Family Healing in Recovery
A Half‑Day Workshop with Jennifer Maneely & Aaron Todd
For treatment centers and recovery programs supporting families
What Families Will Experience
Section 1:
When one person struggles with addiction, the whole family is affected.
This half‑day, on‑site workshop is designed for rehabs and treatment centers that want to bring families into the healing process in a structured, trauma‑informed, and hopeful way. Led by Jennifer and Aaron, this experience helps families begin to reconnect, understand addiction more clearly, and take concrete steps forward—together.
We begin by slowing down and helping everyone arrive.
Introductions to Jennifer & Aaron
Families meet the facilitators and learn how our personal and professional journeys led them to this work.Intentions for the Day
We clearly name the purpose: to create a safe, non‑judgmental space for families to connect, learn, grieve, and start to move forward together.Connection Activity
Participants form two lines and rotate through guided, gentle questions. This structured exercise:Reduces awkwardness and anxiety
Encourages honest, human conversation
Helps families feel less alone and more understood
Sharing Our “Why”
Jennifer and Aaron share their “why” behind doing this work.
Each family member is invited (never forced) to briefly share what brought them to the day and what they hope to gain.
Section 2: Brief Overview of Addiction
Many families are carrying fear, confusion, and misinformation about addiction. This segment provides clarity and compassion.
Exploring What You Already Know
We start by asking: What does addiction mean to you? How has it shown up in your family?
This invites honest reflection and normalizes different perspectives.Education on Addiction & the Family System
In clear, accessible language, we cover:What addiction is (and is not)
How it impacts the brain, behavior, and decision‑making
The ripple effects on trust, communication, roles, and relationships
Common patterns that show up in families (enabling, distancing, over‑functioning, etc.)
Space for Questions & Reflection
Families can ask questions openly—about treatment, relapse, boundaries, hope, and anything they’ve been afraid to say out loud.
Section 3: 5 Principles
Five Principles to Support Decision Making in the Midst of Chaos
The Exchange Principle: How you give/receive support
The Action Principle: People understand actions, not words
The Love Principle: How to maintain loving communication
The Present Principle: Responding to what’s happening now; staying grounded in hard moments.
The Joy Principle: Remembering life is more than crisis; making room for play and laughter
Calibration Exercise
Internal Check-In: Paying attention to your internal guidance system
Group Reflection: You can share what came up; themes like powerlessness, confusion, and exhaustion often surface.
Grief Circle & Closing Integration
- Create a quiet, intentional space to name the many forms of grief that come with addiction (lost trust, safety, time, and the relationship you hoped for).
- Each person is gently invited—but never required—to share what they’re grieving.
- Closing & Next Steps
- Reflect on one thing you’re taking away from the day and share it with a partner.
- Open time for final questions about recovery, communication, boundaries, and next steps.
- Invite families to consider ongoing support options: family education, counseling or coaching, intervention planning, and resources from the treatment program.
The Wrap Up
Next Step Offer for the Families
Beyond the workshop, Aaron and Jennifer offer ongoing coaching to support to the whole family as treatment ends and real‑life recovery begins. Jennifer works directly with the family—parents, partners, and other key loved ones—helping them navigate boundaries, communication, trust-building, and their own healing. Aaron works one‑on‑one with the person transitioning out of rehab, supporting them as they return to daily life, apply what they learned in treatment, and stay connected to their recovery plan.
In addition to this individual and family-side coaching, we also schedule joint coaching calls with the entire family present. These sessions give everyone a chance to be heard, share what they’re learning, ask questions, and stay on the same page about expectations, support, and next steps. This parallel and shared coaching structure allows each person to get tailored support while the family grows together in a coordinated, intentional way.
