Pavillon

11/24/2025

Like many Pavillon staff members, Executive Chef, Bryan Kilby, understands recovery. Working at Pavillon inspired him to address his addictive relationship with food (particularly sugar).

Now, Bryan shares his story with the patients every six weeks. Some are amazed by the old photos Bryan shares from before he started eating mindfully and exercising. Some are inspired by seeing him on his daily trail-runs around Pavillon's 160 acre campus. But all are encouraged by his message.

His message is one of hope, with an understanding that "recovery" isn't just about substance use disorders. Recovery is about a change in spirit, a shift in ones attitude and outlook on life, and a new found freedom.

Thank you Bryan Kilby for this beautiful photo from one of your trail runs at Pavillon!

"Nature’s beauty and bounty at Pavillon just has a way of getting in your skin and becoming part of your soul." ~Chef Bryan

11/24/2025

It’s the Holiday Season!

The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for those of us in recovery, it can also bring stress, anxiety, and plenty of unexpected triggers. Holidays are commonly associated with drinking, and even something as innocent as a dessert at an office party can be soaked in booze without anyone thinking twice. Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate the holidays as a sober woman, and I wanted to share some of the tips and tricks that have truly served me well.

• Bring your own festive drink.
I want a delicious beverage at holiday gatherings, not just a basic LaCroix. I’m talking about a real mocktail moment: garnishes, fun glassware, and all the accoutrements. Having a beautiful alcohol-free drink helps me feel included and safe. One of my go-tos is Waynesville Soda Jerks, who make the most delightful, unique sodas. Their seasonal cranberry ginger flavor is an absolute must for my holiday season. And here’s the truth: most parties barely have a decent seltzer. Don’t count on a fancy mocktail being there; bring your own and set yourself up for success!

• Remember that you’ve changed, not everyone else has.
In early sobriety, I wanted to talk constantly about my recovery, and I sometimes felt disappointed when loved ones didn’t quite understand. With time, I’ve learned this: your program is for you. Their inability to “get it” does not make your recovery any less of a miracle.

• Start the day with a meeting.
Alcathons typically run all day long on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Hitting a meeting first thing in the morning helps me “get right with God” before navigating tricky family dynamics. It’s the best foundation I can give myself on a potentially stressful day. If there’s not a local in-person meeting, find one on Zoom.

• HALT. Truly.
We often show up expecting to eat right away, only to discover dinner is hours away. A little protein snack beforehand goes a long way. Entering the holiday fray not hungry, angry, lonely, or tired drastically increases my chances of having a peaceful experience and reduces the likelihood of the holiday hangries.

• “No” is a complete sentence.
Your sobriety comes first. If an event feels unsafe, overwhelming, or just too much… you can say no. There will always be more holiday seasons. Don’t let guilt or pressure from others push you into environments you’re not ready for.

• Always bring your own ride.
I rarely carpool to holiday events. Having my own vehicle gives me an immediate exit strategy if things start to feel uncomfortable. Freedom, autonomy, and safety all in one simple choice.

• And lastly: Have fun!
Think back to what you loved during the holidays as a kid. What brought you awe, joy, or a sense of magic? How can you recreate that memory in a sober way today?

I grew up in a family where drinking started early and flowed freely on holidays. But now, the sober memories I’ve created with peaceful, intentional moments are the ones that truly stay with me. Not the old chaotic, dysfunctional, booze-filled circus. With a little planning, boundary-setting, protein bars, and tasty mocktails, the holidays can be full of peace, joy, and a little extra magic. And most importantly: you get to wake up the next day remembering all of it!

~Browning H.

11/22/2025

New Waters and Onsite put on the BEST book signing event with Dr Louise Stanger who wrote her fourth book all about the blueprint for living. Dr Stanger is nothing short of an incredibly charismatic, wise and love able human with so much to offer our industry. She has a mastery of working with families as an interventionist, and we are honored to have gotten to know more about the wonderful work she is doing in the world!



Amber Brown withPavillon
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11/16/2025

Consequences And Growth...

Almost four years into this recovery journey, I haven't put a mind or mood altering substance into my body, but I still find myself facing the consequences of choices I made before I got clean. Sometimes it's painful, sometimes it's discouraging, and sometimes it feels like I'll never fully escape my past. But I've learned that I'm not alone in that.

So many of us in recovery are still cleaning up wreckage we never meant to cause.
What helps me most is remembering that none of this is wasted. Every hard moment, every uncomfortable truth, every humbling experience-it's all part of the process that God is using to shape me. I don't have to have it all figured out. I just have to keep doing the next right thing, one day at a time.

There are days when faith feels like the only thing keeping me going. But l've seen what happens when I trust that God has a plan bigger than my pain. Doors open I never expected.

Healing happens in ways I couldn't have planned.
And I start to realize that maybe, just maybe, everything really is working out exactly the way it's supposed to.

So if you're in that place too... still facing consequences, still trying to rebuild, still wondering if it's ever going to get easier...don't give up. Keep doing the work. Keep showing up. Keep trusting that there's purpose in this. God didn't bring us this far just to leave us where we are.

~Vee

Pavillon extends an open invitation to all alumni, friends, family, and staff who wish to share their experience, strength, and hope with our readers. Email alumniservices@pavillon.org with your "moment" and help inspire others on their recovery journey.

11/16/2025

Attention friends in/around PICKENS SC! Check out this sober fellowship event TOMORROW, "Dog-Friendly Hike" organized by Phoenix volunteers.

Nice easy hike through the woods. Some stairs at the beginning afterwards almost entirely flat loop trail, 2.5 miles total. Great for bringing a dog, shipping some coffee, or having some morning snacks and chats.

11/15/2025

Nothing brings people together like a little friendly competition… and a whole lot of crock pots!

