Treating Addiction, Trauma, and Mental Health With Jiu-Jitsu
A conversation with Anna Pirkl, LMFT & LAADC, on how the integration of jiu-jitsu is effective in the treatment of addiction, trauma, & mental health.
Jiu-Jitsu is emerging as a powerful, trauma-informed tool for treating addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. At Crow’s Nest Ranch Sober Living & Outpatient in Truckee–Tahoe, we’ve seen firsthand how martial arts can support recovery by helping patients reconnect with their bodies, build emotional resilience, and develop healthier ways to cope with stress.
Licensed Marital and Family Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor Anna Pirkl, co-author of Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu: A Guide for Survivors, Therapists, and Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners to Facilitate Embodied Recovery, recently sat down with our founder and director, Jordan Brandt, to talk about how Jiu-Jitsu can support addiction treatment and mental health.
Who Is Anna Pirkl, LMFT & LAADC?
Anna Pirkl is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor, and Registered Art Therapist. She co-wrote Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu with Dr. Jaime Marich, PhD, and is also the author of 12 Creative Experiences For Personal Growth in Recovery, a guide for individuals in recovery and clinicians who support them.
Her work focuses on embodied recovery—helping people heal from trauma and substance use by integrating the body, mind, and emotions in a safe, structured way.
You can explore Anna’s work and books here:
Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690751/transforming-trauma-with-jiu-jitsu-by-jaime-marich-phd/12 Creative Experiences For Personal Growth in Recovery
https://www.oneheartcounselingcenter.com/personal-growth-in-recovery/
Learn more about Anna and her clinical work at One Heart Counseling Center:
https://www.oneheartcounselingcenter.com/services/our-therapists/
You can also connect with her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/annas_art_therapy
And via her Psychology Today profile:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/anna-pirkl-manhattan-beach-ca/430694
How Jiu-Jitsu Supports Addiction, Trauma, and Mental Health Recovery
Jiu-Jitsu is more than a sport or self-defense system. When practiced in a trauma-informed way, it can help individuals:
Reconnect with their bodies in a safe, structured environment
Build self-confidence and a sense of mastery
Improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Develop discipline and healthier routines
Experience supportive community and connection
For many people in recovery, substance use is closely tied to emotional triggers—feelings of shame, fear, anger, or helplessness that push them back into old habit loops. Trauma-informed Jiu-Jitsu gives patients a new way to work with those emotional states through movement, breath, and controlled physical contact, rather than numbing out with substances.
Our Trauma-Informed Approach to Jiu-Jitsu at Crow’s Nest Ranch
At Crow’s Nest Ranch, we integrate both Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai into our holistic treatment programs as part of a broader, trauma-informed movement curriculum that also includes yoga, climbing, personal training, and other outdoor and team-based activities.
Our approach is guided by four core principles of trauma-informed physical activity:
Prioritize autonomy and choice
Patients are always invited, never forced, to participate.
They can choose the level of contact, intensity, and type of drill.
They can pause, modify, or stop at any time.
This is crucial for rebuilding a sense of control that trauma and addiction often take away.
Focus on empowerment and mastery
Techniques are taught in a way that emphasizes progress, not perfection.
Learning a new sweep, submission defense, or striking combination helps transform feelings of weakness into strength and capability.
Similar to weight lifting or climbing, martial arts can provide a sense of purpose and forward momentum in recovery.
Promote self-awareness and regulation
Patients are encouraged to notice their breathing, heart rate, muscle tension, and emotional responses during training.
This mindfulness helps them identify triggers and practice regulating their nervous system in real time.
Over time, this supports better emotional regulation and reduces impulsive reactions to stress.
Create a safe and supportive environment
Instructors and clinicians collaborate to ensure classes are trauma-informed, respectful, and paced appropriately.
Boundaries, consent, and clear communication are emphasized in every session.
Group training fosters community and social connection, which is especially valuable for individuals who feel isolated in their addiction or mental health struggles.
Benefits of Trauma-Informed Martial Arts in Recovery
Research and clinical experience increasingly support the role of physical activity in trauma and addiction treatment. When integrated thoughtfully into a trauma-informed program, disciplines like our Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai For Recovery Groups can offer:
Improved mental health
Regular movement has been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and to support overall emotional well-being.Enhanced physical health
Many individuals with trauma and substance use histories also live with co-occurring physical health conditions, such as hypertension or chronic pain. Exercise can help mitigate these risks and support long-term health.Increased self-efficacy and empowerment
Successfully learning and applying new skills on the mat helps patients regain a sense of control over their bodies and their lives, which is central to sustainable recovery.Better social connection
Group classes, partner drills, and team-based training provide opportunities for safe, structured social interaction and the building of supportive relationships.
All of these benefits directly support our patients in breaking habit loops and responding differently to emotional triggers that previously led to substance use.
Integrating Movement Into Trauma-Informed Treatment at Crow’s Nest Ranch
Both Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai are part of a larger, holistic, and evidence-based treatment model at Crow’s Nest Ranch. Alongside individual and group therapy, we incorporate:
Yoga and breathwork
Climbing and outdoor/adventure therapy
Personal training and strength work
Team sports and community-based activities
Evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and neurofeedback
By reframing exercise as a tool for regaining control and agency, we help individuals:
Reconnect with their bodies in a safe, supportive environment
Process emotions that may have been stored or avoided for years
Build resilience, self-esteem, and a more hopeful vision for their future in recovery
Live a Bigger Life and Recover Holistically With Crow’s Nest Ranch
If you or a loved one is seeking holistic addiction and mental health treatment that integrates trauma-informed movement, martial arts, and evidence-based therapy, Crow’s Nest Ranch may be a fit.
We offer sober living and outpatient treatment in the Truckee–Tahoe area, with personalized treatment plans that honor each person’s story, strengths, and goals.
Ready to learn more or verify insurance coverage?