An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
…Understanding and normalizing the role of relapse in the recovery process is crucial. It’s important to recognize that relapse, while not a desired outcome, can be a common part of many people’s journeys to sobriety. Viewing relapse not as a failure but as a learning opportunity allows for growth and resilience building. This perspective encourages individuals to reflect on what led to the relapse, enhancing their understanding of personal triggers and vulnerabilities. It’s an opportunity to reassess and strengthen coping strategies, making necessary adjustments to their support systems, routines, and self-care practices. By normalizing the conversation around relapse, we foster a more compassionate and supportive recovery environment, where setbacks are seen as integral to the learning process, paving the way for a stronger and more informed path forward.
In a world where the journey towards sobriety is often challenging and deeply personal, understanding the pathways and strategies for achieving and maintaining sobriety is crucial. This series aims to provide insight, encouragement, and practical advice for those who are on the road to recovery, as well as for their loved ones and support networks. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Nina-Lucia Rodriguez, LMHC, C-DBT Licensed therapist and DBT practitioner Licensed to practice in NY & RI.
With years of dedicated research and clinical training in addiction, Nina Lucia’s career as a therapist is distinguished by a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the multifaceted nature of substance dependency. Her academic journey, grounded in psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder and furthered with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, has been enriched by a focused exploration of addiction’s complexities. While Nina Lucia’s expertise lies in the realm of addiction, her practice has evolved to encompass a keen interest in women’s issues, recognizing the unique challenges and transitions women face. Her approach, informed by evidence-based strategies and a specialization in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is tailored to support both individuals and groups, with a particular emphasis on empowering women through their distinct journeys toward healing and growth.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
My journey into the realm of substance use, recovery, and sobriety was shaped by my early life experiences. Witnessing firsthand the impact of addiction within my own family, I was driven by a profound need to understand and address the complexities of this issue. This personal connection to addiction influenced not only my academic pursuits but also my professional trajectory. I delved deeply into the study of addiction, initially focusing on clinical psychology to grasp the underlying mechanisms of substance dependence. However, as I engaged with individuals struggling with addiction, relapse, and recovery, I realized that my true calling was to provide direct support. This realization prompted a significant career shift to counseling psychology, where I could offer more hands-on assistance. My career has been marked by opportunities to work with esteemed institutions such as Columbia University Medical, Presbyterian Hospital, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel. These experiences have not only honed my expertise but also allowed me to specialize in clients through pivotal life transitions, whether it be recovery from addiction, navigating the aftermath of a divorce, or coping with loss and grief.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
One of the most surreal experiences of my career unfolded while I was working at a clinic in New York City, renowned for its discreet and high-quality care for individuals in the public eye. The clinic’s clientele often included celebrities, which led to an intriguing juxtaposition between my professional and personal worlds. Imagine spending upwards of five hours in a therapy session with someone, delving into the depths of their psyche, their vulnerabilities, and their personal struggles, only to step out of the office and be immediately greeted by their larger-than-life persona (literally, billboard-style) plastered across movie posters and advertisements in the city.
The most striking instance of this occurred with a particularly famous individual who was at the peak of their career, starring in an immensely popular series at the time. I recall leaving a particularly intense session with this person, still processing the heavy emotional work we had undertaken, and boarding the subway. There, right in front of me, was a subway ad featuring the very same individual I had just been counseling. Their face, now ubiquitous, staring back at me not as the vulnerable individual I had just witnessed in the privacy of my clinical office, but as the polished, untouchable celebrity known to the world.
This experience underscored the profound dichotomy between public personas and private realities. It served as a stark reminder of the universal nature of human struggles — that behind every public figure’s facade lies a real person grappling with their fears, insecurities, and challenges. This duality of my professional reality, treating individuals whose public lives are so vastly different from their private selves, highlighted the essential humanity that connects us all, regardless of status or fame. It was a powerful testament to the fact that mental health issues do not discriminate; they can affect anyone, regardless of their success or public image.
