Don, born in Louisiana to Shamanic-descendant Native Americans (matriarchal side), pursued theology after growing up on a farm with three siblings. He later specialised in addiction studies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, achieving an M.Div and additional studies in Management, Administration, and Counselling. With a background in Philosophy, he found his calling as a priest, offering support to Step 5s in local treatment centres.
For over 40 years, Don has dedicated himself to addiction and psychiatric behavioural health, working internationally at esteemed centres like Sierra Tucson, Cottonwood, and The Priory, Europe, and the Middle East. He excelled in “family systems work” in the addiction field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Don assisted in pioneering equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) in the US (1990s) and the UK since 2002. The author of the book “Equine Utilized Psychotherapy: Dance With Those That Run With Laughter,” (circa 2006) explains simply why and how it works. He gained media recognition, including appearances on shows like ‘The Trisha Show’ and a feature in The Daily Telegraph.
In the early 2000s, Don and his wife, Meena, established Camino Recovery in Spain. For over a decade and a half, they have been providing tailored and diverse addiction treatment programs with a focus on helping people find a happier way of life.
Besides his work at Camino Recovery, Don enjoys travelling with Meena, spending time with family and working on DIY projects.
When someone starts recovery, everyone around them is affected. The change simply cannot stay hidden. It alters conversations, habits, and expectations. Sometimes it strengthens connection, but sometimes it exposes how much of that connection relied on old coping patterns.
You may still feel sad or emotionally unstable this time of year, but healing gives you choices you didn’t have before. How you show up, how long you stay, who gets access to you, which patterns continue and which ones end with you.
If you’re reading this and you’re in recovery, whether early days or later, listen for the voice of that lost self. It may say: I’m gone. It may say: I’m still here. It may say nothing. But you’ll feel it.
Private rehab programmes in Spain, like Camino Recovery, offer that kind of break. A place where the air feels different, where you can finally stop pretending to be fine and start figuring out what healing really looks like.
Family therapy is a vital component of addiction treatment because it explores and addresses the profound impact of addiction on the entire family and the relational struggles of each individual.
Spain is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most popular destinations for trauma-informed addiction recovery, drawing individuals from all corners of the globe who seek effective, compassionate, and holistic care.
By tailoring a treatment plan to their individual needs and preferences, these approaches can empower individuals to work toward sobriety and wellness in a more informed and empowered way.
Whether you struggle with substance use, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health challenges, our team nurtures and holds space for your personal history, needs, and goals for recovery – offering a supportive, compassionate environment for healing.
Studies show that self-compassion can significantly improve treatment outcomes for those facing mental health disorders like trauma and addiction, cultivating a sense of personal competence and reducing the isolation that often comes with shame and guilt.
