The bridge could be great. But in 2026 it is not. Many issues. Low credentialed staff. One LCSW…read morewho supervises both certified therapists and uncertified "counselors." A lot of unprofessional behavior on the part of the group leads. A CEO who is more committed to his recording career than treatment does hurt the performance of the Bridge.
If you head there, remember that you're probably at a very low point in your life and have been on the losing end for a while. Some say this place will save you. Others will say it does nothing. I have to say that the experience depends upon whether you do your work and also whether or not the staff gives you help, or abuses you.
For those of you that still want the experience after you read this entire post, the best advice I can give is to immerse yourself in the work. Relationships with other clients are good to form, but if I could do anything better, it would be to get more immersed in the work. In many cases, the staff applies the work incorrectly to your personal situation, so if you can work ahead and do the exercises, you'll know who is qualified to help (Paul, Susan, Deborah, Jamie, Melissa, Kelly) and isn't (Brennan), (sometimes Julie, but she is actually helpful too). The more work you prepare and come to groups having completed, the more the staff will treat you like an adult.
Let your fellow clients experience their own emotions and recovery without your interference. Some people have deep rooted issues that they need to resolve - I care about my group so I won't talk about their situations, but you'll see it all.
Find the staff members you get along best with and who are grown mature adults. They're there. But there are some that still have unresolved trauma that comes out as childishness.
They select a client to be the "mayor," who essentially leads the other clients and connects the staff with the clients. In my 6 weeks, only once did they chose the client that could best lead the group.
Too many recovering addicts on staff in this place without enough certified practitioners. CEO Sabyn Mayfield is recovering, and Deborah Cromwell, a counselor, recruited many of the AA and NA people she sponsored to be on staff. It's good to have people in recovery on staff, but there are too many. The mix is badly unbalanced.
Brennan Caffery has been given WAY too much power for an uncertified counselor because he went through recovery with the current CEO Sabyn Mayfield. He is a southern gentleman in public, but is still suffering from ego, control, and domination issues that come out in groups.
Paul, Susan, Melissa, and Jamie lead groups well. Kelly, Deborah, and Julie also care, so give them credit.
The food is appetizing, but too much of the food service fats and extras. It's hard to find time to work out. The only time is after evening group before you go to bed. lodge isn't open early in the morn.
The houses have good accomodations and there's never a problem with utilities or maintenance.
Also, you do a blue sheet, which is a daily review of your own behaviors that the staff reviews every morning before groups. The staff will use your observations against you if they are upset with you in any way. So if you have a personality conflict with a group leader, expect to have your own behavior launched back at you, oftentimes with a threat that you'll either die, or be disenrolled. They do this to multiple people. It's hard to tell when threats are empty or serious. People were disenrolled while I was there, and I heard stories of others prior to my arrival.
The staff doesn't listen when you have a complaint about another staff member, they take up for them. This is usually called a AFGO - Another F'in Growith Opporunity. It should be called YAMFU - yet another management f*(k Up.
Some of the night and weekend staff is professional, others are set in their ways and more interested in over-enforcing rules. Some have forgotten they are dealing with adults and have forgotten basic decency and respect. To be fair, some clients need strict boundaries, but the staff too often defaults to enforcement on everybody of the most strict boundaries.
Therapy can be difficult, but actively trying to "crack you open" can hinder therapy. the end goal isn't to crack you open, it's to give you an activity that aids in your recovery. sometimes the emphasis is on the cracking.
The bridge was founded by Paul and Carol Cannon in the 1970s. Their formula seemed to work well, but subsequent leaders haven't answered the call the way they did. Leads can't just teach from the book. They need the right level of education and certification to capture the spiri
What the bridge needs is better qualified staff. While the groups are helpful, there isn't enough individualized attention. Sometimes appointments with a therapist are hard to get. In the end, your recovery is yours. If the bridge beefs up it's qualifications
