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BEMIDJI 鈥� Nestled in a quiet basement office of the in Bemidji, The Recovery Space LLC is offering hope and support for individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders.

Beginning this journey in January the private practice, led by Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Isabella Schaefer, is designed to provide a safe space for people to begin or continue their recovery journey. While it has been operational for months, Schaefer is preparing for a more public launch in the coming weeks.

"I'm just telling everybody that service is starting in September," Schaefer said. "I鈥檝e been building up a waitlist for about a month now," she added.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

Schaefer鈥檚 decision to open The Recovery Space came after nearly a decade of working in corporate behavioral health and realizing that there was a real need for places that allow for a more person-centered approach to recovery.

"I kind of was faced with this hard decision: Should I pursue yet another organization, or should I prioritize my family finally?" she said, "and I wanted to prioritize my own health and wellness."

The Recovery Space represents more than just a business for Schaefer 鈥� it鈥檚 a personal mission.

"I think of recovery as a state of being," she said. "I want people to be able to step into the recovery space, whatever that looks like for them, and just kind of start healing."

At The Recovery Space, harm reduction is at the heart of Schaefer鈥檚 approach. Harm reduction focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of substance use, and Schaefer is passionate about providing clients with practical tools to stay safe.

"I鈥檓 very (vocal) about harm reduction," she said, adding that she is currently working on getting a sterile syringe program set up and having a naloxone access point available.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

In addition to harm reduction, The Recovery Space offers services aimed at supporting individuals through long-term recovery.

"I specialize in low-intensity services and long-term services," Schaefer explained. "I do a lot of case management ... I鈥檝e been doing a lot of on-the-ground work, meeting up with people, seeing what their needs are."

For Schaefer, it鈥檚 about meeting people where they are in their recovery and offering them the support they need, whether that鈥檚 clinical services or community-based assistance.

Schaefer has faced significant difficulties in building her practice from the ground up, particularly when it comes to finances.

"I started this business without financial cushions or a large savings account," she said. "I've been trying to really be creative on how to get something going while still having a lot of barriers that maybe other people don鈥檛 have.鈥�

Despite the difficulties, Schaefer remains passionate about her work.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

"For me, it鈥檚 like a sense of belonging... I want to help people find that sense of belonging, too," she said. "I've got really powerful stories and really powerful experiences that, when used appropriately, can do a lot of good.鈥�

As The Recovery Space prepares for its official launch, Schaefer feels a deep sense of urgency about the work ahead.

"People are dying鈥�how can we not do something?鈥� she remarked.

She hopes that The Recovery Space will be a sanctuary where individuals can find healing, guided by someone who intimately understands the complexities of recovery and prioritizes safety and empathetic support.

The Recovery Space is located in the Professional Center office space at 522 Beltrami Ave. NW, Suite 11. For the latest updates on the opening date, visit or email isabella.schaefer@therecoveryspace.com.