anything, as much as I could. I
keep the place very, very safe during the Covid-19 lockdown,” had to restructure the programme, trying to provide as good a
says director Johnny Dow. That meant the house stayed service as they would have got if we weren’t in lockdown.”
infection-free through level four. Big weekly Multiple Family Groups stopped but families still
“I’m very pleased with how Higher Ground has handled this – sent in their impact letters which were processed with peers.
so far. Yes, I was exhausted but pleased. It’s been very, very Clients have the opportunity to follow up any issues with
busy,” says Johnny. family in After Care.
The outbreak management team reviewed weekly what Higher Ground implemented daily phone and Facetime for
Higher Ground was doing and any new issues, changes in the residents so they could stay in contact with their families
conditions and concerns that had arisen. during a worrying time.
Higher Ground closed to visitors even before the While in Level 4 lockdown outside contractors were put on
announcement of the national lockdown. Some residents hold which meant no yoga, zumba, tai chi or singing groups.
decided they wanted to return home and were supported in Residents did not leave the premises except to go for walks.
that with Higher Ground’s community team staying in contact. They stopped going out to evening 12-Step meetings or on
Many would be coming back to Higher Ground at the place in outings. Residents set up their own Alcoholics Anonymous,
the programme that they left. Narcotics Anonymous and other fellowship meetings, some
During level four outside contact stopped apart from staff inviting staff in recovery as guest speakers. As well as three
coming in to work. in-house meetings they joined in on three fellowship video
meetings per week.
Staff were rostered at different times so that social distancing
could occur. All staff had their temperature taken when they New admissions have started again, but things have remained
arrived, and shared work spaces were sanitised between pretty restricted as infection control is important, says Johnny.
shifts.
But real change came by way of was surprised when my brother While going into treatment was recovery support group.. Today
a simple teddy bear. As part of came up for my graduation from an important step in my life and I have an amazing job where I
my inner child therapy, I had to Higher Ground and we have an taught me to look at myself, am able to support others as
care for and nurture that teddy amazing relationship today. it is the 12-Step programme they discover their own path of
bear ‘child’. I got off to a rocky At Higher Ground I learned how of Narcotics Anonymous that recovery, and am studying for
start and had her removed from to build healthy relationships and teaches me how to live with a qualification. I thought I had
my custody, but I began to how to stay in them. I learned myself on a daily basis. This is wasted my whole life on drugs,
embrace the experience. When that my whole life I was trying to the foundation of the new life I but it turns out I have a wealth of
the teddy bear was returned to be heard, I made such a noise am creating and I still need to do experience that I can draw from.
me, I looked after and protected making sure I was heard. the work. Today I can say that I’m a good
her. I go to regular 12-Step meetings Mum, and that to me is my
I reconnected with my Maori
And when I wasn’t looking culture and today I wear my and do service where I can. I greatest achievement. I have a
we began to grow up. From Hineora (bone carving) with great work the Steps and have a great program to deal with emotions
there I was able to rebuild my pride. A taonga and a reminder relationship with my sponsor and whatever life brings me. Que
relationship with Mum, then of the time I spent learning who who I talk to regularly. I work Sera Sera...”
with my big brother, my three I was. with my Higher Ground Aftercare
sons, and finally with myself. I counsellor, and attend a weeklycan see they are representing “It’s said that 85-95% of our at Higher Ground on placement with severe trauma who required
themselves, they’re part of the client group have had trauma, as a psychotherapy student from longer-term therapy.
