San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/08/2016 -- On October 25th, the city of San Clemente filed an amended and baseless complaint against Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, in state court. This filing is nothing more than a shameless retaliation for Sovereign Health filing its own amended complaint against the city in federal court. Sovereign sued the city in federal court for its illegal ordinances and its unlawful conduct prohibiting veterans and the mentally ill from receiving the treatment they deserve.

Mental health patients are a protected class under federal law. Their rights are guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA).  Despite these constitutional protections, San Clemente public officials, succumbing to localized bigotry and NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard), have recently congratulated themselves for passing ordinances and filing lawsuits seeking to drive those with disabilities from the city's borders, and forcing them to reside in designated small slivers of the city. But since the law protects the disabled just as zealously as it protects against racial discrimination, the city's recent actions are no different than if Council-members Bob Baker, Tim Brown, Lori Donchak, Chris Hamm, and Kathleen Ward were to pat themselves on the back and issue gloating press releases for an ordinance requiring African-American or Asian-American families to obtain business licenses just to live together in segregated areas of the city.

These egregious actions by the city of San Clemente feeds the stigma against those with mental health disorders and threatens to prevent Sovereign Health from providing patient care to its most vulnerable patients.

San Clemente's perversion of justice started in August of 2015, when the city began its discriminatory campaign by suing every substance abuse treatment provider in the city.  The original complaint against Sovereign was a scattershot of unsubstantiated charges. In October of 2015, Sovereign Health and Vedanta Laboratories, a toxicology laboratory that does not treat patients, sued the city of San Clemente in federal court for discrimination and civil rights violations. At that time, the city may have been unaware of similar actions filed by other municipalities including Newport Beach resulting in multimillion dollar judgments against the cities that had filed the complaints. When San Clemente realized that their initial complaint was ill-advised and lacked proper legal foundation, the city quickly began settlement negotiations with Sovereign Health and issued construction permits to Vedanta that it had unlawfully withheld. Unfortunately, these decisions by the City Council drew the ire of a well-funded, local citizens group, Take Action San Clemente.  Under political pressure from wealthy constituents, the city not only dragged its feet in settlement negotiations, but it also stepped up the harassment of Sovereign Health, its staff and most disgracefully its mental health patients.  The City Council became more emboldened in April of 2016, when it was misreported by local media that the city of Costa Mesa had prevailed in a similar legal action with another treatment provider.  But in reality, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the City to immediately cease and desist all enforcement of its unlawful ordinance targeting sober living homes.

After the Costa Mesa decision, San Clemente decided the time was right to increase its harassment of Sovereign and the mental health patients being treated in San Clemente.  It did so by threatening landlords and others doing business with Sovereign with "permitting problems" with the city and posting cease and desist letters on properties where Sovereign mental health patients would find them.  In August of this year, Sovereign employees were overtly threatened by a group of San Clemente residents, who had illegally entered a Sovereign property and disparaged Sovereign Health as an "evil company."  When the employees called the local police for protection, instead of making arrests, the officer asked the terrified employees: "Do you know who you're working for?"  The implication was clear.  Local law enforcement was not going to do their job.  Instead they had been coopted into the pattern of corruption and discrimination by the city.

The outrageous conduct of city government officials, a limited number of San Clemente residents, and the complicity of local law enforcement evokes frightening parallels and comparisons to the shameful era of racial discrimination in the United States during the 1950's and 1960's.

In the face of this continued discrimination and illegal harassment, Sovereign Health amended its federal court lawsuit to seek protection for the vulnerable mental health patients and veterans being treated in San Clemente.  In response, San Clemente retaliated and amended its original state court complaint to include additional trumped up charges based on the city's new ordinances, which are clearly in violation of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. 

Sadly, opposition by municipalities to the operation of behavioral health treatment centers is nothing new and is part of the social stigma surrounding mental health disorders. The behavioral health community's mission is to not only provide treatment to the patients who need it, but to also shine a light on the stigma these patients face every single day. It's especially tragic at a time when the United States is in the midst of dealing with epidemic levels of mental health and substance use disorders. Sovereign Health hopes that San Clemente's city leadership will realize that not only is their complaint a mistake - their city actually needs more treatment resources to deal with the current epidemic of mental health and substance use disorders in their community.

Patients seek the services of Sovereign Health to receive treatment for mental health issues including trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for cognitive deficits and eating disorders. The patient population includes male and female patients covering a broad range of ages, from adolescents to adults and senior citizens. Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah.  Each facility is fully licensed in accordance with the regulations of the state where the facility is located.  Sovereign facilities have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. 

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.  

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pompano Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/17/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces that Dawn Wiggins, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and founder and owner of Dawn Wiggins Therapy and Help Towards Hope, will give a presentation, "Harnessing Your Most Powerful Tool in Treating Behavioral Health: A Course on Reducing Burnout, Stigma and Improving Client Care" at a continuing education (C.E.) event. The presentation will be given on Oct. 28, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. EDT at 555 S. Andrews Ave., Suite 202, Pompano Beach, FL, 33069. To RSVP for this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

As the presentation will address, treating mental and behavioral health can be taxing. Ms. Wiggins will share solution opportunities. Well-trained clinicians know more than effective techniques. They know their purpose as clinicians, the limits of their role and their capability. Ms. Wiggins will explore the topic of burnout and self-care, and how it's important for mental health professionals to embrace their own wellness practice, identify and remove any resistance to creating or improving a wellness practice and changing what clinicians want to be with their clients.

"I knew I wanted to be a psychotherapist at the age of 12. I distinctly recall the watershed moment that led to earning my master's and specialist degree from the University of Florida," says Ms. Wiggins. "I specialize in marriage and family therapy – a systems approach. I'm attracted to this approach because it teaches that when one part of a system changes, the entire system changes. Family and marriage therapy are core elements of my practice, but addiction and codependency are also conditions which I have great success in. Working with Adult Children of Addicts as well as co-addicts is another field that I have a lot of interest and fun in. Spreading the message of hope is what drives me. It excites me when I get to see a person or family realize they need help, want help and are ready to change."

Sovereign Health's continuing education courses meet the qualifications for C.E. credits required by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), formerly known as the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. There is no cost to attend this program and earn one free C.E. credit. Lunch will be provided.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment for conditions such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/10/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, recognizes World Mental Health Day. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people's lives worldwide. Mental health disorders occur worldwide; no one is immune and any person can develop mental illness at any time. Sovereign Health treats mental illness and encourages any person with symptoms to seek help immediately.

Mental health disorders are diseases of the brain that cause disruptions in thinking and behavior. In many cases, mental illness causes an inability to cope with daily life. There are more than 200 types of mental illnesses – some are rare and some are very common. The more common forms of mental health disorders include depression, dementia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, mood disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

A common belief that contributes to the continuation of stigma surrounding mental illness is the perceived link between mental illness and violent behavior. There are pro and con opinions on the matter and, according to Harvard Health, a publication of Harvard Medical School, the varying array of data arises from different means of evaluating rates of violence among the mentally ill.

