How to Build Trust in Mental Health - Brian Samford, Dean Fitch & Host Michael Castanon

In today’s post-covid world where isolation and disconnection are at an all-time high, we also see the rise of addiction and mental health disorders - and there is no coincidence.  

We’ve settled in many ways for a reasonable facsimile of the truth which is we get our needs met by being with other human beings.  

“As Iron Sharpens Iron.”  

“The Redwood Trees grow to be the tallest living things on the planet by having an interconnected root system” 

As a youth minister for over a decade first in Austin Texas and later in Kerrville, Dean knew his calling was to work with people and help families, leading him to get his master’s degree in psychology.  

During a chance encounter at Vicky’s Burgers, he was introduced to Brian, the new clinical director at a local addiction treatment center, and was offered the opportunity to shadow him for a day while he treated patients.  

Dean spent the day completely soaking in the encounters, taking notes frantically in his notebook, and finally resigning to putting the notebook down and taking in the experience and being present.  

Dean now realizes that these relationships and connections can happen right where we are and we have the opportunity to invest in people so that they too can experience the energizing and healing that takes place when connected to others.  

Brian, in recovery himself, knew that there were only two goals in recovery - stay sober and help other people. And the counseling was a vehicle for him to help others and make an impact in the world. It’s been a handful of close relationships in recovery that have poured into him and helped him stay sober today. Safe and trusted people that he can pour it all out to.  

Brian faced a crossroads in his life going through one of the most difficult circumstances in all his years - a turning point in his recovery, where he felt like he was being sucked into a dark hole, and at the darkest moment lying there in front of his living room TV, Dean called him. And it was that phone call that pulled Brian out of this moment. Brian realized in this moment, the young man he’d been mentoring was now able to mentor him. The tables had turned!  

In this way, Dean and Brian have built a lifelong connection that has enabled both of them to give far more to others than they could have possibly done alone.  

It’s a part of both of their missions today which is to spread awareness of the power of this kind of connection -  

These relationships can lift us and bring positive energy and light into the world.  

Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-samford-67486610b/
Learn more about The Arbor: https://thearbor.com/

Connect with Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-fitch-ms-lmft-34a2382/
Learn more about Kipu Health: https://www.kipuhealth.com/

Connect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-castanon-3a51748/
Learn more about Alter Behavioral Health: https://alterbehavioralhealth.com/