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Did you know that you or your loved one can schedule a phone consultation with our WestBridge Admissions team?
As experienced and highly compassionate clinical professionals, we believe in helping individuals find the right treatment for their needs as soon as possible. If you or a family member is interested in finding out more information about WestBridge, schedule a phone consultation.
One of our frequently asked questions
is about family support.
Q. Can I be involved in my loved one’s mental health and substance use treatment?
A. This is an important consideration in selecting a program. While many programs provide opportunities for family involvement, frequency and types of contact with families vary. Be sure to ask how often the program will provide you with updates, how they will or will not engage you in their loved one’s treatment, and whether they offer services so that you can learn about how to help your loved one manage their symptoms.
At WestBridge, families are also offered services so that they can step out of the role of crisis responder, and back into the role of family member.
These services include:
- Weekly Family Education & Support
- Weekly clinical updates
- A family handbook
- One-on-one family peer support with another West Bridge family member
- Monthly educational webinars
- Family support groups via a secured video platform
- Support in connecting to local community supports such as NAMI and Al-Anon.
For more information about our programs visit https://www.westbridge.org/programs/
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Anxiety in people managing both mental health and substance use tends to escalate quickly, so the priority is to interrupt that cycle early with simple, repeatable actions that stabilize the body first, then the mind, and reduce the urge to self-medicate. Research-backed approaches from organizations like SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) consistently show that short, structured interventions, especially when practiced regularly, can reduce both anxiety intensity and relapse risk.
- Slow your breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 to calm the nervous system
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Ground yourself: use the 5-4-3-2-1 method to shift focus out of anxious thoughts
- Label the moment: remind yourself “this is anxiety, not danger” or “this will pass”
- Change your environment: move to a quieter, lower-stimulation space
- Reach out: contact a trusted person, sponsor, or peer support group
- Stick to basics: prioritize sleep, food, hydration, and light movement to reduce baseline stress
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Staff Spotlight - Alexandra Halle,
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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Alexandra Halle, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of experience working within the substance use and mental health treatment space. She began her career at WestBridge in 2021
as a Registered Nurse.
After earning her Advance Practice Master’s degree and achieving board certification, she was promoted to Nurse Practitioner.
Alex has worked across all WestBridge programs for the past 5 years and has recently transitioned into a full-time role at The Commons. Here she serves as the point person for the medication management of our residential program. This transition has allowed for a narrower focus, improved multidisciplinary collaboration, and the opportunity to provide a high quality of care to our residential participants.
Alex is committed to the success of all who walk through our doors and strives to provide a collaborative approach to care. She values autonomy, patient education, and shared decision making - principles which guide her practice. She is eager to continue this meaningful work with those affected by SUD and SMI and feels there is no better place to do so than here at Westbridge.
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A critical element of women’s health that is often overlooked or minimized is mental health. For many mothers, the role of a caregiver may be an understatement. By default, women wear multiple hats on a daily basis. In addition to caring for a child receiving mental health treatment and leading a household, a tough juggling act often ensues. Competing responsibilities may prove particularly challenging, and many women may experience exhaustion or “burn-out.” Caregiving may be putting too much stress if any of the following symptoms are experienced:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing a lot of weight
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Becoming easily irritated or angered
- Feeling constantly worried
- Often feeling sad
- Frequent headaches, bodily pain, or other physical problems
Simply put, feeling drained or overwhelmed is common for many mothers who balance the commitment of being a part of their child’s mental health treatment. Self-care for the caregiver is just as important as for the person receiving treatment.
Well-being begins by promising to set aside some much needed time allocated for the self. This gives the emotional system some much-needed attention, similar to a “tune-up” for car maintenance.
Journaling, meditating, exercise and designated self-care time helps make room for tending to emotions on a regular basis that is balanced and harmonious. As the tendency for many caregivers is to drive into “over-load” mode, nurturing the self allows for the maximum ability to provide support for loved ones in treatment.
Caregivers need to know that it is okay for them to seek support. Similar to running a marathon, an entire team of support is needed to ensure that the finish line is crossed. Occasionally, there is a need to pause and seek assistance from a pair of helping hands.
