Redefining Recovery with the Founders of SHE RECOVERS | #MentalHealthMonday Recovery Education Session
Join SHE RECOVERS Co-founders Dawn Nickel and Taryn Strong for a special #MentalHealthMonday session on what they lovingly refer to as their “accidental movement.” Over the last thirteen years, SHE RECOVERS has grown into a thriving community of folks reimagining recovery from mental health issues, trauma, substance use, and diverse life challenges. Together, they’ll discuss the transformative impact of redefining recovery as an inclusive, holistic experience that honors each individual’s unique pathways and patchworks of recovery.
In this session, Dawn and Taryn will:
- Explore the evolution of the SHE RECOVERS philosophy and the key moments that have shaped the community and organization
- Explain what redefining recovery means and why it’s essential to expanding access to support
- Highlight how SHE RECOVERS programming addresses the unique needs of women in recovery, validated by research from the University of Pennsylvania as a “vital tool” for “marginalized, disenfranchised, and specialized communities”
- Showcase the critical role of SHE RECOVERS in creating welcoming, inclusive, and empowering spaces for women historically overlooked by traditional recovery models
Dawn and Taryn will also answer your questions LIVE and emphasize the ongoing need for critical programming to continue supporting women in or seeking recovery.
ABOUT DAWN NICKEL, PHD – ACTING CEO, FOUNDER + BOARD CHAIR
Dr. Dawn Nickel, or “Mama Dawn” as she is affectionately known in the women’s recovery space, is the co-founder of the SHE RECOVERS® Foundation and a thought leader in women’s recovery with an extensive background in researching and writing about women’s experiences with substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and intimate partner violence.
Dawn is an author, certified professional recovery coach, researcher, and consultant on women and healthcare policy. In her work as a researcher, Dawn has focused largely on exploring how best to support women experiencing substance use disorders, mental health issues, and intimate partner violence — the three issues that inaugurated her journey of recovery in 1987.
Choosing to practice recovery daily, Dawn currently identifies as being in active recovery from anxiety, grief, workaholism, and the patriarchy. Her first book, She Recovers Every Day: Meditations For Women, is three hundred and sixty-five pages of meditations that acknowledge the specific needs of all women in any type of recovery. Dawn generously donates 20% of the proceeds from this book to the SHE RECOVERS Foundation.
When she isn’t writing, working as a healthcare and social policy consultant, or helping to grow the movement she started, Dawn can be found hanging out at home with her partner and family, walking or hiking with SHE RECOVERS friends, doing the odd 1000-piece puzzle, or reading. Her life goals include “graduating” therapy at some point, writing more books and a screenplay, completing her travel bucket list, and spending quality time with family, especially her precious grandchildren.
TARYN STRONG – FOUNDER + BOARD CHAIR
Taryn Strong is the co-founder of SHE RECOVERS Foundation as well as a trauma-informed yoga instructor, certified professional recovery coach, aromatherapist, and herbalist…and the daughter of Mama Dawn.
Since 2012, Taryn has developed a unique yoga retreat program and led over forty yoga for recovery retreats. She is also the creator of and instructor for the SHE RECOVERS Trauma-informed Yoga Teacher Training Program. Operating from a trauma-informed lens and advocating for anti-oppressive practices, Taryn brings an empathic and invitational approach to healing — empowering women to find and follow individualized pathways and patchworks of recovery.
Taryn’s courageous vulnerability and passion for recovering out loud has made her an influential voice in the global recovery movement. As one of the hosts of the SHE RECOVERS Podcast, Taryn further smashes the stigma often associated with substance use and mental health issues.
Taryn lives, works, and plays with her beloved partner and son within the ancestral and unceded traditional territories of the Hul’qumi’num and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples, colonially known as Salt Spring Island.
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