# data[].attributes.headline
Igbo is one of the tribes in Nigeria. I am an Igbo lady.

# data[].attributes.subject
Igbo is one of the tribes in Nigeria. I am an Igbo lady.

# data[].attributes.body
Biography of Laura Ihejirika-Ozobia

I am a dedicated social worker and an inspiring advocate for my community, originally from Nigeria. Growing up, I witnessed the struggles faced by many families, which ignited my passion for social justice and community support.

After immigrating to the United States with my parents, I embraced the opportunities available to me while remaining committed to my roots. My husband later joined us, and together we are raising four wonderful children, instilling in them the values of empathy, kindness, and the importance of helping others.

I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work. My goal is to develop impactful programs that address the needs of underprivileged immigrant families, providing them with the resources and support they need to navigate life’s challenges. My holistic approach considers the social and economic issues that affect immigrant families, ensuring I address the root causes of their struggles.

In my free time, I volunteer at my church, where I work to combat food insecurity. When I’m not volunteering, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, cooking traditional Nigerian dishes, and sharing my rich culture with my children. Celebrating my heritage is essential in raising culturally aware kids who are proud of their background.

# data[].attributes.body
I was born and raised in Nigeria, attended university, and was in my second year before I moved to the United States. I am from the Igbo tribe located in the southeast of Nigeria.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet The Great Igbo People of Nigeria | African Culture & People

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.headline
Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.subject
Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.body
Middle-aged women in rural areas face unique barriers to recovery, such as geographic isolation, deep stigma, co-occurring mental illnesses, and limited women's services (Pullen & Oser, 2014)

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.alternative_text
Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.headline
Interventions 2:  Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Recovery Circles

# data[].attributes.subject
Interventions 2:  Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Recovery Circles

# data[].attributes.body
Rationale: This intervention utilizes a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy framework within a peer-led circle. Instead of focusing on the problem of addiction, sessions are future-oriented, guiding women to identify their strengths, past successes, and a detailed vision of a preferred future without substance use. This increases empowerment and hope, which is important to mitigate shame and powerlessness. SFBT is a potentially effective and efficacious community-based substance use treatment intervention because SFBT emphasizes the solutions and resources of clients (Franklin & Hai, 2021).

# data[].attributes.headline
Intervention 1: Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Somatic Practices

# data[].attributes.subject
Intervention 1: Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Somatic Practices

# data[].attributes.body
Rationale: There is a high comorbidity between substance use and trauma in this population. A peer-led group incorporating trauma-informed mindfulness and somatic (body-based) practices can help women safely regulate their nervous systems and process trauma without requiring extensive verbal disclosure, which can be re-traumatizing. This is particularly important in rural areas where trauma specialists are not readily available. Recent evidence that somatic interventions (e.g., breathwork and grounding) reduced PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and cravings in women in substance use recovery is promising  (Price et al., 2019)

# data[].attributes.headline
Reference for Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.subject
Reference for Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

# data[].attributes.body
Franklin, C., & Hai, A. H. (2021). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Substance Use: A Review of the literature. Health & Social Work, 46(2), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hlab002Links to an external site.

Pinedo, M., Zemore, S., Beltrán-Girón, J., Gilbert, P., & Castro, Y. (2019). Women’s Barriers to Specialty Substance Abuse Treatment: A Qualitative Exploration of Racial/Ethnic Differences. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 22(4), 653–660. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-019-00933-2Links to an external site.

Price, C. J., Thompson, E. A., Crowell, S., & Pike, K. (2019). Longitudinal effects of interoceptive awareness training through mindful awareness in body-oriented therapy (MABT) as an adjunct to women’s substance use disorder treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 198, 140–149 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.02.012

Pullen, E., & Oser, C. (2014). Barriers to substance abuse treatment in rural and urban communities: Counselor perspectives. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(7), 891–901. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2014.891615Links to an external site.

# data[].attributes.headline
Integrated Recovery and Social Connection through Nature-Based Activities

# data[].attributes.subject
Integrated Recovery and Social Connection through Nature-Based Activities

# data[].attributes.body
Rationale: This approach integrates peer support with structured nature-based activities (i.e., gardening, group walks, and restorative practices in natural settings). It addresses isolation through community-building, utilizes the mental health benefits of nature that have been shown to be effective, and offers a healthy and accessible coping option. This makes use of an existing environment as a source of therapy for women in rural areas. Recent research indicates that interventions based on nature can decrease stress, enhance mood, and enhance social connection, all of which are critical to maintaining recovery. (Poulsen et al., 2016)

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.alternative_text
Integrated Recovery and Social Connection through Nature-Based Activities