About half of mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75 percent are developed by the age of 24.

Mental illness is usually due to a combination of factors, including genetics, environment and lifestyle. Other contributory factors include stress, trauma and brain structure.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment for conditions such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pompano Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/07/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces that it will participate in the Eighth Annual Instructor Training Seminar in Tallahassee, Florida. Sovereign Health's Jennifer Feriola, M.S., Program Director at Sovereign Health of Fort Myers, and Juan C. Suarez -Maldonado, Post-Doctoral Fellow, will present at the Eighth Annual Instructor Training Seminar event hosted by the Tallahassee Community College Florida Public Safety Institute. This conference will provide instructors with opportunities to further develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Medical First Responder Training and Vehicle Operations. Numerous tracks will lead to train the trainer certifications.

The seminar will bring together many top vendors from around the country that will exhibit and demonstrate all types of cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, ready-when-you-are equipment and products. The seminar begins on Sunday, Oct. 9, through Friday, Oct. 14, at Florida Public Safety Institute, 75 College Drive, Havana, Florida 32333.

Below is a schedule of the Sovereign Health team's presentations:

- "The Latest in the Fight on Drugs": Friday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Jennifer Feriola, Program Director at Sovereign Health of Fort Myers, Clinical Director at Sovereign Health of Florida

- "Addiction and the Brain": Friday, Oct. 14, at 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Jennifer Feriola, Program Director at Sovereign Health of Fort Myers, Clinical Director at Sovereign Health of Florida

- "Outpatient Therapeutic Services for Substance Abuse/Mental Health": Thursday, Oct. 13, at 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Juan C. Suarez-Maldonado, Post-Doctoral Psychology Resident, at Sovereign Health of Fort Myers

- "Substance Abuse/Mental Health Treatment and Recidivism": Wednesday Oct. 12, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Jennifer Feriola, Program Director at Sovereign Health of Fort Myers, Clinical Director at Sovereign Health of Florida

Jennifer Feriola, M.S., is the Program Director at the Sovereign Health facility in Fort Myers, Florida. Ms. Feriola obtained a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling psychology from Western American University. She has over 18 years of experience with management in substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment at several outpatient and inpatient facilities. In the past, Ms. Feriola has been the Program Director of a large housing unit within the prison system and has worked as the Program Director for a psychiatric hospital?and other substance abuse facilities. She is also well versed in policy and procedure, including the state of Florida guidelines, the Joint Commission and the Department of Children and Families. Ms. Feriola's clinical experience and passion for mental health services make her an excellent addition to the Sovereign Health team. She utilizes her experience and training to solidify facility operations and train staff to provide the best patient care possible. Ms. Feriola leads a team of clinical staff members who share a commitment to provide patients with the top-level treatment modalities available.

Juan C. Suarez-Maldonado, M.S., is a Post-Doctoral Psychology Resident at Sovereign Health who received his undergraduate degree from the University of Puerto Rico and his master's in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University. At Sovereign Health, Suarez-Maldonado uses case histories to carry out individual, group and family therapy techniques. He also participates in psychological research, case conceptualization and the implementation of treatment plans. Prior to his time at Sovereign, Suarez-Maldonado worked as a clinical psychologist practitioner in the Mental Health Community Clinic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he worked with a wide variety of patient populations including LGBT, people with conduct disorders and domestic abuse survivors. Suarez-Maldonado also has experience with multiple models of psychotherapy including psychodynamic, systemic, cognitive, gestalt and integrative therapies.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment for conditions such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pompano Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/06/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is proud to announce a sponsorship with the South Florida Wellness Network (SFWN) for their First Annual Strikes Against Stigma bowling fundraiser. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST at Sparez, 5325 South University Drive, Davie, FL 33328. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise awareness against stigma.

"I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to each of our sponsors and all the people involved in supporting our First Annual Stigma Reduction Campaign," says Susan Nyamora, Chief Executive Officer at South Florida Wellness Network. "We are highly dedicated to enhancing the quantity and quality of support accessible to individuals pursuing and experiencing long-term recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges."

SFWN is a recovery-focused support network run and driven by youth, adult and family peers. The organization encompasses a community of individuals who have been strengthened by their lived experiences with behavioral health, emotional health, mental health, trauma and/or substance abuse.  The South Florida Wellness Network provides training in programs proven to promote recovery and wellness such as Whole Health Action Management, Mental Health First Aid for Youth and Adults and Wellness Recovery Action Planning. They also work directly with the peer-support community to provide training to those wishing to become Certified Recovery Peer Specialists (adult, family and/or veteran) so they may volunteer or become employed as a Peer Specialist to serve others in their community.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment for conditions such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/05/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is hosting several continuing education (C.E.) events this month. These courses meet the qualifications for C.E. credits required by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Oct. 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PDT – Healing the Man Within – Sovereign Health of Palm Desert – Randy Boyd, CADC-1, will highlight the difficulties men experience due to the messages they receive in childhood regarding being strong, protective and not showing vulnerability. Mr. Boyd will also investigate the correlation of hurt and shame and the use of drugs and alcohol. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – A Portrait of Resilience – Sovereign Health of San Clemente – Monica M. Powers, Psy.D., will explore the common attributes that are associated with resilient people discussing survivors of trauma and the difficulties patients often face. Dr. Powers will provide examples of what skills can increase resilience in people across different circumstances. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. PDT – Veterans and Addiction – Sovereign Health of Los Angeles – Mark Mitchell, LMFT, will speak on identifying the top three addictive behaviors demonstrated by returning veterans, listing three evidence-based models for treating addictions and discussing the basic values in military culture.. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – Mindful Eating from the Dialectical Perspective: Research and Application – Sovereign Health of Rancho San Diego – Angela Klein, Ph.D., will discuss how the program offers the most cutting-edge option for moving past these concerns. This presentation will provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings, key components and research foundation of this life-changing program directly from its author and primary investigator. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT – Performing Under Pressure – Sovereign Health Webinar – Hendrie Weisinger, Ph.D., will focus on the emerging clinical intervention, pressure management. A growing body of recent research, including studies from Yale Law School (2015) and studies reported in The APA Monitor (2014), indicate individuals who experience frequent feelings of pressure are prone to experience specific mental health disorders such as depression, substance use disorder and anxiety disorders, including performance anxiety and social phobias. Similarly, there is a significant amount of research that clinical populations, including those with existing anxiety disorders, eating disorders and substance abusers, have an inability to manage pressure. Participants will learn how to use pressure management as a clinical intervention, as a treatment intervention for clinical populations, and how to enhance their own effectiveness. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – What Works in Therapy – Sovereign Health Webinar – Patrick John Schonbachler, Psy.D., HSPP, will examine the common factors underlying effective psychotherapy and bring the psychotherapist and the client-therapist relationship back into focus as key determinants of psychotherapy outcomes. Multiple studies conclude that psychotherapy works to improve the lives of the clients who seek help from professional therapists. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Oct. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – Opioid Dependence and the Controversies Surrounding Buprenorphine Treatment and Maintenance – Sovereign Health of San Clemente – Sayeh M. Beheshti, M.D., M.A., will introduce the biological mechanism of how opioid dependence forms and how buprenorphine acts. Dr. Beheshti will also address the pros and cons of buprenorphine use. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362

