Event Registration

You are cordially invited to the
Sierra Tucson Alumni Retreat, S.T.A.R. 29!

Please join us at Sierra Tucson’s 29th alumni gathering to celebrate, reconnect, and renew your passion for recovery!

"Living Our True North"

Alumni Retreat Schedule

Thursday, October 20
10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Sign-in/Select Workshops
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Chair Massages
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Yoga
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Dinner
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Getting Connected & Retreat Kickoff
Friday, October 21
6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m	Hiking in the Catalinas
7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.	Support Group Meeting & Meditation
7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Sign-in/Select Workshops
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	Morning Workshop
11:30 a.m.	Lunch
11:45 a.m. – 12:45	Lunch & Learn with Alumni Relations, Connect365, and Alumni Advisory Council
2:00 p.m.	Buses depart to Sierra Tucson for activities, dinner, and speakers
7:15 p.m.	Buses depart to Westward Look Resort
Saturday, October 22
6:45 a.m. -  8:00 a.m.	Nature Walk at Westward Look
7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m	Support Group Meeting & Meditation
7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	Morning Workshops
11:30 a.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Afternoon Workshops:
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Free Time
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m	Dinner and Entertainment
Sunday, October 23
7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m	Support Group Meeting & Meditation
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.	Group Activity & Closing
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.	Brunch

Friday Morning Workshop

Jennifer Angier, MS, CACII, NCACII

“The Movement of Grace”

Participants of this workshop will be challenged to recognize the intimate qualities of the absence, the emergence, and the living experience of grace in those who are in recovery from process addictions and behavioral health disorders. Often, there is a broad range of opportunities and difficulties in the effort to recover, even after reconciling the idea of choice and having a desire to build a sustained recovery.

Innovative approaches and a variety of interventions will be shared in an experiential setting that will help participants identify the movement behind a collaborative spiritual process. Through the use of movie clips, literature and music, interactive dialogue will enable the participants to expand the realm of traditional therapeutic and recovery-based skills.

As a result of this presentation, participants will come to view and utilize therapeutic and spiritual interventions not merely as a sterile interaction to elicit change, but as an emotional and spiritual experience that will empower them to dedicate their efforts to connect with their truth. This path leads us away from our obstacles and struggles, and moves us toward solutions and a place of hope.

Workshop Objectives

1. To enable participants to recognize the progression of grace in their journey from struggle to serenity. Participants will be challenged to expand their understanding of how grace and truth work their way through an individual’s past, present and future.
2. To provide participants with tools they can utilize to enhance their spiritual journey. Although no one can predict life’s outcomes, participants will learn techniques to unlock their own ideas that help them remain on the recovery path.
3. To help participants develop an authentic appreciation for the spiritual journey of recovery, and to uncover some of the mystery behind a spiritual experience.

A veteran in the behavioral health field, Jennifer Angier has more than two decades of clinical experience. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Black Bear Lodge, a 115-bed integrated treatment residential program of Foundations Recovery Network located in north Georgia. She is a Level II National Certified Addictions Counselor and is Level II certified with the Georgia Addiction Counseling Association. A nationally recognized expert on addiction treatment techniques, she regularly speaks at national conferences, to paraprofessionals groups and in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), healthcare and collegiate programs.

During her career in addiction treatment, Jennifer has worked in administration, case management, crisis response and in private practice. Before accepting her current position, Jennifer served as executive director of Foundations Roswell’s Outpatient Program and program director of Talbott Recovery's Assessment Stabilization Unit.  She has also worked as a clinical outreach coordinator for a young adult program.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, as well as, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Mercer University, again graduating with honors.

Saturday Workshops

Bill Coleman, LMSW, TEP

“Why Can’t I Get Better Faster?”

Getting sober is only the first part. Change is constant in life. Let's look at your current state of change.

Bill Coleman is a licensed master social worker and a TEP (trainer, educator, practitioner) in psychodrama. He has been a primary therapist at Sierra Tucson and is currently the resident psychodramatist and also does psychodrama groups at Desert Star Addiction Recovery Center in Tucson. Bill is originally from New York and, after too many feet of snow, he moved to Tucson. He also just published a full length fiction novel, The Thorn Poppy, in the thriller genre.

 

 

 

David Cato, LCSW, TCT

"Trauma Healing in Recovery"

Sometimes recovery is difficult. After treatment or after gaining sobriety, the emotional piece must still be worked on. Unfortunately, many individuals in recovery do not continue treatment and are found "white knuckling" their experience of life. If we develop an understanding of our nervous system and trauma responses, we can accelerate our healing journey. We will learn how to track sensations and soothe ourselves by using the body's natural ability to take care of itself. Let's heal more together.