This encounter not only enriched my understanding of the complex interplay between public perception and personal identity but also deepened my commitment to providing empathetic, confidential care to all my clients. It reinforced the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect, acknowledging their unique challenges and stories, irrespective of their public persona.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
In the field of therapy, particularly when dealing with the intricacies of addiction and recovery, I’ve found that professional humility, empathy, and flexibility are indispensable traits. Professional humility is about recognizing and embracing the limits of our knowledge and expertise, which in turn opens us up to new learning opportunities and strengthens the therapeutic alliance. It means acknowledging that, despite our best intentions and efforts, there is always room for growth and improvement. Empathy allows us to connect with clients on a deep emotional level, to understand and feel their experiences and struggles truly. This connection is crucial for building trust and fostering a safe space where clients can openly share their thoughts and feelings. Flexibility in therapy is about adapting our methods and approaches, and understanding that the therapeutic process is dynamic and ever-changing. It’s about being willing to adjust our strategies to better meet the needs of our clients and to pivot when certain interventions don’t have the desired effect. Together, these traits create a foundation for effective therapy, where clients feel understood, respected, and supported in their journey toward healing.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
My latest venture, ‘Before Your Next Session,’ is an exciting extension of my therapeutic practice designed to provide both therapists and clients with accessible, evidence-based mental health resources. This project stems from a recognition of the gaps that often exist in mental health care, particularly in the continuity of care between therapy sessions. ‘Before Your Next Session’ aims to bridge these gaps by offering tools and resources that support ongoing mental health education, self-reflection, and coping strategies. By democratizing access to quality mental health information, the project seeks to empower individuals to take an active role in their healing process and enhance the efficacy of therapy by providing additional support outside the traditional session framework.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. How would you advise individuals who are contemplating the journey to sobriety but might be hesitant or unsure about taking the first step? Are there key considerations or strategies that can make this initial phase more manageable?
Approaching sobriety is a deeply individual journey that is influenced by one’s personal experiences, beliefs, and perceptions of addiction. As a therapist, I’ve observed that the way clients conceptualize their substance use and recovery can vary widely, from seeing addiction as a moral failing to understanding it as a physical dependence. Both perspectives hold validity for the individuals who hold them, and the role of an effective counselor is to meet clients where they are, respecting their viewpoints and working within their conceptual frameworks. The key to successful counseling lies in uncovering the deeper, often more complex issues that underlie substance use. By viewing substance use as a coping mechanism, we can begin to unravel the functions it serves for the individual, whether it be as a means of escape, a way to manage pain or a method of coping with trauma. Understanding this allows us to address the root causes of addiction and to support clients in finding healthier, more sustainable ways to cope and heal.
The journey of maintaining sobriety is characterized by its day-to-day challenges and victories. It requires a profound commitment to self-reflection, continuous effort, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and personal growth.
In the therapeutic context, I frequently highlighted the notion that embarking on the journey of recovery often requires what might be perceived as “selfishness,” and I genuinely believe in the validity of this perspective. This is a fact because recovery is that difficult. Being selfish, in this context, means saying ‘no’ to friends, family, loved ones, etc. and making your recovery a priority. The concept of taking recovery “one day at a time,” popularized by programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, speaks to the essential nature of focusing on the present moment and celebrating each day of sobriety as a success in its own right. This approach helps to break down the overwhelming prospect of lifelong sobriety into manageable, daily goals, making the journey feel more achievable and less daunting.
Secondly, A crucial aspect of maintaining sobriety is the understanding that one’s entire lifestyle must undergo significant changes. This transformation is deeply personal and varies from one individual to another, depending on their unique circumstances, triggers, and support systems. It’s about more than just abstaining from substance use; it involves reevaluating and often restructuring one’s relationships, hobbies, coping mechanisms, and even career choices in some cases. This holistic approach ensures that the changes are sustainable and supportive of sobriety in the long term.
