Q&A: Meet Cecelia Jayme, Spiritual Teacher
Cecelia Jayme, MA, LADC, is clinical director at Hazelden Betty Ford in Center City, MN. She is known widely for her deep wisdom and spiritual essence, in addition to her vast professional skills, particularly in leading clinical teams and treating women who are struggling with addiction. During this Native American Heritage Month, Cecelia was kind enough to share some thoughts about her own recovery, heritage and advocacy.
Q: What does it mean for you to share your recovery story with others?
When I am sharing my recovery story with others, I feel very honored. My story is mostly about the rewards of living in recovery. I have been in active continuous recovery now longer than I was alive when I came out from under the nightmare of active addiction. I have been gifted with family, education and career because of the primary gift of recovery. I have been gifted the opportunity to walk with many people who are focused on the same goal — the goal of sharing our experience, strength and hope so that those still suffering can know there is hope and opportunity and that they are worthy.
Q: How is your Native American heritage interwoven with your recovery experience?
My heritage teaches that the Creator/ source of life is present in all. Because of that, I must recognize that I am always in the presence of that Source and that the Source is a part of who I am. Because of that Sacredness, it is my opportunity to honor and respect the Sacredness both within me and within others. Being in sobriety, walking the good path and sharing what knowledge or lessons I have learned being human is really about honoring the sacred, honoring my ancestors and honoring the generations to come.
Q: What do you wish more people knew or understood about recovery?
My hope is that the world can come to know that the illness of addiction does not make a person less valuable or less sacred. Recovery only reveals the beauty that addiction masks.
Editor’s note: Cecelia started with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation 26 years ago as an intern through the L.C.O. Tribal College and was then hired as an on-call counselor. After getting her foot in the door, she earned promotions to full-time-counselor, supervisor, manager and director. Cecelia chairs the Native American Task Force at Hazelden Betty Ford and serves on the DEI Committee of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. She also serves on the Ethics Committee of the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health.
