Pathways FOR-U is a program developed by Priscilla Ridgway, Ph.D., in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Kansas.  Dr. Ridgway interviewed hundreds of “consumers as providers” and studied their stories in order to determine what helped and what hindered them in their individual recovery journeys.  Based on this information she developed a model of recovery and co-authored a book called Pathways to Recovery: A Strengths Recovery Self-Help Workbook  as well as a facilitator’s guide that are used as references for Pathways FOR-U participants.

Pathways FOR-U is designed to empower individuals to jumpstart their recovery journeys.  The Pathways workbook highlights many topics relevant to the everyday experiences of people in recovery, including subjects that some mental health professionals may be reluctant to address directly, including sexuality and spirituality.  In addition to using workbook readings and exercises during group sessions, participants are encouraged to use the workbook between sessions to explore the aspects of recovery most important to them at their own pace.

Read excerpts from Pathways to Recovery.

Additional information about Pathways FOR-U is available on-line.

For information about Pathways FOR-U groups available in your area or a list certified Pathways FOR-U facilitators contact your local community mental health provider

For information about how to become a trained Pathways FOR-U facilitator contact your local community mental health provider.

Dr. Priscilla Ridgway is a researcher who identifies herself as a mental health consumer.  She currently is an Associate Professor with the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University.  She also consults with the Michigan Department of Community Health to assist in the statewide implementation of the Recovery Enhancing Environment measure.

Additional information about Priscilla Ridgway is available on-line.