The
expert who is perhaps most identified with advances in the assessment
and treatment of Sex Addiction is relocating his trademarked
treatment approach. Patrick Carnes, PhD, is leaving Pine Grove
Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Mississippi and taking
his Gentle Path program to The Meadows in Arizona, which will launch
the 26-bed Vista residential program for adult men in October.
The
announcements of changes at Pine Grove and The Meadows have followed
each other by a few days over the past week. In a letter attached to
a Pine Grove news release stating that little will change clinically
with a sexual addiction treatment program that Carnes started there
10 years ago, Carnes emphasized lifestyle factors in his decision not
to renew his contract with Pine Grove when it expires this September.
“The
key factor in this shift is facing the reality of approaching 70
years of age,” Carnes wrote. “It takes more time to stay healthy
as I get older.” However, Carnes added that he will be joining The
Meadows’ high-profile faculty, will assist it in launching a new
sexual addiction treatment unit, and also will continue to advance
the research and data collection agenda of the International
Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP).
Carnes
added in his letter that he is leaving a “superb staff” and a
“smooth running program” at Pine Grove, and will remain involved
with program events and alumni.
The
Gentle Path program encompasses trauma therapy as well as treatment
of addictions and comorbid mental health issues (The Meadows is one
of the field’s most prominent providers of trauma-centered care).
12-Step groups and an intensive one-week Family Care Program also are
part of the Gentle Path model, and The Meadows intends to supplement
the program Carnes founded with features such as equine therapy and
its Survivors Workshop.
“I
look forward to a collaborative, exciting, and innovative new version
of the Gentle Path Program,” Carnes said in a statement from The
Meadows. Vista is scheduled to open its doors on Oct. 15.
Pine
Grove announced last week that it has begun the process of a
rebranding initiative for its program in sexual addictions, intimacy
disorders and trauma, though the program itself is not expected to
undergo changes. Deborah Schiller continues as program director and
Jes Montgomery, MD, is the psychiatric medical director; he has
worked with Carnes for more than 20 years.
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