An Introduction to the Ascent Approach for Couples in Recovery

Through guided individual, couple, and group exercises, you will explore ways to tackle the challenges you face in your relationship, rebuild trust, and foster intimacy. In addition, you will learn about ways to grow self-awareness and develop habits to make lasting changes to grow as a couple in your recovery.

The workshop also provides an opportunity to discuss topics of particular interest to you and your partner. For example, are you interested to know how other couples in recovery travel, socialize, address physical intimacy, handle their finances or deal with delicate matters such as a medical power of attorney? During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to talk about the unique challenges couples face as they embrace a life of recovery together. The day will conclude with “The Relationship Talk.” Participants will be introduced to this technique and given the opportunity to apply the skills they have learned. Participants will take home new skills, a Quick Guide to the Relationship Talk and a copy of Love Without Martinis – How Couples Build a Healthy Relationship in Recovery, Based on Real Stories to support their recovery.

The workshop is facilitated by a professional couple, a retired CEO and a former General Counsel with over 13 years of recovery. With their support, you have the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and develop new skills to build a healthy relationship in recovery.

The ASCENT Workshop’s experiential modalities include:

• Couple and group exercises
• Roleplaying
• Self-awareness reflection
• Sound and visual crafting activities

Who Should Attend this Program?

Couples in which at least one partner struggled with a substance use disorder. A minimum of 6 months of sobriety is necessary for the partner/s identified as having a substance use disorder. Upon registration, couples will be required to watch a short welcome video followed by a pre-workshop survey. After completing the survey, they will be provided a link to watch a 30-minute introductory video. Each participant will be requested to bring a copy of a photo with them with their partner that they like.

Presenters:

Chantal Jauvin, LLB, MBA, is an attorney, writer, and adventurer. While she knew how to negotiate from Argentina to Russia, handle herself as General Counsel of a global company, and close a $300 Million deal in Mexico, she did not know how to save the man she loved from addiction. A storyteller at heart, she wrote Love Without Martinis – How Couples Build Healthy Relationships in Recovery, Based on Real Stories published by Selectbooks (2021), to give voice to the couples who have navigated the road from addiction to a healthy relationship. Chantal’s first book, The Boy With a Bamboo Heart: The Story of a Street Orphan Who Built a Charity, was published by Maverick House (2015) and translated into two languages.

William Thomas, MBA, is a retired executive who has held various international positions such as President International for Bristol-Myers Squibb and president of Western Union. He currently serves on the Advisory Board and Investment Committee of Caron Treatment Centers. Both a former chairman of the Rotary Foundation (Philadelphia) and former adjunct professor for Webster University in Thailand, he supports philanthropic and mentoring endeavors. William is an alumnus of Caron and celebrated 12 years of recovery last February. He is an advocate for destigmatizing substance use disorder and celebrating the joys and benefits of long-term recovery.

This event is limited to 6 couples.