process. They get immediate, I think it’s probably the 95%.” AUT University, and finished her She travelled overseas, drawn
one-to-one feedback about Clinical work is about creating a Post Graduate degree while a back to England and a variety
how we see they’re going. Also therapeutic environment where counsellor on staff. of roles managing counselling
they can reflect on how they’re clients feel safe enough to bring She got into recovery herself in services and alcohol and other
doing.” those experiences and know 1991 after starting her studies. “I drugs services. She spent
Gender groups - that is men’s they will be met with respect. was trying to heal, trying to grow eight years as a Co-ordinator/
and women’s groups – are back “I have this analogy I use with and they could see that in my Supervisor/ Therapist/ Trainer
weekly. Affirmations are again clients. If you have a wound application. By the time I started with the Change Grow Live
a daily part of the programme. on your hand and you pour my course I had recognised organisation which ran AOD
“It means people get the anaesthetic on it, that is, use what was wrong. So I did my services for the whole of
challenging feedback but they drugs, it doesn’t just numb the early training in early recovery, I Hampshire.
also get affirmed for the progress wound it numbs the whole hand. don’t recommend that, it’s really She had thought she’d get over
they are making, because it’s When you anaesthetise from painful. the UK within about four years,
very hard to keep going if all you trauma, sadness, pain, grief you “But it also helped me in my but 15 years later she was still
are met with is the negative.” also anaesthetise from love, work ever since. I have an there and enjoying it, until the
She sees client behaviour as a happiness, joy, relationship. So understanding of what it feels approach regarding the job at
symptom of what is underlying. when you start to stop putting like to be in early recovery Higher Ground. “It feels like I’ve
“So if someone’s acting out I the anaesthetic on, you get the and trying to do intensive, got England out of my system
want to know what’s going on pain coming up but you also therapeutic work.” now, making the decision to
for them, in a therapeutic way. have the other feelings as well.
After two years at Higher Ground come back here I don’t have
I always say to people, ‘take it “It’s about the client being able she moved on to gain more out- that yearning any more.”
to group, take it to your case to hold their sadness and pain patient experience. She became
manager, process it’. If you’re and because of that being able clinical supervisor of the triage
reacting to being challenged to have love and joy as well.” team at Community Alcohol
what’s happening for you, what Linda specialises in integrative and Drug Services central. As a
does this remind you of? gestalt therapy with a Jungian comprehensive assessor there
“I try to keep things light hearted, aspect, and Cognitive she worked with people with
but it’s a balance,” says Linda. Behavioural Therapy. She started complex needs, such as clients
Referrals Trustees
Higher Ground welcomes self-referrals. Janet Colby Counsellor & Chairperson of the Trust
Health, social and legal professionals wishing to make a referral Antonia Fisher QC Barrister
to Higher Ground should note that our admission criteria require Fiona Howard Psychologist
residents to be over 18 years and over, have a primary diagnosis of Janine Parsons Public Sector Area Manager
alcohol or other drug dependence, an interest in 12 Step recovery Karl Robinson Consultant & Honorary Trustee
and a drug-free status on admission. Marino Te Moana Minister
Paula Parsonage Consultant
Referrals or self referrals can be made by telephoning
Paul O’Sullivan Company Director
09-834 0042 for a pre-admission assessment appointment
Shane Hussey Chartered Accountant
on weekdays between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
William Rainger Public Health Physician
Assessments in detox facilities or hospital can be arranged.
Applicants who have outstanding legal charges are considered on
a case by case basis. If required, Higher Ground can organise a Contact
medical detox through referral to the Auckland Regional Alcohol Address 118 Beach Road, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere,
and Drug Services. Auckland 0610
Mail PO Box 45-192, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere,
Donations Auckland 0651
Higher Ground is a registered Charitable Trust. Donations over Telephone Office 09-834 0017
$5.00 are tax deductible and may be sent direct to Higher Ground. After Care 09-834 0076
Higher Ground is dependent on charitable donations for the
Admissions 09-834 0042
continuation of its programme.
Residents 09-834 3700
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Higher Ground News.
If you do not wish to remain on our mailing list, or are incorrectly
listed, please write to HGDRT, PO Box 45 192, Te Atatu Peninsula,
Waitakere, 0651. For further information about the Higher
www.higherground.org.nz
Ground rehabilitation programme phone Programme Director,
Johnny Dow 09-834 0017 or email admin@higherground.org.nzYou can also read