Oct. 28 from noon to 2:45 p.m. PDT – Harnessing Your Most Powerful Tool in Treating Behavioral Health: A Course on Reducing Burnout, Stigma and Improving Client Care – Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach – Dawn Wiggens, LMFT, will highlight a new curriculum for providers that is designed to help providers define various terms such as burnout, stigma and resistance, as well as how to identify behavioral characteristics of each patient. The presentation will also help identify the purpose and limits of the clinical role. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/30/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces a new television interview about its Eating Disorder Program. The interview, featuring Janet Whitney, M.A., LMFT, Eating Disorder Program Director at Sovereign Health of San Clemente, was first broadcast live on the NBC affiliate KMIR's program "Desert Living" on Wednesday, Sept. 28. In the interview, Whitney discusses Sovereign Health's two Eating Disorder Programs. Sovereign currently has an adult program for women at its San Clemente facility and an adolescent program at its Rancho San Diego facility. Both programs specialize in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, providing both inpatient and outpatient services. In addition, the programs offer patients individualized treatment plans, encompassing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Patients also participate in individual and group sessions, nutrition and body-image therapy, and experiential treatments, such as art and equine therapy.

"I've been a therapist for 35 years, and eight years ago, my daughter developed an eating disorder. I dove into the issue and how to treat it because of my daughter. Now, helping a patient with an eating disorder is close to my heart," says Whitney. "Our approach to treatment is multifaceted. I'm proud to be a part of an organization that treats not only the symptoms, but also the underlying issues."

As Whitney notes in the interview, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. "People are not recognizing the deadliness of this disease," says Whitney. "When someone has a problem with food, their likelihood of dying is so much greater than heroin, alcohol or anything else."

When asked what makes this program unique and successful, Whitney replied, "In my experience, I've learned that punishment, shame and other negative influences on people who have an eating disorder does not work. Sovereign Health has changed the method to the nurture heart. The nurture heart talks to the person and says 'you have a good heart.' Let's aim for a person's positivity. This helps the person grow and the food becomes a secondary step to them. And that's what we provide to patients, a healing environment."

Bryan Gallo, the host of the "Desert Living" program, asked if it's difficult to recruit patients with an eating disorder. "That is the most difficult part, Bryan. Someone with an eating disorder feels that food is their enemy. They're afraid that if they join a treatment facility, they'll be forced to eat. They're afraid of eating! We really need to speak with these people and let them know that this program is going to change their life. Also, the program is not going to make them fat, but help them live a healthier life."

Whitney also adds, "In 1921, Miss America's average body mass index (BMI), which is your weight compared to your height, was at 23. And now, in the past 20 years, Miss America's average BMI is at 16, which is diagnosed as anorexia. Eighty percent of 10-year-olds are afraid they're going to be fat. Sovereign Health started this program a year ago when we noticed how fast the issue is growing. We're going to go across the country with the Eating Disorder Program in all nine locations in the five states we're located in."

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. Desert Living is a 30-minute TV program broadcast from Palm Springs in the desert's Coachella Valley.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/30/2016 -- A temporary government funding bill passed by Congress on September 28 features a provision to fund opioid addiction treatment programs created by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The bill, which prevents a government shutdown and funds the federal government through December 8, includes $7 million for CARA. While this funding falls fall short of the original $1.1 billion that the Obama administration requested, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers sees this as a good sign that Congress will continue to fund CARA when it lays out next year's budget.

Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to share, "CARA's passage triggers debate over additional funding." As noted in the editorial, although the bill allocates over $180 million annually to combat the opioid trade epidemic, which is more than double the authorization level in the Senate-passed bill, CARA may not necessarily deliver on everything it promises. Sovereign Health previously published the piece, "State of Addiction Policy: The development of CARA," which took a look at the federal resources that are focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs that have been tested and proven effective in local communities.

A SlideShare presentation, "Explaining CARA (the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act)," created by Sovereign Health, also provides education on the topic. CARA provides assisted addiction treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, veterans and youth. The act also provides medication-assisted treatment options for those who qualify and expands the number of health care professionals who may prescribe those medications.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/27/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces the second installment of its newly-launched editorial series, "Beyond NIMBY." NIMBY is the acronym of the phrase "Not in My Backyard" and represents the strong opposition by residents to having group homes, sober living homes and facilities that provide treatment and other supportive services to people who have disabilities located within their neighborhoods. "Beyond NIMBY" is Sovereign's second series on the Not in My Backyard phenomenon. The second article in the "Beyond NIMBY" editorial series, "Escalating volatile NIMBY behavior in South Orange County," explores Congressman Darrell Issa's (R-Calif.) sober living homes bill that was introduced on Sept. 20, called the Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act (H.R. 6070). This new article will also address the increasing "mob mentality" and escalating volatile NIMBY-related behaviors of South Orange County, California residents and the local media attention regarding the war against treatment facilities, recovery homes and group homes, including sober living homes in South Orange County.

The first installment of the "Beyond NIMBY" editorial series, "Southern California communities come together to discuss where we go from here," opened with a community discussion on sober living homes at a recent San Clemente Community Center town hall meeting, hosted by Congressman Issa on Sept. 1, which addressed a number of issues regarding sober living homes and residential treatment facilities in Orange County, California. Joined by a panel of politicians, lawyers, community leaders and residential treatment and sober living operators, Congressman Issa discussed the complicated issues concerning the need for addiction treatment services in communities and addressed the major concerns of residents about sober living homes and residential treatment facilities in Southern California.

Some of the key issues regarding sober living homes, recovery residences and residential treatment facilities that were addressed in San Clemente's community discussion will also be examined in the "Beyond NIMBY" series, including:

- San Clemente's town hall meeting on sober living homes and the consequences of making changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA)

- The major differences between sober living homes and residential treatment facilities, levels of care and licensure requirements

- The role both nonprofits and for-profits in providing substance abuse treatment services to communities

- An update of crime statistics in San Clemente, California

- How to bridge the gap between communities and treatment providers so that both may work together for the good of everyone affected by substance abuse

The launch of Sovereign's five-part groundbreaking, inaugural NIMBY series released in August sparked an outpouring of discussion by residents in Southern California and throughout the country as it shined a light on the most critical issues of the NIMBY movement.

As part of the local community, Sovereign Health cares about the issues related to sober living homes and residential treatment centers, and the concerns of local residents about what goes on in their communities. To follow Sovereign's Beyond NIMBY series, follow the story on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube with #NotinMyBackyard, #NIMBY, #SanClemente, #Crimes and #Sovtalk.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment, such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com. 

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/23/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to announce the launch of a new article that's now live on www.psychologytoday.com: "Detox Your Relationships: Helpful hints for dealing with a toxic person." This article, written and edited by Ralph Ryback, M.D., Kristen Fuller, M.D., and Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W., shares how toxic people can damage and leave long-lasting effects on others.

