Breakthrough at Caron Featured on NBC's Dateline
"Back From Nowhere"
NBC filmed a group at Breakthrough in June of 2009, with follow-up interviews extending into 2010. The segment, "Back From Nowhere", focuses on individuals who delve into their emotional pasts with the support of the intensive Breakthrough group process to help them let go, heal, and thrive. All of the participants of the program gave permission to be part of the taping and did have the opportunity to choose another week to attend the program.
- View the segement "Back From Nowhere" on the Dateline site - it is broken up into 6 Parts.
In the below Q&A, Breakthrough at Caron Executive Director, Ann Smith, discusses Breakthrough and its role in the Dateline NBC segment.
Q: Why did you want to participate in the Dateline NBC segment?
A: The Breakthrough program is innovative and life changing; we wanted to shed light on the journey of personal growth that happens during the 5 1/2 days of the program. We wanted those who are struggling with dysfunctional relationships or are impacted by a loved one's addiction and/or mental illness to know that there is help. Through their experience at Breakthrough, individuals have an opportunity to achieve improved self-esteem and healthier connections, while discovering their true selves and moving from merely surviving to healthy living.
Q: What do you hope that individuals/families learn from watching this segment?
A: We want people to know that change is possible and that the Breakthrough program is an effective way to "break through," or get "unstuck" from unwanted patterns in everyday life. Workshops are offered every week as an addition to other types of counseling for those who may need or desire a more intensive experience. Breakthrough is designed as an addition to an individual's outpatient counseling. The program is an important part of a therapeutic plan for personal growth and positive change.
Q: Does addiction have to have impacted one's life in order for the Breakthrough program to help someone?
A: The Breakthrough program was designed for any adult who is concerned about emotional wellness and personal growth. Some of those who attend Breakthrough have had addiction in their past; however, that is not why they attend. Anyone in an active addiction or mental illness would not benefit from this type of counseling. Some participants may have addiction in their families, but addiction is not the primary focus. . Click here to learn about who the Breakthrough program is appropriate for.
Q: What kinds of issues do you address at Breakthrough?
A: Breakthrough may be right for individuals who: (1) have difficulty overcoming patterns developed in childhood; (2) struggle with emotions such as anger, guilt, grief, shame, fear or feelings of insecurity; (3) feel "stuck" and unable to move forward despite awareness and insight; (4) have compulsive behaviors that continue to disrupt their lives; (5) have already been in therapy, but are ready to move on to a new level of personal growth.
Q: What is the relationship between Dateline NBC and the Breakthrough at Caron program?
A: It's important to note that while Caron worked closely with Dateline NBC, the segment is solely a journalistic piece of work. Therefore, Caron was not involved with the writing or editing of the segment and did not have the opportunity to view it and provide feedback prior to the air date. No parts of the filming were staged or controlled by Dateline. All participants were actual clients seeking help for real issues and problems.
About Breakthrough at Caron
Breakthrough at Caron is a residential, 5 1/2 day program specifically designed for individuals impacted by family or relationship dysfunction in childhood or adult life. With each day, defenses are gradually lowered and honest feelings emerge. Group activities and experiences in addition to the relationships developed in the group setting enable participants to identify and release painful feelings of the past and reveal old dysfunctional patterns. Experiential action methods and techniques such as Psychodrama, role play, and family sculpture are important program components. Each person leaves with specific direction for follow-up care and a referral to a therapist, if they were not seeing one prior to attending Breakthrough. The weekly workshops are held in a beautifully restored mansion on the Caron Treatment Centers Wernersville, PA campus. Lodging is a short walk from the mansion in suites called Harmony House. To learn more click here.
About Caron Treatment Centers
With more than 52 years of experience, Caron Treatment Centers offers a complete continuum of drug and alcohol addiction treatment services, operating residential facilities at: Caron Pennsylvania in Wernersville; Caron Renaissance in Boca Raton, FL; and Caron Texas, near Dallas. Caron also operates regional offices in Bermuda, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as well as the Breakthrough at Caron personal growth workshop held at it's Pennsylvania campus.
Caron has more clinical programs to meet the specific needs of each patient, regardless of their age, gender, or severity of their addiction than any other family of treatment centers in the U.S. Caron has extensive experience in the treatment of co-occurring disorders to meet the ever complicated mental-health issues of patients in addition to their addiction. To learn more visit www.caron.org.
