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Recovery:

Learning and Teaching About the Possibility of Recovery 

An Interview with Dr. Mark Ragins (by Lori Ashcraft of Crestwood Recovery and Resilience Solutions)

This episode relates to Peer Support Services in a MHOTRS clinic because of the awareness it brings to stepping beyond a diagnosis. This episode speaks to the importance of developing a relationship with a person and understanding the uniqueness of their story. It shares some views that traditional mental health providers may have which can help a Peer Specialist/Advocate (PS/A) to support the person while also advocating for change within the system.

Dr. Mark Ragins, MD

Dr. Ragins, MD is a recovery-based psychiatrist and author of the best selling book Journeys Beyond the Frontier: A Rebellious Guide to Psychosis and Other Extraordinary Experiences.

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He was the Medical Director for 27 years at the Mental Health America of Los Angeles Village in Long Beach, California before taking on a role providing services and support to students at California State University in Long Beach. He has earned several awards including the American Psychiatric Association’s Arnold Van Ameringan Award in Psychiatric Rehabilitation, the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s John Beard award, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California’s recovery practitioner of the year. Dr. Ragins is a writer, trainer, and speaker in the Mental Health Recovery Movement. He has been very active in promoting system change focusing on integrated services, rehabilitation, and recovery for people with serious mental illnesses.  

Find out more about Dr. Mark Ragins at his website: https://www.markragins.com/

What is in this episode:

  • Importance of incorporating choice in the recovery journey
  • The purpose of medication
  • The importance of relationship
  • Information about the Vermont Longitudinal Study
  • The three paradigm shifts the Recovery Movement is causing
  • How to be “Inspiring and Irresistible”
  • Information about Dr. Mark Ragins’ book: Journeys Beyond the Frontier: A Rebellious Guide to Psychosis and Other Extraordinary Experiences

In this exciting episode, Dr. Mark Ragins shares how important it is to talk about a person’s personal journey instead of simply focusing on symptom management. This discussion brings to light the power in developing an understanding of the uniqueness of a person’s journey and their personal story. Dr. Ragins shares that a person’s strength is often connected to a person’s wound. Check out this episode for some enlightening insight about the journey of Recovery.

For more about Mark Ragins latest book visit: https://www.markragins.com/book

For view a CASRA video with Mark Ragins: https://youtu.be/6-LZL2NvT1Q?si=YyBv3tE_OY7enhSo

Summary by Stephen Nawotniak, OTR/L, NYCPS, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, Alliance for Rights and Recovery.

Relevant Links:

Check out the Recovery Resilience Solutions website.

Read the Blog 

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube 

About Viva La Evolution and Crestwood


Developed by Crestwood Behavioral Health
With Contributions by the Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services)
For PeerTAC
Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health