As this editorial explores, relationships are two-way streets that involve the parties helping each other throughout the journey without any expectation of gaining anything in return, except for lending a hand when the tables are turned. Yet, most people have been involved in a toxic relationship at one time or another. Humans are social beings who thrive on companionship and deteriorate on loneliness, according to psychological studies. Entering into a toxic relationship can result in severe inner conflict, so recognize the signs of a toxic relationship before entering one.

Dr. Ryback notes in the article that individuals should look for signs of toxic behaviors with the other party, including how that person treats the people closest to him or her. The article also reminds readers that relationships grow as the partners learn to deal with and resolve conflicts and to take a moment to reflect on the time spent with their partner to determine whether the experience is worth it.

This new article follows two recent Sovereign Health editorials also posted on PsychologyToday.com: "4 Disorders That Resemble Depression, But Aren't: Why it never hurts to get a blood test before diagnosis" shares conditions that are commonly mistaken for depression, both by clinicians and the public; and "Why the Loss of a Pet Hurts So Much ... and why the stages of grief are just as valid when your loss is an animal" shares how grieving the loss of a loved pet is a personal affair, and everyone deals with is differently.

To track these stories, follow Sovereign Health on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Readers may also subscribe to Sovereign Health's newsletter, a trusted source for news and developments on the topic of behavioral health. Sovereign Health will continue to educate professionals, patients and readers on subjects that affect the future of mental health and addiction treatment.

About the Authors:

Ralph Ryback, M.D., has taught at many institutions, including Harvard Medical School. He's also a psychiatrist with Sovereign Health. Receiving his M.D. from Wayne State School of Medicine and completing his residency at Boston City Hospital, Dr. Ryback brings over half a century of psychiatric experience to Sovereign Health. To read Dr. Ryback's full biography, click HERE.

Kristen Fuller, M.D., is a senior staff writer at Sovereign Health and enjoys writing about evidence-based topics in the cutting-edge world of medicine. She is a physician and author, who also teaches, practices medicine in the urgent care setting and contributes to medicine board education. She is also an outdoor and dog enthusiast.

Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W. (Master's of Professional Writing), is an editor for Sovereign Health and an award-winning author. Logan-McCracken has 25 years of experience as a journalist, most recently as the editor of Cat Fancy magazine. She received her master's in professional writing from the University of Southern California, where she became obsessed with accuracy, fair reporting, and correct English usage.

Rachael Mattice is the managing editor for Sovereign Health, leading a team of diversified managers, team leaders, writers and editors in the U.S. and India digital newsroom. Also a freelance music journalist, she pulls from her versatile background in journalism, digital marketing and visual content creation to boost innovative ideas and high-quality assets for the Sovereign Health brand.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/21/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, has launched a new editorial series, "Beyond NIMBY." NIMBY is the acronym of the phrase "Not in My Backyard" and represents a particular viewpoint defined by the strong opposition that residents adopt when it comes to having sober living homes and residential treatment facilities located within certain neighborhoods. "Beyond NIMBY" is Sovereign's second series on the Not in My Backyard phenomenon. The launch of Sovereign's five-part groundbreaking inaugural NIMBY series sparked an outpouring of discussion by residents in Southern California and throughout the country as it shined a light on the most critical issues of the NIMBY movement.

The first installment of the "Beyond NIMBY" editorial series, "Southern California communities come together to discuss where we go from here," begins with a community discussion on sober living homes at the San Clemente Community Center town hall meeting, hosted by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Sept. 1, which addressed a number of issues regarding sober living homes and residential treatment facilities in Orange County, California. Joined by a panel of politicians, lawyers, community leaders and residential treatment and sober living operators, Congressman Issa discussed the complicated issues concerning the need for addiction treatment services in communities and addressed the major concerns of residents about sober living homes and residential treatment facilities in Southern California.

"We have two crises and I just want to make sure that we recognize both of them tonight," Congressman Issa said at the town hall meeting. "We have a drug and alcohol problem in this country and we have, literally, millions of people who are in need of help. We also have thousands of organizations around the country who have dedicated themselves to helping people learn to be dry and sober — that's a good thing. But it's very clear that there is a possibility of abuse in many of our neighborhoods. And that abuse is one that we want to have cities be able to have reasonable, local control to determine what should be in their neighborhoods in sense of volume, in sense of facilities and capabilities."

After the members of the panel spoke, a Q&A was held to address local residents' questions and concerns regarding the proliferation of sober living homes and residential treatment facilities in their communities. Some of the key issues regarding sober living homes and residential treatment facilities addressed in San Clemente's community discussion were also included in Sovereign Health's first NIMBY series. The second series will:

- Give a recap of the town hall meeting and explore the consequences of making changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA).

- Explain the levels of care in and major differences between sober living homes and residential treatment facilities.

- Examine the role both nonprofits and for-profits play in providing substance abuse treatment services to communities.

- Provide an update of crime statistics in San Clemente.

- Seek to bridge the gap between communities and treatment providers so that both may work together for the good of everyone affected by substance abuse.

As part of the local community, Sovereign Health cares about the issues related to sober living homes and residential treatment centers, and the concerns of local residents about what goes on in their communities. To follow Sovereign's Beyond NIMBY series, follow the story on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube with #NotinMyBackyard, #NIMBY, #SanClemente, #Crime and #Sovtalk.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. Sovereign's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment, such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com. 

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/15/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to announce the launch of a new article that's now live on www.psychologytoday.com: "4 Disorders That Resemble, But Aren't, Depression." This article, written and edited by Ralph Ryback, M.D., Courtney Lopresti, M.S., and Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W., shares four conditions that are commonly mistaken for depression, both by clinicians and the public.

As this editorial notes, mental illness is sometimes difficult to diagnose because it's diagnosed through checklists of self-reported symptoms. For this reason, mental illnesses including depression are sometimes misdiagnosed. According to a 2012 article in Current Psychiatry, 26 to 45 percent of patients referred for "depression" did not meet diagnostic criteria for a depressive illness. A 2009 meta-analysis discovered that general practitioners can only correctly identify depression in patients in 47.3 percent of cases and that many doctors diagnose depression in people who don't have it.

"As prevalent as depression is, it also shares symptoms with several other mental health disorders," said Rachael Mattice, managing editor for Sovereign Health. "The repercussions of misdiagnosis can range from mild to severe, which is why it's important to accurately inform readers of the common imitators and to encourage them to discuss evidence-based testing with their physicians."

Bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome are conditions that are commonly confused with depression. Though a misdiagnosis is always possible, depression is real. The illness affects millions of people each year.

To track these stories, follow Sovereign Health on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Readers may also subscribe to Sovereign Health's newsletter, a trusted source for news and developments on the topic of behavioral health. Sovereign Health will continue to educate professionals, patients and readers on subjects that affect the future of mental health and addiction treatment.