WestBridge’s support system extends to caregivers and their families. For many mothers, this may be the ideal opportunity to heal, reflect and rejuvenate. That way, one can emerge back to the marathon feeling renewed, refreshed and ready to return to everyday life with a new perspective of hope.
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As we approach Mother’s Day, we recognize that for many it can be complicated, it can bring up gratitude, grief, distance, love or a mix of emotions, some positive, some not so. However you experience the day, it’s valid and real.
We also recognize that care doesn’t come from just one role. It shows up in mentors, friends, family members, neighbors, and the people who step in when it matters most. You don’t have to be a mother to be a mother figure and many people have shaped lives in that way.
We honor those who have offered guidance, support, patience, and care in any form. And if the day is complicated, take it at your own pace. Today, we recognize and appreciate the many forms care can take, and the different ways people experience it.
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Recipe courtesy of WestBridge's Chef: Bradley Labarre, CEC, CCA, AAC
Herbed Beef Meatballs: 18–22 medium meatballs (serves 4–6)
Total time: 45–55 minutes (15 min prep, 25–35 min cook)
Ingredients:
Panada:
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
Additional Ingredients:
- 1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (plus 1/2 cup for panada)
- 1 small onion, finely grated or minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2–3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
- 1 tsp ground coriander (optional)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
Instructions:
1. Make the panada: In a small bowl combine 3/4 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup panko. Let sit 5 minutes until absorbed and thickened. Stir in the egg until smooth.
2. Combine meatball base: In a large bowl add ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), smoked paprika, coriander (if using), Worcestershire (if using), and Parmesan (if using).
3. Add panada and remaining panko: Pour the panada into the meat mixture and add the remaining 1 cup panko. Gently mix with hands until just combined (avoid overworking).
4. Shape: Form 18–22 meatballs (~1.5 oz / golf-ball size). Place on a tray.
5. Cook (choose one):
- Brown + oven finish (recommended): Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Brown meatballs on all sides (~2–3 minutes per side). Transfer skillet to a 375°F (190°C) oven and bake 10–12 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Pan-fry only: Brown in batches in a skillet over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes until cooked through.
- Simmer in sauce: After browning, transfer meatballs to simmering tomato sauce and cook 15–20 minutes.
6. Rest & serve: Let rest 3–5 minutes. Serve with pasta, in a sub, over polenta, or with your preferred sauce.
Tips
- If mixture feels too wet, add 1 tbsp panko at a time until manageable; if too dry, add a splash of cream or an extra egg yolk.
- Use a light touch when mixing and forming meatballs for tender results.
- Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months; cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Printable Recipe
| | This Month's WestBridge Puzzle | | |
This month's puzzle was created from one of our own photos of the WestBridge Common's back yard. Take a short break, reset your focus, and enjoy a few minutes of low-pressure problem-solving before jumping back into your day.
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Direct admissions are available in all programs.
Levels of care include:
Residential treatment at WestBridge provides a structured, 24/7 supportive environment for adults who need more stability than outpatient care can offer. At The Commons, a 12-bed, home-like setting, participants receive individualized care for mental health challenges, with or without co-occurring substance use. With consistent clinical support and a therapeutic community model, individuals can step away from daily pressures and focus fully on recovery, building the foundation for long-term stability.
WestBridge’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides structured, intensive mental health and substance use treatment in a supportive outpatient setting, five hours per day, five days per week for 4 – 6 weeks. Designed for individuals experiencing moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms, emotional distress or substance use disorders that interfere with daily functioning, and who require a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy but do not need 24-hour inpatient hospitalization. As such, PHP can serve as a step-down from inpatient care or a step-up from lower levels of outpatient support.
WestBridge offers two Intensive Outpatient Programs, a morning IOP and an afternoon IOP. Individuals are able to attend programming in-person or virtually via Zoom. Additional flexible options will be available soon.
For more information: Call our admissions team at 1-877-461-7711, email inquiry@westbridge.org or connect with us at https://www.westbridge.org/admissions/.
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WestBridge started our Building Bridges Newsletter last September,
if you would to catch up with past issues, please click here.
If you have a friend or loved one who you think might be interested
in this newsletter, please pass along our
email signup link for the newsletter.
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