Lifestyle adjustments might include establishing new routines that promote physical and mental health, such as regular exercise, meditation, or engaging in new hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment. It also involves creating boundaries to protect one’s sobriety, such as avoiding certain environments or individuals that may trigger the desire to use substances. Furthermore, mindset shifts are crucial, particularly in terms of how one views challenges and setbacks. Adopting a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning and growth, can be particularly empowering on the sobriety journey.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Begin, Navigate, & Sustain Sobriety”?
- Core Values: Honesty, Accountability, and Vulnerability: Honesty with oneself and others is the cornerstone of recovery. It’s essential to acknowledge the full extent of one’s addiction and the impact it has on life. This level of honesty fosters accountability and sets a solid foundation for the recovery process. This also includes one’s honesty to submit to the process and abstain or engage in an abstinence-based or harm reduction-based approach. In essence, sobriety is a personal commitment; it begins and sustains only when you are truly ready to embrace it.
- An Inclusive Support System: The importance of a robust support network cannot be overstated. This includes group therapy, which provides a sense of community and shared experience, as well as individual therapy for personalized guidance. Informing close friends and family about one’s journey can also create additional layers of support and accountability, creating a safety net for moments of vulnerability.
- Professional Guidance: While group support is invaluable, the role of an individual therapist cannot be overlooked. Personal therapy offers a safe space to explore underlying issues such as trauma or mental health conditions that may be intertwined with substance use. Addressing these root causes is critical for holistic healing and long-term sobriety.
- Stigma Resistance: Part of the recovery journey involves challenging societal and internalized stigmas around addiction and recovery. Embracing one’s new identity in recovery involves shedding misconceptions and embracing the changes, including the potential for rediscovering joy, passion, and fulfillment in sobriety.
- Supplemental Skills and Support: Mastering adaptive coping strategies and prioritizing self-care are pivotal in the journey to recovery. This involves developing healthy ways to deal with stress, emotions, and triggers that previously led to substance use. It’s about replacing harmful habits with positive actions and routines, such as physical activity, mindfulness practices, creative expression, or engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Self-care is about treating yourself with kindness and compassion, recognizing your worth, and taking the time to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. This holistic approach not only supports sobriety but also enhances overall well-being, making recovery a more balanced and enriching journey.
- (BONUS!) Normalizing relapse: Understanding and normalizing the role of relapse in the recovery process is crucial. It’s important to recognize that relapse, while not a desired outcome, can be a common part of many people’s journeys to sobriety. Viewing relapse not as a failure but as a learning opportunity allows for growth and resilience building. This perspective encourages individuals to reflect on what led to the relapse, enhancing their understanding of personal triggers and vulnerabilities. It’s an opportunity to reassess and strengthen coping strategies, making necessary adjustments to their support systems, routines, and self-care practices. By normalizing the conversation around relapse, we foster a more compassionate and supportive recovery environment, where setbacks are seen as integral to the learning process, paving the way for a stronger and more informed path forward.
Over time, the critical role of community in the continuity of care for sobriety has become evident. The support and understanding from fellow individuals in recovery often surpass that of professional guidance alone. These peers, who are on the same journey of recovery, inherently understand the challenges and victories involved. Their shared experiences create a profound bond and a deep sense of empathy, making them invaluable allies in the path to sobriety. This collective wisdom and support from those who are navigating similar paths offer a unique form of encouragement that is crucial for sustained recovery. Find your tribe. These are the people who truly understand and will pick up that call or text when it’s needed most.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
For those interested in staying updated on my work, including the development of ‘Before Your Next Session’ and other initiatives aimed at supporting those seeking mental health relief, I invite you to connect with me through professional networking sites, visit my website, or follow my blog. These platforms offer regular updates on my projects, insights into the field of mental health and sobriety, and resources that can be beneficial for both individuals and mental health professionals.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
Nina-Lucia Rodriguez On How to Begin, Navigate, & Sustain Sobriety was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.