About the Authors
Ralph Ryback, M.D., has taught at many institutions, including Harvard Medical School. He's also a psychiatrist with Sovereign Health. Receiving his M.D. from Wayne State School of Medicine and completing his residency at Boston City Hospital, Dr. Ryback brings over half a century of psychiatric experience to Sovereign Health. To read Dr. Ryback's full biography, click HERE.

Courtney Lopresti, M.S., is a senior staff writer for Sovereign Health, where she uses her scientific background to write online blogs and articles for a general audience. At the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her master's degree in neuroscience, she used functional neuroimaging to study how the human cerebellum contributes to language processing. In her spare time, she writes fiction, reads Oliver Sacks, and spends time with her two cats and bird. Courtney is currently located in Minneapolis.

Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W. (Master's of Professional Writing), is an editor for Sovereign Health and an award-winning author. Logan-McCracken has 25 years of experience as a journalist, most recently as the editor of Cat Fancy magazine. She received her master's in professional writing from the University of Southern California, where she became obsessed with accuracy, fair reporting, and correct English usage.

Rachael Mattice is the managing editor for Sovereign Health, leading a team of diversified managers, team leaders, writers and editors in the U.S. and India digital newsroom. Also a freelance music journalist, she pulls from her versatile background in journalism, digital marketing and visual content creation to boost innovative ideas and high-quality assets for the Sovereign Health brand.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/12/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces a new television interview featuring Anthony J. Mele, Psy.D., Chief Clinical Officer of Sovereign Health. The interview, broadcasted live on the NBC affiliate KMIR's program "Desert Living" on Wednesday, Sept. 7, features Dr. Mele discussing the opioid epidemic, Sovereign Health's national footprint and managing triggers instead of avoiding them.

As Dr. Mele notes in the interview, the opioid epidemic is spurring a lot of interest in recovery. "The recovery process often includes relapsing. One of the advantages in working with us (Sovereign Health) is that we have an entire system of care. If a patient is struggling in one of our locations, instead of discharging them, we offer the patient to enroll into different sites," said Dr. Mele, who points out that each treatment center has a unique offering for patients. A patient may want to transfer to a different center due to the size of the facility or to utilize one of Sovereign's many specialized programs. "We have a continuum of care and options, which really helps a lot of patients."

When asked about how Sovereign Health offers options of attending another facility, Dr. Mele replied, "Some hospital systems typically have a couple of satellite offices. What's different about us is that we have a national footprint. We have a mental health service as well as a drug and alcohol service, which positions us rather uniquely in the industry. We have nine sites in five different states, and have plans of opening up four more by the end of next year."

Bryan Gallo, the host of the "Desert Living" program, asked why Sovereign Health offers many options to patients. "We were founded by a brain researcher and we're really passionate about helping folks recover at a brain level, focusing more on managing triggers instead of avoiding them. And how do you manage those triggers? You train the brain to think differently. We're realizing that different groups of patients and clients need different types of services based on their own experiences and their developmental stage in life," said Dr. Mele.

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. Desert Living is a 30-minute TV program broadcast from Palm Springs in the desert's Coachella Valley.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:

Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/08/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is hosting several continuing education (C.E.) events this month. These courses meet the qualifications for C.E. credits required by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Sept. 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PDT – A Comprehensive Approach to Restoring Self-Regulation for Resilient Recovery – Sovereign Health of Los Angeles – Stephen Sideroff, Ph.D., will present an innovative, new model of resilience that incorporates physical, emotional and mental healing and optimal functioning from his new book, "The Path: Mastering the Nine Pillars of Resilience and Success." He will present a strong argument for a dedicated track within treatment and recovery for re-establishing the ability to self-regulate. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Sept. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PDT – LGB/Trans* Competence – Sovereign Health of San Clemente – Ann Flory Mason, LMFT, and Tony Viramontes will present an introduction to LGBTQ culture, terminology and gender identity. We will examine intersectionality and disparities that exist that put this population at greater risk for suicide, drugs, alcohol, HIV/AIDS and emotional violence. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Sept. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – Introduction to Neurofeedback – Sovereign Health of Chandler – Maria Spitz, Ph.D., will speak on neurofeedback, often referred to as EEG biofeedback or brain wave training, which is a type of biofeedback. The International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) states what distinguishes neurofeedback training (NFT) from other biofeedback is that it incorporates behavioral, cognitive and subjective aspects of brain activity. NFT is rooted in basic and applied neuroscience and has many applications for clinical retraining, research and practice. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Sept. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – G.A.I.N.S. – Getting Along in Society: A Program-Based Model for Improving the Interpersonal and Life Skills of Individuals – Sovereign Health of San Diego – Carol P.M. Tyler, Psy.D., will discuss how the program is designed to provide maximum instruction and feedback to youths when they are first placed in a residential program; then, as the youths develop skills and self-control, the structured elements of G.A.I.N.S. are reduced and replaced by a more natural set of feedback conditions. As the youths accomplish the behavioral goals of the program, they and their guardians are prepared for the youths' return to the natural home. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Sept. 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT – What Works in Therapy – Sovereign Health Webinar – Patrick John Schonbachler, Psy.D., HSPP, will examine the common factors underlying effective psychotherapy and bring the psychotherapist and the client-therapist relationship back into focus as key determinants of psychotherapy outcome. Study after study concludes that psychotherapy works to improve the lives of the clients who seek help from professional therapists. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PDT – Providing Culturally Responsive Services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals – Sovereign Health of San Clemente – Thomas E. Freese, Ph.D., will highlight a new curriculum for providers that is designed to develop provider skills in delivering culturally responsive prevention and treatment services for the LGBT population, especially those dealing with co-occurring substance use, mental health disorders and/or physical health disorders. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-324-3768.

Sept. 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT – Mindfulness and Substance Abuse: More than Relapse Prevention – Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach – Agustin M. Castellanos, M.D., will speak on what mindfulness is and isn't, the neuroscience of mindfulness and how mindfulness-based interventions can be used in substance abuse treatment. A brief mindfulness practice will also be offered so that participants may know what mindfulness is by direct experience. To RSVP to this event, click here or call 949-304-3362.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:

Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/07/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces a new television interview featuring Helen Kienzle, Ph.D., Sovereign Health of Palm Desert's Program Director. The interview, broadcasted live on the NBC affiliate KMIR's program "Desert Living" on Thursday, Aug. 31, features Dr. Kienzle discussing why Sovereign Health of Palm Desert launched the Personal Recovery Integrating Men's Experiences (P.R.I.M.E.) program.

As Dr. Kienzle notes in the interview, the P.R.I.M.E. program is targeted to men over the age of 40 who struggle with addiction and mental health disorders. The P.R.I.M.E. program focuses on the psychosocial, spiritual and physical health issues facing mature men. After noticing a trend in admissions, Dr. Kienzle said," "We realized that many of our patients were over the age of 40 and dealing with similar issues. We decided to put together a detailed program that would address age-specific issues."

