Welcome to BriteLife Village
Recovery is relational. So is our family program.
Since the beginning of time, humans have lived in community. We are all part of larger systems: families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. When one part struggles with mental health or addiction, the impact is felt across the system. That’s why we call our family program a Village.
Our Mission for Family Recovery Support
While your loved one focuses on their recovery, families can stay engaged and supported in multiple ways. At BriteLife Village, we provide comprehensive support and education to families, community members, and professionals navigating the world of mental health and addiction. Our Village promotes holistic recovery that supports the entire system, not just the individual.
We Help Families
- Understand your loved one's recovery journey
- Recognize your role within family systems
- Prioritize your own self-care and wellbeing
- Build resilience for lasting recovery
Our approach supports:
- Patients and their families
- Extended community members
- Professionals in the recovery field
- Evidence-Based Practice & Connection Focused Philosophy
Free. Virtual. Built for families. Starting the day your loved one is admitted.
Meet the Director of Family Services
Ryanne Dunlop
LCSW-C — Director of Family Services, BriteLife Recovery
A social worker with deep roots in family and recovery work, Ryanne leads with compassion, curiosity, and purpose. Her vision for the Village grew naturally from the collaborative spirit at BriteLife. It reflects the supportive environment the team builds every day. She is committed to setting the standard in recovery treatment and helping every member of the Village grow and thrive together.
You are not just sending them somewhere. You are joining us.
The Village, BriteLife's Family Programming
Family Therapy
Our clinical team offers personalized family therapy to strengthen your unique family system. Your loved one’s primary therapist will share updates and recommendations for family therapy as needed and with patient consent. Family sessions may include phone calls, virtual meetings, or in-person sessions, with or without your loved one present, depending on what is most helpful. The goals of family involvement are:
- Improving communication and reducing conflict
- Boundary setting for healthier relationships
- Trauma processing for family members
- Relapse prevention planning
- Discharge planning and transition support
- More information can be found in the Family Orientation Packet. Complete the registration link for a copy.
The path to our Village remains open.
The Village, BriteLife's Family Programming
Upon your loved one’s admission, BriteLife Staff will send you a registration link to learn more about our family services program, Village.
Family Orientation Packet
Virtual - Download
A virtual guide designed to introduce families to our mission, policies, and treatment environment. It helps set clear expectations for what your loved one’s experience will look like while in care, while also offering practical tools to support both their recovery journey and your own wellbeing.
Village Workbook
Virtual - Self-Paced
This free virtual workbook was created to provide loved ones with education, opportunities for reflection, and support throughout the recovery process. It is used in the Village Education Series, and families are encouraged to explore the material at their own pace.
The Village Education Series
Free - Weekly - Virtual
We offer free weekly educational workshops on Tuesdays 4-5:15PM and Thursdays 6-7:15PM for families, no matter the location. Each 75-minute workshop is designed to educate, support, and empower families.
Family Village Alumni Support
Free · weekly - Post-treatment
We offer free weekly virtual workshops on Tuesdays 4-5:15PM and Thursdays from 6-7:15PM for our alumni families to continue learning, connecting, and growing after treatment.
The Village Alumni community continues to be a meaningful source of connection, encouragement, and shared experience. We are grateful for the strength, insight, and peer support that families bring to one another in this space. Contact BriteLife staff for a registration link upon your loved one’s admission
Recovery is relational. So is our family program.
Case Management Services
Each patient is assigned a dedicated case manager who coordinates care throughout treatment and discharge. This is a critical part of long-term recovery success.
- Coordinate care between patient, family, and clinical team
- Connect patients and families with community recovery resources
- Collaborate on safe and stable discharge and aftercare planning
The Village Education Series - Topics
Understanding Mental Health & Substance Use
Humans have always lived in communities, and when one member struggles with mental health or addiction, the whole system feels the impact. This workshop covers the science of addiction and mental health and how family systems can begin holistically healing.
Boundaries & Empowerment
Boundaries are an essential tool for families navigating recovery. They are a means of self-preservation, helping you protect your emotional and mental well-being. Establishing clear boundaries can build emotional safety, support healthy communication, and prevent role confusion within the family system.
Healthy Support
Families will gain a deeper understanding of the difference between codependency and healthy support while exploring how patterns such as enabling can develop in response to a loved one’s mental health challenges and/or substance use.
Family Systems
Understanding family systems helps us see how patterns, roles, and dynamics influence both individual experiences and the way family members respond to challenges, including mental health and/or substance use. By exploring systems and roles, we can identify healthy changes and support stronger, more balanced relationships.
Relapse & Resilience
This part of the workshop series explores the warning signs and behaviors associated with relapse in both patients and within the family system, including ways family members may unintentionally fall back into old coping patterns. Recognizing these patterns can help create healthier responses and strengthen support, emphasizing that relapse does not mean failure, but rather signals that additional support and adjustments in recovery may be needed.
You Are Not Alone
The path to our Village remains open.
Case Management & Aftercare Planning
- Coordinate care between patient, family, and clinical team
- Connect patients and families with community recovery resources
- Collaborate on safe and stable discharge and aftercare planning
Communication Guidelines and ROI Information
A Release of Information (ROI) is a written authorization allowing BriteLife staff to share specific treatment details with designated family members. Without a signed ROI, our team is limited by strict confidentiality laws.
We Help Families
- Receive updates about treatment progress
- Communicate directly with clinical staff
- Participate in family therapy sessions
- Coordinate care and discharge planning
Without a signed ROI, families can still:
- Complete the registration link for family support resources
- Attend all Village Education Series workshops
- Receive guidance and resources for themselves
- Share concerns with our team
- Join Family Village Alumni workshops and programs
Family Recovery Resources and Support Groups
Curated resources for families navigating addiction and mental health recovery.
Peer & Family Groups
Therapy & Coaching
- BALM Family Recovery
- Psychology Today Directory
- Recovery Coaches / Advocates
Recovery Programs
Recommended Reading
- Codependent No More — Melody Beattie
- Beyond Addiction — Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkens, Nicole Kosanke
- The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk
- Braving the Wilderness — Brené Brown
- Addict in the Family — Beverly Conyers
- The Language of Letting Go — Melody Beattie
Where We Grow & Thrive Together.
Family Recovery FAQs
Curated resources for families navigating addiction and mental health recovery.
Do I have to participate for my loved one to receive treatment?
No. Family participation is always voluntary and based on what the patient chooses. Some clients prefer individual work first and involve family later in treatment.
Are family services covered by insurance?
Family therapy sessions are typically covered when part of the client's treatment plan. Our free weekly Village Workshops are available to all families regardless of coverage.
Can family members from different locations participate?
Yes. All weekly education sessions are conducted virtually, making them accessible to families anywhere in the country.
What if there are difficult family dynamics or estrangement?
Our trauma-informed approach is designed to help families navigate complex and painful dynamics at a safe, manageable pace, focused on healing rather than blame.
When one person enters treatment, the whole village heals together.
Whether you're seeking support, education, or connection, our resources are here to guide your family's journey. Recovery starts with connection.