David Cato began working at Sierra Tucson in April of 2008 and has served many roles, beginning in the mailroom. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. He is a certified Transgender Care Therapist (TCT) and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). David completed his master’s coursework through an internship at Sierra Tucson. He has worked with substance abuse, mood disorders, eating disorders, codependency, grief/loss, and trauma. David has successfully completed two years of Somatic Experiencing® training and plans to complete the final advanced year in January 2017. He also works separately with the LGBTQ residents at Sierra Tucson by providing two support groups per week and facilitating individual consults as it pertains to sexual identity and gender identity when identified. David currently works as a primary therapist in the Trauma Recovery Program.

 

 

George Daranyi

“A Different Context for Tolerance: We Have the Lives We Tolerate!”

If you have ever experienced, even in prolonged periods of recovery, a sense of hopelessness, despair, disappointment, painful familiarity with circumstances, or something similar, it may be because you have learned to "tolerate" in an unhealthy, possibly toxic, way circumstances in your life that could, with clean boundary setting and firm enforcement, be transformed for you and the spaces you occupy. Come explore the world you actually live in and get clear about what is working for you and what is not. And, get clear about how you create all of it and tolerate it. Or not, anymore. Let's get to work cleaning this up, now.

Using his 28 plus years of experience in recovery, his 25 years of working with men and women in treatment centers, his legal experience and his facilitation of thousands of transformational experiences, George will share some of the key lessons and experiences he has had inside this topic, including some from his own life. He will use poetry, literature, recent research and philosophy to challenge those present to move faster and deeper into their authentic lives.

 

 

Phillip S. Mitchell, MA, MFT, MAC

“Letting Synchronicity Organize Your Life”

SYNCHRONICITY is the meaningfulness of seemingly unrelated events, observed within one’s field of awareness.  A wonderful navigation system available to us all.

We will explore ways to honor and pay attention to our synchronistic messages from our Higher Power / Higher Self through trusting our feelings and the synchronicities that we observe.  This allows for simpler, more joyful living, as well as enhanced alignment with your purpose in life. If time allows, we will share in the Forgiveness process and see how this powerful tool allows for even more synchronicities.

Phillip S. Mitchell, MA, MFT, MAC, is a Primary Therapist, Trainer & Lecturer at Sierra Tucson. He has been with Sierra Tucson for 24 years and his key interest is facilitating the awakening and upliftment of all. He draws from many spiritual teachings in his work.

 

 

Dr. Mark Pirtle

“Mindful Relationships”

We’re all social creatures. As such, we derive much of our sense of happiness and fulfillment from the quality of our primary relationships. Indeed, cultivating deep and intimate relations is central to a well lived life. That said, close connections are not easy to develop or maintain. Moreover, are not some of people with whom you are closest the same people who seem to be the source of your greatest distress? It can be like that. The good news is, it’s never too late to practice the craft of mindful relationships. Learning and practicing just a few simple mindfulness-based techniques can do a lot to boost your emotional IQ and improve all of the relationships in you life. Join Dr. Pirtle as he teaches the art affinity and understanding. This enriching workshop will prepare you to go home and improve your most important relationships. Join us!

Dr. Mark Pirtle is among those at the forefront of integral thinking in recovery. He is a businessman, filmmaker, author, public speaker and true "innerpreneur." After completing his doctorate in physical therapy, he became deeply interested in Buddhist psychology as it applies to healing stress related illnesses. His mindfulness-based curriculum was used to develop the first ever pain program at Sierra Tucson in 2007. Subsequently, he was asked to join the faculty for the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program. He continues to contract with Sierra Tucson and serves as Miraval Resort's Stress Illness Specialist.

To learn more about Dr. Pirtle and his work visit www.skillfullyaware.com.

 

Mike Gaziano, MSW, LCSW (WI)

“Enabling, Rescuing & Codependency: Understanding how the media has impacted our boundaries, behaviors and attitudes”

This workshop will use a multitude of media clips and excerpts from well-known books from our childhood years to illustrate the principle of enabling, rescuing and codependency. The discussion will lead the attendee down a playful, yet psycho-educational, path of rediscovery and a better understanding of how we continue to struggle with self-care and healthy boundaries in our relationships. Participants will learn about the ways in which the media encourages addictive thinking and messages about supporting and enabling certain behaviors. Attendees will learn to challenge their values from past media blitz and open their eyes to the ongoing problem around recovery and family empathy.