This week we hosted our Pavillon Crock Pot Cook-Off, and our staff absolutely showed up with some incredible dishes. Entries were anonymous, which made the tasting (and the guessing!) even more fun. We had appetizers, entrées, and desserts—everything from savory to sweet and a few surprises in between.

After plenty of sampling and plenty of laughs, the votes were counted:

Appetizer Winner: Tara Hamlin, Non-Clinical Support Service Director – Sausage Dip

Dessert Winner: Jennifer Grimes, Women’s Extended Care Counselor – Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Entrée Winner: Executive Chef Bryan Kilby – Pot Roast (no shock there!)
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined in and cooked with so much heart—including our CEO, Barbara Bennett, who brought a spicy pork dish that definitely kept things interesting!

Events like this remind us that working at Pavillon really does feel like being part of one big extended family. Good food, good people, and a whole lot of camaraderie—what more could we ask for?

11/14/2025

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11/14/2025

Attention friends in/around Taylors SC! Check out this sober fellowship event organized by Phoenix volunteers.

Come have a fun sober time climbing with Kayla or Amanda!

11/11/2025

Last week, Kim Nelson, Director of Marketing & Business Development, and Hunter Ragland, Business Development Representative, spent time in beautiful Nashville meeting with so many incredible professionals who are making a difference every day in the mental health and addiction recovery field.

We were grateful to connect with:
Chase Sewell with • Kristin Brumley of (set up by Mike Long) • Kasey Bradshaw with • Melissa Boudreaux, Doug Lyons, and Neely Carlton Lyons with • Joey Darby and Jay Crosson with • Tracy Glascoe with Vanderbilt Behavioral Health • and Zack Livingston with The Firm.

And what a highlight to attend “So How You Doing?” — A Playful Play on Codependency at the Nasheville Children’s Theater! The performance was filled with insight, humor, and heart, featuring so many familiar faces in our field — Tom Parker, Dr. Michael Groat, Mischele Haygood (Lindner Center of Hope), Denise Klein (Milestones Ranch Malibu), Cindy Finnigan (Interventionist), Kurt Garby (PCH), Dr. Don Grant (Newport Healthcare), Keith Fosgett (Aton Center), and Lloyd Fitzsimmons (Skyline Family Services).

We left feeling deeply inspired by the collective talent, passion, and collaboration happening across our industry. Together, we’re all working toward the same goal — helping individuals and families find lasting recovery and healing.

11/10/2025

At our all-staff meeting, we had the joy of celebrating some incredible anniversaries. These milestones may note the years by numbers, but those numbers barely scratch the surface when it comes to the amount of passion, compassion and dedication that makes Pavillon such a special place to work.

1-Year Anniversaries:
Dr. Brad Sokal, Psychologist
Lavonda Sweeney, Director of Outpatient Services
Luke Harmon, Recovery Coach
Rick Castanho, Recovery Coach
Stephanie Upton, Recovery Coach
Matt Montandon, Executive Sous Chef
Chelcie Biddix, Kitchen Support
Zuy Irbin, Kitchen Support

5-Year Anniversary:
Erica Williams, Sous Chef

25-Year Anniversary:
Joyce Laughter, Recovery Technician
Joyce’s milestone brought laughter, tears, and stories that filled the room with warmth. The outpouring of love from her colleagues was a reminder of how deeply our team cares for one another and for the mission we share — helping others heal and find recovery for life.

Congratulations to each of these team members! Pavillon truly is more than a workplace — it’s a community of hearts dedicated to hope, healing, and lasting recovery.

11/09/2025

Code of Ethics...

My profession has a code of ethics. It is a system of policies and protocols that all of us must follow to protect the patient as they take on the sensitive and sometimes painful journey of healing and growth. When followed, it benefits both patient and counselor. The “code” lifts them both to higher standards of practice and care. I’m sure that many of you reading this also work under a similar program of ethics.

The military college I graduated from had a very strict system called “The Honor Code.” Each cadet pledged that he/she would “…not lie, steal, cheat or tolerate those that do.” This was a standard that when practiced protected the integrity of the corps of cadets. Now, how did it do that? The Honor Code was not there to stop bad behaviors but to instill more honorable ones. When the cadet, or anyone for that matter, operates daily within a code of honor, they one day stop practicing honorable ethics and become a person of integrity and honor. Professional or personal ethics, when practiced, advance everyone involved. Society is safer, institutions are stronger, faith and trust arise, confidence builds and core needs of all people such as respect and dignity are not just protected but in fact flourish.

AA has given us all a code of ethics to work under-the 12 Steps. They are a compilation of principles that when practiced, in all of our affairs that enhance growth, encourage healing, promote pride and afford us once again the chance to know and operate under the warming glow of self-respect and trust. When applied often enough the devotee one day finds that he/she is no longer practicing the universal truths/ principles imbedded in the steps but that they have become the steps. They find that they as well as their lives have become lifted, enriched, enhanced-that is why we are to practice them…to become.

“Live such a life so that when your children think of ethics, morality, integrity and principles they think of you.”

~Oren W.



Learn more about Pavillon here: https://www.pavillon.org/

11/09/2025

13th Annual Turkey Trot - November 27th

Kick off your Thanksgiving with a morning of fun, fitness, and community spirit! The Hope Coalition is proud to partner with Hendersonville’s 13th Annual Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday, November 27th. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this event brings people together in support of healthy living and hope for our community.

Pavillon is a proud sponsor of the Turkey Trot!

👉 Register now to run or walk the Turkey Trot 5K

Your participation helps strengthen the mission of the Hope Coalition as we work to empower lives and build a healthier future for Henderson County. Lace up your sneakers, bring your family and friends, and be part of the tradition!

https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/news/turkey-trot-2025