小蓝视频

Tucked away in the middle of the forest, opposite the Paradise Valley Campground, lies the , which offers a blend of therapies to 鈥渟upport individuals recovering from trauma and addiction.鈥�  

Drawing on a combination of Western medicine, Eastern philosophies, and creative expression, the centre aims to 鈥渉elp people find emotional balance and healing.鈥� 

鈥淢ost of the people that come to the centre have unresolved trauma and emotional pain,鈥� said Nirmala Raniga, founder of the centre.  

鈥淲e focus on creating an environment where they can heal from addiction and psychological trauma, integrating Western medicine and Eastern practices like yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.鈥� 

Art therapy for emotional expression 

One of the key elements of the centre鈥檚 approach is art therapy, which provides a way for participants to 鈥渆xpress emotions that may be difficult to articulate.鈥�  

鈥淭rauma is often trapped in the brain as a sensory experience,鈥� said Raniga.  
鈥淎rt therapy allows people to access those parts of the brain that may not have words but still need to be soothed and released.鈥� 

The centre offers art sessions where guests engage with colours, forms, and textures to explore their emotions. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about creating a perfect drawing,鈥� Raniga said.  

鈥淚t鈥檚 about expressing what comes out and then discussing what those images might mean.鈥�  

done in Washington shows that art therapy has been found effective for individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Its non-verbal nature 鈥渉elps participants access suppressed memories and emotions, promoting emotional regulation and stress relief.鈥� 

A  also found that art therapy helped reduce stress in about 80% of participants, showing how creative activities can effectively support mental well-being. 

Incorporating Ayurveda for balance 

The centre also integrates Ayurvedic principles: the traditional Hindu system of medicine.  

鈥淎yurveda teaches us that we are all made up of the five elements鈥攕pace, air, fire, water, and earth鈥攁nd these manifest in three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha,鈥� said Raniga. 

The centre鈥檚 vegetarian meals are designed to balance these doshas. 鈥淭he foods we eat affect not just our bodies but also our emotions,鈥� she said.  

Guests are also encouraged to practice self-massage using dosha-specific oils. 鈥淔or example, we recommend sesame oil for Vatas and coconut oil for Pittas,鈥� said Raniga. 

In addition to a vegetarian diet, daily routines include yoga and meditation. 鈥淎 typical day starts with yoga at 7 a.m. and meditation at 8 a.m., followed by group therapy,鈥� she said. 

 鈥淭he focus is on creating balance, not just in the mind but also in the body.鈥� 

A found that Ayurvedic medicine can benefit people with coronary heart disease. This makes sense since yoga and meditation鈥攌ey parts of Ayurveda鈥攁re known to  

Western medicine meets Eastern practices 

While the centre鈥檚 foundation is rooted in traditional practices, it also offers medical support.  

鈥淲e have a centre physician, a psychiatric nurse, and access to a consulting psychiatrist,鈥� said Raniga.  

鈥淥ur clinical team ensures that every guest receives a bio-psychosocial assessment and tailored care.鈥� 

However, the centre is not a detox facility, and the intake process ensures that clients are ready to participate in the therapeutic program.  

鈥淲e make sure individuals don鈥檛 require detox services before admission, as that鈥檚 outside the scope of our care,鈥� Raniga said. 

Supporting the community 

Paradise Valley Healing Centre has provided services for more than 14 years and offers treatment to those in need through partnerships with Vancouver Coastal Health and Sea to Sky Mental Health Services.  

鈥淲e provide 12 free treatment beds each year鈥攐ne per month鈥攆or individuals from Squamish who cannot afford care,鈥� said Raniga. 

Despite the availability of services, Raniga notes that many people are unaware of the centre鈥檚 presence. 鈥淪ometimes people don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 available in their own neighbourhood,鈥� she said.  

鈥淚t took me three years to rezone the property and get the necessary licensing, but I knew it was important to provide this kind of care.鈥� 

Reflecting on the need for holistic care, she emphasizes the importance of emotional healing. 鈥淲hen we don鈥檛 walk through our emotions, we get stuck in them,鈥� she said. 

 鈥淎ddiction and unhealthy coping often arise from that emotional pain. It鈥檚 essential that people reach out for support鈥攁nd that families support their loved ones, too.鈥� 

The centre offers programs ranging from one to six weeks, with prices starting at $7,500 and increasing based on program length. Additional weeks are $5,000 each, and GST applies. 

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The 小蓝视频鈥檚 Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the  

The Squamish business beat was sparked by locals asking for more such coverage. This business was chosen because it is within Chatterjee鈥檚 region and helps expand residents鈥� understanding of what is available in Paradise Valley, a region that has traditionally not gotten the same coverage as Squamish proper. If you would like to be considered for this beat, email [email protected].