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.
Most people think addiction begins with substances. I’m not sure that’s always true. Sometimes it begins much earlier. It begins with the belief that certain
For UK and international clients considering treatment abroad, Spain has become an increasingly popular option. Alongside the warmer climate and greater privacy, many people are surprised to learn that rehab in Spain can sometimes cost less than private treatment in the UK while still offering high-quality care.
You know it’s not a good idea, but you still do it. It goes against what you know is true, but you still act on
When grief becomes persistent, intense, and begins to interfere with everyday functioning, it may be a sign of complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief disorder, which may indicate the individual could benefit from some form of bereavement support to help them process the loss.
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.