When asked how Sovereign Health treats patients in the P.R.I.M.E. program, Dr. Kienzle replied, "Many of our patients are professionals, and they have jobs and families to get back to. We want to make sure we are giving all the tools and resources available to help them (the patients) get back to a regular and natural way of living in society. We offer individual and group therapy, case and medication management and psychiatric evaluations. Other services include yoga, meditation and equine therapy, as well as transportation to attend meetings outside of Sovereign Health."

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. Desert Living is a 30-minute TV program broadcast from Palm Springs in the desert's Coachella Valley.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/07/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, offers a comprehensive Intensive Family Program for patients and their families. The mission of the program, which first launched in 2014 at Sovereign's San Clemente facility, is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. The Intensive Family Program educates families about the conditions affecting their loved ones who are in treatment, while being able to spend quality visitation time during therapy sessions and other events. In this two-day program, Sovereign Health's staff provides each family with the knowledge, skills and support to learn about the patient's specific diagnosis.

"Recovery isn't only about the individual getting better. It's about the family system as a whole getting healthy," said Carmella Bailey, Manager of the Intensive Family Program at Sovereign Health. "The Intensive Family Program provides our families with the tools to begin to bridge the gap in their family dynamic."

Sovereign's Intensive Family Program provides presentations by the clinical staff; personal and family goal-setting; reading and reflection; workshops; individual, group and family psychotherapy and psychoeducation. The program was founded to provide current patients and their families with the tools to administer a healthy support system and allow further involvement in their loved ones' recovery to improve overall well-being. Not only does family involvement provide positive outcomes for the individuals in treatment, but family members are also able to mend broken relationships with their loved ones. Families can be brought closer together during this difficult time.

The monthly program, which first launched at Sovereign Health's flagship treatment facility in San Clemente, is now offered at Sovereign's other California treatment facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Desert, as well as in Fort Myers, Florida. Sovereign Health of Chandler will launch the Intensive Family Program in October 2016.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/06/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, celebrates National Recovery Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors National Recovery Month each September to raise awareness and educate the public about behavioral health issues, with the goal of inspiring those with mental health or substance use disorders to seek treatment.

In recognition of National Recovery Month, Sovereign Health has launched a groundbreaking new editorial series, "Not in my Backyard (NIMBY)." NIMBY is the acronym of the phrase that is currently applied to the protest movement driven by residents of towns and cities. Sovereign's five-part NIMBY series provides an in-depth analysis of the complex range of community concerns, state regulations and state and federal laws that need to be taken into account by anyone looking to have an accurate and fair-minded understanding of the current NIMBY movement.

Sovereign Health has also entered a new partnership with the University of Southern California's (USC) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. This new alliance with USC allows Sovereign the opportunity to expand its footprint to a wider audience and bring additional awareness about the mental health and addiction treatment services it provides to patients.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit http://www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/31/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to announce a new article, "CARA's (Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act's) passage triggers debate over additional funding." As noted in the editorial, although the bill allocates over $180 million annually to combat the opioid trade epidemic, which is more than double the authorization level in the Senate-passed bill, CARA may not necessarily deliver on everything it promises. In addition, there is no guarantee Congress will create new funding streams to fund all of the act's provisions.

"CARA's passing with bipartisan support is a monumental leap forward for addiction treatment in the United States, although it was only one of several bills currently in political discussion addressing the growing opioid drug epidemic," said Rachael Mattice, managing editor for Sovereign Health. "Although those in the treatment industry are celebrating this step forward, CARA promises to allocate resources for the prevention, education, treatment and recovery of the national addiction problem. Many can't help but wonder when and where the additional funding will surface from to truly make it a success. Sovereign Health's coverage of CARA offers a comprehensive overview of the (now law) and what its future holds."

Sovereign Health previously published the piece, "State of Addiction Policy: The development of CARA," which took a look at the federal resources that are focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs that have been tested and proven effective in local communities.

Sovereign Health has also created a SlideShare presentation, "Explaining CARA (the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act)," which provides education on the topic. CARA provides assisted addiction treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, veterans and youth. The act also provides medication-assisted treatment options for those who qualify and expands the number of health care professionals who may prescribe those medications.

"Behind this tragedy of death and sorrow lies a terrible failing, which is that, according to the most recent estimates, nearly 9 out of 10 people who need drug treatment don't get it. … The idea that we are still letting 9 out of 10 people who need treatment not even get it, not have access to it, is a terrible failing," said CARA's co-author Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse in a Senatorial discussion.

The bill creates an alternative to incarceration programs, providing treatment for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. It includes training and resources to better divert individuals with substance use disorders. Heralded as a major life-saving aspect of the bill, it also expands the availability of naloxone to law enforcement and other first responders. It includes support of Drug-Free Communities and awareness programs.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/30/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces a new television interview featuring Ashish "Ash" Bhatt, M.D., Sovereign Health's Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The interview, broadcast live on the NBC affiliate KMIR's program "Desert Living" on Wednesday, Aug. 24, features Dr. Bhatt discussing how someone can become addicted to opioids and the definition of opioid blockers.

As Dr. Bhatt notes in the interview, addiction is a brain disease and Sovereign Health looks at it as an illness. "When a drug or alcohol is introduced to the body and develops some sort of relationship with the brain, we [doctors] don't know how an individual will act once the substance is introduced," says Dr. Bhatt. "Over time, as the brain starts to alter from that exposure to drugs or alcohol, the memory, the chemicals and the motivation pursuing that reward start to change."

When asked if there's something in opioids that makes them more addictive, Dr. Bhatt replied, "Opioids have a very distinct chemical property. Fifty percent of the average population can become physically addicted to this drug. Even if given as therapeutic dosages, which are prescribed by a physician, you can be physically addicted in as little as two weeks."

In addition, Dr. Bhatt noted, "Pain medications produce euphoria, and since there are less pain medications on the street, people often seek out alternative methods of getting high. That's where we've seen the increase in heroin use, and because of that, Sovereign Health has an opioid blocker — FDA approved — that we insure to all of our opioid users to prevent them from getting high."

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. Desert Living is a 30-minute TV program broadcast from Palm Springs in the desert's Coachella Valley.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com. 

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/30/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces the launch of the second installment of the groundbreaking editorial series, "Not in my Backyard," or "NIMBY." NIMBY is the acronym of the phrase that is currently applied to the protest movement driven by residents of towns and cities across the United States. Part two of the editorial, "The endemic problems of mental illness and substance abuse in San Clemente," sheds light on the concerns of San Clemente citizens in having addiction and mental health treatment facilities located within their communities and the false assumptions that the presence of these facilities pose a safety risk to residents. As noted in the article, an examination of the local crime reported by law enforcement in San Clemente revealed that the average total crimes were lower in 2013-2015 than the average crimes reported in 2010-2012 — and this was true for every crime category.

