Ep 130 Beyond Addiction with Therapist Renee HarrimanEp 130 Beyond Addiction with Therapist Renee Harriman
Beyond Addiction, Future of Addiction Treatment Today!
Therapist Renee Harriman shares how her journey into mental health led her to Gulf Breeze Recovery, where trauma-focused, mindfulness-based care shapes the guest experience. She explains EMDR, detox support, daily life at the centre and the message that taking time out to heal is worth it.
28:57•15 Oct 2026
“You’re Worth It”: Therapist Renee Harriman on Trauma, EMDR and Life at Gulf Breeze Recovery
Episode Overview
- Trauma and addiction often sit together, and recognising both is crucial for meaningful recovery.
- EMDR and neurofeedback are used to help break down trauma barriers and strengthen healthy coping.
- Detox can feel frightening, but continuous medical and therapeutic support can make it safer and more manageable.
- Structured days with classes, therapy, movement and time in nature help guests reconnect with themselves and others without substances.
- Family sessions and detailed aftercare plans support guests in applying what they’ve learned once they leave residential treatment.
“I think one of the biggest pieces is that you're worth it.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation with therapist Renee Harriman gives a close-up view of what recovery can look like at Gulf Breeze Recovery. Renee shares that this is her second career, after 22 years as vice president of a marketing firm working on behavioural health campaigns like anti-smoking and opioid awareness.
During COVID she finally followed a long-standing desire to become a mental health therapist, looking specifically for a "mindfulness-based" and "very integrative" programme, which led her to Gulf Breeze Recovery. She mainly works one-to-one with guests, blending talk therapy with tools such as neurofeedback and EMDR.
Her simple explanation of EMDR is a highlight: she describes trauma as building an "invisible wall" in the brain that blocks healthy coping, and EMDR as a way for "positive neural pathways" to cross that wall so people can "actually feel more like a normal person" instead of carrying the weight of trauma. Renee stresses how closely trauma and addiction sit together, including the "little traumas" people don’t recognise until they gain insight in treatment.
She talks about detox as something many fear, but says the 24/7 nursing and medical support, combined with therapists helping guests understand withdrawal and what to expect, makes the process safer and less overwhelming. You’ll also hear about daily life at the centre: structured classes, groups, yoga, nutrition support, sauna sessions, bridge and beach walks, and even quiet moments on the fishing dock at sunrise.
One guest told her, "I can't believe I'm having fun with people sober," capturing how recovery can reshape what enjoyment looks like. Renee highlights family sessions, aftercare planning, and intensive outpatient options, all focused on getting to the root cause rather than just the substance. Her core message is simple and direct: "This is the time to be selfish" and "you're worth it".
If you’ve ever wondered whether taking a few months out to reset your life could be worth it, this episode may help you consider that question in a new light.
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