My Nonprofit Reviews

As soon as I learned about Inner Fire in the summer of 2016, I drove straight up to VT to see it for myself. At the time, I had recently retired from a 30-year career as a High School Counselor and was also deeply concerned about a loved one with profound mental health / suicide issues. My combined professional and personal experiences convinced me that mainstream mental health care's approach, while well-intentioned, does not guide an individual through the underlying causative factors to enable him or her to emerge as a more integrated, functioning person, equipped to move forward on their life journey.

I was thrilled to observe the program firsthand and to mingle with some of the Seekers. They were immersed in the rhythmic daily routine that combines practical physical work, reflective times (both group and individual) and a variety of artistic therapies, as well as fun social times. It was clear to me that these individuals felt safe and supported enough to truly explore the dynamics of their individual struggles and to do the challenging work of personal change. For most, Inner Fire enables them to do this work while tapering off psychoactive drugs and their accompanying effects.

While it did not work out for my loved one to enter this healing community, I am passionate about supporting their mission. With plans for expanding the facilities, the founder hopes to welcome other healthcare professionals who are interested in developing initiatives like Inner Fire in other locations or are seeking more effective treatment options to offer in their own practices. The time for change is now!