In the inaugural piece in Sovereign's NIMBY series, "Communities resist mental health and alcohol and drug treatment facilities," readers were provided with an analysis of the substance abuse and crime problems that currently exist in San Clemente. As noted in the article, NIMBY resistance is fueled by residents' unjustified fears that allowing these types of businesses to operate in their communities will reduce property values and bring in more drugs and crime to their neighborhoods. Using publicly available law enforcement agency statistics, the series documents, that in fact, residents' fears are almost completely unjustified. For the time period of 2009 to 2014, the vast majority of crime rates have actually gone down in San Clemente. See also: Appendix: Tables and graphs of crimes in San Clemente from 2009 to 2015.

This second article in the NIMBY series takes a deeper look at the most critical issues, including:

- The effect of substance abuse and mental health problems in San Clemente

- The misuse of alcohol and drugs as a major problem among San Clemente youth

- Consequences of adolescent substance abuse

- San Clemente's need for substance abuse and mental health treatment

- The need for treatment is greater than the available services

- Addiction treatment improves San Clemente residents' quality of life

One of the key takeaways from Sovereign Health's NIMBY series is that researchers have documented the importance of providing evidence-based treatments to people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders (SUDs), not only to improve their quality of life, but also to lessen the social and economic burden of these conditions on society as a whole. Although many people agree that individuals with mental health, addiction and co-occurring issues benefit considerably from receiving treatment, local governments and residents often adopt the "NIMBY" mentality when it comes to having such facilities located in their communities.

Look for the third installment of the NIMBY series, "How do violent crimes affect communities?" to launch on Wednesday, Aug. 31. To follow Sovereign's breakthrough NIMBY series, follow the story on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube with #NotinMyBackyard, #NIMBY, #SanClemente, #Crime and #Sovtalk.

Sovereign Health's NIMBY series provides an in-depth analysis of the complex range of community concerns, state regulations, and state and federal laws that need to be taken into account by anyone looking to have an accurate and fair-minded understanding of the current NIMBY movement. The vast majority of press coverage to date has only focused on the fears of local residents and has failed to address the complexities of state regulations, state and federal laws and the contributions of Sovereign Health and other responsible behavioral health treatment providers and advocates who are fighting to provide treatment for people with physical and mental disabilities.

Sovereign Health's treatment facilities are licensed to provide both addiction/dual diagnosis treatment and mental health treatment, such as trauma, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Sovereign also offers treatment for patients who have chronic pain, eating disorders and cognitive deficits. Sovereign provides patients with advanced diagnostic assessment processes and utilizes cutting-edge technology led by strong medical and clinical professionals. The organization treats adolescents and adults and is also proud to serve active United States military personnel and returning war veterans.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com. 

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/26/2016 -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to announce the launch of a new article that's now live on www.psychologytoday.com: "Why the Loss of a Pet Hurts So Much … and why the stages of grief are just as valid when your loss is an animal." This article, written and edited by Ralph Ryback, M.D., Kristen Fuller, M.D., and Susan Logan-McCracken, shares how grieving the loss of a loved pet is a personal affair, and everyone deals with it differently. Losing a pet can be just as devastating as losing a human member of the family. Validating that grief in yourself and others is a step toward coping with the loss.

As this editorial notes, a pet is truly a gift that can change one's life and bring monumental happiness and gratitude. Pets teach responsibility, patience, kindness, discipline, playfulness and, most importantly, unconditional love. It is normal to feel devastated after the loss of a pet. In her book, On Death & Dying, Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross identifies five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Grief has no timeline and no boundaries. Everyone grieves differently and for dissimilar lengths of time.

This new article follows two recent Sovereign Health editorials also posted on PsychologyToday.com: "Are Beer Goggles Real: The surprising science behind romance and alcohol" questions the existence of beer goggles; and "No Horsing Around About the Human-Equine Bond: These animals shaped our history and, today, are the ultimate therapists" explores how for millenniums, horses have worked for humans and today, they serve as the ultimate therapists.

To track these stories, follow Sovereign Health on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Readers may also subscribe to Sovereign Health's newsletter, a trusted source for news and developments on the topic of behavioral health. Sovereign Health will continue to educate professionals, patients and readers on subjects that affect the future of mental health and addiction treatment.

About the Authors

Ralph Ryback, M.D., has taught at many institutions, including Harvard Medical School. He's also a psychiatrist with Sovereign Health. Receiving his M.D. from Wayne State School of Medicine and completing his residency at Boston City Hospital, Dr. Ryback brings over half a century of psychiatric experience to Sovereign Health. To read Dr. Ryback's full biography, click HERE.

Kristen Fuller, M.D., is a senior staff writer at Sovereign Health and enjoys writing about evidence-based topics in the cutting-edge world of medicine. She is a physician and author, who also teaches, practices medicine in the urgent care setting and contributes to medicine board education. She is also an outdoor and dog enthusiast.

Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W. (Master's of Professional Writing), is an editor for Sovereign Health and an award-winning author. Logan-McCracken has 25 years of experience as a journalist, most recently as the editor of Cat Fancy magazine. She received her master's in professional writing from the University of Southern California, where she became obsessed with accuracy, fair reporting, and correct English usage.

Rachael Mattice is the managing editor for Sovereign Health, leading a team of diversified managers, team leaders, writers and editors in the U.S. and India digital newsroom. Also a freelance music journalist, she pulls from her versatile background in journalism, digital marketing and visual content creation to boost innovative ideas and high-quality assets for the Sovereign Health brand.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:

Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Delta, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/17/2016 -- White River Academy, part of Sovereign Health, is among the first group of programs to be approved as achieving the designation as a National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Research Designated Program (RDP). The White River Academy program has been systematically collecting standardized data allowing NATSAP to better understand and document the important impact of Sovereign Health's work on children and their families.

At the NATSAP annual conference in February 2016, the NATSAP Board decided it is now time to push efforts to the next level and make clear to consumers that not all programs are alike, and those that honestly examine their work and contribute to the scholarly, professional and practical understanding of the effects of NATSAP's interventions deserve to be set apart and receive the proper recognition for their efforts. To this end, the NATSAP Board established the new RDP status to be given to programs that apply and demonstrate involvement in supplying data aimed at evaluating NATSAP program effectiveness, and increasing the understanding of the program's impact on youth and their families.

"The user-friendly Outcome Tools has provided White River Academy with a host of information that not only assists NATSAP in understanding program development, but supports us in having up-to-date data on each one of our clients," says Justin Nielson, Program Director at White River Academy. "White River Academy is grateful to be designated as a Research Designated Program because, not only is this a great achievement in the adolescent treatment industry, but it's also beneficial for each individual client's recovery."

In order for White River Academy to maintain RDP status, the facility will have to submit an annual report to the research committee verifying the ongoing collection of 70 percent of its enrollment data, and 50 percent of its discharge data.

As a residential treatment center for adolescent boys between the ages of 12 and 17 years old, White River Academy provides behavioral health services and educational opportunities. The academy's students, adolescent boys, are provided guidance, support, accredited education, licensed therapy and residential living.