Mike Gaziano, MSW, LCSW (WI), was born and raised in the Midwest and chose Tucson for his undergraduate work in psychology. He is now a proud alumnus from the University of Arizona. He later received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois. Bringing over 25 years of clinical expertise to Sierra Tucson, Mike has worked in the Family Program since 2008 and was promoted to family program coordinator in April 2013. Soon thereafter, he was promoted to his current role as Family Program Manager. He has worked in the private sector and public sector as a social worker and is trained as a mediator and conflict resolution specialist. Mike has also provided his clinical skills to Pima County as a group facilitator for domestic violence classes.

 

 

 Saturday Evening Entertainment

Alana Sweetwater was born and raised in the mountains of Tucson Arizona. Both of her parents had successful home businesses which employed many of their friends and family. Growing up, the family home became more like a commune of sorts. She was surrounded by a colorful cast of characters- Hippies, Gypsies, Native Americans, Seeks, and travelers from all over. This proved to be fertile ground for her influences and creativity.

Although both parents were Jewish, she was raised Spiritually. Instead of having a Bat Mitzvah, her coming of age ceremony was a Native American Spirit Walk. In fact, it was during this ceremony at the age of 19 where she was given the name, Sweetwater.  Nothing about her upbringing was conventional, which would explain her unconventional approach the music. Blues, Soul, Jazz, and Rock and Roll are all ingredients in her unique sound, creating a beautiful mixture of styles that make listening to her songs deeply compelling.

"It is one thing to perform, and another to exude a piece of your soul every time you utilize your instrument. She reveals love, sensuality, and above all else, a bona fide sense of sincerity. She writes and performs because it is a necessity on par with breathing."
-The Screen Door

Sweetwater's soulful sound is clearly influenced by the music of decades past. She credits Billy Holiday and Nina Simon as her greatest influences, and calls her own style of music Rock and Soul. She is a songwriter and a dynamic performer, a righteous babe, a rock star, your best friend and confidant. Her songs are vulnerable, powerful, and poetically honest. Alana possesses a unique gift- an ability to connect, and bring people into a deeper place.

Sweetwater has released five albums, recorded with celebrated producers, notably Joe Romersa (John Prine, Bonnie Raitt), Don Peake (Ray Charles), Tim Mitchell (Shakira) and Ronnie King (Tupac). Her music has been featured in movies such as Jim Wilson's Whirly Girl and a new documentary, Is Your Story Making You Sick. Also her band, Sweetwater and The Satisfaction, has had several of their songs on television shows like The Sons of Anarchy, The Real L Word and Franklin & Bash. Alana has played her music all over the United States and in Europe, and has lived primarily in Los Angeles for the last 11 years with a two-year stint in New York. She now calls Nashville home.

You can visit www.alanasweetwater.com to hear her music, see her videos, and learn more.

Hotel Accommodations

All Retreat activities, with the exception of Friday afternoon's activities, will be held at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, which has extended discounted rates of $149.00 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy until September 28, 2016. To receive the discounted rate, click on the link to make your reservation. Reservations received after September 28, 2016, are subject to availability at the Resort’s prevailing rate.

You can also contact the Westward Look Group Reservation Specialist Hilary Lietz at (520) 917-2465 to make a reservation and be sure to let her know that you are with the Sierra Tucson Annual Retreat to get the special discounted rate. Westward Look Will Sell Out, so it is a good idea to reserve your room as soon as possible! When making reservations, also ask about the cancellation policy so as not to be charged a night's stay if you need to cancel.

A 10% discount is available on spa services. It is highly recommended that you book your spa services as soon as possible to ensure availability. Be sure to mention that you are with the Sierra Tucson Annual Retreat to receive the discounted rate.

Please note that there will NOT be shuttle/bus service between other hotels and Westward Look; you will need to provide your own transportation.

Shuttle Arrangements

For transportation from the Tucson International Airport to the resort, please contact Arizona Stagecoach at 520-889-1000 or www.AZstagecoach.com, or Integrity Transportation at 520-733-1849 or www.IntegrityTucson.com.

Sierra Tucson Registration

Online Alumni Retreat Registration will begin on July 1, 2016.

The Retreat cost is $250 per person. This includes workshops, presentations, entertainment, meals from Thursday reception through Sunday brunch, transportation Friday to and from Sierra Tucson, and gift bags to take home.

If you have questions, please contact Alumni Relations Manager Tim McLeod at 866-638-1650 or AlumniCoordinator@SierraTucson.com.