Having obtained its Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certification from the Department of Homeland Security, the academy also caters its services to international students from Canada, Mexico, Japan, England, Korea and Saudi Arabia. White River Academy offers innovative treatment with an emphasis on teaching responsible lifestyle choices and gives teens the opportunity to express their manhood in healthier ways.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:                          
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pompano Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/15/2016 -- Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach announces the launch of new continuing education (C.E.) workshops for the Florida community. Commencing Friday, August 26, the monthly events, which will include a luncheon and a networking session, will provide attendees with the opportunity to earn C.E. credits. The first workshop will feature a dynamic presentation, Addiction, Disease and Family Dynamics, by presenters Tina Goodin, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., P.A., and Juan Feliciano, M.Ed., M.S., Psy.D, L.M.H.C. The event will take place on August 26, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET at 555 S. Andrews Ave., Suite 202, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. There is no cost to attend this program and lunch will be provided. Contact Jeanette Lisalda  or call 949-304-3362 for more information or to RSVP for this event.

Dr. Tina Goodin and Dr. Juan Feliciano will discuss addiction as a disease and the psychodynamics of addiction in the family. In this training, attendees will explore the concept that addiction is a disease and how science validates the disease model. In addition, Dr. Goodin and Dr. Feliciano will discuss the dynamics, both conscious and unconscious, between and among family members and how they affect each member differently.

About the Speakers
Tina Goodin, Ph.D., ABPP, P.A., a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, has worked with families dealing with addictions for decades. She has a special interest in family dynamics, both conscious and unconscious, that, if carefully understood, can be utilized to ease ongoing family, group and workplace grief and loss.  Dr. Goodin has given multiple presentations on this topic, and she hosted radio talk shows in Montreal.  She is currently the Founding Executive Director of the Psychology Center in Palm Beach, Florida.

Juan Feliciano, M.Ed., M.S., Psy.D., LMHC, has a B.S. in human development and family studies from Cornell University, an M.Ed. in counseling from Florida Atlantic University and a Psy.D. from Carlos Albizu University. He became an LMHC in 2001 and a Licensed Psychologist in 2011. Over that time, he held various roles providing direct care while working with populations as diverse as emotionally disturbed children, traumatic brain injured adults and abused and neglected children. Dr. Feliciano successfully provided counseling and therapy to individuals, couples and families from ages 4 to 68 years old. He is currently the Site Training Director for Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.  

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fort Myers, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/15/2016 -- Sovereign Health of Fort Myers announces the launch of new continuing education (C.E.) workshops for the Florida community. Commencing Friday, August 19, the monthly events, which will include a luncheon and a networking session, will provide attendees with the opportunity to earn C.E. credits. The first workshop will feature a dynamic presentation, Addiction, Disease and Family Dynamics, by presenters Tina Goodin, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., P.A., and Juan Feliciano, M.Ed., M.S., Psy.D, L.M.H.C. The event will take place on August 19, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET at 10061 Amberwood Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919. There is no cost to attend this program and lunch will be provided. Contact Jeanette Lisalda or call 949-304-3362 for more information or to RSVP for this event.

Dr. Tina Goodin and Dr. Juan Feliciano will discuss addiction as a disease and the psychodynamics of addiction in the family. In this training, attendees will explore the concept that addiction is a disease and how science validates the disease model. In addition, Dr. Goodin and Dr. Feliciano will discuss the dynamics, both conscious and unconscious, between and among family members and how they affect each member differently.

About the Speakers
Tina Goodin, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., P.A., a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, has worked with families dealing with addictions for decades. She has a special interest in family dynamics, both conscious and unconscious, that, if carefully understood, can be utilized to ease ongoing family, group and workplace grief and loss.  Dr. Goodin has given multiple presentations on this topic, and she hosted radio talk shows in Montreal.  She is currently the Founding Executive Director of the Psychology Center in Palm Beach, Florida.

Juan Feliciano, M.Ed., M.S., Psy.D., L.M.H.C., has a B.S. in human development and family studies from Cornell University, an M.Ed. in counseling from Florida Atlantic University and a Psy.D. from Carlos Albizu University. He became an L.M.H.C. in 2001 and a Licensed Psychologist in 2011. Over that time, he held various roles providing direct care while working with populations as diverse as emotionally disturbed children, traumatic brain injured adults and abused and neglected children. Dr. Feliciano successfully provided counseling and therapy to individuals, couples and families from ages 4 to 68 years old. He is currently the Site Training Director for Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.  

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Clemente, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/12/2016 -- Sovereign Health is pleased to announce the launch of a new article that's now live on www.psychologytoday.com: "Are Beer Goggles Real?" This article was written and edited by Ralph Ryback, M.D., Courtney Lopresti, M.S., and Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W. The existence of beer goggles has always been up for debate; but now, plenty of research shows some startling facts behind the beer goggles myth, and why people seem more attractive after a few drinks.

This new article follows two recent Sovereign Health editorials also posted on PsychologyToday.com: "No Horsing Around About the Human-Equine Bond: These animals shaped our history and, today, are the ultimate therapists" explores how for millenniums, horses have worked for humans, and today, they serve as the ultimate therapists; and "The Powerful Psychology Behind Cleanliness: How to stay organized — and reap the health benefits" highlights the psychology of cleanliness and organization and why it makes individuals feel good.

In 2003, a team of British researchers released a study affirming beer goggles are real. Alcohol impairs the ability to recognize symmetry, releases endorphins to the brain and causes psychological effects. Though the myth is real, and stories about beer goggles are entertaining, alcohol affects everyone differently.

To track these stories, follow Sovereign Health on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Readers may also subscribe to Sovereign Health's newsletter, a trusted source for news and developments on the topic of behavioral health. Sovereign Health will continue to educate professionals, patients and readers on subjects that affect the future of mental health and addiction treatment.

About The Authors
Ralph Ryback, M.D., has taught at many institutions, including Harvard Medical School. He's also a psychiatrist with Sovereign Health. Receiving his M.D. from Wayne State School of Medicine and completing his residency at Boston City Hospital, Dr. Ryback brings over half a century of psychiatric experience to Sovereign Health. To read Dr. Ryback's full biography, click HERE.

Courtney Lopresti, M.S., is a senior staff writer for Sovereign Health, where she uses her scientific background to write online blogs and articles for a general audience. At the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her master's degree in neuroscience, she used functional neuroimaging to study how the human cerebellum contributes to language processing. In her spare time, she writes fiction, reads Oliver Sacks, and spends time with her two cats and bird. Courtney is currently located in Minneapolis.

Susan Logan-McCracken, M.P.W. (Master's of Professional Writing), is an editor for Sovereign Health and an award-winning author. Logan-McCracken has 25 years of experience as a journalist, most recently as the editor of Cat Fancy magazine. She received her master's in professional writing from the University of Southern California, where she became obsessed with accuracy, fair reporting and correct English usage.

Rachael Mattice is the managing editor for Sovereign Health, leading a team of diversified managers, team leaders, writers and editors in the U.S. and India digital newsroom. Also a freelance music journalist, she pulls from her versatile background in journalism, digital marketing and visual content creation to boost innovative ideas and high-quality assets for the Sovereign Health brand.

About Sovereign Health
Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com.

Media Contact:
Wendy Allen, Public Relations Manager: 866-948-9688

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm